The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has fixed March 18 for ruling on objection raised by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) against a suit filed by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE over oil import licence dispute.

Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date after counsel to the NNPCL,, Ademola Abimbola, SAN, and John Ibrahim (SAN) for Dangote Refinery, John Ibrahim, SAN, had canvassed their arguments and adopted their processes for and against the suit.

The NNPCL counsel, Abimbola moved his objections in urging the court for an order striking out the suit for lack of jurisdiction or in the alternative, an order striking out the name of the company from the suit.

Responding, the Dangote Refinery through its counsel, Ibrahim adopted his counter affidavit in urging the court to dismiss the NNPCL’s preliminary objection for being unnecessary.

After listening to the parties, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until March 18 for ruling.

Dangote Refinery had sued the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) as 1st and 2nd defendants.

Also joined in the suit are AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.

The oil company, through its lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, prayed the court to nullify import licences issued by NMDPRA to the NNPCL and the five other companies for the purpose of importing refined petroleum products.

The company (plaintiff) also prayed the court to declare that NMDPRA was in violation of Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing licenses for the importation of petroleum products.

It stated that such licenses should only be issued in circumstances where there is a petroleum product shortfall.

It equally sought a N100 billion in damages against NMDPRA for allegedly continuing to issue import licences to NNPCL and the five companies for importing petroleum products, among other reliefs.

But in it’s preliminary objection, the NNPCL prayed the court to strike out the case for being incompetent.

It argued that the suit was premature and it disclosed no cause of action against it.

“This honourable court lacks the jurisdiction to hear this suit,” the NNPCL said.

The three marketers; AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, in their response, said the plaintiff did not produce adequate petroleum products for the daily consumption of Nigerians.

Besides, they argued that there was nothing placed before the court to prove the contrary.

Senator  elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, engaged in a heated exchange over the defection of Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North).

In his letter of resignation from the PDP to the APC which was read on the floor of the Senate by President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Nwoko cited division and crisis in the PDP as the reason for his decamping to the ruling party.

But reacting to his announcement, the Minority Leader, Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), raised a constitutional point of order, arguing that though Nwoko was well within his rights to leave and join any party, his defection was unconstitutional since the PDP was not in crisis.

Challenging the validity of Nwoko’s move, he insisted that the PDP remained intact and that the law only permitted defection if there was a division within a party. He added that Nwoko’s seat should be declared vacant.

In response, Deputy Senate President,  Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), stressed that the Constitution allows any person to defect provided there was a division in the party, adding that everybody in the country knows that there is a division in the PDP. “You have the (Nyesom) Wike faction and the Governor Bala Mohammed faction,” he said.

But Moro insisted that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party was intact.

At that point, Akpabio asked him who the substantive national secretary of the PDP is, to which he replied: “The PDP is a law-abiding organisation. The Court of Appeal made a pronouncement on the secretaryship of the party, and the party is adhering to that ruling until the Supreme Court decides otherwise.”

Akpabio interjected, pressing Moro on the Supreme Court’s position.

“What does the Supreme Court say?” Akpabio asked.

Moro maintained his stance:

“The Court of Appeal has ruled that Senator Anyanwu is the secretary of the party until the Supreme Court decides otherwise. And as a law-abiding organisation, we abide by the rulings of the court.”

Akpabio retorted: “Do your PDP governors recognise Anyanwu as the Secretary?”

Mocking him, he said, “Minority leader, we have a motion to set up an ad-hoc committee to look into your party’s affairs but I don’t want to do that.”

However, Moro pushed back, saying there was a difference between the status of the party and individual opinions of the PDP.

“The party is an organisation, and the governors, as a forum, are entitled to their opinions,” he explained. “But as a party, we recognise the pronouncements of the court and abide by them.”

Adding his voice to the debate, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) reinforced the argument, citing constitutional provisions, “I am rising on a constitutional point of order. My point of order is rooted in Section 232 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. In fact, relevant to my submission is the entire Chapter 7 of the Constitution, which deals with the judicial arm of government.

“While I want to thank the Minority Leader for the grandstanding he has done today, which is expected of him, I want him to know that the PDP faction that he is part of has already taken note of his action here, and I congratulate him on that.”

He emphasised that the issue of party division was a constitutional matter not one to be debated on the Senate floor.

“The Minority Leader himself defeated his argument by reading the proviso to Section 68(1)(g).

