Sunrise Power’s hopes of securing a $2.35 billion award against Nigeria in the arbitration proceedings at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) over the disputed Mambilla hydropower project were badly hit during ongoing hearings in Paris, France, TheCable understands.

While Nigeria was defended by former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari as well as former ministers Babatunde Fashola and Suleiman Adamu who testified as factual witnesses, those who had been listed as witnesses by Sunrise did not show up.

The panel sittings started on Saturday, January 18, but the hearings from factual witnesses started on Monday, January 20, and ended on Thursday, January 23.

Obasanjo testified on Wednesday while Buhari took his turn on Thursday.

The sittings continue till next week but only expert opinions are still being taken.

The parties to the arbitration will then submit written submissions to the tribunal, after which they will get a date to adopt the addresses.

The tribunal will thereafter pick a date to announce its determination.

Arbitration hearings are bound by a confidentiality rule and are not meant to be reported in detail in the media.

HEAVYWEIGHT WITNESSES

Getting two former presidents to testify for Nigeria was a masterstroke — in the opinion of those familiar with the proceedings.

TheCable understands that Obasanjo and Buhari testified “strongly”, “frankly” and “unequivocally” that the award of the contract to Sunrise in 2003 was without valid approval and the 2020 settlement agreement also lacked legitimacy.

Fashola, who was minister of power from 2015 to 2019, testified along with Adamu, minister of water resources from 2019 to 2023.

Both former ministers reportedly articulated their testimonies on the loopholes that question the processes that produced the original contract as well as the settlement agreement now in dispute.

Witnesses were also called to give expert opinions on the differences between corruption in the West and Africa.

Sunrise is trying to argue that the payments traced to government officials were not bribes but African cultural obligations.

Nigeria presented an expert from the US while Sunrise fielded one from South Africa.

SUNSET FOR SUNRISE

For Sunrise, promoted by Leno Adesanya, its key witnesses failed to show up to adopt their statements, meaning their submissions are deemed abandoned and of no moment.

Olu Agunloye, the minster of power who awarded the contract to Sunrise in 2003 a day after it was turned down by the federal executive council (FEC), was listed as a witness but he did not show up.

He is currently being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for his role in the saga.

Michael Aondoakaa, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) who was also listed as a witness by Sunrise, showed up briefly in Paris and returned to Nigeria without testifying.

He has since denied claims that he was  under duress from the Nigerian government to withdraw from the arbitration. This could have been argued as witness intimidation before the tribunal by Sunrise.

A third key witness — a Senegalese lady allegedly offered to Abubakar Malami, Buhari’s AGF, to induce him to sign the 2020 settlement agreement — also failed to show up to defend Sunrise.

TheCable understands that Malami, who had earlier submitted a witness statement which Sunrise was hoping to use against him at the tribunal, did not take the stand.

Malami instead lined up behind Buhari to prepare him for the testimony.

This ensured Buhari’s testimony was “successful” and also pulled the rug from under Adesanya’s feet, those familiar with the proceedings told TheCable.

THE MAMBILLA SAGA

Sunrise had, on October 10, 2017, started arbitration against Nigeria at the ICC International Court of Arbitration seeking a $2.354 billion award for “breach of contract” in relation to a 2003 agreement to construct the 3,050MW plant in Mambilla, Taraba state, on a “build, operate and transfer” basis valued at $6 billion.

In the second arbitration, the company is asking for a $400 million settlement being the terms of the Nigerian government failing to honour the settlement agreement both parties entered into in 2020 to end the arbitration.

In an interview with TheCable in 2023, Obasanjo challenged his former minister of power, Olu Agunloye, to tell Nigerians where he derived the authority to award the contract to Sunrise in 2003.

“When I was president, no minister had the power to approve more than N25 million without express presidential consent. It was impossible for Agunloye to commit my government to a $6 billion project without my permission and I did not give him any permission,” Obasanjo told TheCable.

“If a commission of inquiry is set up today to investigate the matter, I am ready to testify. I do not even need to testify because all the records are there. I never approved it.

“When he presented his memo to the federal executive council (on May 21, 2003), I was surprised because he had previously discussed it with me and I had told him to jettison the idea, that I had other ideas on how the power sector would be restructured and funded.

“I told him as much at the council meeting and directed him to step down the memo. I find it surprising that Agunloye is now claiming he acted on behalf of Nigeria. If I knew he issued such a letter to Sunrise, I would have sacked him as minister during my second term. He would not have spent a day longer in office.”

Buhari, on his part, denied authorising the settlement agreement of 2020.

“While I understood that my ministers of justice, power and water resources were approached by Sunrise and were engaging with various stakeholders that were involved in the project to resolve the issues blocking the project’s implementation, at no time did I specifically instruct them to enter into and conclude any settlement agreement with Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited,” he wrote to Fagbemi.

