Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has advised the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, to refrain from commenting on the resolution reached by the Federal Government regarding the controversial Oil Mining Licence (OML) 245.

Lokpobiri’s statement follows comments from Mohammed Abacha, the son of the late head of state, who urged the minister to retract his public statement about resolving the disputes over OML 245 and resuming production in the national interest.

In a letter of protest written by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Reuben Okpanachi Atabo, the Abacha family gave Lokpobiri a 14-day ultimatum to withdraw his claim or face contempt of court charges. The letter, delivered to the offices of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Oil Minister on July 5, argued that Lokpobiri’s claims were false and disregarded ongoing court cases regarding Malabu Oil and Gas ownership.

Responding to the Abacha family’s statement, Lokpobiri said, “I don’t want to join issues with the Abacha family, but I can assure you that we are resolving all the issues with OML 245 under overriding national strategic interest. This matter has lingered on for the past 28 years. And if I were a member of the Abacha family, I wouldn’t even raise my head. As Heineken Lokpobiri, I can’t give any Lokpobiri a license. That in itself is criminal. So if they know what they are doing, they should keep quiet.”

Lokpobiri, an English-trained lawyer, emphasized that oil blocks are federation assets, and the federal government will ensure that Nigerians benefit from them.

History of Litigation

OML 245, considered one of Nigeria’s most prolific oil blocks, was acquired by Malabu Oil and Gas, a company belonging to the Abacha family, in 1998 for $2 million. In 2001, under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the federal government revoked Malabu’s license due to “questionable practices.” Malabu challenged the revocation in court and reached an out-of-court settlement with the government under former President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2006.

In 2011, Shell and Eni acquired the block for $1.3 billion from Malabu in a deal approved by the Nigerian government. Since then, there have been ongoing allegations and litigation, with Transparency International and other anti-corruption groups alleging bribery and corruption in the deal.

Regarding the 28-year crisis and litigation, Lokpobiri recently stated, “The core issue revolves around the agreement between the federal government, Shell, and ENI, wherein the Federal Government facilitated the transfer of rights from Malabu to Shell/ENI in exchange for consideration. This process was conducted transparently and by established legal frameworks.”

National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said that the return of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano and the several demolitions carried out by the state governor, Engr. Kabir Abba Yusuf, were fulfilment of campaign promises by the party.

Kwankwaso, however, alleged that some persons in Abuja pressured the former Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero into coming to Kano even after he, alongside others, had accepted the dissolution of the five emirates created by the Ganduje government.

Speaking on Prime Time, a political programme on Arise News monitored in Abuja, Kwankwaso, who was presidential candidate of the NNPP in the 2023 general elections, said they have no regrets for fulfilling the promises made during their campaign for which the governor was elected.

He said: “It was a campaign issue. Don’t forget that Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was installed in 2014 by our government. My Deputy who became governor decided in his wisdom to divide Kano into five emirates. What many people don’t remember is that it was tried by the Rimi government during the Second Republic.

“It was our position, our belief that Kano should continue as one solid traditional institution. That was what we believed in. So, during our campaign, the governor went round to tell the people that if they voted for him, Kano would return to being one solid traditional institution, of course with support from the other emirates.

“That is why when he was sworn-in, he started a process of consultation. For your information, the emirates that were created by Rimi were dissolved by Sabo Bakinzuwo who took over from him right there at the Race Course where he was sworn in. 

“But for one year, the governor carried out due consultations and decided to follow due process through the State House of Assembly and Sanusi was reinstated. People voted for him for several reasons, including making Kano one strong emirate.

“So, we are not just coming from the streets. We have a history.  We did not just wake up one day to do that. That is the position of the people of Kano State and we have done what is right and the other four emirs have accepted it and moved out of their palaces.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the inability of Sen. Mohammed Ndume to access President Bola Tinubu cannot warrant or justify his outlandish declaration that the president had been “caged”.

Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

The statement was the party’s reaction to comments credited to Ndume, the Chief Whip of the Senate, saying President Bola had been “caged”.

Ndume, while saying that securing financial autonomy for local governments was the greatest achievement of Tinubu since he assumed office in 2023, also said that he was unaware of existential challenges in the country.