“Whether or not there is division in the PDP is a matter of fact that cannot be decided here. It is visible, even to the blind, that there are sharp divisions in the PDP today. Wike is leading one faction, and Bala Mohammed is leading another.”

Bamidele urged Akpabio to end the debate, framing the PDP’s objections as a distraction.

“Mr. President, I appeal to you to save the precious time of the Senate by bringing this discussion to a close. This is an attempt to distract us and take away from the credit of the APC, which has gained a major member today. It is also an attempt to fetter the discretion of other PDP members who may be considering joining the APC.

“It is the constitutional right of every senator to defect as long as the constitutional provisions are met. If anyone is in doubt, the courts are there to adjudicate. We cannot take over the job of the courts.”

As the exchange grew more intense, Akpabio intervened to restore order. Moro, however, continued his argument, questioning why no APC senators were defecting despite the ruling party’s internal disputes.

“If we say PDP is divided, then is APC not in court over its internal crisis?” Moro asked. “Does that mean APC is divided too?”

Ultimately, Akpabio dismissed the PDP’s objections, ruling that the Senate could not assume the role of a court in determining party divisions. He upheld Nwoko’s defection and overruled Moro’s point of order.

Meanwhile, Senator Nwoko has raised concerns over the future of Nigeria’s democracy, warning that the country is at risk of becoming a one-party state due to the internal crisis plaguing the opposition PDP.

In a letter addressed to the Senate President to formally announce his defection from the PDP to the APC, Nwoko expressed worry that the PDP’s inability to function effectively as an opposition party threatens the fabric of Nigeria’s democracy, emphasising that a strong opposition is crucial for accountability and governance.

“Democracy thrives on a strong and credible opposition that keeps the government in check, promotes accountability, and ensures that the voice of all Nigerians is heard,” he said. “If urgent steps are not taken, Nigeria risks sliding into a dangerous one-party system, which history has shown to be detrimental to governance and national stability.”

To address this, Nwoko urged the Senate to take immediate action by setting up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the crisis within the PDP and recommend solutions to safeguard the country’s multi-party democracy.

His defection is the latest in a series of high-profile exits from the PDP, further weakening the opposition as the APC consolidates its dominance in the political landscape.

Nwoko assured his constituents that he remains committed to their welfare and to the progress of Nigeria, while requesting that his new party be formally recognised in the Senate records.

President Bola Tinubu returned to the National Assembly and requested that lawmakers increase the proposed 2025 budget from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion.

The Nigerian Constitution grants the National Assembly the authority to amend financial estimates for the fiscal year through legislative procedures.

Yesterday, President Tinubu formally proposed increasing the 2025 proposed budget size from the N49.7 trillion initially presented to the joint session of the National Assembly on December 18, 2024, to N54.2 trillion.

The President communicated this request through separate letters sent to the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The letters were read on the floors of both chambers of the National Assembly during Wednesday’s plenary session.

 Breakdown of the Additional N4.53trn Revenue

In his letter, President Tinubu informed the National Assembly of the availability of additional revenue totalling N4,530,479,970,637 and proposed its allocation within the 2025 Appropriation Bill to address key national priorities.

The additional revenue is sourced from the following agencies: Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs): N1.82 trillion; Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS): N1.49 trillion (52% share of the increase in revenue from N22.1 trillion to N25.1 trillion); Nigeria Customs Service (NCS): N1.2 trillion (52% share of the increase in revenue from N6.5 trillion to N9.0 trillion).

The president stated that with this additional revenue, the total budget proposal for the 2025 financial year would rise to N54.2 trillion, underscoring the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth and national security.

Tinubu outlined the following allocations for the additional funds: Solid Minerals Sector, N1 trillion; Bank of Agriculture (BoA), N1.5 trillion; Bank of Industry (BoI) – N500 billion; Critical Infrastructure Projects (RHID Fund), N1.5 trillion; and Irrigation Development (River Basin Authorities), N380 billion.

Also to get the additional funding are transportation infrastructure (Roads & Rail), N700 billion; Border Communities Infrastructure, N50 billion; Military Barracks Accommodation, N250 billion and Military Aviatio N120 billion.

Tinubu justified the budget increase. According to him,  the additional N1trillon funding  for Solid Minerals Sector will boost mineral processing and export,  enhance economic diversification and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil revenues.

Also, the N1.5 trillion Bank of Agriculture Recapitalisation will enhance food security, expand credit access for farmers and agribusinesses, increase agricultural productivity and strengthen value chains.