“Indeed, when the proposed settlement agreement and addendum were presented to me for my consideration and approval on 20th April 2020, I refused to approve the settlement deal because I was convinced that there was no basis for Sunrise’s claim.

“I hope the above clarifications will assist you in your defence of our country from these ‘invisible contractors who all too often quietly take Nigeria for many millions in out-of-court settlements’, as I stated in my recent statement regarding Nigeria’s victory in the P&ID saga.”

A 32 year old trader and mother of three,Oluwatoyin Ibikunle, has asked an Akure Customary Court to dissolve her 15-year old marriage, following constant physical abuse from her husband, Ayodeji, a 40-year old vulcanizer.

Oluwatoyin, also told the court that her father in-law advised her to quit the marriage and allegedly offered her N50,000 in exchange for an affair.

She informed the court that her husband had turned her into a punching bag. According to her “He’s irresponsible and keeps threatening my life.

“ I can’t take it anymore,” she said, revealing that Ayodeji had also embarrassed and harassed her multiple times.

The petitioner said that her husband once asked her to leave their home under the guise of renovating the apartment.

“I moved out deliberately because I couldn’t endure his beatings anymore.

“ My father-in-law even advised me to quit the marriage because of the suffering I’m facing,” she added. She alleged that her father-in-law once proposed to her, offering ¦ 50,000 in exchange for an affair.

According to her, the husband leaves her to shoulder all responsibilities.

Oluwatoyin told the court that “The love is gone. I want custody of my children to give them a proper upbringing,” she pleaded.

While responding, Ayodeji, denied the allegations.

Ayodeji described the wife as wayward, adding that she prioritised her business and relationships over their family.

According to him “ my wife left our home and rented an apartment. I tried to reconcile with her, but she refused unless I refunded the rent she paid to the new landlord.

“I managed to pay ¦ 15,000 out of the ¦ 20,000 she requested, but she still refused to return. I can’t live without her.

“All she cares about is her business and her relationships with other men.”

The court’s president, Magistrate Abiodun Obademi, urged the couple to reconsider their decision for the sake of their children and for peace to reign in the family Magistrate Obademi thereafter adjourned further hearing to January 28, 2025.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has come under heavy scrutiny following theft of exhibits by some of its operatives.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that some officials of the agency had been dismissed, while others were being investigated for fraud and theft of recovered assets, including cash and gold bars.

No fewer than 27 officers of the commission were reportedly dismissed for misconduct and fraudulent activities in 2024.

The agency spokesman, Dele Oyewale, in a statement on January 6, 2025, also indicated that the EFCC was investigating “a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a sectional head.”

Two days later, 10 officers from the Lagos zonal command were detained over theft of operational items.

The detained officers are said to be answering questions regarding their inability to account for certain operational items that went missing under their watch.

A security source disclosed that the missing items included gold bars valued at over N1bn and jewellery, while between $350,000 and $400,000 had also gone missing.

While the news of the corrupt officers had yet to fade, another scandal was uncovered at the Kaduna Zonal Office of the commission on Wednesday.

An officer from the zone, identified as Polycarp, allegedly stole over $30,000 and other valuable exhibits.

The EFCC has remained silent on the Kaduna incident, which has added to the array of corrupt practices among the commission’s staff members.

Why operatives are stealing exhibits

A highly credible security source, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, described the theft of exhibits as “highly disappointing.”

The source blamed the trend on prevailing poverty and skyrocketing cost of living, adding that easy access to the exhibits made the theft inevitable.

He noted that mechanisms should have been instituted to prevent such incidents.

According to him, allowing unchecked access to a place where exhibits like dollars and gold bars are stored could be a serious temptation.

The source stated, “Many of them are exposed and understand the value of money and the worth of items kept in their custody. It is unprofessional not to have mechanisms in place to ensure safety and accountability.”

He explained that high-value items should ordinarily be deposited in bank vaults for safekeeping.

However, if they must remain on EFCC premises, they should be stored in a well-secured location with multiple layers of security measures put in place.

“If the items must be kept in the office, at least three credible officials, who will be held accountable, should have access. To access the exhibit room, all three officials must be present simultaneously, each holding a different key to unlock the secured area. One or two of them should not be able to access the place without the others being present,” he added.

On punitive measures for officials caught engaging in such acts, the source said, “First, outright dismissal, followed by prosecution. Such officers should be treated like the original suspects or even face harsher punishments to serve as a deterrent.”

He continued, “If such an officer has travelled out of the country, the agency has their biometrics on record and can utilise Interpol to track them down.”

The source also raised concerns about the potential fallout from such incidents.

“What happens if the suspect who owns the seized items wins the case at the Supreme Court and demands their return? That would become a major scandal and embarrassment.

“Some of these cases can drag on for up to 20 years. If the Federal Government eventually wins, those valuables are meant to be auctioned, and the proceeds paid into government coffers. Allowing such lapses is unacceptable,” he added.

