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HABITUAL CON STARS: HOW HERBERT WIGWE’S ACCESS BANK CUNNINGLY EVADED PAYMENT OF OVER N139 MILLION TAX

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Secret Reporters

Slammed by the police earlier this year with a ₦2.5 billion 21 counts charge of conspiracy and stealing before an Ogun State High Court, Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe’s led Access Bank Plc may be facing several litigations by the Nasarawa State government for defrauding her of over N139 million in unremitted taxes.

An inquiry carried out by a Forensic Accounting Consultancy firm based in Lagos which was engaged by the Nasarawa State Board of Internal Revenue to assist in the improvement of Internally-Generated-Revenue (IGR), withholding tax on dividends, Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) back-duty assessment and IGR suppression (if any) by banks operating in the State from May 1999 to 2017 showed that, the Wigwe-led Access Bank Plc which has operated in the state for years and have gained unlimited access to the state’s wealth and resources may have also joined the bandwagon of experts who engage in annual tax evasion manoeuvres in the state.

We gathered that the forensic accounting firm which worked directly with the State’s Revenue Board on 10% Withholding Tax on Credit Interest, Dividend and Deposit, High Network Individuals as well as PAYE back-duty recoveries established that Access Bank Plc had a total final and conclusive liability accruing to over N139,433,167 (One Hundred and Thirty-Nine Million Four Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand One Hundred and Sixty Seven Naira) unremitted to the Nasarawa State government between 29th May 1999 to 2017.

While the Nasarawa state government was yet to recover from the savagery of Access Bank Plc, it was established that before its merger, Diamond Bank Plc which is seemingly very vulnerable to contacting the virus of corruption also had a total final and conclusive liability of an earth quaking N443,251,148 (Four Hundred and Forty Three Million Two Hundred and Fifty One Thousand One Hundred and Forty Eight Naira) in unremitted tax to the Nasarawa State government within the period under review.

Sources revealed that perhaps seeing that they have become the bank of choice for the Nasarawa state government which has resulted in little or no effective tax collection mechanism, the bank allegedly began its tax evasion scheme which has greatly hampered the state government’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) drive resulting in the impoverishment of residents of the state.

It is also believed that the bank may not have acted in isolation as there are speculations of a possible mole within the state’s revenue board who may have aided and abetted the bank in evading tax for this long without detection by the relevant agencies or perhaps through the expertise of the CEO Hebert Wigwe for such action to be successfully carried out on the Nasarawa State government for years.

Herbert Wigwe is not new to corporate fraud as he is alleged to have conspired with the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, to set up a construction company called Craneburg Construction Company in 2016 to take contracts from the state, without any single civil engineering experience which led to the award of $300 million paid through Access Bank which was the official bank of the state when Ambode held sway.

When contacted, the Head Media Relations of Access Bank Plc Abdul Imoyo, stated that he hasn’t seen any document indicting the bank and as such cannot react to the report which he described as mere allegations. “An auditor that wants to collect money for job done and you are roping Access Bank in it; send me the proof of the indictment and I will respond to you”. When further quizzed if he contacted the Nasarawa State branch of the bank to confirm the report of the auditor, he simply replied “I don’t work for Nasarawa State government I work for Access bank”.

 

Special Report

Nigerian Government Accuses Secrets Reporters Publisher Fejiro Oliver of Espionage, Invites Him For Questioning Days After Kidnapping Its Reporter

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Secrets Reporters

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has invited the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Secrets Reporters, Mr. Tega Oghenedoro, also known as Mr. Fejiro Oliver, for questioning over an ongoing investigation into alleged offenses bordering on espionage, cyberstalking, and computer-related crimes, days after kidnapping one of SecretsReporters Senior Reporter Stanley Ugagbe

Recall that at the close of work on Wednesday the 1st of July, 2026, Ugagbe was kidnapped on his way home by officers of the NIgerian Police force in connection with a report published by SecretsReporters, titled “EXCLUSIVE: CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro Linked to N3.6bn Los Angeles Property Amid Questions Over Asset Declaration Compliance (Part 2)”

Mr Stanley was released on Monday by 7:30pm to the President of the International Press Institute (IPI), Mojeed Muskilu, who was on ground to ensure he was not detained further.

A letter dated 6 July 2026, with reference number CR: 3000/X/NPF-NCCC/FHQ/ABJ/TDP-LM/VOL.1/364, was issued by the National Cybercrime Centre and addressed to Mr. Oghenedoro at the media organization’s office in Wuye, Abuja.

According to the letter, the Cybercrime Centre stated that it is investigating “a case of espionage, cyberstalking, and computer-related offenses in which your name featured prominently.”

The police requested the publisher to report to the National Cybercrime Centre for an interview through the Assistant Director, Defence and Protection Unit, NPF-NCCC Abuja.

The invitation is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 8th July 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre office, Plot 625, Mission Road, Diplomatic Zone, Abuja.

The letter also directed the invitee to contact a phone number listed in it for directions upon arrival. It concluded by requesting his cooperation with the investigation, stating that it “will be highly appreciated.”

The invitation letter was signed by DCP Olufemi Akinola, psc (+), Deputy Director (Operations), NPF-NCCC, Abuja.

In the course of detaining its senior reporter, Stanley Ugagbe, the government through the police accused Secrets Reporters of leaking government documents through its medium and spying on the government to foreign countries, a claim the publisher has denied.