The N500 billion Bank of Industry Recapitalisation will provide accessible financing for entrepreneurs, enhance industrial capacity and manufacturing, and ensure job creation.

Of the N1.5 trillion allocated to critical infrastructure,  N380 billion will go to irrigation development to support all-year-round farming; N700 billion will go to roads and rail to enhance economic activity; border infrastructure will get N50 billion toward improving security and promoting cross-border trade.

The sum of N250 billion will be used to upgrade military housing to boost morale, while N120 billion will be spent to strengthen Nigeria’s air defence capabilities.

President Tinubu emphasised that national security is the foundation of economic stability.

He described military spending as a moral and constitutional obligation to protect citizens, combat terrorism, and ensure a secure environment for development.

The president urged the National Assembly to adopt and integrate these proposals into the 2025 Appropriation Bill to accelerate Nigeria’s development.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly has promised to pass the budget within the specified time.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has subsequently directed that Tinubu’s request to amend the 2025 budget bill be sent to the Senate Committee on Appropriations for prompt consideration.

Akpabio declared that the budget review would be concluded and passed before the end of this month.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, on Wednesday, welcomed the senator representing Delta North, Senator Ned Nwoko, following his defection from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

Nwoko, who officially switched allegiance to the APC, hinged his exit on the current crisis rocking the PDP leadership.

The lawmaker added that Delta Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and a former governor of the state, Ifeanyi Okowa, did not accord him a conducive atmosphere to function at an optimal level.

Welcoming Nwoko on Wednesday, Ganduje assured his delegation that with all the three Delta senators on their side, the ruling party is more than certain to win over Delta at the next governorship election. 

He said, “We are happy to receive you, distinguished Senator Nwoko. There’s no doubt that our leader, President Bola Tinubu, is also focused and visionary. Immediately he came in, he knew what to do and introduced some reforms. Even though they are painful, they are unavoidable reforms.

“If you want Nigeria to progress, there is no doubt you have to undertake such reforms. But we have started seeing the outcome of such reforms. Oil production increased, and refineries are working. Security is improving and the country is working.

“We know our chapter in Delta will also implement internal democracy. We therefore, request you, the stakeholders, to come together to cooperate. We had two out of three senators before and now have the entire three in Delta. As we promised, we will take over Delta State.”

Earlier on Wednessay,  the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read Nwoko’s letter of defection to the APC during the plenary session.

The letter was titled, “Notice of departure from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.”

It read, “I write to formally inform you and my distinguished colleagues of my decision to resign my membership from the PDP and consequently join the APC.

“This decision was not made lightly, but rather after deep reflection and extensive consultations with my constituents, political associates, and stakeholders across Delta North Senatorial District.”

He lamented that the PDP, which once stood as a formidable platform for democratic participation and national development, had unfortunately been engulfed in persistent crises, ranging from internal divisions to a lack of clear leadership and direction.

“These unresolved conflicts have weakened its ability to function as an effective opposition, thereby threatening the very fabric of our democracy.

“Mr President, democracy thrives on a strong and credible opposition that keeps the government in check, promotes accountability, and ensures that the voice of all Nigerians is heard.

“The continued deterioration of the PDP raises serious concerns about the future of our multi-party democracy.

“If urgent steps are not taken to address this national emergency, Nigeria risks sliding into a dangerous one-party system, which history has shown to be detrimental to governance and national stability,” he said.

Nwoko urged the Senate to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the crisis within the PDP and recommend a way forward to safeguard democracy.

He asked the committee to examine the root causes of the party’s internal implosion, engage relevant stakeholders, and propose reforms that would ensure the survival of a viable opposition in Nigeria.

“I remain committed to serving the people of Delta North and contributing to the progress of our dear nation.

“Accordingly, I kindly request that my new party affiliation be reflected in the records of the Senate,” the letter added.

In an earlier resignation letter addressed to the PDP leadership in Ward 8, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, dated January 30, 2025, the lawmaker lamented the current state of the party, citing deep divisions and irreconcilable factions as the primary reasons for his defection.

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has suspended the State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Samson Osagie, and the chairman of the State’s Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Damian Lawani, over alleged “grave official and financial infractions.”

The suspension of the duo was contained in a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Musa lkhilor, and made available to journalists late Wednesday night.

According to the statement, “The suspension is with immediate effect.”

It further said: “the suspension of Hon. Damian Lawani and the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice became necessary to enable Government carry out a thorough investigation into the allegation of financial infractions levelled against them.”

“They are to remain suspended
pending the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement added.

