Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Federal Government has been urged to be wary of an ongoing N300million arbitration proceeding initiated against Nigeria before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris, France.

According to an Abuja-based firm, Jonahcapital Nigeria Limited, the proceeding bears a pattern similar to a scheme designed to defraud the country of huge funds over alleged spurious investment claims that were never made in the country.

Jonahcapital Nigeria’s observations are contained in two letters it wrote to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The firm, while accusing one of its former shareholders of being behind the case before the ICC, urged the relevant FG agencies to act promptly to avert a recurrence of the notorious Process and Industrial Development (P and ID) case.

It stated that the ‘proceeding purportedly commenced by Jonahcapital Nigeria Limited against the Federal Government of Nigeria, is at first glance, a blatant attempt to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria by foreign actors, who have no right whatsoever to make the claim they are making on behalf of the company.’

In the letter to the FCT Minister, signed by two directors of the firm – Dr. Adeniran Ogunmuyiwa and Olakiitan Ogunmuyiwa – and dated, August 10, it was alleged among others, that those behind the ICC case were making false claims of $300m investment in a real estate project in the FCT, identified as Rivers Park Estate, Lugbe.

The two directors stated that the claim in arbitral proceedings ongoing before the ICC, that their firm (JonahCapital Nigeria) provided infrastructure worth over $300m in River Park Estate is a clear fraud because ‘as a company, JonahCapital Nigeria, in all its existence never provided any infrastructure or funding towards the development of River Park Estate.’

They added that the infrastructure in River Park Estate was funded by Paulo Homes Limited, with whom they had an agreement to fund the project’s development.

The directors urged the FCT Minister ‘to resist and refer the claim of the purported JonahCapital Nigeria Limited, providing any form of infrastructure whatsoever either by the Nigerian or Ghanaian faction as it is today, to relevant law enforcement agencies.

‘This is to avoid fallen prey to some internationally contrived fraudsters whose only agenda is to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria (i.e Federal Capital Development Authority).’

The letter to the EFCC Chairman, dated, August 11, was written on behalf of the firm by its lawyer, Oluwabunmi Adebiyi, who recalled how Dr. Ogunmuyiwa incorporated Jonahcapital Nigeria around 2007 with himself and his wife as the directors.

Adebiyi said the firm subsequently entered into a Development Lease Agreement with the FCDA for the development of Plot 4, Cadastral Zone E30, Lugbe West, Abuja, now known as River Park Estate.

He accused those behind the ICC case of allegedly engaging in ‘impersonation, fraud, false representations and an apparent attempt to unlawfully acquire and appropriate substantial economic interests connected to the River Park Estate Project.

‘The circumstances are particularly grave because the acts complained of have now extended beyond the internal affairs of JonahCapital Nigeria Limited and have culminated in representations allegedly being made in arbitral proceedings before the ICC.

‘Our clients state that these claims are false and forms part of a deliberate scheme to create a fictitious history of ownership, investment and entitlement to the project, with the ultimate objective of securing an arbitral award or other legal recognition capable of conferring substantial proprietary and financial benefits upon persons who have no legitimate entitlement whatsoever, to the potential prejudice of our clients and the interests of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ Adebiyi said.

The protracted internal feud that fractured the Social Democratic Party (SDP) reached a decisive conclusion on Wednesday, as the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja set aside a lower court judgment that had recognized the party’s expelled former chairman, Shehu Gabam.

The legal battle stems from a deep-seated leadership crisis within the SDP, which erupted after the party expelled Gabam over internal administrative disputes and non-compliance with party directives.

The court verdict also affirmed the nomination of Dr. Francis Ajala as the official SDP gubernatorial candidate for Osun State for the Saturday governorship election.

Despite his expulsion, Gabam challenged the party’s structure in court, securing a ruling at the Federal High Court in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/402/2026 under Justice M.G. Umar. The judgment reinstated Gabam and threw the party’s executive structure-and its official nominations for upcoming elections-into confusion.

Refusing to accept the lower court’s decision, the SDP leadership, headed by Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, filed an appeal arguing that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to reverse internal party discipline and had acted contrary to established judicial precedence.

Delivering the unanimous verdict of a three-member appellate panel comprising Justices Fadawu Umaru, M.S. Hassan, and L.A. Ganiyu, Justice Umaru declared the Federal High Court judgment null and void.

