Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Federal Government has identified strategic public procurement as a critical tool for strengthening Africa’s logistics systems, reducing post-harvest losses, and boosting food security, saying procurement decisions must go beyond routine government spending to drive economic transformation and sustainable development.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, made the call on Tuesday at the Africa Procurement and Supply Chain Summit and Awards 2026 held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Public Procurement is Live: Creating Opportunities for Sustainable Growth in Africa,’ Ogunbiyi said public procurement had evolved into a strategic instrument for institutional strengthening, industrial development, and improving the quality of life of citizens.

He noted that governments across the continent spend between 12 and 20 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on public procurement, making every procurement decision an opportunity to stimulate local industries, create jobs, improve infrastructure, and deliver greater value to the public.

According to him, the agricultural sector remains one of the biggest beneficiaries of efficient procurement systems, particularly in addressing logistics and supply chain bottlenecks that continue to fuel food losses and rising food prices across Africa.

He noted that poor transport networks, inadequate logistics infrastructure, fragmented cross-border systems, high freight costs, limited warehousing facilities, and delays in moving goods continue to undermine public investments and weaken Africa’s competitiveness.

Ogunbiyi explained that the challenges are more severe for farmers who rely on timely delivery of seeds, fertilizers, machinery, and extension services, while harvested produce must be transported quickly to aggregation centres, storage facilities, processing plants, and markets.

‘Weak logistics and transportation systems contribute significantly to post-harvest losses, reduce farmers’ incomes, increase food prices, and weaken food security across the continent,’ he said.

The Permanent Secretary urged African governments to deploy transparent and well-planned procurement systems to invest in critical infrastructure, including roads, railways, inland waterways, ports, cold-chain facilities, warehouses, and digital logistics platforms capable of linking producers to markets and supporting trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He also advocated the adoption of digital procurement platforms, electronic contract management, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, data analytics, and smart logistics solutions, while calling for stronger regional collaboration to modernise procurement and supply chain systems.

According to him, transparent, technology-driven procurement and resilient supply chains are essential to achieving the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and unlocking the full economic opportunities presented by the AfCFTA.

Highlighting reforms within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ogunbiyi said procurement is being deployed as a strategic mechanism for implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by enhancing agricultural productivity, expanding mechanisation, strengthening irrigation, improving storage and processing infrastructure, and developing competitive agricultural value chains.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007, noting that procurement processes would continue to be guided by integrity, transparency, competition, due process, and effective contract management.

The Permanent Secretary also outlined ongoing reforms within the ministry, including the digitalisation of procurement processes, stronger monitoring and evaluation systems, professionalisation of procurement officers, and increased stakeholder engagement to improve service delivery.

The summit ended with an awards ceremony recognising outstanding individuals and organisations for excellence in procurement and supply chain management across Africa.

Ogunbiyi congratulated the award recipients and called for sustained collaboration among governments, development partners, and the private sector to build procurement and supply chain systems capable of strengthening public trust, supporting industrialisation, improving logistics, enhancing food security, and driving shared prosperity across the African continent.

President Bola Tinubu has condemned the deadly attack on Naridon Village in Kaduna, ordering security agencies to hunt down the perpetrators and rescue abducted residents.

The attack, which occurred early Monday in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area, claimed about 30 lives, including women and children, while several houses were burnt.

Tinubu described the assault as a barbaric and cowardly act of terror against defenceless citizens.

This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday in Abuja.

‘I have directed the Armed Forces, police, and relevant intelligence agencies to intensify operations across the affected areas to track down the perpetrators swiftly, secure the release of abducted individuals, and restore normalcy to the region,’ he said.

The president warned that those seeking to undermine the hard-earned peace and security enjoyed in Kaduna would not escape justice.

He extended condolences to the bereaved families, Gov Uba Sani, the Kaduna State Government and the people of the state.

Tinubu assured the state government and affected communities of the Federal Government’s support in confronting security challenges.

‘Our administration has an unwavering commitment to strengthening security infrastructure, equipping response personnel, and neutralising criminal networks attempting to disrupt the peace of the nation,’ he said.