The SSG, in the statement, added that the Governor Okpebholo has consequently ordered the setting up of an Investigative Committee to probe the allegations levelled against the two top officials and make appropriate recommendations accordingly.

Meanwhile, the suspended Commissioner, Rt. Hon. Samson Osagie, has denied involvement in any financial fraud or dealing just as he vowed to defend himself against the allegation.

In a statement he personally signed in response to his suspension, Osagie said, “My attention has just been drawn to a Government special announcement dated 5th February, 2925 in which I was alleged to have been engaged in financial infractions with the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission and therefore suspended.

“Let me state unequivocally that I am not and was never involved in any financial dealing with anyone nor committed any financial infraction of any kind. I was also not confronted with the said allegations by anyone before my suspension was announced.

“I shall be ready, willing and prepared to defend myself and prove my innocence in order to clear my name and hard earned reputation which I have laboured to build over the years.”

The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, resolved to investigate what it called unsolicited and illegal linking of National Identification Numbers (NINs) of subscribers to unknown telephone lines by service providers.

Consequently, the House urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to investigate the reports about the trend and take immediate actions against any telecom service provider found to be culpable in the practice.

It also asked the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to confirm whether the linking of NINs by telecom service providers was authorised and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance jointly moved by Hon. Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom) and the House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), at plenary.

Moving the motion, Umoh expressed concern over the recent reports of telecom service providers linking subscribers’ NINs to unknown phone lines without their consent, thereby exposing them to criminal activities and subjecting legitimate NIN holders to grave risk.

He said the action was a clear violation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019, which guarantee the right to privacy and protection of personal data of every Nigerian.

“Aware that the National Identification Number (NIN) was established to streamline the verification and identification of persons and enhance security in Nigeria.

“Also aware that the potential risks and consequences of this unauthorized data linking includes identity theft, financial fraud, and other forms of cybercrime that have become rife in Nigeria lately.

“Further aware that innocent citizens have been wrongly implicated in crimes, suffer reputational damage, harassment and legal challenges for crimes they know nothing about,” the lawmaker noted.

Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committees on Communications and Interior to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

The House of Representatives Committee on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) has asked President Bola Tinubu to facilitate the release of the detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to ensure lasting peace and development in the region.

The committee’s chairman, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, who made the call at the inaugural meeting of the legislative committee in Abuja on Wednesday, said the security situation in the South-east was a major concern that must be addressed for any meaningful progress to take place.

“Given the region’s security concerns, the Committee and other well-meaning Nigerians appeal to the President to facilitate the release of Nnamdi Kanu as a step towards lasting peace and development in the South-east.

“The establishment of the South-East Development Commission, 54 years after the civil war, is a monumental achievement. However, true reconciliation requires more than infrastructural development—it demands addressing historical grievances and ensuring justice for all,” he said.

Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, while inaugurating the committee, said the development marked a crucial step towards addressing the developmental challenges facing the South-East region.

Represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Abbas described the event as a renewed commitment to ensuring that the region receives the much-needed investment and attention for its growth and prosperity.

“The inauguration of this committee is not just a formality,” Abbas stated. “It is the beginning of a renewed effort to unlock the full potential of the Southeast, a region known for its resilience, industry, and entrepreneurial spirit.”

“The role of this committee is to provide legislative oversight, monitor the implementation of policies, and ensure that the commission fulfills its mandate with efficiency, transparency, and accountability,” the Speaker added.

International Business Machines (IBM) has revealed plans to exit Nigeria, Ghana, and other key African markets, transferring its regional operations to MIBB, a subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate Midis Group. The transition will take effect from 1 April 2025 as part of a new operating model in select African countries.

MIBB will assume responsibility for marketing and selling IBM’s range of products and services across 36 African nations. This includes providing direct access to IBM’s software, hardware, cloud solutions, and consulting services. According to an email sent to TechCabal, MIBB will also oversee operations, support, and customer relationships in the region.

IBM has had a significant presence in Nigeria for over five decades, playing a crucial role in the country’s technology landscape. The company provided infrastructure and consulting services to key sectors, including banking, telecommunications, oil and gas, and government. Its high-end storage and computing solutions were especially popular among financial institutions such as Zenith Bank.

However, IBM’s market share in Nigeria has declined in recent years due to growing competition from companies like Dell and Huawei, which have increased their presence in the banking sector.