The appellate bench held that the lower court erred fundamentally, failing to adhere to an earlier Supreme Court ruling delivered on May 22, 2026, which had already validated the Gombe-led executive.

Beyond resolving the chairmanship, the appellate court also put an end to the secondary conflict over candidate selection by affirming the nomination of Dr. Francis Ajala as the official SDP governorship candidate for Osun State, ruling that the lower court had no business entertaining challenges to his ticket.

Addressing journalists after the judgment, SDP presidential candidate and lead counsel to the appellants, Prince Adewole Adebayo, described the ruling as a total victory that considered six applications and resolved every point in favour of the party.

‘The court declared the Federal High Court judgment recognizing Gabam null and void because it contradicted an earlier Supreme Court decision delivered on May 22, 2026,’ Adebayo stated. ‘The judiciary has done very well for Nigeria and has guided INEC very well.’

Adebayo emphasized that the ruling marks the absolute end of the legal wrangling, providing much-needed administrative clarity to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding who holds the party’s reins.

Echoing these sentiments, the affirmed SDP National Chairman, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, praised the judiciary for its swift intervention in restoring order to the party’s internal governance.

‘INEC should respect the internal affairs of all registered political parties, particularly their decisions on candidate selection,’ Gombe remarked, urging the electoral umpire to align strictly with party constitutions.

Expressing gratitude to the legal team and media for keeping the public informed during the crisis, Gombe added:

‘We urge journalists to continue enlightening the public toward ensuring free, fair, and credible 2027 general elections.’

With the appellate court setting aside the lower court’s order and reinforcing the Supreme Court’s stance, the SDP structure under Prof. Gombe now shifts its focus toward consolidating its ranks and preparing for the upcoming election cycles without the shadow of dual leadership.

The election observation group, Yiaga Africa, has trained no fewer than 35 journalists ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) results management process and the electronic transmission of results.

The training, aimed at enhancing accurate reportage and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process, was conducted in collaboration with the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) and the International Press Centre (IPC) at Adolak Event Centre, Osogbo, Osun State.

Speaking after the training, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, explained that the programme was organised to improve journalists’ understanding of the electoral results process and to strengthen accurate reporting as the state prepares for a keenly contested poll.

Itodo said the tense political atmosphere and incidents of violence recorded in the build-up to the election made it imperative to equip journalists with the knowledge required to report election results accurately and responsibly.

According to him, ‘I think what is clear is that this is a competitive election. It’s competitive for a lot of reasons. You clearly see in the build-up to this election, there has been a very tense political environment that is signposted with violence.

‘Based on the Kukah Centre Election Security Information Hub, there have been over 34 deaths in the build-up to these elections. We’ve also seen very incendiary statements that are meant to inflame certain fault lines in this election.’

He added that ‘the history of disputed election results in Osun further underscored the need to engage journalists covering the election and take them through the various stages of results management.’

Itodo noted that the 2026 Electoral Act had introduced innovations into the electoral process, including the use of electronic EC8A, making it necessary for journalists to understand how the new system works.

‘INEC has introduced some innovations by virtue of the 2026 Electoral Act. INEC is using electronic EC8A. Then also when you look at issues about the role of the IReV and how results have been manipulated in the past, it was necessary to take journalists through the processes, the journey of results, so they can improve on their reportage,’ he said.

He stressed that journalists would play a critical role in providing the public with accurate information about the management and declaration of election results, particularly because results management remained one of the most contested aspects of elections.

Itodo explained that a proper understanding of the constitutional requirements for winning the governorship election was also important in preventing misinformation and possible violence.

He said, ‘More so because the public will be looking forward to the results management process. Since it’s one of the contested aspects of an election, if there’s miscommunication about results, if people don’t know what it takes for a governor to emerge-that you need the highest number of votes, you need 25 per cent in 20 of the 30 local governments, but there are also stages of reports-then it could actually serve as a huge source of violence.’

During the training, participants were also taken through the implications of electronic results management and the roles of the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, the Election Results Analysis Dashboard (ERAD), the Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) mechanism, and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), amongst others.

The National Youth Wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding opportunities for young Nigerians to participate, lead, innovate and contribute to national development, its leader, Dr Dayo Israel said yesterday.

Israel, made the pledge in a message marking International Youth Day 2026, observed globally under the theme: ‘Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.’

He described young people as indispensable partners in shaping Nigeria’s present, not merely its future.

Israel said the youth wing’s responsibility was to create the platforms through which their ideas could translate into impact.