A senior official of the EFCC, who asked not to be identified, said the development was embarrassing.

“It is not just a shame to us, but it is very embarrassing. Our chairman is a transparent man; that is why he is not hiding the misconduct.

“I am aware of some cases. One of them said the offer was too tempting, and he could not resist it. It is giving us a bad name,” he stated.

A security analyst, Mr Yemi Adeyemi, said no EFCC official had the right to tamper with evidence or exhibits.

“There is no excuse. The EFCC is too sensitive to have officials that cannot control themselves. The chairman must clean up his house,” he said.

A renowned analyst and criminologist, Jackson Lekan-Ojo, said no officer caught pilfering or tampering with exhibits should go unpunished.

He said, “There is no excuse for such misconduct. They (officers) should face the law. The EFCC must clean up its house and make sure that every officer sent out for raids does it professionally and without any blemish. Their job is quite a sensitive one.”

Recently, a popular crossdresser, Idris Okunoye, aka Bobrisky, in a leaked audio, purportedly accused some EFCC officers of collecting N15m from him to cancel a money laundering charge against him when he was arrested.

While Bobrisky has since denounced the audio, the viral tape dented the image of the agency.

EFCC audits exhibits

Findings by Saturday PUNCH revealed that the recent criminal activities of the officers had caused disquiet within the EFCC, forcing its management to order an audit of recovered assets across its zonal offices.

A credible source in the agency confided in our correspondent that the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyode, had directed zonal directors to restrict access to the ‘exhibit room’ and implement more surveillance.

The source said, “The chairman is not happy about the incidents and the backlash from the public. Since the Lagos incident where 10 of our officers were detained for alleged theft of exhibits, the chairman has ordered a full-scale audit of the recovered assets, including property, cash, materials, and other items.

“He also ordered restricted access to exhibit rooms and other classified sections at the zonal offices. He directed high surveillance in those places to ensure that they are under supervision 24/7.”

When contacted, the EFCC’s Head of Media, Oyewale, said the audit was an ongoing exercise.

He said recent developments in the commission were brought to the fore by an ongoing internal audit, adding that it was aimed at cleansing the system.

Oyewale said, “The development in the commission is triggered by internal cleansing that is ongoing. The executive chairman is determined to bring integrity and accountable conduct to the whole realm and the activities of the commission.

“And he is leaving no stone unturned. The audit of our facilities and operations is to ensure that the commission is properly placed on the ladder of accountability and transparency.

“Every audit is always informed by the need to bring sanity, remove wastage, block loopholes and tackle every form of disequilibrium in the system. It is a courageous development and a testament to the leadership to ensure that those who come to equity must come with clean hands.”

He denied allegations that the poor welfare of operatives was responsible for recent cases of theft.

“I want to say there’s no justification for fraudulent practices. Poverty and poor conditions are not a justification. When you fight corruption, you should know it will fight back.

“I think we need to commend what the chairman is doing to remove dead woods and bad eggs and to give the nation an anti-graft agency that can stand the test of integrity.

“Most of these advertisements against us are coming from detractors and people who are negatively affected by our internal cleansing. You should expect that! Twenty-seven people (sacked) in 2024, we expect that they will fight back. Whatever anyone is saying, it is corruption fighting back,” he added.

Outrage over night operations

This comes amid widespread condemnation of the EFCC’s night operations, which led to the killing of one of its operatives, Aminu Salisu, an Assistant Superintendent.

Salisu was fatally shot during a midnight operation in Awka, Anambra State, on January 17, 2025.

The incident occurred two months after the EFCC boss, Olukoyode, directed that sting operations at night be stopped in all the commands of the commission.

Instead of empathising with the commission on the killing of its officer in the Anambra operation, members of the public are questioning the operational protocols of the EFCC’s operations.

Commenting on the incident, a legal practitioner, Darlington Agomuo, condemned the operational protocols of the EFCC, urging the operatives to conduct due diligence before embarking on operations.

Agomuo, who appeared on a TV programme on Tuesday, said, “Are you sure that these are trained officers of EFCC? How do you barge into somebody’s private building in the dead of the night, and you cannot even explain yourself? You can’t even identify yourself!

“Are you expecting the man to open his gate for you? Now that the unfortunate has happened, they are now bringing all manner of charges against this man. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

He asked the EFCC to always follow due process in every matter they handle.

Many Nigerians also took to their various social media handles to condemn the anti-graft operatives for always invading individual residences at night in a clandestine manner.

Some of the victims of the night raids accused the anti-graft officers of criminal conduct.

Nigerian rapper and singer, Raoul Njeng-Njeng, popularly known as Skales, took to social media to share details of a traumatic encounter involving a raid at his home by EFCC personnel.