“The latest outburst in the media by the senator representing Borno South, and Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume, claiming that President Tinubu has been caged.

“And unaware of existential challenges in the country is as haughty as it is unnecessary.

Operatives of Ogun State Police command have arrested two kidnappers, who killed their victims, after collecting ransom from their families in Ijebu Igbo, Ijebu North local government area of the State.

Spokesperson for the command, Omolola Odutola, who disclosed this in Abeokuta, the State capital, said the arrest of the kidnappers led to the discovery of the shallow graves of 71-year-old farmer, Adekunle Ifelaja, and Ogunyemi Femi, who were allegedly killed by the suspects in Ijebu-Igbo forest.

She stated that the two suspects; Chukwuma Bartholomew and Igwe Monday, were arrested through technical investigations on June 28, 2024, at about 6:20pm.

Odutola stated that the suspects, after confessing to the crime during interrogation, led the State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, and the anti-kidnapping squad to the forest, where the corpses of the victims were exhumed.

She said, “They are responsible for kidnappings and abductions that have been recorded in the Ijebu-Igbo area. They kidnapped their victims, demanded ransom from their family members, and then killed them.

“They then took them to a forest in Ijebu-Igbo, where they dug a shallow grave and buried them. They were arrested by our anti-kidnapping squad after a thorough investigation, which led the team to the hideouts of the criminals on June 28, 2024, in Ijebu-Igbo.

“After their confession, the suspects took the CP and members of the anti-kidnapping units to the forest where they buried the victims to exhume the corpses.”

The arrest came six months after the last operation in which their victim, 71-year-old Sunday Adekunle Ifelaja, popularly known as Adeife, did not return home after his kidnappers collected ransom.

It was gathered that on November 23, 2023, the suspects, part of a 7-man criminal syndicate, stormed the home of 34-year-old Femi on November 23, 2023, abducted him and took him to an unknown location. 

They allegedly made a video of Femi and sent it to his family to demand ransom.

According to the police, the suspects killed the victim despite receiving ransom from his family.

Similarly, after abducting the elderly 71-year-old farmer at Oke-Sopen in Ijebu-Igbo on December 31, 2023, the suspects reportedly recorded a video of the septuagenarian man and sent it to his family via WhatsApp, demanding a ransom for his release.

According to the police, the farmer was killed and buried in one of the shallow graves despite the payment.

“On June 28, 2024, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad made a massive breakthrough in the hunt for the kidnappers when through technical-based investigation, they discovered the hideout of the criminals in Ijebu-Igbo.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has regretted the dearth of courageous people who can speak truth to power.

Obi who spoke Saturday, during the 10th anniversary of Alaigbo Development Foundation in Umuahia, Abia State, regretted that the country had aboundance of praise singers who tell leaders what they what to hear.

The former Anambra State Governor who recalled how he judiciously managed public funds while in office, also charged public leaders to use public funds for the people.

He further charged them to make people-centred policies, and pursue programmes that promote public peace.

Obi blamed the woes of Nigeria on avarice and insatiable quest for wealth among public office holders.

He, therefore, challenged Nigerians to speak truth to power and stop hero worshipping.

Obi said: “What we lack in Nigeria is people who can tell you you are wrong when you are. Leaders are bound to listen to the people because the people put them in the office.

” Leaders must use public money for public purpose”, Obi thundered. 

Continuing, he said:”When I was in public office, I used public money for public purpose. I made sure I used the peoples money for them.

” I did not spend any Kobo for personal gain. I didn’t take it owing pensions, gratuities. I did not owe any contractor. Now in private life I can do whatever I like with my money.”

The former Anambra State Governor who said he left office without owing workers including pensioners and contractors, disclosed that he also left behind $150m for the state.

Obi solicited continued prayers for leaders so they would serve the people with the fear of God.

The former Anambra Governor who advocated role for traditional institution, advised Government to partner socio-cultural organizations for the development of society.

He further encouraged ADF to continue its advocacy and sensitization of Ndigbo for advancing the cause of the Igbo nation.

Obi also preached unity among Ndigbo.

In his remark, the pioneer President of ADF, Professor Uzodinma Nwala, said the objective of ADF had been galvanize Igbo stakeholders for the development of Alaigbo.