‘Young people are not merely the leaders of tomorrow; they are partners in shaping the Nigeria of today,’ Israel said.

‘Our responsibility is to create the opportunities, platforms and pathways through which their ideas can become impact.’

According to figures the youth attributed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 2,836,995 Nigerians aged 18 to 34 – 68.83 percent of completed registrations – had finished online and physical registration in the Commission’s Phase II, Week 15 update of the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration exercise as of April 28.

The youth said engagement must extend beyond commemorative gestures into sustainable platforms for policy engagement, skills acquisition and civic participation. It cited a range of ongoing initiatives under Israel’s leadership, including the Renewed Hope Conversations, among them a Campus Policy Dialogue held at the University of Abuja; the Mustapha Abdullahi Energy Leadership Fellowship (MAELF), run with the Dam Foundation; the SWIP App, a community engagement platform; and the Zacch Adedeji Taxation and Fiscal Policy Fellowship.

Israel is also convener of the Mummy’s Men Movement, described as an independent initiative promoting responsible fatherhood and positive masculinity.

‘The future of Nigeria cannot be built for young people without young people,’ Israel said. ‘We must move from speaking about youth to building with youth; from preparing young people for leadership to creating spaces where they can exercise leadership today.’

The youth called on governments, institutions, political parties, the private sector and civil society to create more pathways for youth participation and leadership, urging young Nigerians to take ownership of their voices and communities.

The Arewa Youth for Peaceful Coexistence has dismissed as false and mischievous reports that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is lobbying to become the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.

The group, through its National Chairman, Haruna Bature, described the report as a calculated attempt to tarnish Wike’s political image and create unnecessary tension within the country’s political space.

Bature said the claim had no basis in reality, stressing that Wike had neither lobbied nor expressed interest in becoming the APC presidential campaign DG.

According to him, Wike remains committed to the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and is focused on delivering on his responsibilities as FCT Minister, as well as contributing to the President’s political success in Rivers State and the FCT.

He said Wike, who is currently holidaying in Spain, had just concluded about 30 days of commissioning projects across the country, arguing that his recent activities were evidence of his focus on governance rather than lobbying for political appointments.

‘Wike never lobbied,’ Bature declared, adding that the minister had dismissed the report as a total lie and urged Nigerians to disregard the allegation.

The Arewa youth leader accused unnamed political actors of deploying what he described as ‘hypocrisy, duplicity and fabricated lies’ against Wike in an attempt to score cheap political points and cause friction between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said the alleged campaign was part of a broader attempt to distract Wike from his duties and obstruct the minister from carrying out what he described as his good work in the nation’s capital.

Bature argued that Wike’s political influence in Rivers State and his record in infrastructure development had made him a target of political attacks, insisting that his achievements should be judged on their merits rather than through unsubstantiated reports.

‘Falsehood may fly on the wings of the wind and spread to every corner of the earth, but truth, though slow and solemn, will always catch up with it,’ he said.

The group described Wike as a major political force in Rivers State and an ‘irreplaceable asset’ in leadership, particularly in view of his role in the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory.

Bature said the Arewa Youth for Peaceful Coexistence remained proud of Wike’s achievements and urged him to remain focused on delivering projects and supporting national development, while calling on Nigerians to reject political propaganda capable of deepening divisions in the country.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said on Wednesday that it has recovered more than N115 billion in statutory levies owed to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by defaulting oil companies between 2021 and 2023.

Francis Oka-Phillips Usani, an EFCC representative, disclosed this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts in Abuja.

Usani said the amount comprised N76.883 billion and $81.076 million in outstanding liabilities.

The committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, is investigating queries arising from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) 2021-2023 Oil and Gas Sector Audit Report.

Usani said the EFCC investigated 43 oil companies, of which 24 operating in the Niger Delta were found to have outstanding three per cent statutory levies payable to the NDDC.

He said the remaining 19 companies were cleared after the investigation found no outstanding liabilities against them.

‘At the commencement of the investigation, EFCC invited 43 oil companies, out of which 24 operating within the Niger Delta were found to have outstanding liabilities in the sums of N76,883,705,907.17 and $81,076,655.00, while the remaining 19 other oil companies were given a clean bill of health,’ Usani said.

He added that, following the investigation and mounting pressure on the affected companies, some paid their outstanding liabilities directly to the NDDC.

According to him, the companies paid N6.709 billion and $16.994 million directly to the commission.