The president also urged residents to support security agencies with credible intelligence to enhance prompt response to threats.

‘I urge our local communities to cooperate with security forces by providing actionable intelligence that would help early response efforts,’ he added.

This statement reflects the views of industry experts and stakeholders advocating comprehensive regulation of Africa’s real estate industry as a crucial step toward attracting investment, protecting consumers, and promoting sustainable housing development.

During AIHS forum in Abuja, the experts emphasised that introducing stronger regulatory systems, similar to those in the UAE, could reduce fraud, enhance transparency, encourage mortgage financing, and attract both local and international investment into Africa’s housing sector.

They argued that effective regulation has become essential rather than optional. By recommending the adoption of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) real estate regulatory system in Nigeria and other African nations, the experts highlighted how the UAE has become one of the world’s most attractive real estate investment destinations due to a robust regulatory framework that fosters transparency, professionalism, investor confidence, and market stability.

Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have transformed into global property hubs because government institutions established clear rules that protect buyers, developers, investors, and financial institutions while ensuring that only qualified professionals operate within the sector.

Unlike many emerging markets with loosely regulated real estate activities, the UAE has implemented a structured system where accountability is a cornerstone of the industry.

The stakeholders explained that real estate in UAE is regulated by government agencies with clearly defined responsibilities. In Dubai, for instance, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) oversees all property transactions, title registrations, and ownership records, while the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) regulates developers, brokers, property managers, and other industry practitioners.

‘These institutions formulate regulations, issue licenses, monitor compliance, and impose sanctions when necessary,’ they stated.

They noted that every property developer in Dubai must obtain government approval before launching any project. Developers are required to demonstrate financial capacity, submit approved building plans, and comply with all regulatory requirements before they can market or sell properties. This process reduces the risk of fraudulent developments and protects buyers from incomplete projects.

One of the UAE’s most successful reforms has been the compulsory use of project escrow accounts, where money paid by buyers is deposited into regulated bank accounts dedicated solely to specific projects. Developers can access these funds only based on construction progress certified by independent professionals. This system prevents the diversion of buyers’ funds and significantly reduces the number of abandoned housing projects.

Moreover, every real estate broker, agent and property management company must be licensed. Professionals are required to undergo training, pass certification examinations, and adhere to a strict code of ethics before practicing. Government regulators continuously monitor their activities and can suspend or revoke licenses for misconduct.

The stakeholders also noted that the UAE’s real estate success is enhanced by digital land registration, with property ownership records fully digitised. All land transactions, title verifications, mortgage registrations, and ownership transfers in the UAE are conducted electronically, making the processes transparent, efficient, and challenging to manipulate.

These digital systems have reduced fraud and increased investor confidence.

In terms of dispute resolution, the UAE has established effective mechanisms. Buyers, tenants, landlords, and investors can access specialised real estate dispute centers where complaints are resolved quickly, avoiding prolonged litigation. This has strengthened public confidence in the property market.

Additionally, the UAE enforces strict anti-money laundering compliance. Recognising that real estate can be susceptible to illicit financial flows, the UAE has implemented robust Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations. Developers, brokers, and agents are mandated to verify clients’ identities, report suspicious transactions, and comply with financial intelligence requirements. Violations result in severe penalties, including fines, license suspensions, and criminal prosecutions.

Finally, the experts pointed out that transparency in property transactions is crucial.

Information regarding sale prices and ownership details is made public, further enhancing the integrity of the real estate market.

The G6 group of governorship aspirants in the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s claim that he is the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election, insisting that the APC is yet to produce a standard bearer.

The group also dismissed Alli’s assertion that aggrieved aspirants had embraced reconciliation and agreed to support his candidacy, describing the claim as premature.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the aspirants maintained that the party must adopt a credible consensus process capable of producing a candidate acceptable to the majority of members.

The G6 said it remained committed to the success of the APC in the 2027 general election but stressed that the current process should be reviewed.

