Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the governor of Ondo State, swore in Hon. Justice Ayedun Olusegun Odusola as the state’s 12th Chief Judge yesterday.
In a similar vein, Kogi State’s substantive Chief Judge, Justice Josiah Joe Majebi, was sworn in by Governor Yahaya Bello, who promised that his administration will keep working hard to restore the judiciary to its proper place.

Up until his recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC), appointment by the governor, and acceptance by the state House of Assembly, Justice Odusola had been the acting chief judge of Ondo State.

As new High Court Judges for the State, the governor also swore in Hon. Justices Bolatito Florence Ajibade, Bankole Jacob Akinwunmi, Leonard Boyede Ologun, and Femi Sylvester Akinbinnu.

Pastor Omofunmile Adejombo, Mrs. Omolola Akinseloyin, and Mr. Stanley Adeniyan were all officially inaugurated by Akeredolu as members of the State Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Their swearing-in ceremony was place in the Governor’s Office’s Cocoa Conference Hall in Alagbaka, Akure.

According to Akeredolu, the Chief Judge and other judges’ appointments are the highest honors a society can bestow upon a citizen. He emphasized that in addition to recognizing the judges’ abilities in the administration and practice of law, their appointments also attest to their moral fitness.

He said: “Despite the difficulties we experienced, particularly following the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, which had a detrimental effect on the state’s budget, we have continued to fulfill our obligations with the utmost care and dedication.”

The governor noted that the proposed architectural masterpiece is designed to have all the amenities of a modern court complex, including 21 court Halls, a modern Ceremonial Hall, Library, among others. He also revealed that he had just approved the immediate start of work on the construction of a new ultra-modern court complex.

We are resolved to leave this edifice as an everlasting legacy to the State, he emphasized, “with the help of the Almighty.”

The governor emphasized that anyone seeking the position of judicial officer must be a suitable and proper person and gave the Chief Judge and the four new judges orders to uphold the law.

Any candidate for the position of judicial officer must be suitable. He must uphold the highest standards of behavior in both his professional and personal lives. Anyone who successfully completes the screening at various levels must be deemed qualified. As a result of his great control over people, the society demands the best performance from such a person.

“He both makes and unmakes the law in his interpretation. While enforcing the law, he wields the power of life and death. No respectable nation makes jokes about the welfare of the judiciary. Since taking the reins of leadership as the Governor of Ondo State, I have had the uncommon honor of swearing in four Chief Judges and ten judges. This is the fifth oath-taking ceremony that our administration has held since it began.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with some of these illustrious individuals, and I can only praise them highly for their exceptional character. So I command the new judicial officers to uphold the ideal of fundamental service to the people.

The new Chief Judge thanked the governor for choosing him as the Chief Judge and four other people as judges of the state High Court and for accepting the NJC’s recommendation in his acceptance speech.

During his time as Chief Judge, he promised to maintain and strengthen the current connection between the various branches of the government.

In his own words, Governor Bello declared, “We can accomplish more in the pursuit of an equitable society with tenacity and bravery.”

The governor asserted that the Chief Judge is the result of due process, citing the fact that the National Judicial Council had approved him prior to his inauguration (NJC).

Following his cognate experience, he “has the experience, character, and education to fill the office.”

The governor remarked that Nigeria just now required a strong, capable judiciary.

He pleaded with the Chief Judge to put all of his skills to good use by strengthening the state judiciary.

Muhammed Sani (SAN), the state’s attorney general and commissioner of justice, who was represented by Abeeb Abdullahi, the solicitor general and permanent secretary, referred to the governor as the best in the state’s history.

He claimed that Governor Yahaya Bello’s recent selection by the President as one of the six performing governors was justified in light of the development initiatives.

He expressed gratitude to the state House of Assembly for swiftly approving the Chief Judge’s nomination.

Justice Majebi, the Chief Judge, responded by stating that maintaining judicial integrity was his goal.

He claims that a council of judges has been established in addition to others to carry out predetermined tasks in the state judiciary.

Additionally, Justice Majebi claimed to have created a few directorates and departments as well as employee welfare programs.

The Chief Judge assured that first line judicial service will not be jeopardized under his direction by thanking the governor, the National Judicial Council, and other stakeholders for their support.

Mrs. Folashade Ayoade-Arike, secretary to the Kogi State government, had earlier read the Chief Judge’s citation.

On June 27 of last year, Justice Josiah Majebi was named Acting Chief Judge.

The Directorate of Public Prosecution and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) will receive a letter from the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Alleged Loss of Over $2.4 Billion in Revenue from Alleged Illegal Sale of 48 Million Barrels of Crude in 2015, Including Crude Oil Export from 2014 to Date, requesting information about the case against some whistleblowers.

Merk Gbillah, the committee’s chairman, blasted the Nigeria Police Force and INTERPOL for allegedly harassing and pursuing informants who reported alleged illegal oil sales, and he questioned why the ministry, the DPP, and the security agencies decided to reopen the closed case after the lawmakers began their investigation.