Usani further disclosed that N73.373 billion and $67.070 million recovered by the EFCC on behalf of the NDDC had been released to the development commission, leaving N3.510 billion and $14.005 million in the EFCC’s recovery account.

Explaining the scope of the investigation, Usani said the EFCC focused primarily on unpaid three per cent statutory levies due to the NDDC, as identified in the NEITI audit report.

He, however, said the commission was also mindful that other statutory obligations and taxes could be outstanding from the affected companies and payable to the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, the committee rejected an attempt by TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited to defend queries raised against it in the NEITI audit report, citing under-representation.

The committee consequently directed the Managing Director of TotalEnergies to appear in person before it at a date to be fixed next week.

It also gave the managing directors of South Atlantic Petroleum Limited, Oando Oil Limited, Famfa Oil and Green Energy International Limited a final opportunity to appear physically before the committee.

Dankwambo said that the investigation would continue on Thursday.

The National Coordinator of The Disciples of Jagaban, Honourable Comrade Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as one of Nigeria’s most experienced and influential political figures of contemporary times.

Alawuje, in a statement issued on Wednesday, urged Nigerians to assess political leaders and alternatives based on competence, experience, ideas and measurable value rather than sentiments, ethnic considerations or political loyalty.

He acknowledged that no government or political leader was perfect, stressing that criticism, disagreement and opposition remained legitimate components of a democratic society.

According to him, however, political opposition should go beyond criticising the government by presenting Nigerians with clear, realistic and convincing alternatives capable of addressing the country’s challenges.

‘I am not saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is perfect. No leader is perfect. The important question is whether those presenting themselves as alternatives have been able to convince Nigerians, beyond sentiments and political loyalty, that they have a better and more realistic plan for the country,’ he said.

Alawuje said the political experience accumulated by Tinubu over several decades remained an important factor Nigerians should consider when assessing his administration and the country’s broader political landscape.

He challenged supporters of major opposition figures, particularly Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, to engage in substantive debates on policies, programmes, experience, governance and their respective visions for Nigeria rather than relying mainly on political rhetoric.

The National Coordinator also urged politicians and their supporters to avoid rhetoric capable of deepening ethnic, religious and political divisions, while expressing concern over attempts to involve foreign governments or political figures in Nigeria’s domestic political disagreements.

‘Nigeria is a sovereign nation. We can disagree among ourselves, criticise our government, challenge policies, and demand accountability. But our political disagreements should not become an invitation for external forces to determine our domestic political affairs,’ he stated.

Alawuje maintained that the opposition had an important role to play in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, provided it remained constructive and focused on offering credible alternatives, adding that supporting Tinubu should not mean refusing to acknowledge shortcomings in government, just as opposing the administration should not mean wishing the country failure.

He called on Nigerians to focus political debates on competence, character, policy, experience, accountability, economic development, national unity, security and citizens’ welfare, stressing that ‘grumbling is allowed, criticism is allowed, opposition is allowed, but patriotism must remain paramount.’ He reaffirmed The Disciples of Jagaban’s commitment to democratic participation, responsible political engagement and the promotion of national development.

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has assured residents that all necessary measures have been put in place to guarantee a free, fair, and credible poll.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, urged residents not to entertain fear, stressing that adequate security arrangements had been made to ensure a safe atmosphere for registered voters to exercise their civic rights.

He disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, had approved the deployment of 10,000 police personnel to oversee the election under the supervision of a Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

‘The Nigeria Police Force has announced plans to develop a comprehensive roadmap for the effective management of security during elections as part of efforts to strengthen the security architecture ahead of the 2027 general election,’ Iniedu said.

He reiterated that the police remain impartial and that officers deployed to Osun have been adequately trained to strictly follow the rules of engagement.

A Nigerian Army Headquarters committee, led by Brig. Gen. K.O. Bukoye, Commander of 401 Special Forces Brigade and Sector 1 of Operation Whirl Stroke, has inspected a proposed Army Barracks site at Imande Dura in Turan District, Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State.

The inspection was led on the ground by Kwande Local Government Chairman and Benue ALGON Chairman, Vitalis Terhile Neji, who said his sustained efforts to address insecurity in Kwande drew state and federal attention, leading to the decision to site the barracks in Turan District.