He wrote on his X account, “Well, when they came to my house, they didn’t ask; they didn’t knock; they just broke the door, and I’m not a fraudster. Plus, my whole family was there with me, including my newborn. Imagine being woken up with four AK-47s and three sledgehammers like a goddamn horror movie, and all this because they saw luxurious cars in front of my house.”

Call for reforms

The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership called for an urgent internal cleansing of the EFCC to restore public confidence in the fight against corruption.

The Executive Director of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, lamented that the credibility of anti-corruption institutions had been severely undermined due to the involvement of some officials in stealing recovered loot.

“The confidence that Nigerians repose in anti-corruption agencies has waned. Anti-corruption agencies need internal cleansing. It is not that it is just starting; it has always been there,” CACOL stated.

CACOL urged the EFCC chairman to conduct an “organisational diagnosis” to identify and prosecute corrupt officials within the commission.

“The operatives of the agency have been helping themselves to the loot recovered from those who have committed crimes. Looting the loot has been the trend for a very long time, and we have been shouting about it.

“This also happens in other agencies like the police, ICPC, and the rest of them, and the heads of these agencies must go into action and do internal cleansing and ensure that the bad eggs among them are brought to book to restore public confidence in them.”

The group also cautioned the EFCC against its operational tactics, warning against excessive force and actions that violate the rule of law.

“The EFCC must be circumspect in its operations so that its efforts will not be counterproductive. They must use every other legal means to get suspects arrested instead of bombarding their suspects and engaging in acts against the rule of law,” CACOL stated.

Reacting, a board member of YIAGA Africa, Professor Nnamdi Aduba, stated that the EFCC’s problems stemmed from political interference, greed, and a lack of effective internal controls.

He said, “The problem they have is that the institution has been politicised. It has political interference. It is also about greed. Not all of them working there should even be in the service. There’s a need for in-house cleaning, but the truth is they cannot do it themselves. The best solution would be to bring in an outsider to purge the system.

“We have heard many times that properties recovered by the EFCC were sold, which speaks to the culture of impunity within the system. The control mechanisms are weak.”

He also called for a closer review of the agency.

The former board member of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency further recommended that their remuneration should be improved on.

Similarly, an intelligence and security consultant, Abuh Adam, called for thorough background checks on EFCC personnel.

He said, “It’s possible that these problems have been going on for years, possibly covered up by previous leadership. The rising incidents could also be the result of individuals who have infiltrated the EFCC, potentially acting on behalf of suspects they are supposed to be investigating.

“Background checks shouldn’t be a one-off exercise. There should be a system that keeps staff under surveillance 24/7. This includes monitoring their relationships and associations, even those of their spouses, to detect any potential influence or wrongdoing.”

On his part, the Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Okechukwu Nwanguma, stressed that the actions of corrupt EFCC officials undermined the agency’s credibility and mandate.

Nwanguma also criticised the EFCC’s use of night raids as a tactic for intimidation, warning that such heavy-handed practices could lead to allegations of human rights violations and further damage the agency’s reputation.

He said, “The involvement of EFCC officials in corrupt activities betrays the trust of the public. It discourages whistleblowers and tarnishes the credibility of the agency.

“These practices contribute to a negative perception of the agency, undermining its efforts in the fight against corruption.”

He advocated stronger oversight and internal reforms, calling for “robust ethical training programmes, regular audits, and enhanced whistleblower protections.”

The Chief Of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, stated that the military is on the path to becoming a superpower in the production of military equipment in a few years

“Sometimes we gain traction and then it goes down, but now, with the signing of the DICON Bill, we are going to make sure it is sustainable. People are interested, people are coming in, we are having a lot of partners going into it and I can assure you that in a few years, Nigeria too will be a superpower in producing its own equipment.” the CDS said.

He noted that the military used to produce some of its weapons at the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) but that slowed down over the years.

In spite of the drawback, General Musa expressed optimism at the resumption of production of military equipment saying the Nigerian military is now making the small calibre of weapons directly.

He said, “We used to assemble guns from DICON but it stopped, that is being restored now. We produce our own ammunition now. Directly we do that for small calibre 7.62mm, we do that and 9mm, we also do that.

“We want to do the 5.6 and then go to the higher calibres from 12.7 and above. So those are the things we are working on. You know, the funny thing is that the Nigerian DICON started 60 years last year, the same time as Brazil’s. Brazil is producing unmanned aircraft and unmanned submarines, they have gone very far, and we want to achieve that.”

General Musa said that the production of military equipment locally will help create employment for the youths and as well improve the country’s foreign exchange.

He added that local production of equipment will enable the Nigerian military sell to the neighbouring countries and raise funds for the military.

With the Federal High Court Abuja proscribing the Lakurawa sect on Friday, and classifying it as a terrorist organization, the Chief of Defence Staff said this has given the military ”legal backing” to actively eradicate them.

He said that some foreign purchased weapons like the Super Tucano have restrictions where it can be used, but with the proscription of the group as terrorists, such weapons can now be used against them.