As at the time of filing this report, the publisher has stated that he’s currently not in Nigeria and will answer the invitation as soon as he gets back to the country.

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BEHIND THE SCENCES

Kidnapped SecretsReporters Journalist Stanley Ugagbe Found at Police Headquarters After 48 Hours Blindfolded Over Government Secrets Leak and Petition by CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro

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Secrets Reporters

‎Fresh details have emerged regarding the whereabouts of abducted SecretsReporters journalist, Stanley Ugagbe, who was allegedly seized by armed men in mufti on his way home before being taken to his residence, where his laptop and mobile phone were confiscated.

SecretsReporters has obtained videos showing masked security operatives handcuffing and taking Ugagbe away. According to information available to this newspaper, he was intercepted by armed men in Karu, Abuja, while returning home from official training on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m.

Policemen in masks abducting Journalist Stanley Ugagbe

‎The operatives handcuffed him, took him to his residence in Jikwoyi, seized his work laptop and phone, blindfolded him and drove him to an undisclosed location.

‎As earlier reported by this newspaper, Ugagbe’s arrest is believed to be connected to a report published by SecretsReporters titled: “EXCLUSIVE: CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro Linked to N3.6bn Los Angeles Property Amid Questions Over Asset Declaration Compliance (Part 2).”

‎Sources said Ugagbe remained blindfolded throughout the night at the first location until Thursday, July 2. He was then driven to another facility, still blindfolded, before the blindfold was removed. SecretsReporters has since established that the facility was the National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC).

‎Sources within the NCCC told SecretsReporters that one of the petitions against the journalist was submitted by the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Emem Usoro, who reportedly alleged that he published false information about her.

‎According to the same sources, a second petition, allegedly submitted anonymously, accused the journalist platform of leaking sensitive government information and official secrets considered detrimental by the authorities.

‎During questioning, Ugagbe reportedly maintained that, as a reporter, he was assigned stories by the management of SecretsReporters and was not the custodian of the source materials used in preparing some investigative reports, as all investigations belongs to the organization.

‎The sources further stated that he noted that laptops, communication devices and other equipment used by him and other reporters in carrying out their official assignments are company property belonging to SecretsReporters.

‎Meanwhile, an examination of Ugagbe’s mobile phone call records obtained by SecretsReporters showed that his phone was switched on by security operatives at about 4:00 a.m. on July 2. During that period, four calls were received but went unanswered before the device was switched off again.

The Police is yet to officially own up to kidnapping the journalist.

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General News

Exclusive: Ex Militant Tompolo Moves Niger Delta Traditional Rulers To Beg President Tinubu Over N2.1 Trillion Pipeline Surveillance Contract Renewal

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Secrets Reporters

The battle for the renewal and cancellation of the N2.1 trillion pipeline surveillance awarded to two companies owned by two cousins namely Tantita Security Services Limited and Maton Engineering Limited has shifted to Abuja.

SecretsReporters can exclusively report that the decentralization of the pipeline surveillance championed by social activist and businessman, Tega Oghenedoro, popularly known as Fejiro Oliver, has led to President Bola Tinubu giving his words to stakeholders that he will split the contract along ethnic line, which has caused worries to Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, who owns Tantita Security company covering the Western Corridors of the pipeline contract. His cousin Matthew Tolangha owns Maton Engineering Limited that covers the central corridor.

To convince the President that his company Tantita be solely responsible for holding the multi trillion Naira contract while subleasing to other minor companies, we can authoritatively report that he has bought flight tickets and reserved hotel accommodation for almost all the Niger Delta traditional rulers, apart from the first class kings who refused the gestures, to meet the President next week Thursday in Abuja. They will be leaving for Abuja on Wednesday, revealed several traditional rulers to this medium. The contract is due for renewal in August 2026 but has faced opposition from major stakeholders under the banner of ‘Guard your pipeline and I guard my own’, led by Fejiro Oliver and former Niger Delta agitators like HRM Ateke Tom, Victor Ben aka General Boyloaf, Ajube aka Shoot at Sight, Ateke Tom and many others. Recently, Niger Delta stakeholders such as Ayiri Emami and Diden Michael aka Ejele also joined in the call for the decentralization of the pipeline surveillance.

“We have been promised $5,000 per person after seeing Mr President, which is different from our already paid return flight tickers and hotel accommodation. We should be around hundred selected kings that will meet the President to discuss Niger Delta issues, pass a vote of confidence on Tinubu, endorse him for a second term, even though we know the main purpose is to tell him to give the contract back to Tompolo next month” narrated a king who craved anonymity. An estimated cost of the logistics and welfare package means over N5 billion may be spent by the warlord on the king’s alone.

The meeting we gathered was made possible by the embattled Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is facing national heat for allegedly demanding for over Ten billion Naira bribe from Prince Adeyemi ‘fake’ Presidential Investment Council and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who is at the forefront of ensuring that the contract is awarded back to Tompolo despite obvious resistance from the region.

The National Assembly committees on Gas, Midstream, Upstream and Downstream recently passed a vote of confidence on Tantita, a move condemned by stakeholders led by Ijaw Youth Council President, Theophilus Alaye during a two hour live coverage on national television.

Since the award of the contract to the ex militant, local oil bunkering has reduced drastically, yet oil production has been below the OPEC benchmark.

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