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  • N/Delta Oil Spill: UK’s Supreme Court rules in favour of Shell

    The United Kingdom Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled in favour of Shell, a British multinational oil and gas company, over a 2011 offshore oil spill.

    The apex court ruled that it was too late for Nigerian claimants to sue Shell subsidiaries over a 2011 offshore oil spill.

    The case was one of a series of legal battles Shell has been fighting in London courts against residents of Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta, a region blighted by pollution, conflict and corruption related to the oil and gas industry, Reuters report.

    In December 2011, there were allegations that an estimated 40,000 barrels of crude oil leaked when a tanker was loaded at Shell’s Bonga oilfield, 120 kilometres off the coast of Nigeria’s Niger Delta.

    Shell disputed the allegations and said the Bonga spill was dispersed offshore and did not have adverse effects on the shoreline, according to Reuters.

    A group of 27,800 individuals and 457 communities have made several attempts to drag Shell to court, arguing that the resulting oil slick polluted their lands and waterways, destroying farming, fishing, drinking water, mangrove forests and religious shrines.

    But a panel of five Supreme Court justices unanimously upheld rulings by two lower courts that found they had brought their case after the expiry of a six-year legal deadline for taking action.

    The claimants’ lawyers had argued that the ongoing consequences of the pollution represented a “continuing nuisance”, a type of civil tort, which would have meant the deadline did not apply.

    “The Supreme Court rejects the claimants’ submission. There was no continuing nuisance in this case,” Justice Andrew Burrows said during the ruling.

    While it was two Nigerians that were appellants in the Supreme Court case, the verdict would be applicable to the thousands of other claimants, the report added.

    Shell said the Supreme Court ruling had brought to an end all legal claims in English courts related to the spill.

    “While the 2011 Bonga spill was highly regrettable, it was swiftly contained and cleaned up offshore,” a Shell spokesperson said.

  • Technical challenges responsible for Abuja blackout – AEDC

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), has blamed technical challenges for the blackout that is being experienced in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other parts of its franchise areas.

    Nigerian Anchor reports that the AEDC is responsible for electricity supply in the FCT, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states.

    In a public notice signed by its Management, which it posted on Wednesday afternoon, the electricity distribution company, DisCo, said that it was already aware of the situation.

    “The Management of Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) wishes to inform its esteemed customers that it is aware of the power outages and fluctuations being experienced in recent times.

    “This is primarily due to technical challenges caused by the combination of inclement weather conditions, vandalism, routine maintenance, and technical installations at various locations within our franchise area.

    “While we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused, we assure you that the ongoing technical installations across our franchise are aimed at improving the quality of your power supply.

    “We thank you for your patience and understanding,” AEDC said.

  • PEPC: Obi supports live coverage, as court adjourns till May 17

    File photo of Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi

    The Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi has said he is supporting the call for a live broadcast of the proceeding made by the Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Speaking shortly after proceedings on Wednesday, counsel to Mr. Obi, Levy Uzoukwu (SAN) said that for the interest of the general public, he is supporting a live broadcast proposal as the courtroom is not big enough to accommodate people.

    However, at the resumed proceedings earlier, the senior lawyer informed the court that the parties unanimously agreed and sought the leave of the court for an adjournment by one week (May 17).

    “My lords, we agreed that it will be better if the matter is adjourned to Wednesday, next week to enable parties file and serve processes, so when we come back, we will be sure the processes are ripe for hearing.

    “We also agreed that before then, we would have agreed on documents to be tendered without being objected to and without being controversial,” he prayed.

    Reacting, counsel to the respondents, respectively confirmed what the petitioner said. The respondents, through their various counsels pleaded with the panel that with the timeframe their documents will be ready for adoption.

    The Counsel submitted that the procedure proposed which is subject to the panel’s approval, will hasten the proceeding.

    On the bench ruling, the Chairman of the panel, Justice Haruna Tsamani, on the instance of the all the parties, adjourned the matter till May 17, to enable them streamline and bring up issues for determination.

    Obi and his party are challenging the declaration of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress as winner of the presidential election that was held on February 25.

    He wants the court to withdraw the Certificate of Return that was issued to Tinubu. 

    Also, Obi maintains that Tinubu was not even qualified to contest the election in view of his previous indictment and forfeiture of funds in a drug related case in the United States of America.