He thanked Governor Hyacinth Alia and President Bola Tinubu for the intervention, urging community leaders to cooperate with the committee for speedy delivery of the project.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Turan Development Association (TUDA) President, Ahaa Bichi, endorsed Imande Dura as the site and thanked the chairman, governor and president for prioritising the community’s security concerns.

Maj. Gen. Raymond Utsaha, who oversees implementation of new Army divisions in three states including Benue, and Maj. Gen. M.K. Gara, pioneer General Officer Commanding of 5 Division, briefed traditional rulers on the barracks’ expected benefits and called for collaboration from elders and stakeholders. Utsaha said the barracks would help address the security situation in Kwande, including concerns around the Nigeria-Cameroon boundary, and pledged the Army’s commitment to expedite the project.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has cautioned bakery and confectionery operators against compromising food safety or misleading consumers amid rising production costs.

FCCPC’s Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tunji Bello, gave the warning yesterday in Lagos at a stakeholders’ engagement with bakery and confectionery operators. The event was organised by the commission’s Southwest Zonal Office.

Bello said rising costs of flour, sugar, energy, transportation, packaging, equipment and financing could put pressure on businesses, but stressed that such challenges could not justify practices capable of endangering consumers. Bello was represented by the commission’s Southwest Zonal Coordinator, Mrs. Olubunmi Otti.

‘When input costs rise, businesses cannot resort to unsafe substitutes, harmful or prohibited additives, poor-quality ingredients, compromised hygiene, manipulated expiry information or other shortcuts that transfer commercial risks to consumers,’ he said.

He said businesses could respond to changing economic conditions through legitimate commercial decisions, but must not deceive or endanger consumers.

The FCCPC boss also warned operators against inaccurate product claims, particularly on weight, ingredients, shelf life, allergens, storage conditions and other material information.

He said what businesses told consumers on product labels, packaging, social media, at points of sale or through conventional advertising must accurately reflect what they offered.

According to him, consumers should not be made to pay for value that has not been supplied.

Bello said the commission’s position was particularly important because bakery products were consumed daily by millions of Nigerians, including children.

He said food safety could not be sacrificed in pursuit of profit, noting that consumer protection must begin before products reached the market.

‘Quality cannot simply be checked at the end of the production line. It has to be built into the entire production process,’ he said.

Bello urged operators to ensure proper sourcing, storage and handling of ingredients, maintain hygienic production environments and equipment, and strengthen staff practices.

He also advised businesses to establish effective traceability systems capable of identifying affected production batches, ingredients used and the destinations of products in the event of a safety concern.

The FCCPC chief executive further urged bakers to treat consumer complaints as early warning signals rather than attacks on their businesses.

He said repeated complaints could expose problems involving defective batches, poor packaging, improper storage, problematic ingredients or discrepancies between declared and actual product weights.

Bello said manufacturers and distributors that became aware of unforeseen hazards associated with products already in the market had an obligation under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, to notify the public and withdraw affected products.

He added that businesses must be prepared to isolate affected products, investigate problems, protect consumers, notify relevant authorities where required and take corrective action.

The FCCPC boss said effective consumer protection would also protect responsible businesses from unfair competition by operators that cut corners to gain commercial advantage.

He said the bakery and confectionery industry should compete on quality, efficiency, innovation, service and value rather than on the ability to evade consumer protection obligations.

‘The FCCPC wants businesses in this sector to prosper. We want to see them expand, innovate, employ more Nigerians and build brands that endure,’ Bello said.

He warned that sustainable businesses depended on consumer confidence, which in turn rested on quality, safety, honesty and accountability.

Bello said the commission would continue to engage businesses constructively and provide regulatory clarity, but stressed that engagement should not be mistaken for reluctance to enforce the law.

He said the FCCPC would act within its statutory mandate where businesses exposed consumers to unsafe products, engaged in deceptive practices, disregarded applicable standards or violated consumer rights.

The executive vice-chairman challenged operators to return to their businesses and review their operations from the sourcing of ingredients to production, labelling, distribution and complaint handling.

‘If I knew everything about how this product was made, would I confidently serve it to my own family?’ he asked, urging operators to use the question as a practical test of their compliance culture.

Bello said building consumer trust required more than advertising, noting that confidence was earned when products matched their descriptions, quantities matched what was promised and businesses accepted responsibility when problems occurred.

He urged operators to make quality and safety part of their daily operations rather than standards they prepared to meet only when regulators visited.

He said sustained compliance would make consumers safer, strengthen responsible businesses and improve public confidence in the bakery and confectionery sector.