A Lagos-based musician of Ilorin origin, Mukaila Senwele, famed for his iconic phrase “Koni Da Fun Ebo To Se Costay,” has passed away.

A family source revealed to ROYAL NEWS, that the artist died on Friday night.

Senwele who hailed from Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, was celebrated for his exceptional performances and unique entertainment style, which endeared him to many socialites.

A family member disclosed that Mukaila had shown no signs of illness before his death, ROYAL NEWS, reports.

“There was no indication of sickness. He spent the day with his fans and even promised to visit the family house (Ile Esinrogunjo) later in the evening,” the source shared.

According to reports the family received an emergency call about his passing from where he had been lodging with fans.

“Upon arrival, my elder brother (name withheld) and others attempted to rush him to the hospital, but we lost Mukaila to the cold hands of death,” the source added.

He will be buried on Saturday morning.

A Nigerian national, Okezie Ogbata, has been charged by a district court in Florida, United States, for defrauding more than 400 elderly and vulnerable victims of over $6m.

The Southern District of Florida, last Wednesday, found Ogbata guilty of operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme to dupe American senior citizens.

According to the Department of Justice, the 36-year-old Nigerian and his co-conspirators told a series of lies to victims “to send money for delivery fees, taxes and other payments to avoid questioning from government authorities.”

Ogbata and his accomplices sent letters falsely claiming that the sender was a representative of a bank in Spain and that the recipient was entitled to receive a multimillion-dollar inheritance left for the recipient by a family member who had died overseas years before.”

In pleading guilty, Ogbata admitted to defrauding over $6m from more than 400 victims, many of whom were elderly or otherwise vulnerable.

Reacting to the case, the Head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, General Brian Boynton, said, “This case is a testament to the critical role of international collaboration in tackling transnational crime.”

Ogbata is scheduled to be sentenced by US District Judge Roy Altman on April 14, 2025 with The Nigerian Achievers Awards Institute, with the possibility of a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Veteran actress, Joke Silva, has voiced concerns over the recent murders of women by their partners in the country over alleged infidelity.

In an exclusive interview with Saturday Beats, she expressed her outrage, stating that men who kill their partners for alleged infidelity should face life imprisonment.

She said, “These men should be tried and put in jail for life because it is a capital offence. The law should take its course because it’s ridiculous. Men cheat all the time. Do they get killed? Do they get burnt? What rubbish is that? Where’s the proof that she cheated? And what about the man who she cheated with, what would happen to him? Is he supposed to go scot-free?”

She added, “It’s so bad. Even if there’s evidence of cheating, why can’t you just carry your bag and leave? Or send the woman back to her parents? If you investigate properly, you’ll probably find that the murderer has cheated a million times, yet he’s killing his partner in one instance.

“The women who are dead now are people’s children and mothers too.”

On the entertainment industry’s role in addressing the killings, Silva said, “How much advocacy do you want the industry to do? One of the best forms of advocacy is enforcing sanctions for bad behaviour. This isn’t just bad behaviour; it is criminal.”

A remarkable  Lagos temple in Nigeria is breaking barriers by standing as a testament to unity and shared faith. A temple where Christians and Muslims come together in a tapestry of worship, melding their traditions and songs in an atmosphere of acceptance and love

‘I’m going to the church where both Christians and Muslims pray and sing together,” the reporter asked a vulcaniser whose machine was strategically placed beside a busy junction along Governor’s Road in Ikotun, Lagos State.

The artisan, with a knowing smile, corrected the reporter, saying, “The members don’t call it a church here, they prefer to call it a temple.”

After a brief exchange, the reporter carefully navigated the bustling street, and after a few turns, the red-roofed building, described by the vulcanizer, came into view.

It stood quietly in the afternoon sun, nestled amidst the hum of the densely populated suburb.

“Jehovah Allah”

Situated at the end of Lasisi Osaju Street, one of the first things that catch the eye is the modest yet meaningful signpost proclaiming, “Jehovah Allah, you are the greatest.”

This reporter discovered that this unassuming display serves as a powerful testament to the temple’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, creating a space where divides between religious communities are bridged.

It perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the temple, aptly named God the Creator of the World Interfaith Ministry.

Though the worship place itself is not grand, it exudes a serene atmosphere, quietly inviting those who pass by to pause and reflect on its message.

The signpost, our reporter would later discover, is more than just a physical marker as it embodies a sanctuary where individuals from diverse backgrounds can gather in unity, fostering understanding and love in a world often fractured by religious differences and intolerance.

A peek into interfaith service

As one approaches the lone building, the air becomes thick with the harmonious sounds of worship songs blending effortlessly together.

The sunlight streams through the doors and windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colours onto the polished, clean-tiled floor.

Here, men and women, clad in a beautiful fusion of Christian and Muslim attire, gather in unity.