On the global front, IBM has been facing financial challenges. In 2024, the company reported a 2% drop in consulting revenue, totaling 5.18 billion USD, while infrastructure sales decreased by 8%. Despite this, IBM’s overall revenue increased by 1%, reaching 17.55 billion USD, largely driven by a 10% growth in software sales, which amounted to 7.92 billion USD. The company also posted a net income of 2.92 billion USD for the fourth quarter and expects a minimum of 5% revenue growth in 2025, buoyed by a projected free cash flow of 13.5 billion USD.

IBM’s exit from West Africa marks the end of its direct operations in the region, creating uncertainty about the long-term impact on local businesses and government partnerships. While MIBB’s takeover may offer new opportunities for innovation and support, businesses that rely on IBM’s services will need to adjust to the changes. The full effects of this transition will become clearer in the months ahead as the African technology landscape adapts to the new operational model.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it recovered N20 billion paid to ghost workers as pensions in 2024.

Musa Aliyu, chairman of the commission, spoke on Wednesday at a media parley with editors in Abuja.

Aliyu said being proactive has enabled the anti-graft agency to stem corruption in the country.

“In 2024, we recovered over N20 billion ghost workers pensions, whereby we were able to track and recover this amount of money, and also we identified people inserting ghost workers into the system,” he said.

“We even discovered that somebody put his wife, his son, and his in-laws on the payroll.

“So, these are some of the challenges that we are trying to see that we tackle and don’t allow them to go on.”

The ICPC chairman also said the commission prevented the theft of N50 billion from a particular ministry.

“In 2023, there is a particular ministry where we restrained over N50 billion from being taken away because of our proactiveness,” he said.

Aliyu said he “had sleepless nights” battling corruption during his time as the attorney-general in Jigawa state between 2019 and 2023.

“I know how those who feel they can do and undo and use all avenues to ensure that they spread lies and confuse people in order to discredit what we were doing then, but through God’s grace, we reached our destination,” he said.

He said the ICPC avoids media trials because a suspect is innocent until proven guilty.

“We share verified information through reports, newsletters, press releases, our website, and social media. However, we ensure that informants and the integrity of investigations remain protected,” he said.

“We want our work to be judged by the performance standards in our strategic action plan (2024-2028).

“I urge the Nigerian media to work with us in raising public awareness and promoting ICPC’s programs. Our nation’s progress depends on it.

“All of us should join hands to tackle corruption in this country. Fighting corruption is not easy because when you fight corruption, corruption fights back.

“Those involved in corruption are united in their evil. They try to lie against us in order to discredit what we are doing.

“But as a nation, all well-meaning members of the public must join hands to tackle corruption.

“We don’t have an option. If we don’t tackle corruption, our children will have no future. If we don’t fight corruption, those involved will wreck the economy, and we will all suffer for it.

“We are partnering with credible civil society organisations to implement the corruption prevention programme for local governments to ensure proactive disclosure of information relevant to finances, procurement, and control of corruption.”

He said assets recovered from corrupt public officials are strictly subjected to the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The ICPC chairman added that he set up a panel comprising civil society organisations (CSOs), media, and government procurement experts to ensure a transparent public auction of assets.

Aliyu said there is a need to review Nigeria’s laws to make corruption less attractive, noting that in some countries those convicted of corruption are required to repay the full amount with interest and are barred from holding public office for up to 10 years.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports in the US. 

Trump gazetted the order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” on Wednesday.

The US president claimed that the new order would put an end to “the war on women’s sports” in the country.

The signed order gives the US Department of Education the responsibility to ensure schools nationwide comply with the directive.

“If you let men take over women’s sports teams or invade your locker rooms, you will be investigated for violations of Title IX and risk your federal funding,” Trump said.

The directive would be stretched to prevent transgender athletes from competing against females in International Olympic Committee (IOC) competitions hosted in the US.

The decision may be consequential at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The order is the latest episode in what LGBT rights activists have considered Trump’s on the community in the US.

During his inauguration speech, Trump declared that there are only two sexes in the US: male and female. The announcement was considered discriminatory against transgender people in the country.

The participation of transgender women in female sports has been a contentious topic in recent years, with its reception mixed.

In 2023, World Athletics banned athletes who had gone through male puberty from the female competitions it organised.

A year before, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) also prohibited transgender women whose transition process began later than the age of 12 from competing in female competitions.

The World Boxing Council (WBC), International Chess Federation and Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) have also taken measures to prohibit transgender women from female sports.

However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has more lenient directives on transgender athletes in female sports