FG blocks N83bn protest funds, arrests political collaborators

According to a report by The PUNCH, the Federal Government has traced at least N83 billion in cryptocurrency and fiat money channeled toward the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.

They include $50m of cryptocurrency — $38m of which was blocked in four cryptocurrency wallets — and N4bn contributed by various political actors in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina.

This was part of a presentation by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, at the inaugural meeting of the Council of State convened by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

According to multiple sources with knowledge of Tuesday’s meeting proceedings, Ribadu, who presented on the topic ‘The Nationwide Protest As It Affects National Security,’ also revealed that a European has been identified as the mastermind of the proliferation of foreign flags during the protests and will soon be declared wanted by the Police.

One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter, disclosed that local conspirators traced to the capital city Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano have been arrested.

“In his presentation, the NSA said the government was able to trace $50m to crypto wallets that were made as donations to the protests. They succeeded in blocking four of those wallets containing $38m.

“They also found out that some political actors contributed N4bn to fund the protests,” one of the sources revealed.

President Tinubu convened the Council of State meeting to discuss, among other matters, the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, national security, the economy, and food security.

The Council comprises the President (who serves as its chairman), the Vice President, all former Presidents and Heads of State, all former Chief Justices of Nigeria, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of The Federation and all state governors.

Former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhamamdu Buhari attended the inaugural Council meeting, while former Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), joined virtually alongside governors of Abia, Adamawa and Akwa Ibom State.