    In his prayers, he equally posited that Tinubu was not duly elected with the majority of valid votes cast at the election, insisting that he failed to win the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as required by the Constitution.

  • Federation Cup: Fireworks in Benin, Abuja, Kano and Lokoja

    Former champions Enyimba FC of Aba and Plateau United of Jos will create fireworks at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City in their Round of 32 match of this year’s Federation Cup men’s competition on Wednesday (today).

    The People’s Elephant squeezed through to this stage after a nail-biting penalty shootout against Rivers United FC in Uyo, and now have to confront an ambitious Plateau United looking to march all the way to the grand finale.

    At the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja, multi-titlists Rangers International of Enugu will do battle with Kano Pillars, while the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano plays host to the potentially-explosive encounter between Mighty Jets of Jos and Gombe United FC.

    A total of 16 matches will be disputed in the men’s category, all scheduled for Wednesday, while seven matches will be played in the women’s competition with Bayelsa Queens having reached the last eight without kicking a ball, following the unfortunate accident involving opponents Dannaz Ladies.

    In Lokoja, Nasarawa Amazons – one of the establishment – will clash with Naija Ratels of FCT in a match slated for Thursday as the six other matches in the women’s competition.

    FC Robo Queens of Lagos will make it a date with Royal Queens of Delta State in Awka while Rivers Angels are up against Osun Babes in Warri.  

    FEDERATION CUP: ROUND OF 32 FIXTURES (MEN)

    Heartland FC (Imo) Vs Essien Ayi FC (Cross River) – Awka – 10/05/23 – 2pm

    Ahudiya (Abia) Vs Bendel Insurance (Edo) – Calabar – 10/05/23 – 4pm

    Standard FC (Kaduna) Vs Sunshine Stars (Ondo) – Lokoja – 10/05/23 – 4pm

    EFCC FC (FCT) Vs Akwa United (Akwa Ibom) – Awka – 10/05/23 – 4pm

    Warri Wolves (Delta) Vs 3SC (Oyo) – Owerri – 10/05/23 – 4pm

    Mighty Jets (Plateau) Vs Gombe United (Gombe) – Kano – 10/05/23 – 4pm

    Osun United (Osun) Vs Insurance Feeders (Edo) – Lagos – 10/05/23 – 4pm

    Cynosure FC (Ebonyi) Vs Lobi Stars (Benue) – Abuja Area 3 – 10/05/23 – 4pm

    Plateau United (Plateau) Vs Enyimba FC – Benin City – 10/05/23

    Ingas FC (Enugu) Vs El-Kanemi Warriors (Borno) – Kaduna – 10/05/23 – 4pm

    Nasarawa United (Nasarawa) Vs DMD FC (Borno) – Bauchi – 10/05/23 – 4pm

    Ikorodu City (Lagos) Vs Kwara United (Kwara) – Osogbo – 10/05/23 – 4pm

    FC Ebedei (Ekiti) Vs Igbajo FC (Osun) – Ibadan – 10/05/23 – 4pm

    Rangers Int’l (Enugu) Vs Kano Pillars (Kano) – Abuja Goal Project – 10/05/23 – 4pm

    FR Ebunuja (Imo) Vs Doma United (Gombe) – Abuja Area 3 – 10/05/23 – 2pm

    Edel FC (Anambra) Vs Mailantarki FC (FCT) – Akure – 10/05/23 – 4pm

    FEDERATION CUP: ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES (WOMEN)

    Bayelsa Queens Vs Dannaz Ladies (Dannaz Ladies were involved in an accident cannot continue in the competition)

    Fortress FC (Edo) Vs Honey Badgers (Benue) – Lokoja – 11/05/23 – 2pm

    Heartland Queens (Imo) Vs Lakeside Queens (Ogun) – Warri – 11/05/23 – 2pm

    Edo Queens (Edo) Vs Maureen Mmadu FC (Abia) – Calabar – 11/05/23 – 4pm

    Robo Queens (Lagos) Vs Royal Queens (Delta) – Awka – 11/05/23 – 4pm

    Nasarawa Amazons (Nasarawa) Vs Naija Ratels (FCT) – Lokoja – 11/05/23 – 4pm

    Rivers Angels (Rivers) Vs Osun Babes (Osun) – Warri – 11/05/23 – 4pm

    Moje Queens (Kwara) Vs Delta Queens (Delta) – Lagos – 11/05/23 – 4pm

  • 2023 Presidential Petition: APP withdraws suit against Tinubu, APC

    2023 Presidential Petition: APP withdraws suit against Tinubu, APC

    President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu

    The Presidential Election Petition (PEPC) is taking shape as another party, the Action Peoples Party (APP) has withdrawn its suit challenging the emergence of Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the President-elect in the 2023 Presidential election.