‘As loyal party members, we remain committed to the victory of the APC and are ready to work with whoever President Bola Ahmed Tinubu picks as the consensus candidate,’ the group said.

‘We are good party men and we will be pleased to work for the victory of the party with anyone that Asiwaju Tinubu picks as the consensus candidate.’

The aspirants insisted that Senator Alli’s claim to the party’s governorship ticket was unfounded.

‘Oyo State APC is yet to have a governorship candidate, and Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who has been parading himself as the candidate of our great party, is living in delusion,’ the statement added.

The group reiterated its demand for a credible consensus arrangement to be supervised by President Tinubu, rather than what it described as attempts by an aspirant to impose himself on the party through propaganda.

‘While G6 is committed to the success of our party in the 2027 general elections, we insist that the process must be reviewed to produce a consensus candidate that most party members will accept and support, not an aspirant who is using propaganda in his bid to impose himself as the party’s candidate,’ the statement read.

The aspirants maintained that the APC in Oyo State remains ‘one indivisible family with a strong electoral profile,’ stressing that their position on the governorship race has not changed.

Their reaction followed comments by Senator Alli, who, during the ‘A Day With BSA’ interactive session organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, claimed that the party was making progress in reconciling aggrieved members.

Alli had disclosed that one of the G6 members visited him on Monday to assure him of the group’s willingness to cooperate with the reconciliation process.

He also revealed that he recently met with another governorship aspirant in Abuja to discuss strategies for strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 election.

‘On my part, I have also been going round to reconcile with members, both the governorship aspirants and the senatorial aspirants. I can tell you this party is going to resolve all that you think is crisis,’ Alli had said.

The Kano State Police Command has rescued 10 passengers and repelled an attack by suspected bandits on the Jos-Kano highway in Doguwa Local Government Area, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of three remaining victims.

The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, saying the incident occurred on Sunday, July 26, at about 5:30 p.m. along the Folgore Forest axis between Gate Two Safer Highway and Dogo Dutse.

According to the statement, a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BKK 6824 XA, travelling from Jos to Kano, was intercepted by five armed men wielding machetes and a firearm.

The assailants reportedly blocked the highway, attacked the vehicle and abducted 13 of the 20 passengers on board.

The statement said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Doguwa Division received a distress call and immediately mobilised tactical police operatives to the scene.

On arrival, the officers engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat.

‘As a result of the swift and coordinated response of the Police team, nine victims were successfully rescued, while another male victim later escaped from captivity,’ the statement said.

The command, however, confirmed that three passengers-one man and two women-remain in captivity.

The rescued victims were evacuated to Doguwa General Hospital for medical evaluation and are said to be in stable condition and receiving treatment.

The police said additional tactical teams have been deployed while intelligence-led operations have been intensified to rescue the remaining captives and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended members of the public for providing timely information that aided the operation.

He reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, particularly women and children, and urged the public to continue reporting suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.

The command added that investigations into the incident are ongoing and that further updates would be communicated as developments unfold.

An Ekiti State Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has ordered the arrest of disqualified All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in the state, Abimbola Olawumi, over alleged blackmail, cyberbullying and death threats against the Chief Executive Officer of agro-allied company YSJ Limited, Yemisi Joluwe (YSJ).

Tribune Online had reported that she was first arraigned before the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti on July 23, where she pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge preferred against her and was granted bail on self-recognition. The case was adjourned until July 28, 2026.

However, Olawumi’s failure to appear in court in person angered the magistrate, who viewed her action as a sign of disrespect for the court.

Counsel to the defendant, Odunayo Okunade, apologised to the court over his client’s absence, explaining that she was unable to attend the proceedings due to health challenges.

In his argument, the Police Prosecutor, Samson Osobu, strongly opposed the defence’s explanation, insisting that the defendant’s absence was unjustifiable.

Osobu argued that despite claiming to be ill, Olawumi was allegedly active on social media on July 26 and 27, where she reportedly continued to abuse, curse, threaten, bully and terrorise the complainant, as well as other prominent personalities in Ekiti State.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant’s conduct amounted to a gross abuse of the bail earlier granted by the court.

