Nigeria, Jan. 20 -- President Bola Tinubu has awarded Nigeria's second-highest national honour, GCON, to Gilbert Chagoury, the controversial Lebanese-Nigerian billionaire and close ally of the Nigerian president.

Although the award was given on 8th January, it was not announced by the presidency or made public until Monday.

Sources in the presidency confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that a copy of the award shared by billionaire Femi Otedola on X on Monday was authentic, but said the presidency may not issue a statement on the matter.

Mr Chagoury was accused of helping former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha loot Nigeria's treasury when the latter held sway as head of state (1993 to 1998). He, however, became a close business ally to Mr Tinubu a...