The new national President of ADF, Nze Coleman Emeka Chukudelunzu, called for unity among Ndigbo to rebuild Igbo land.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the event, Maj General Chris Eze (retd.), commended the doggedness of Ndigbo to overcome the challenges of the civil war.

Highlights of the two -day event were the inauguration of the new national leadership of ADF, and cutting of the anniversary cake.

In the wake of Saturday’s shooting incident at former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, United States, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have issued separate statements condemning the violence and expressing relief that Trump is safe.

After the shooting that reportedly occurred minutes into Trump’s speech, Secret Service agents quickly surrounded the former president and escorted him off the stage.

Trending social media videos appeared to show blood on Trump’s face and a bleeding ear as he was led away.

Biden, after receiving briefing on the situation, said in a statement published on the White House website: “I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.”

He added, “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”

Biden’s vice, Harris, issued a similar reaction: “Doug and I are relieved that he (Trump) is not seriously injured. We are praying for him, his family, and all those who have been injured and impacted by this senseless shooting.

“Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence.”

Both Biden and Harris expressed gratitude to the Secret Service, first responders, and local authorities for their swift action in protecting the former president and managing the situation.

The U.S. Secret Service had earlier confirmed Trump’s safety, with spokesman Anthony Guglielmi tweeting, “The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available.”

Also reacting, the Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told Washington Post that two people were confirmed dead following the incident, including one of the suspected shooters.

Former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News gathered that Anyim announced his defection to the ruling party at the Pa Oruta Ngele Township Abakaliki during the Grand Finale of the APC Local Government election Campaign on Saturday.

Anyim, on Saturday, led other notable personalities across other political parties, including former State and National Assembly members, Former Governorship candidate of Labour Party, Edwin Nkwegu, Senator Obinna Ọgba, former national and state assembly candidates and thousands of their supporters to join the party.

The National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje, Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State and Minister of Works, David Umahi, State Chairman of the party, Stanley Meghan and others were in attendance to receive them.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, commended Anyim for all the support he gave to APC during the 2023 elections adding that it is only now he formally joins the party.

He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for all the support given to him when he faced legal battles after joining the party.

He said, “President Tinubu called me to come and see him, and when I came, he carried me in his car personally to meet a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who handled our case”

The Minister noted that he faced serious attacks and conditions for deciding to join the APC but is grateful that today the party has become the beautiful bride of all in the state and southeast.

The Minister noted that the President is very much interested in the development of the southeast and needs the support of the people to succeed.

He noted that the Lagos Calabar Coastal Road will have a spot that will pass through Ebonyi, adding that other work is ongoing on other major roads in the region.

He urged the two governors and other party Leaders in the region to work harder to bring on board every stakeholder in the region to the party so that the region would take its rightful place in national politics.

Uzodinma noted that the recent ruling of the Supreme Court will strengthen democracy in the country.

He urged youths to shun all forms of protests against the government of President Tinubu.

Anyim assured the National Chairman that Ebonyi State has always been united under one political family.

He noted that the people have resolved to collapse the whole state into one political family in appreciation of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s performance and efforts at uniting all groups in the state.

An early morning fire outbreak has burnt a section of the Gidan Rumfa palace of the 16th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II.

PUNCH Online gathered that the fire outbreak, which happened on Friday night, around 11 pm, was set by yet-to-be-identified persons.

A source, who spoke with Daily Trust, said the palace located at Kofar Kudu, where the Emir sits every Monday for the court, was seriously affected by the fire.

The source added that the throne, air conditioners, and other valuables were destroyed in the inferno.

“It was the palace at Kofar Kudu. You know the palace has an entrance from inside while the main entrance is from the front (outside). The key was forced open, and what was suspected was that they broke in, set the fire and locked the door.

“The throne, air conditioners and other valuables in the palace have been destroyed,” the source said.

However, the Chief of Staff to the Emir, Munir Sanusi Bayero, confirmed the incident in a statement, a copy of which was made available to The Punch on Saturday evening.

According to the statement, “It is hereby notified that on Saturday, July 13, 2024 morning, a fire incident occurred at the outer court of His Highness’s Palace, Kofar Kudu.