Usman Baba, the inspector general of police, asked the committee to inform the justice ministry and the DPP of its inquiries despite the fact that he refuted the accusation.

On December 20, 2022, the House decided to create an ad hoc committee to look into claims made by a whistleblower that 48 million barrels of Nigeria’s Bonny Light petroleum were sold illegally to China in 2015, as well as the cargo’s insurance status.

The committee is also to investigate all crude oil exports and sales by Nigeria from 2014 to date, with regards to quantity, insurance, revenue generated, remittances into the Federation Account or other accounts as well as utilisation of the revenue for the period under review.

In addition, the panel will investigate all proceeds recovered through the Whistle-Blowers Policy of the regime led by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and the level of compliance by the policy.

These resolutions followed the unanimous adoption of a motion moved by a member of the House, Ibrahim Isiaka, titled ‘Alleged Loss of over $2.4Billion in Revenue from Illegal Sale of 48 Million Barrels of Crude Oil Export in 2015, Including Crude Oil Exports from 2014 till Date.’

The committee, which held its inaugural meeting on December 29, held its first investigative hearing on Thursday, where the lawmakers grilled an Assistant Inspector General of Police and the Head, INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Nigeria, Garba Umar, who said he represented the IGP.

Chairman of the committee, Mark Gbillah, while echoing the allegations made by the whistle-blowers, mentioned the role played by a presidential committee.

Made up of a former Chief of Staff to the President, the late Abba Kyari; a former Group Managing Director of the defunct Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Maikanti Baru; a former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura; and the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari; and the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

Gbillah said, “There is an allegation that sometime in 2015, a presidential committee was set up, which included the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; the late GMD of the NNPC, Baru; the former DG (of) DSS, Daura. It was chaired by retired General Mohammed Umar and the current CEO of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, who was then the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Department. The Attorney-general at some point also became a member of the committee.

“That committee is said to have travelled to China at the instance of a whistle-blower of Mexican citizenship, about the existence in China of millions of barrels of Nigeria’s crude. And this individual expressed an interest to purchase this crude, which the government at the time allegedly needed to investigate first.

“So, this committee went to China, confirmed the existence of this crude, but this individual concerned alleges that when the process of selling this crude commenced, they were no longer contacted and they have evidence of the fact that the crude was sold without the money being remitted to the coffers of the Nigerian Government.”

The chairman added, “Now when these issues started to occur, they (whistle-blowers) said that they were being intimidated and threatened, and had spurious allegations made against them that involved them being charged to court over this matter. Eventually, the matter was discontinued

“Now, fast forward to now, because that case was stalled; it may interest you to know that at the time when these allegations seemingly occurred, the department that was sent in the police to investigate this was the Force CID, then under the DIG Michael Ogbizi, now retired. The report was supposed to have been made and forwarded for action by the Attorney-General. But it will also be something we would want to understand why now. If it is related to that issue, why is the INTERPOL writing to some of these individuals?”

Gbillah noted that the Mexican businessman had since left Nigeria for his country, adding that he would be meeting with the Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria later on Thursday.

“The committee members would go to Mexico – this is how detailed the House of Representatives is – to meet with this individual. We would not want any other country’s citizens to be oppressed the way we would not want a Nigerian in Mexico to be oppressed when they are telling the truth,” he stressed.

According to the chairman, two of the whistle-blowers who are Nigerians have approached the committee “willing to give detail of what transpired in this whole situation.”

Responding to the issues, Umar stated that the police have the responsibility to act on any petition received against individuals and entities.

Umar said the INTERPOL had received a petition against some individuals who blackmail and extort money from government officials and consequently invited a Mexican, Marco Antonio Ramirez; and Francis Ibomor and 40 others who are Nigerians.

He said, “This is to inform the committee that INTERPOL is not investigating a new case. The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation only seeks for INTERPOL assistance by using INTERPOL tools to arrest the fugitive who has since flown out of the country in order to escape justice.

“It is our kind advice that all enquiries into this case can be directed to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and competent court of law that are handling the matter. It will be prejudicial for the Nigeria Police Force to disclose or go into a matter that is pending before a competent court of jurisdiction.

“However, the Nigeria Police Force is ready to assist the National Assembly in their oversight function. Attached herewith are a copy of the letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation, charge sheet, summary of the prosecution’s case against the defendants, hearing notice and remand warrant from the Federal High Court.

“I have no knowledge. I have no interest. There is a request from a competent ministry asking us to trace these people. And they attached a court warrant. I will never allow anybody to use me. It’s a request. Those who may be able to answer are those who investigated the matter and the office of the attorney general. But I assure you we are not investigating. We are assisting.”

Gbillah, in his ruling, asked Malami and the DPP to furnish the committee with details of the matter.