He urged the court to revoke her bail and issue a bench warrant for her arrest.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun expressed displeasure over the defendant’s failure to appear in court.

The magistrate stated that the court was disappointed that Olawumi failed to honour its proceedings despite being granted bail, noting that parties granted bail are expected to strictly comply with the conditions attached to it.

He subsequently revoked the bail earlier granted and issued a bench warrant for her arrest while adjourning the case until August 17, 2026, for further hearing.

Meanwhile, the plaintiff, who is the Chief Executive Officer of agro-allied company YSJ Limited, Yemisi Joluwe, expressed satisfaction with the court’s pronouncement.

According to her, the time had come for Olawumi ‘to pay for all her terrible actions, which were carried out with utmost impunity.’

She said, ‘Nobody is above the law, and I am ready to get justice through the court. She has consistently bullied me and allegedly masterminded the kidnap of my staff.’

Leading figures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Chief Koforola Akerele-Bucknor, party leaders, friends and associates on Monday gathered in Lagos to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the death of former Lagos PDP governorship candidate, Engr. Funsho Williams.

Williams, who flew the PDP flag in the 2003 Lagos governorship election, was brutally murdered on July 27, 2006, by yet-to-be-identified assailants.

The remembrance service was held at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, George described the late politician as an epitome of civility, humility and service, saying the pain of his death remains fresh even after two decades.

‘Twenty years is a long time, but it still feels like yesterday. The pain of his loss is still with us. I remember receiving a call from the President around 7 a.m. informing me that Funsho had been murdered. We immediately flew to Lagos, and I went straight to his house. Seeing him lying lifeless is a sight I can never forget,’ he said.

George recalled that Williams was his junior at the university and praised him as a gentle, compassionate and selfless leader.

‘He was an epitome of civility, a true icon, a humanist and a gentleman. We lost a gem. Twenty years later, I want to appeal to Nigerians to embrace peace. Has the nation truly found peace? Who is happy today? Those in government should always work for the good of the country. Though it is a painful memory, we thank God for his life. I pray that God guides our affairs and reassure Nigerians that our great party will endure.’

Also speaking, politician Dr. Funso Doherty described the late Williams as a leader whose legacy continues to inspire many.

‘Late Engr. Funsho Williams left behind a shining legacy across Lagos and Nigeria. He was a man many of us admired and sought to emulate because of his character and commitment to public service,’ he said.

Lagos State PDP Chairman, Dr. Amos Fawole, described Williams as a distinguished gentleman, accomplished engineer and a true Omoluabi whose vision for a prosperous Lagos could not be extinguished by violence.

According to Fawole, Williams believed governance was a sacred responsibility aimed at improving the lives of the people, particularly the less privileged.

‘He was a compassionate leader whose humility, generosity and selfless service transformed countless lives. His vision for a greater Lagos was built on competence, integrity, inclusiveness and genuine love for humanity,’ he said.

Fawole urged Lagosians and Nigerians to sustain the ideals that defined Williams’ life, including integrity, compassion, sacrifice, excellence and an unwavering commitment to the common good.

In his homily, the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Dominic Mbom, urged the congregation to live exemplary lives rooted in faith and righteousness.

‘Every great person has a humble beginning. It is by living according to God’s principles that one grows into greatness,’ he said.

The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has unveiled an ambitious strategy to transform the country’s cashew industry, targeting an increase in national raw cashew nut production from about 300,000 tonnes to one million tonnes over the next decade while ensuring that half of the output is processed locally.

The target, outlined during the inauguration of the association’s national and state chapter executives in Abuja on Tuesday, is expected to deepen industrialisation, boost non-oil exports, attract investment and create thousands of jobs across Nigeria’s cashew-producing states.

Speaking at the event, NCAN National President, Ademola Adesokan, described the initiative as a practical roadmap rather than a mere aspiration, stressing that its success would depend largely on activities at the state level.

According to him, although policies are formulated at the federal level, the real drivers of the cashew value chain, production, aggregation, storage and quality assurance, are rooted in farming communities across the country.