The sanctuary itself is adorned with intricate designs that reflect both religions’ influences.

Women in flowing abayas, embroidered with delicate patterns, sit alongside those in vibrant church dresses, their heads covered with scarves or hats—an enchanting tapestry of faith and culture.

This temple, a sanctuary of coexistence, hums with an energy that is both reverent and celebratory.

As the service begins, the atmosphere shifts, wrapping the congregation in a palpable sense of anticipation.

The leader, a charismatic figure with an infectious smile, steps onto the elevated platform. His attire is a tailored native dress that incorporates elements of traditional Muslim garb, symbolising the beautiful blending of the two faiths.

With a voice that resonates warmly through the temple, he welcomes all, stressing the importance of love, respect, and understanding.

His sermon weaves together stories from both the Bible and the Qur’an, illustrating shared values like compassion, charity, and the pursuit of peace.

The congregation listens intently, nodding in agreement, their hearts open to the profound message of unity.

As the cleric speaks, the choir, a diverse group representing both faiths, prepares to take the stage.

Their attire reflects this beautiful amalgamation — some wore choir robes adorned with traditional patterns, while others wore flowing tunics in vibrant colours.

When they begin to sing, the melody transcends barriers of language and belief. The harmonious blend of Christian hymns and Islamic songs fills the air.

The congregation joins in, their voices rising in a powerful chorus that echoes through the temple — a testament to their shared devotion.

The rhythm of the music pulses through the crowd.

As the worship continues, the unique interactions among the congregation become apparent.

A group of children, dressed in both traditional Nigerian attire and Western-style clothing, play together in the aisles.

Parents, regardless of their faith, share smiles and nods of encouragement as they watch their children dance together.

This scene is a microcosm of the temple’s ethos, where differences are celebrated and commonalities embraced.

As the congregation exits, they do so with smiles on their faces, exchanging greetings and blessings.

An Alhaji and brother

Lagos-born Alhaji Morzuq Ibrahim was the one who ushered this reporter into the temple during his visit.

Throughout, he stood quietly among the other members of the temple, who were engaged in various tasks.

Ibrahim, who claims Olasunkanmi as his Yoruba-Christian name, radiated peace.

As a committed member of the temple long before his recent pilgrimage to Hajj in late 2023, he felt a special connection to the community that had welcomed him.

Clad in a clean shirt, Ibrahim appeared to have been enjoying the good things of life since his journey into this mixed faith began more than a decade ago.

“I met the prophet about 15 years ago. I was working in Ibadan, Oyo State, but encountering some challenges,” he began, his voice echoing softly through the temple.

“I had attended other churches because I’m someone who can follow you anywhere if I believe that you’re worshipping God, irrespective of the religion. So, someone directed me to him when I came to Lagos. We spoke, and in the process, I started asking him some questions.

“We prayed, and everything we prayed about came to pass. We saw the foundations of our problems and began to see solutions,” Alhaji Ibrahim shared.

The 34-year-old was intrigued by the message that God is one and that religion should not divide humanity but rather bring people together in love and service. His voice grew richer with emotion as he recounted the day he realised that life’s problems could be solved without paying any money to anyone, carrying sacrifices, or gulping concoctions.

While many may see differences in faith as barriers, the automobile dealer learned to appreciate the underlying similarities that connect all believers.

His journey to Mecca, according to him, deepened this understanding.

According to him, among the millions gathered in the holy land, he witnessed how believers from all walks of life shared a common purpose.

Upon his return, he felt resolute in his choice to embrace the teachings woven into the fabric of the temple, where love transcends individual doctrines and fosters a community grounded in the shared belief that, ultimately, all religions worship the same God.

“We help each other grow and support each other whether you want to go to Jerusalem or Mecca. As long as you’re serving God, there’s support here,” he added.

When narrating his parents’ reaction to his decision to stick with the temple, Alhaji Ibrahim said, “Just because my parents did it this way doesn’t mean I have to follow the same path. Our perceptions are different. The research my parents were unable to do, I did, and it’s been working for me. So, people talking about what we do here doesn’t bother me.”

12-year-old temple

Saturday PUNCH gathered that the temple was established over 12 years ago. A survey around the building reveals that it is designed to accommodate both Christian and Islamic practices, as it features an architectural style reminiscent of a church, complemented by an arch at the front, similar to that of a mosque.

Findings further revealed that Muslims regularly gather at the temple to observe their daily prayers, creating a harmonious atmosphere where members of different backgrounds can connect through shared worship.

According to some members, the temple does not celebrate Christmas. Instead, it embraces New Year celebrations and observes Ramadan and Lent fasting periods.

Union aided by mixed upbringing

Our correspondent observed that a mixed upbringing helped members embrace the temple’s interfaith teachings. Many raised in diverse religious backgrounds found it easier to accept the principles promoted by the temple.

