The Ika Community Development Association Worldwide, ICDA, in collaboration with other civil society organisations, has raised the alarm over what it described as irregular and illegal coal mining activities in the Ika community of Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.

According to the Secretary General of the association, Abuh Shehu, certain individuals and corporate interests are exerting undue pressure on the community to sign a fraudulent Community Development Agreement, CDA.

Speaking with journalists on Monday in Abuja, Shehu stated that the agreement in question was neither transparently negotiated nor representative of the interests of the Ika people.

He, however, warned the community against entering into any form of agreement with a Chinese national, Ms Julie Zhuo, and her company, Afrasia Mineral Limited.

The community leader condemned the move as a breach of ministerial directives and an attempt to erode the rights of the host community.

Shehu noted that the Minister of Solid Minerals had previously directed that all negotiations and engagements concerning CDA be conducted solely between the community and Orbit Exploration and Natural Products Limited, the rightful holder of the original mining title.

He accused Afrasia Mineral Limited of advancing its interests through illegal channels, in clear violation of due process.

While reiterating the community’s readiness to engage constructively with Orbit Exploration on legal and transparent terms, ICDA reaffirmed that Ika remains a peaceful and law-abiding community.

Nonetheless, it vowed to resist any attempt to impose illegality on its people, warning that such actions would be met with firm rejection and, if necessary, legal action.

ICDA and its civil society organisation partners have called on relevant government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Solid Minerals, to intervene and ensure that justice is upheld.

They further appealed to both national and international stakeholders to pay attention to the plight of the Ika community in its ongoing struggle against illegal mining and exploitation.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has raised concerns over the increasing disregard for legislative summons by government officials and institutions,

Akpabio spoke through Senator Abdul Ningi at the National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance, jointly organised by the Public Accounts Committees (PACs) of the Senate and House of Representatives, where he urged PACs to assert their constitutional mandates under sections 80, 81, and 88 of the 1999 Constitution.

“The PACs possess the authority to summon any official to account for public expenditure. Any refusal to appear is an affront to democratic principles and a violation of the rule of law,” Akpabio said.

He criticized the rising trend of non-compliance among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and urged PACs to reassert their oversight powers through rigorous investigations and performance-based expenditure reviews.

Akpabio called for enhanced technical support and the deployment of digital tools to strengthen legislative oversight, particularly in complex entities like the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

“This conference should not end in words alone; it must provide lawmakers with actionable strategies to reinforce fiscal accountability,” he added.

Meanwhile Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen has expressed concern over Nigeria’s weak audit enforcement mechanisms, revealing that public audit queries amounting to over N300 billion remain unaddressed.

Abbas represented by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, said the persistent disregard for audit recommendations must be halted. According to him, financial infractions should have consequences.

He emphasized that the 10th House has adopted a more proactive posture by introducing real-time tracking mechanisms, follow-up systems and audit digitization to ensure MDAs comply with financial regulations.

“Fiscal oversight is no longer a ceremonial process, it is a strategic instrument for national growth,” Abbas noted, adding that the House is working to make audit reports more accessible and comprehensible to the general public.

He also advocated for a harmonized national audit system to ensure fiscal discipline across all tiers of government and called for consistent monitoring of budget performance beyond appropriation stages.

“We are embedding a culture of performance-based reviews, sectoral audits, and impact assessments,” he stated.

The Ogun State government said it has ordered a full investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the road accident that claimed 10 lives and left three others severely injured on Friday.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that a bus conveying 15 passengers plunged from the Omu bridge located at the Awa Ijebu axis of the expressway.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Transportation, Olugbenga Dairo, on Monday expressed his condolences to families of the victims, describing the incident as a painful occurrence that could have been averted.

He said, “We are saddened by the tragic accident that occurred, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the deceased during this very difficult time. No words can fully capture the sorrow of this moment.”

The commissioner assured that findings from the investigation would further guide safety policies and reforms, to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Dairo added that the state government, through relevant agencies, was working to enhance road signage, expand speed enforcement measures and promote responsible driving across Ogun State highways.

He reaffirmed the Abiodun-led administration’s commitment to the safety of lives on all state routes, adding that it would continue to collaborate with relevant authorities, including Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), public transport operators and unions to ensure compliance with road safety standards and prevent future occurrences.