‘We have set ambitious targets of growing national production from about 300,000 tonnes to one million tonnes within the next decade, with 50 per cent of that volume processed right here at home. That is not a slogan; it is a roadmap with measurable milestones,’ he said.

Adesokan noted that the newly inaugurated state chapters would serve as the operational backbone of the national strategy by ensuring quality control, strengthening aggregation systems and improving traceability throughout the supply chain.

He said improved coordination at the grassroots would enhance confidence among processors and exporters, making Nigerian cashew more competitive in international markets.

‘Our processors and exporters can only thrive when they receive consistent, high-quality supplies. That responsibility begins with our state chapters,’ he added.

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) pledged continued policy support for the industry, describing the inauguration as a critical step toward implementing the recently validated Nigeria Cashew Roadmap.

Delivering the ministry’s goodwill message on behalf of the Director of the Industrial Development Department, Olumuyiwa Jayi-Ade, Assistant Director Popoola Abimbola said the inauguration marked the transition from policy formulation to implementation.

He commended NCAN for its active role in developing and validating the Nigeria Cashew Roadmap, saying the association’s contributions strengthened the framework for a sustainable and globally competitive cashew industry.

Abimbola disclosed that the ministry, working with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, NCAN and development partners, would immediately begin developing implementation strategies and institutional frameworks for the roadmap.

A major component of the implementation plan, he revealed, is the establishment of the Nigerian Cashew Project Office (NCPO) to coordinate reforms, stakeholder collaboration, monitoring and execution of programmes across the value chain.

He said the ministry was committed to expanding domestic processing capacity, promoting value addition, attracting investments, generating employment, increasing farmers’ incomes and positioning Nigeria as a leading exporter of processed cashew products.

The ministry also urged NCAN members to strengthen the association financially through prompt payment of dues to enhance its capacity for advocacy, member services and collaboration with government.

Similarly, the Director of the Commodities and Export Department, Obasi Edozie, described the establishment of state chapters across all cashew-producing states as a major institutional milestone that would improve stakeholder coordination and governance within the industry.

He noted that the cashew sector remains one of Nigeria’s most strategic non-oil export commodities with significant potential to generate foreign exchange, drive rural development, stimulate industrial growth and create employment opportunities.

Edozie reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing policies that would improve productivity, strengthen quality standards, expand processing capacity and enhance the global competitiveness of Nigerian cashew products.

He also called on stakeholders across the value chain to remain united in promoting traceability, attracting investment and accelerating local processing as Nigeria seeks to capture greater value from its expanding cashew industry.

One year after the launch of Nigeria’s National Policy on Non-State Schools (NPNSN), education stakeholders have called for urgent state-level action.

They warn that without immediate domestication, the policy’s commitments to improving support for schools, teachers, and millions of children will fail to strengthen the sector.

The call was made on Tuesday in Lagos during a press conference organised by the Coalition of Non-State School Associations and the SEED Care and Support Foundation.

The hybrid event featured the launch of the NPNSN Tracker. This evidence-based tool monitors progress, identifies implementation gaps, and promotes accountability among stakeholders.

Private school leaders present emphasised that state governors hold the key to transforming this national framework into practical local pathways.

While stakeholders praised the federal government for creating the policy a year ago, they expressed disappointment at the total lack of progress at the state level.

Speaking at the launch, Mrs Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Executive Director of the SEED Care and Support Foundation, revealed that the tracker provides the first structured snapshot of state-level domestication efforts.

The assessment, based on public records and stakeholder inputs, revealed that none of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory has fully domesticated or implemented the policy.

According to Oniyitan, the data shows a stark divide in state responses:

On progressing to final steps, only six states-Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa-are currently reviewing draft frameworks on the policy. They only lack formal legislative approval and public publication, and until this is done, the policy remains paperwork.

Osun and Ekiti, on their part, are drafting instruments, while Rivers State relies on an existing, alignable regulatory framework.

The remaining 27 states show absolutely no evidence of domestication activities.