    At the Monday sitting, Action Alliance Party (AA) announced its withdrawal from the legal battle and the court granted their leave and dismissed the suit.

    As the court adjourned, it directed the parties to raise and agree on issues for determination. Ideally, today’s session is aimed at setting a procedure of engagement that will save a lot of valuable time when the real hearing begins.

    Consequently, at the resumed proceeding, counsel to APP, Obed Agu, informed the court of the motion on notice dated and filed on the 9th of May, indicating the party’s intention to withdraw the suit number CA/PEPC/02/2023, pursuant to paragraph 29, subsection 1, 2, 3, 4 of the schedule election petition. 

    “We adopt the affidavit and other affidavits against terms of withdrawal of this application. 

    “We want an order of the court to grant us leave to withdraw the petition, also an order to either strike out or dismiss the petition”.

    Responding, counsel to Tinubu (1st Respondent), Chief Woke Olanipeku (SAN), informed the court that they are not opposing the application for withdrawal.

    ”We commend the petitioner for the motion to strike out the petition and hope that more will still come.

    “My lords, we are not asking for a cost”

    On their parts, Counsel to APC, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, and counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, respectively aligned with Olanipeku and asked the court to grant the leave of the petitioner without cost.

    The court on the bench ruling, granted the leave of the petitioner and dismissed the suit without cost.

    “Having considered the application, we are certified that there was no collision on the part of the respondents. 

    ‘The petition is hereby dismissed, having been withdrawn. We award no cost,” the court held.

    Recall that Allied Peoples Party, APP, and Simon Nnadi are before the tribunal against President-elect Bola Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Counsel for the APP, Obed Agu, told the court that the tribunal may wish to concede to the claim of his petition considering the weight of evidence against Tinubu and INEC.

    The APP wants the court to nullify the election of  Tinubu on the ground that he was not qualified to run.

     INEC’s counsel, Mahmoud Yakubu SAN, said he has applications against the APP and would love the court to hear it.

    Counsels for APC and Tinubu, Wole Olanipekun and Lateef Fagbemi, said they had preliminary objections against the APP also.

    After hearing them, the panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned to May 10, advising counsels to be ready to make submissions in their respective applications.

    He disclosed that after the pre-hearing session, the panel will then come up with a report, streamlining the issues for determination when the hearing begins.

    Meanwhile, Olanipekun told the judges that “experience has shown over the years, that it is better that issues be submitted after submission of evidence.”

    Responding to Olanipekun, the panel held that in other to save time for the court, it will consider the issues raised in the pre-hearing session, come up with its report and draw up the issues that will guide the court and parties during the hearing.

  • Transcorp Power Gets FG’s nod as preferred bidder for AEDC

    The Federal Government has approved Transcorp Power as the preferred bidder for the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

    This was even as a 240-megawatt turbine, Afam Three-Fast Power Plant, was unveiled.

    Speaking on Tuesday, at the commissioning of the Afam Three-Fast Power Plant in Oyigbo LGA, Rivers State, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, revealed that the approval was given by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP).

    He described the development as a significant breakthrough in the country’s power sector – an industry he said has been lacking private sector finance.

    “A major breakthrough of our privatisation process, which of course, as you know, started in 2005-2006, was and has been inadequate of private investments and real cash injections. 

    “From the time we started, an indigenous firm such as Transcorp Power and Heirs Holding have been making significant investments such as this 100 per cent acquisition of installed capacity Afam Power Plc and Afam Three-Fast Power Limited, jointly referred to as Afam GenCo. The acquisition cost, I am sure you have heard already, is N105.3 trillion.

    “Only yesterday (Monday), the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) formally delisted Transcorp Power Plc, formerly known as Ughelli Power Plc, from routine monitoring and evaluation by the BPE, indicating yet another successful power investment.

    “I can say the last few days belong to Transcorp Power because at the meeting of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), the council approved Transcorp Power Consortium as the preferred bidder of the acquisition of the Abuja Distribution Company,” he said.