“Fortunately, there were no casualties, and the damage was minimal. The palace is taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the palace and its occupants. We are also investigating the cause of the fire and taking steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.”

However, the Kano State Fire Service claimed they were not informed about the incident, as they didn’t receive any calls at their centres.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery is set to import a cargo of Brazilian crude, Bloomberg reported on Friday.

It said this would add to the large number of overseas barrels of crude feedstock that the Nigerian firm was importing.

Indigenous crude oil refiners, including Dangote refinery and modular refineries, as well as local crude producers have repeatedly raised concerns about the low crude oil output from Nigeria.

Although the government, through the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, has been making efforts to tackle this, oil production from Nigeria has remained low.

This has made it tough for local refiners to get crude, as bulk of the oil produced in-country are exported due to earlier arranged contracts with International Oil Companies operating in Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Bloomberg reported on Friday that traders with knowledge of the matter stated that Dangote refinery, which is still ramping up to full capacity, would receive a shipment of one million barrels of Tupi crude from Brazil for delivery in the second half of next month.

“The refinery, billed as pivotal in ending Nigeria’s dependence on foreign fuel, has already snapped up millions of barrels of American crude,” the report by the media organisation stated.

It stated that the purchases of non-Nigerian barrels likely reflect the most competitively priced, suitable cargoes.

The traders said the cargo was sold by Petrobras, a state-owned Brazilian multinational corporation.

Bloomberg said officials at the company, and one at Dangote, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Quoting data from the Latin American country’s commerce ministry, the publication said it was the first time that Brazil had exported oil to Nigeria.

Dangote refinery recently purchased five million barrels of US crude scheduled for delivery next month and in September.

It was reported in May this year that the refinery planned a purchase of 24 million barrels of crude from the US for over a year.

Modular refiners had also stated that crude importation would linger until Nigeria produces enough barrels to meet both domestic demand and exports.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B on Saturday, announced the killing of one of its officers identified as Inspector of Customs, Hamza Abdullahi-Elenwo.

The incident, according to the Zone B Public Relations Officer, Isa Suleiman in a statement in Kaduna, occurred on Friday, July 12, 2024 at Achilafia along Daura-Kano road, Jigawa State during a stop and search operation.

The Customs spokesman explained that the incident occurred when the vehicle suspected to have been smuggled into the country hit the operative while trying to evade arrest.

He added that the slain officer was rushed to General Hospital Kazaure and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Katsina, where he was pronounced dead by the Doctor on duty.

According to him, the deceased has been laid to rest in accordance to Islam rites.

Suleiman said, “The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B is sad to announce the tragic demise of Inspector of Customs (IC) Hamza Abdullahi Elenwo in an unfortunate incident that occurred on Friday, 12 July 2024 at Achilafia along Daura-Kano Road in Jigawa State during a stop and search operation.

“The incident occurred when a vehicle suspected to be smuggled into the country hit the operative while trying to evade arrest.

“The late Operative was rushed to the General Hospital Kazaure and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Katsina, where he was pronounced dead by the Doctor on duty.

“The deceased has been laid to rest in Katsina, according to Islamic rites.”

The Customs spokesman quoted the Head of Federal Operations Unit Zone B, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, to have on behalf of the entire Officers and Men of the Unit, extend his heartfelt condolence to the deceased’s family and pray for his eternal rest.

“Comptroller Shuaibu asserted that the incident shows the level of desperation by smugglers operating without recourse to human lives, adding that it is also one of the many instances where smugglers kill and maim Personnel of the service in an attempt to evade arrest.

“The Comptroller vowed to ensure justice is served as One (1) Suspect has been arrested and is in the Custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa State,” he said.

He added that the unit’s operatives would not be deterred and would remain unwavering in the fight against smuggling.

Our correspondent reports that Inspector Hamza, an indigene of Port Harcourt, Rivers State was born on 15 April 1985.

“He joined the Nigeria Customs Service as Customs Assistant III (CAIII) in the Transport and Logistics Unit on 17 October 2013 and was promoted to the rank of Inspector of Customs (IC) in the year 2022. He is survived by a wife and two Children.