Oniyitan noted that the policy addresses the core challenges private operators face, including multiple taxation, inaccurate enrollment data, poor teacher training, and lack of funding or technical support. ‘The best time for state governments to act is now,’ she said. ‘As more that 65 per cent of the entire school children nationwide are attending the non-state schools leaving the rest for the public schools.

Association leaders echoed her urgency.

Coalition Secretary General Orji Kanu, LEAMSP National President Abdulwahid Obalakun, GUAPS President General AbdulAzeez Ajibola, and Model Islamic Schools National Treasurer Misbaudeen Zakariyah Akinola all expressed shock at the stagnation.

They noted that implementation would drive both educational and economic development by cementing private schools as true partners with the government.

The coalition urged the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) not to remain silent. They advised the FME to set up an internal monitoring and evaluation unit, deliver technical support to struggling states, and pitch the policy directly to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

‘As it stands, no state can provide an accurate count of its non-state schools, let alone pupils,’ the coalition observed. ‘And without data, effective planning for these children and staff is impossible. Every state governor must demonstrate the political will to make this policy work.’

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and 702 local government areas (LGAs) have urged the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to dismiss a suit filed by a lawyer, Mr Joe Agi, SAN.

Agi, in the suit, is seeking the payment of $159 million as legal fees from ALGON and the LGAs’ account for his involvement in the Paris Club refund debt buy-back.

However, ALGON and the LGAs, in their reaction, disagreed with the senior lawyer and prayed the court to discountenance the submission of Dr Ted Edwards, another legal practitioner, on his purported legal representation and payment for professional service for the association.

They made their position known in a joint counter-affidavit filed by their lawyer, Donald Ayibiowu, before Justice James Omotosho.

Agi, a senior lawyer, had, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/653/2026, demanding his legal fees in the sum of $159 million, listed the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Minister of Finance and the Director-General, Debt Management Office, the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), Dr Ted Edwards, and Incorporated Trustees of ALGON (for themselves and on behalf of the 774 local government councils in Nigeria) as 1st to 7th defendants respectively.

The senior lawyer sought a declaration that the judgment, in motion number M/1545/15, delivered by an Abuja High Court on October 30, 2015, in favour of the 6th defendant (Edwards) against the 7th defendant (ALGON), was obtained by fraud and misrepresentation.

He said this subsequently misled the 1st to 5th defendants to exercise their executive and administrative actions wrongly in favour of Edwards, to his (Agi’s) detriment.

He sought a declaration that the exercise of the executive and administrative functions of the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants were misled to have issued the promissory notes of $159 million in Edwards’ name, ‘who was not counsel to the 7th defendant to entitle him to legal fees in suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/130/13.’

He therefore prayed Justice Omotosho for an order setting aside the judgment in motion number M/1545/15 delivered on October 30, 2015, for being a nullity ab initio.

Agi sought an order cancelling and/or voiding the ten promissory notes issued wrongfully by the Director, Debt Management Office and the Minister of Finance in tranches of $15.9 million annually for 10 years from September 27, 2021, in favour of Edwards, for having exercised their administrative and executive functions arbitrarily and wrongfully.

He sought an order mandating the 1st to 5th defendants to forthwith redeem the four promissory notes amounting to $63.6 million that had since fallen due and pay same to him.

The lawyer also sought an order directing the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants to immediately reissue the six remaining promissory notes in his name, covering the same dates originally issued in the name of Edwards.

In the affidavit attached to the suit, Agi deposed that he was the lawyer briefed by Linas International Limited and ALGON to represent them in suing the Federal Government, AGF, Finance Minister and AGoF to recover the wrongful deductions from the LGAs in the London Paris Club debt buy-back.

He said the judgment was entered on December 3, 2013, by Justice A.F.A. Ademola in the Federal High Court and that ALGON, to the knowledge of Edwards, agreed to pay him 10 per cent of whatever sum was awarded, adding that, pursuant to the said judgment, he filed a garnishee proceeding wherein the court made the garnishee order nisi for the payment of the sum of $3.188 billion.