    Nigerian Anchor reports that the United Bank of Africa (UBA) took over the AEDC in December 2021, over the inability of its major stakeholder, Kann Consortium, to service the $122 million debt owed to the Bank.

    Kann Consortium had secured a loan from UBA to acquire AEDC in 2013, making it hold a 60 per cent stake in the DisCo.

    However, in April 2023, the bank said it would sell AEDC to recover the $122 million debt.

    Osinbajo also spoke of the Afam Three-Fast Power Plant.

    “In 2020, electricity subsidies reached N584 billion, but service-based tariffs have led to a doubling of collection in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) from N40 billion in 2020 to N80 billion in the first quarter of 2023.

    “If this trajectory continues, the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry will be able to pay for itself. Our administration has also created programmes for off-grid electrification. Rural Electrification Agency (REA) now has the capacity to provide electricity supply on a first-class basis.

    “We are on track to electrify all Nigerians in the next decade. However, we will not make progress if our gas supply does not improve. The gas supply challenges are hampering improvements,” Osinbajo said.

    The project, a subsidiary of the Transcorp Group, is located in Oyigbo, on the outskirts of Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

  • Tony Elumelu secretly bought my shares in Transcorp, Otedola reveals

    Tony Elumelu secretly bought my shares in Transcorp, Otedola reveals

    File photo of Tony Elumelu and Femi Otedola

    Femi Otedola, Nigeria’s billionaire businessman, has revealed business mogul Tony Elumelu went behind him to secretly purchase his shares at Transcorp Corporation PLC and that his offer to buy the Nigerian conglomerate for N250bn was rejected by the shareholders.

    Otedola’s revelation came to light on Tuesday in a statement he issued to TheCable, weeks after the businessman acquired stakes in Transcorp and sold the shares.

    He revealed that he had bought the shares of the company because he believed in the potential of the group to hit N2tn in valuation.

    “I offered to buy Transcorp Plc for N250 billion, but unfortunately, my offer was rejected. My goal was to maximise the company’s potential as a Nigerian conglomerate with a market cap of at least N2 trillion instead of the current N40 billion, but it seems some shareholders have a different vision.

    “As a businessman, I believe in healthy competition and market dynamics. Two captains cannot man a ship, and I respect the majority shareholder’s decision to buy me out. This is the nature of the game,” he said.

    Going down memory lane, the majority shareholder in Geregu Power revealed some business deals between him and the Chairman of Transcorp, Tony Elumelu.

    “In 2005, while Tony was the Managing Director of Standard Trust Bank, he approached me to get funds to acquire UBA. I enthusiastically gave him $20 million, which was N2 billion at that time to buy the necessary shares in UBA for the acquisition. After a short period of time, the share price moved up and I decided it was a good moment to sell and get out of the bank. However, Tony appealed to me to hold on to the shares as he was convinced that there were future prospects – so, I kept the shares.

    “I became Chairman of Transcorp Hotel in 2007 with a shareholding of five per cent and unknowingly, Tony gradually started buying shares quietly.

    “By the following year in 2008, I went bankrupt in Nigeria. Tony proceeded to take my shares in UBA to service the interest on my loans and he also took over my shares in Africa Finance Corporation, where I was the largest shareholder.

    “Shortly after, Albert Okumagba informed me that an American firm wanted to acquire my shares in Transcorp, which I then agreed to sell. However, this supposed American firm turned out to be Tony Elumelu. The revelation of this prompted me to resign as Chairman of the hotel.

    “Years later in 2012, Tony said he wanted to see me, so we met in my office where I had previously had a meeting with foreign investors who had not yet departed the premises. Curious to know, he asked what sort of meeting I had had and I disclosed that I wanted to go into the power business, specifically Ughelli Power Plant. Tony quietly went ahead to bid for Ughelli and he outbid me by offering to buy the plant for $300 million,” he said.

    Otedola went on to add that his offer to buy Transcorp was “made with the best intentions for Transcorp Plc and its shareholders. I saw an opportunity to unlock the company’s full potential and create value for everyone involved.

    “It’s important for investors to understand that free entry and free exit are crucial to healthy markets. The scramble for shares after my acquisition is a testament to the value that Transcorp Plc can offer, and I hope the company continues to thrive under new leadership.”

    He, however, lamented that stakeholders in Nigerian companies were getting shortchanged by the owners and managers.