One member of the church, Mary Kemi, told Saturday PUNCH that her upbringing played a key role in her decision to embrace the temple’s teachings.

“Naturally, I don’t discriminate. I was going to mosques by myself right from primary school. My best friend then was a Muslim, and she taught me how they observe their prayers.

“My mother is a Muslim, and my father is a Christian. So, growing up together made us believe that all religions are one. When my mum wanted to go to any party, I would go there wearing a hijab. And I dressed the part whenever I went to my dad’s church,” she narrated.

So, when Kemi was introduced to the temple, she felt completely comfortable with it.

“When people ask, I tell them that I go to a place where Christians and Muslims worship. We sing both Christian and Muslim songs. I’m not imposing anything on anyone, so everyone has their own faith,” she defended.

‘Took three years before conviction’

A relative of the prophet, Ajibola Oshoba, said it took him three years to make sense of what the prophet was saying about Jesus and another entity called God, the creator.

The 33-year-old said, “He told me that Jesus is not God, but I disagreed. He said I should pray about it so God could reveal the answer to me. I did, and that was the encounter that drew me to this temple.”

The physics graduate explained that religious discrimination should be abolished in the country, adding that discrimination would lead to stunted growth.

Encounter with the founder

Our reporter was later introduced to the founder of the temple, Mobolaji Ganiyu Elijah Oshoba, who had been sitting quietly in a corner of the temple.

After exchanging pleasantries, he began narrating the history that shaped his life.

Born in the Idi-Oro area of Mushin Local Government Area in Lagos, he recounted the formative years of his life with a blend of pride and humility.

“I started my secondary school education at Nigerian Model High School in Idi-Oro before transferring to Idi-Araba High School,” he said, reflecting on an educational journey marked by its share of challenges.

At just 13 years old, his life took a tragic turn when his father passed away at the age of 33.

As the second of eight children, he felt the weight of responsibility early in life. He explained that his mother supported the family and introduced him to PZ Industry, where he began his career in electrical electronics.

Amidst the struggles and the backdrop of a mixed-religious family—his father a Muslim and his mother a Christian—the seeds of his interfaith vision were quietly taking root.

“I grew up going to church with my mother, and in those moments, I found a genuine love for prayer and a yearning to draw closer to God.

“I was moved when I noticed that Muslims, Christians, and even traditional worshippers all claim to serve God, yet we still witness chaos and suffering in our nation.”

This, he said, ignited a spark within him, compelling him to ponder the true essence of faith and its potential to foster harmony. It was this insight that eventually led him to establish the temple.

Three prayers, three visions

“It happened in December 2009. I was praying for the peace of Nigeria and asked God to show signs if He was truly God by bringing peace to Nigeria,” he began.

“I could not serve a God who couldn’t take care of my nation or give us peace. So, I made the prayer.”

That night became a pivotal moment in Oshoba’s journey, as he claimed a haunting dream reshaped his mission.

“I saw President Olusegun Obasanjo announcing that the nation had been divided into two.”

Suddenly, he said he heard the thunderous sound of marching feet, causing the ground beneath him to shake.

“When I looked up, I saw soldiers coming, and panic rose within me. I tried to escape,” he recalled.

In his frantic search for safety, he said he spotted a terrified, naked little boy, no older than a year.

According to the 60-year-old prophet, just as he reached out to save the child, two soldiers seized him — one grasped his head while the other clutched his legs — and gruesomely tore him in two.

“I woke up shocked,” he said.

After the first dream, Oshoba resumed his prayers, asking God to guide the country towards peace.

“To cut the story short, after the prayer, I went back to sleep and had another dream,” he quipped.

Oshoba narrated two more dreams he had that night.

Oshoba’s reality check

Upon waking, Oshoba connected the dots of three dreams.

“I realised that God was talking about the three religions,” he reflected.

He said these religions had failed to fulfil their divine purpose.

Determined to uncover the truth, he diligently read the Quran more than 10 times, followed by an equal commitment to the Bible.

“God began to open my eyes,” he shared, stating that despite the misguidance, there was a profound love from God for His people.

He claimed that Nigerians are genuinely striving to serve God but had been led astray.

The father of seven said through his studies, he began to perceive the true nature of Jesus differently.

“I didn’t see Him like that before,” he admitted, realising that his upbringing had shaped his understanding.

He noted that it was this vision that ignited his mission to reach out to Muslims, Christians, and traditional worshippers alike.

The cleric said he recognised that joining any church or mosque might lead him back to “exhorting the creatures more than the creator.”

Oshoba told Saturday PUNCH that the Quran, a book of peace, had been misinterpreted by some, and urged believers to read it with a heart aligned with love and understanding.

“If you read it very well with a love for peace, you will understand better.”

‘God is one with no religion’

Oshoba said while the Bible and the Quran may not align verbatim, they share significant similarities.