He said even when Edwards and some strange fellows started laying claim to portions of the judgment, ALGON wrote to him and the court in letters dated February 17, 2016, and February 11, 2016, raising alarm and emphatically informing him, as lead counsel, that Edwards obtained his judgment by fraud and that he was not their counsel.

He said Edwards’ spurious claim to the payment of legal fees was dismissed in a well-considered ruling by Justice Ademola on June 27, 2016.

According to him, pursuant to the fraudulent judgment obtained by the 6th defendant, the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants, without his knowledge, proceeded into meetings with the 6th defendant.

‘And in the exercise of their executive and administrative functions offered to pay $159,000,000.00 and recommended same to the Chief of Staff to the President in a letter dated 23rd December, 2019 and put the name of the 6th defendant on the said letter which is annexed as Exhibit JAI0.’

Agi said that following the approval for the issuance of the promissory notes in ten tranches of $15.9 million annually payable from October 15, 2027, totalling $159 million, he promptly protested to the 1st to 5th defendants that their action was wrong and dangerous.

Agi averred that he was the ‘one who conducted the case and so entitled to the payment of the legal fees in issue which was administratively issued to the 6th defendant, howbeit wrongfully.’

He said he had written to the 3rd and 2nd defendants (Finance Minister and AGF) requesting the reissuance of the promissory notes in his name and that it would be in the interest of justice for the defendants to reissue the promissory notes in his name.

The 6th defendant (Edwards), in his counter-affidavit, disagreed with Agi’s submission.

Edwards, also a lawyer, told the court that he was briefed by the Board of Trustees of ALGON for legal consultancy and management services with respect to the London/Paris Club debt buy-back over deductions.

He said his appointment initially was by the chairman of ALGON but was later ratified by the entire board and the scope expanded. According to him, before his engagement, the ALGON management had engaged a consultant to compute and recover from the Federal Government funds belonging to the 774 LGAs, which was illegally deducted by the Federal Government from the local government fund at the Federation Account for the London/Paris Club debt buy-back.

He said the consultant, Linas International Limited, had filed a suit for that purpose at the Federal High Court, identified as suit number FHC/CV/CS/180/2013, and that the suit was initiated by Agi at the instance of Linas International Ltd, the consultant to ALGON/LGAs.

Edwards submitted that Agi’s fee was subsumed in the fees payable to Linas International Limited, adding that, by Agi’s engagement, his fees should be borne by the consultant, not the LGAs.

‘This agreement between Linas International and the Local Government/ALGON was made a term of the judgment of the court In sult No. FHC/CV/CS/130/2013 delivered by the plaintiff as Exhibit JAI.’

Edwards argued that he was briefed independently by the ALGON Board from the brief given to Linas International Limited, who in turn briefed Agi to help it do the recovery.

He insisted that he was briefed by ALGON to collaborate with the consultant doing the recovery through Agi and to ensure that the funds being recovered were not dissipated by ALGON management.

The lawyer said he was also briefed to ensure that he carried out his brief to the satisfaction of the employer, who issued a letter of no objection to the payment of his fees to the 1st defendant (Federal Government).

Edwards said in furtherance of his brief, he engaged Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN, to help him in the process, to the knowledge of his employers, ALGON, and however said that the letters tendered by Agi as exhibits JA4, JA5 and JA6 were letters written in furtherance of the brief given to Linas International Ltd.

According to him, the letters were copied to Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN, because the ALGON Board was aware that he had engaged him as a leading member of his team.

The 6th defendant said that when he was not paid, he sued ALGON, representing the 774 LGAs, at the Abuja High Court and obtained judgment and garnishee absolute for the enforcement of the judgment against the CBN.

Besides, he said when the Federal Government showed reluctance to obey the judgment of the Abuja High Court, he consulted with Agi, who was prosecuting the recovery, and applied that his judgment be registered in garnishee proceedings over suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/130/2013.

He said it was the garnishee proceedings in that suit which Agi was prosecuting as the lead counsel at the instance of Linas International Limited.