    “I remain committed to the growth and success of Nigerian businesses, and I will always be looking for ways to create value for all stakeholders. Stakeholders are unfortunately always shortchanged by getting stipends while the owners and managers of the business live a jet-set lifestyle, which is detrimental to the stakeholders,” he added.

  • Algeria 2023: Burkina Faso can’t stop us –Ugbade

    Algeria 2023: Burkina Faso can’t stop us –Ugbade

    Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets beat South Africa 3-2 to qualify for AFCON quarter-finals of the ongoing Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in Algeria

    Nigeria’s U17 Boys, Golden Eaglets have not come as far as the quarter-finals of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations to be dumped out of the competition without earning a World Cup ticket, says Head Coach Nduka Ugbade.

    The Golden Eaglets and their officials arrived in Algiers, the capital city of Algeria on Monday, three days ahead of their quarter-final clash with Burkina Faso’s Young Etalons at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.

    “We had an interesting match with South Africa and it has prepared us well for further challenges in the competition. We learnt a lot playing Zambia, Morocco and South Africa – all strong teams – in the group phase and that was good furnace for us to be a better squad.

    “The quarter-final matches will be very hard nuts to crack because that is the step that earns you the World Cup ticket. None of the four games will be easy. Our interest is Burkina Faso and we are working hard towards achieving success.”

    Burkina Faso had an interesting last match of the group phase, coming from behind to defeat and dump out Cup holders Cameroon 2-1 in a truly fascinating encounter.

    Nigeria also came from behind twice to edge South Africa 3-2 in a memorable encounter in Constantine, with the five goals scored by different players on the night.

    Ugbade added: “We have not come this far to drop out. My boys are focused hard on the World Cup ticket. After that, we can then focus on other objectives.”

    The match between Nigeria and Burkina Faso begins at 8pm on Thursday.

    Victory over the Young Etalons will earn Nigeria the opportunity to go for a record-extending sixth FIFA U17 World Cup title.  

  • Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles commence training sessions, look forward to Colombia test

    Flying Eagles after their first training session in Buenos Aires    

    Head Coach Isah Ladan Bosso and his assistants on Monday evening drilled Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles in their first training session since arriving the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires on Sunday.

    The session which took place at the team’s Howard Johnson Hotel & Resorts lasted for 90 minutes, and concentrated on recovery after the long trip from Nigeria to the South American nation through Turkey.

    The team had another training session on Tuesday, as focus gradually shifts to a friendly match against the U20 team of Colombia which has been scheduled for the Tristan Suarez Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, 16May at 4pm Argentina time (8pm Nigeria time).

    Colombia, who play in Group C of the FIFA U20 World Cup alongside African champions Senegal, Japan and Israel, will seek the opportunity to have an idea of what to expect against the Cub Lions of the Teranga when both teams clash in La Plata on Saturday, 27 May.

    Incidentally, Nigeria will also be utilising the friendly with Colombia to have an idea of what to expect when they take on another South American team, Brazil also in La Plata on the same day, 27 May. In fact, the Nigeria/Brazil match comes up just before the Senegal/Colombia clash inside the same arena.

    Bosso and wards will fly from Buenos Aires to Mendoza – venue of Nigeria’s first two matches against the Dominican Republic and Italy – on Wednesday, 17May.

  • Osun Guber: Supreme Court Upholds Adeleke’s Victory

    Victory at last! Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke

    The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal filed by Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) disputing the election of Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Governor of Osun State.

    In its decision, read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court confirmed the Appeal Court’s decision, which upheld Adeleke’s election as state governor.

    The Supreme Court ruled that the appellant failed to present sufficient evidence to establish his claim of over-voting in the July 16, 2022 governorship election.

    The judgment was affirmed and adopted by the entire five members of the panel.

    According to all the members of the panel, the appeal lacked merit.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Adeleke the winner of the poll, saying he scored 403,371 votes to sack Oyetola who was the then incumbent with 375,027.

    However, Oyetola and his party had alleged irregularities in the polls and challenged Adeleke’s victory at the Tribunal.

    Respite came for the former governor on January 27, 2023 as Justice Tertse Kume who gave the majority judgement upturned Adeleke’s victory and declared Oyetola the winner of the poll.

    Justice Kume held that Oyetola scored the majority lawful votes of 314,931 against Adeleke’s 290,266.