Newly released documents from the United States Department of Justice have alleged that Nigeria’s former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okey Enelamah, held a meeting with convicted s*x offender Jeffrey Epstein while in office.

The files indicate that the meeting was arranged by former Goldman Sachs partner Jide Zeitlin, who introduced Epstein to Enelamah amid discussions over a proposed seaport project in Badagry, Lagos.

According to the documents, Zeitlin engaged Epstein in conversations around the development of a deep seaport in Badagry and facilitated contacts between the financier and Nigerian officials, including Enelamah, then Nigeria’s trade minister.

Correspondence cited in the files showed that Zeitlin also explored the possibility of entrusting the project to an associate of Epstein, Sultan Bin Sulayem, who expressed interest in Badagry over Lekki due to existing infrastructure.

“Dear Jide, Jeffrey introduced us a while ago. We are very interested in Nigeria. The two locations available are Badagry and Lekki. We prefer Badagry because the infrastructure is better,” Bin Sulayem wrote in a June 2018 email.

In another email dated May 3, 2018, Zeitlin informed Epstein that Enelamah had visited him following President Muhammadu Buhari’s meeting with then US President Donald Trump.

“Okey Enelamah, Nigeria’s trade minister, stopped by my home this evening as he was still in town after Buhari’s visit with Trump. He mentioned his discussions with you at WEF,” Zeitlin wrote to Epstein on May 3, 2018. “Whenever we meet, I have some thoughts that may be helpful to you.”

The files note that the engagement occurred years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction and jail term for molesting minors, during a period when he continued to maintain relationships with powerful figures despite mounting lawsuits tied to s*xual abuse allegations.

The documents also highlight that during the same period, Bill Gates severed ties with Epstein, requesting that all correspondence be deleted and that Epstein resign from entities linked to the Gates Foundation.

For weeks, Enelamah declined to address enquiries from Peoples Gazette regarding his alleged interactions with Epstein. After being informed that the report would be published without his input, a publicist representing him said the former minister was not involved in Epstein’s crimes or any criminal activity.

Enelamah’s tenure as trade minister was marked by controversies, including allegations that he colluded with MTN to repatriate $13bn from Nigeria in 2016—claims he denied.

In 2019, he was also questioned by the Senate over the alleged diversion of ₦42bn linked to the Nigeria Special Economic Zone project. Enelamah rejected the allegation, insisting that the involvement of private investors was approved by then-President Buhari. Senators disputed aspects of his account, but no wrongdoing was established.

Zeitlin, the intermediary named in the files, later resigned as Chief Executive Officer of Tapestry in 2020 after a separate scandal involving a double identity and allegations that he photographed women nude under a false name.

His earlier nomination by former US President Barack Obama as US ambassador for UN management and reform collapsed after allegations from a former partner surfaced, prompting his withdrawal.

Zeitlin has denied criminal wrongdoing but acknowledged that his past relationship led to his resignation, saying he stepped aside to avoid becoming a distraction to the company.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reconstituted the leadership of its 2026 National Convention Central Coordination Committee, with former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari appointed as the new chairman.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who was initially named chairman of the committee, has been reassigned to serve as treasurer.

In addition, the APC expanded the committee’s membership from 73 to 90 members to accommodate more party stakeholders.

Newly added members include Senator Barry Mpigi and several other prominent APC chieftains.

According to the party, the adjustments form part of the revised 2026 APC National Convention Central Coordination Committee and were made to reflect zoning considerations and other strategic exigencies.

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, on February 5 announced a six-week partial closure of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

This is to enable repairs on expansion joints at Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge and Arepo–Punch Bridge. 

The ministry said the closure became necessary to resume critical rehabilitation works earlier suspended on the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge following public complaints over prolonged traffic congestion. 

Addressing journalists at Kara Bridge, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, apologised to motorists for the inconvenience and assured that improved traffic management arrangements would be put in place to ensure swift and durable repairs. 

Komolafe explained that the expansion joints on the three bridges had deteriorated significantly, posing safety risks and contributing to crashes. He said the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had directed that urgent repairs be carried out. 

He added that work had already been completed on half of the Lagos-bound sections of Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges, while the remaining portions on the Ibadan-bound side would now be addressed. 

On the scope of work, the contractor and General Manager of CBC Construction Company, Andy Duan, said the repairs would take six weeks, with mobilisation of equipment to be completed over the weekend and full construction expected to begin on Monday, Feb. 9. 

According to him, parts of the expansion joints at Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges had been completed, while half of the Lagos-bound section at Kara Bridge was already done. 

He said: “At Kara Bridge, we have finished half of it. So we are facing the other half of it. Instead of causing traffic, that’s why we suspended the work temporarily. Now we are getting instructions from the Ministry of Works to resolve this issue. 

“Actually, the condition of the expansion joint for Kara Bridge is very bad and always causing traffic accidents. 

“Before we make the diversion, we are going to bring materials like barriers to protect the temporary working area and put traffic signs, warning signs and warning lights to make sure traffic moves safely and our workers are protected. 

“We are supposed to start immediately, but we are shifting it to Monday. We expect to complete half of each expansion joint within a week. For the Ibadan-bound side, covering three bridges, we will divide the work into phases so each bridge takes about a week.” 

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kehinde Hamzat, assured motorists that measures had been put in place to ensure smooth traffic flow during the construction period. 