He argued against the notion that Allah is an idol, asserting that no idol claims to be the creator of human beings, while Allah does.

The cleric explained that Allah is the term for God Almighty in Arabic, just as Eledumere and Chineke refer to God in Yoruba and Igbo, respectively.

He believed that divisions among these faiths stem from language barriers and manipulation by those in power.

Oshoba questioned the effectiveness of the gods worshipped by Nigeria’s religious leaders, stating that a true God wouldn’t permit slavery.

This belief, he noted, inspired him to create a sanctuary for worship without rituals or sacrifices, focusing solely on calling on God.

He referenced Jesus’ teaching that there would be a time when believers would seek God directly.

He also addressed the conflict between Muslims and Christians, adding that while some Muslims label Christians as infidels for claiming Jesus as God, his understanding is quite different.

He pointed out that when Jesus stated that He and the Father are one, it signifies a spiritual connection rather than identity.

He said, “God does not have a religion. There is no portion in the Quran or Bible where God said someone would be called a Muslim and another, a Christian. Jesus was not a Christian when he was alive.

“Was Jesus Christ really his name as the Messiah? My research showed that the messiah who came to Israel in Jerusalem spoke two languages, Aramaic and Hebrew. I believe his parents also spoke those two languages. So, they did not give him an English name. They named him Yeshua. So, who changed the name to Jesus?”

The prophet added, “We do not use the name of Jesus to pray in this temple. We only use the teachings of Jesus because he is our teacher. He is our Rabbi, which means teacher. He is the Lord too, which means teacher. Mohammed is the Lord of Islam because he was and still is the person that God (Allah) uses.

 “The major challenge was running around, trying to convince people to follow the vision God showed me. I went to many pastors and religious leaders.”

[PUNCH]

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he was ready for talks with US counterpart Donald Trump on Ukraine, praising him as a “smart” leader who might have prevented the conflict from starting in 2022.

Kyiv reacted quickly, warning against being excluded from negotiations.

The Russian leader did not say when talks would take place, and the Kremlin said earlier it was still waiting for “signals” from Washington, despite Trump announcing Thursday he was willing to meet Putin “immediately”.

“We have always said, and I want to emphasise this once again, that we are ready for these negotiations on Ukrainian issues,” Putin told a reporter from Russian state TV.

Praising Trump as a “smart” and “pragmatic” man, Putin also repeated the Republican’s unfounded claim that he won the US presidential election against Joe Biden in 2020.

“I cannot but agree with him that if he had been president — if his victory hadn’t been stolen in 2020 — then maybe there would not have been the crisis in Ukraine that emerged in 2022,” Putin said.

– Pressure from Trump –

The nearly three-year Ukraine conflict has plunged relations between the two nuclear powers to their lowest levels since the Cold War.

Trump, who was inaugurated on Monday, has called the conflict “ridiculous” and threatened Russia with tougher economic sanctions if it does not agree to stop its offensive.

“If they don’t settle this war soon, like almost immediately, I’m going to put massive tariffs on Russia, and massive taxes, and also big sanctions,” the Republican said during a Fox News interview on Thursday.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on the same day, Trump said he would ask Saudi Arabia and OPEC to lower oil prices, claiming: “If the price came down, the Russia-Ukraine war would end immediately.”

Putin pushed back at Trump’s claim that lower oil prices might expedite the end of the conflict.

“I have a hard time imagining there will be decisions taken that are detrimental to the American economy,” Putin said Friday.

– ‘Come back to reality’ –

Neither side has shown signs of de-escalating hostilities since Trump’s inauguration, despite the President claiming he would end the conflict in “24 hours” once in power.

Kyiv on Friday warned against being excluded from any talks.

“He (Putin) wants to negotiate the fate of Europe — without Europe. And he wants to talk about Ukraine without Ukraine,” the head of Ukraine’s presidential office Andriy Yermak said.

“This is not going to happen. Putin needs to come back to reality himself, or he will be brought back. This is not how it works in the modern world.”

Russian aerial attacks near Kyiv killed three people and wounded several others, Ukrainian officials said Friday, while Ukraine fired 120 drones at least 12 Russian regions, including the capital Moscow.

The Kremlin has launched drone or missile attacks at Kyiv almost every day since sending troops into Ukraine in February 2022, ostensibly targeting military and energy facilities.

“Three people were killed in an enemy attack in the Kyiv region,” the emergency services said in a statement on social media.

Fragments of a drone had struck a 10-story residential building after the head of the region said a private home had also been hit, it added.

Black smoke billowed from a residential building damaged in the strike as rescue workers hauled out the bodies of the victims, official images from the scene showed.

In Russia, the Ukrainian military said it launched an overnight drone attack striking an oil refinery, power station facilities, and an electronics plant.

State media reported that a microelectronics factory had halted work after six Ukrainian drones damaged production and storage facilities in the Bryansk region.