Edwards said contrary to Agi’s claim, his application filed by the plaintiff (Agi) was rejected on the basis that the court could not execute the judgment of the Abuja High Court nor sit on appeal over its decision.

He averred that Agi knew full well that ALGON did not brief him and that he (Edwards) was the one briefed. ‘In fact, the plaintiff had acted for me in this matter of recovery of my legal fees and had in about two occasions written to the Hon. A.G of the Federation, acting as my counsel, for the recovery of my legal fees.

‘The plaintiff’s letter to the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation dated 3rd January, 2017, is delivered as Exhibit G,’ he said, and alleged that it was owing to the fact that Agi was acting for both him and Linas International Limited in the same legal/consultancy recovery efforts that made Linas International Ltd debrief him.

The lawyer said he executed his contract with ALGON satisfactorily, to the effect that he was issued a letter of no objection to the payment of his fees.

But in a counter-affidavit by the 7th defendant, comprising ALGON and 702 local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria, deposed to by Hon. Bello Lawal, they prayed the court to dismiss the suit.

Lawal, who is the elected National President of ALGON and the current Executive Chairman of Kaita Local Government, Katsina State, said they were familiar with the facts of the case.

He said as a necessary and proper party, his attention was drawn to the pendency of the suit around May 30.

‘And I immediately presented same to my colleagues at the NEC for deliberations at office, and we have elected to state the following facts,’ he said.

Lawal said they are persons of fundamental and irrefutable interest in the affairs of the subject matter of the funds being sought to be appropriated under the guise of purported legal representation and payment for professional service for ALGON.

He said ALGON is a common platform for the administration of all LGAs as the third tier of government in Nigeria and that the 7th defendant and the 702 LGAs are the principals and owners of the funds, allegedly cornered and now sought to be awarded between Agi and Edwards, ‘flowing from the face of copious claims and documents filed before this court.’

Lawal, who described himself as the chief accounting officer of ALGON, said contrary to Agi’s deposition, the association and the LGAs did not and never engaged directly the professional services of the plaintiff and the 6th defendant (Agi and Edwards).

He argued that all the surreptitiously obtained documents from officials of ALGON were never issued before the commencement of the substantive suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/130/13.

Besides, he said none of the documents were intended to confer direct and/or concurrent contractual rights on Agi because they had previously briefed Messrs Linas International Ltd to do the same job for which Agi is now claiming the LGAs engaged him, as being claimed before the court.

He said contrary to Agi’s averments in paragraphs three and four of his affidavit, Justice Ademola, in his judgment, ordered a deduction at source of ‘20% of the judgment sum and pay same to the 1st plaintiff through its solicitors, Joe Agi, SAN, into Skye Bank Plc sort code: 076152029, Account No. 1060003931, being the agreed consultancy fees of the 1st plaintiff for its services to the other plaintiffs.’

He said the judgment was delivered by Justice Ademola in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/130/2013.

Lawal said Agi eventually engaged in a legal brawl and struggle for his professional fees with Linas International Ltd after he had concluded his work as agreed, according to him.

He said this led Agi to file another suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1193/2017 and went on to clearly claim to have been engaged by Linas International Ltd while it was working as consultant to the LGAs.

He said neither Agi nor Edwards, who are laying claims to the funds directly or indirectly, had the consent of ALGON and the LGAs, the owners of the funds, to deal proprietarily with funds belonging to them from the federation accounts, as claimed by the plaintiff.

He insisted that the 1st to 5th defendants do not have any constitutional right to pay out funds belonging to them without their express authorisation, and prayed the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

Although the case came up for adoption on the last adjourned date, counsel who appeared for the Minister of Finance (3rd defendant), Oluwafemi Korisade, gave the court information from her office.

She told the court that her office said the AGF had instructed the counsel representing the 1st and 2nd defendants (Federal Government and AGF) to amend their processes.

Also, Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN, who appeared for Edwards, said the plaintiff had just served on them a process and they were still within time to respond.

Justice Omotosho consequently adjourned the matter till September 30 for hearing.