He warned against driving against traffic, noting that violators would be sanctioned, and said the repairs were prompted by reports of failing expansion joints that had caused ditches and crashes, particularly on Kara Bridge. 

Hamzat urged motorists to cooperate and exercise patience, describing the closure as a necessary step to improve road safety and infrastructure.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the military to eliminate the terrorists responsible for the attacks on residents of Kiama Local Government Area in Kwara State and to restore complete peace in the region.

This was confirmed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq while speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, after meeting behind closed doors with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Governor disclosed that based on the President’s directive, the first commander for Operation Savannah Shield has reported in Kwara State, and he’s hitting the ground running.

Governor Abdulrazaq said his visit to the Villa was to brief the president on what happened in Kwara and thank him for the prompt response and support received in ensuring the situation is brought under control as fast as possible.

He said: “Yes, I came to brief Mr. President about what happened in Kaiama local government of Kwara State and also to thank him for the prompt action taken by the President by establishing Operation Savannah Shield. That will go a long way in deterring and bringing calm to the region in Kwara State.

“Well, after meeting the President, I’m confident because as I speak to you, the first commander for Operation Savannah Shield has reported in Kwara State, Ilorin today, and he’s hitting the ground running and we rely on the military to do what they do best.

“Mr. President has directed the armed forces to move in and to clean up the place and make sure peace and calm are restored.”

The Presidency spent at least ₦34.39 billion on foreign exchange transactions to cover international travel and related expenses between 2024 and 2025.

Data obtained by Punch from GovSpend, a public finance tracker operated by BudgIT, showed that the spending was executed through the State House, the Presidential Air Fleet, the Office of the Chief of Staff, and other units linked to the President, Vice President, First Lady, and their aides.

A breakdown of the figures revealed that ₦29.35 billion was spent in 2024, while 2025 saw a sharp drop to ₦5.04 billion, representing an 82.8 percent year-on-year decline.

This drop aligns with broader macroeconomic trends, including a relative stabilisation of the naira following key forex policy reforms and improved dollar inflows.

The bulk of the foreign exchange in 2024 was concentrated in the first half of the year, coinciding with severe exchange rate volatility and pressure on the naira.

Among the top spenders was the Presidential Air Fleet, which made multi-billion-naira forex transactions tagged as “presidential air fleet forex transit funds.” Between March and May 2024 alone, the fleet made repeated purchases of ₦1.27bn on five separate occasions, with larger tranches of ₦5.08bn (April 23) and ₦2.43 bn (May 8) also recorded.

Further payments included ₦205m (July), ₦1.25bn, ₦2.21bn, ₦1.24bn, ₦902.9m (August)

State House Records Billions In Presidential Trip Forex

Forex outflows from the State House Headquarters were also extensive. In February 2024, the office spent over N2.5bn for international trips, including:

₦1.04bn – President’s trip to Ethiopia

₦750m – President’s trip to Dubai

₦426.88m – VP’s trip to Switzerland

₦176.77m – VP’s trip to Côte d’Ivoire

₦149.79m – First Lady’s trip to France

₦86.76m – VP’s trip to Liberia

March brought additional disbursements:

₦202.39m – First Lady’s trip to Mozambique

₦126.30m – Trip to London

₦169.54m – VP’s estacodes for training in the UK and the US

Forex purchases surged in July 2024, with multiple same-day transactions including:

₦739.07m, ₦358.53m, ₦243.32m, among others.

By October 28, a ₦1.36bn forex purchase was recorded, followed by ₦736.20m on December 1.

2025: Presidency Cuts Back On Foreign Travel Spending

The reduction was broad-based and reflected in smaller and less frequent transactions. For example, April 2025 payments included ₦535.82m, ₦57.94m, ₦32.51m, ₦23.67m.

Larger aviation-linked purchases such as ₦1.29bn and ₦626m were more isolated, with August payments as low as ₦7.67m.

The naira ended 2025 at ₦1,429/$1, a 7.4% appreciation from the ₦1,535/$1 recorded at the end of 2024. This marks the first annual gain since 2012, after 13 years of continuous depreciation.

Forex reforms and tighter controls on government spending were credited for the recovery.

Despite the cutbacks in 2025, the Presidential Air Fleet remained a major source of forex demand, with its dollar-denominated expenses for maintenance, fuel, leasing, and operations drawing scrutiny.

Other notable spenders included the Office of the Chief of Staff and the First Lady’s office, with expenses tagged for estacodes, accommodation, logistics, and protocol.

Accountability Calls Grow Louder

The Country Director of Accountability Lab Nigeria, Odeh Friday, expressed concern over the impact of such spending on the country’s strained finances.

“This highlights the urgent need for a shift toward greater equality and accountability in the management of public finances,” Friday said.

He stressed that it is critical to measure the impact and necessity of these expenditures.

“Some of them are clearly wasteful expenditure,” he added.

Peter Obi Slams Tinubu’s Frequent Foreign Trips

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for spending most of January 2026 abroad.

In a post on his 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi wrote, “While leaders in other nations prioritise domestic governance in January, Nigeria’s president prioritises international engagements over pressing national issues.

“This month, he spent 23 days abroad across two trips, beginning the year overseas and returning on the 17th, and departing again on the 26th to Türkiye, where he remains as of January 31.”

Obi questioned the urgency and value of these trips, “What urgent matters continuously warrant his absence from the nation? When he does return, it often appears to be merely to welcome defectors into the APC before he jets off again.”