The chairman said, “Clerk, please do a letter to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation and the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation to furnish this committee with a detailed report of the investigation of the allegation against these individuals, as it was done by DIG Michael Ogbizi or any other department of the police.

“I will also want a certified true copy of the letter from the DPP to the Inspector-General of Police to carry out that investigation in the first instance, and the reasons for why that investigation was carried out.

“I will also want to get the certified true copy of the case filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions against these individuals before any court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria.”

The Kaduna Refinery & Petrochemical Company (KRPC) Limited will be renovated, according to a contract that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited yesterday signed with Daewoo Engineering & Construction Nigeria Limited.

The contract, which is a follow-up to the memorandum of understanding for the rehabilitation of the refinery that NNPC and Daewoo Group of South Korea signed last October in Seoul, South Korea, in front of President Muhammadu Buhari and other senior government officials, is for 2022 World Bio Summit.
The KPRC Quick-fix Contract, worth US$740.6 million, is expected to be finished in 21 months and will allow the refinery to run at a minimum capacity utilization of 60%.

Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mele Kyari, stated that the oil company aims to restore 18 million liters of refining capacity with the Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries during the contract signing ceremony yesterday at the NNPC headquarters in Abuja.

He claimed that it is impossible for a developing nation to discuss energy security without bringing up petroleum products, and the only way we can ensure this is by restoring local refining capacity.

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“We are conscious of the fact that about four refineries in three locations are down now, all of them are now under some form of rehabilitation process.

Port Harcourt is well on course, Warri also is very clearly on course and on schedule and also we are committing to the Kaduna refinery today and together and ultimately our 18 million litres gasoline production capacity will be restored.

This, Kyari said “will also complement the potentials at Dangote Refinery, which we have 20 per cent equity and ultimately we are very, very hopeful that this year this country would be self sufficient in the supply of petroleum products into our country, particularly gasoline.”

He expressed hope that the plant will be delivered on schedule and assured them of the security of their personnel and equipment when they come to Nigeria.

The 110,000 bpd-capacity Kaduna Refinery is one of Nigeria’s four refineries that have produced no fuel for years leaving the country to rely on imported petroleum products.

The biggest state-run refinery, which is Port Harcourt (PHRC), is currently undergoing repairs handled by Tecnimont of Italy.

Also speaking, the NNPC executive vice president, Downstream, Adeyemi Adetunji, said it is a great honour that they are signing the maintenance service contract for the refinery.

“This marks a milestone in the history of KRPC considering that the last Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) on the refinery occurred about 15 years ago,” Mr Adetunji said.

He noted that the project was framed after extensive engagement with Daewoo on the quick-fix strategy to repair and re-stream KRPC and operate it on a sustainable basis at a minimum capacity utilisation of 60 per cent.

“This project shall be executed in three work packages as a Maintenance Services contract by Daewoo E&C Nigeria Limited at an estimated maximum cost ceiling of $740,669,600.00 with a duration of 21 months.

“The quick-fix strategy guarantees the fastest route to restreaming Warri Refinery Petrochemical Company (WRPC) and KRPC for in-country production of refined petroleum products.

“Restoring WRPC and KRPC back to operation will guarantee energy security for the country and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products in view of near total dependence on the supply of imported petroleum products and the impact the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is having on global supply,” he said.

He explained further that the plan will generate revenue, reduce demand for forex, supply raw materials to industries, create employment for Nigerians and ensure technology transfer, amongst other benefits.

“The proposed quick-fix initiative on KRPC is expected to restore it to a minimum of 60 per cent of its nameplate capacity by Q4 2024,” he added.

He said NNPC Limited is using a combination of internally generated revenue and third-party financing to execute the repairs of the refineries.

He added that post-rehabilitation of the three refineries, globally reputable operations and maintenance contractors shall be engaged to run the refinery safely, reliably, sustainably and profitably.

He, however, implores total commitment from all staff in ensuring that the project is successfully executed, noting that over 200 million Nigerians are looking up to NNPC Limited to deliver on the mandate.

He said the board and management of NNPC Limited are fully committed to providing all the required support to ensure that the refineries are fixed.

Meanwhile, he said the rehabilitation of PHRC has progressed considerably.

“The old refinery is currently at 64 per cent completion and the plant is expected back in operation in Q2 2023, while the entire PHRC Rehabilitation Project currently stands at about 59 per cent.

“On the other hand, WRPC Quick-fix Project has achieved 28 per cent completion and is expected to be re-streamed by the end of this year,” he said.

In preparation for the upcoming general election in the state of Ondo, representatives from no fewer than 14 different political parties signed an agreement on Thursday calling for the peaceful conduct of their supporters.

The Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress, the Labour Party, the SDP, and numerous other political parties are listed among the political parties by the News Agency of Nigeria.

At a stakeholders meeting hosted by Ondo’s Commissioner of Police, CP Oyeyemi Oyediran, the party leaders and candidates for the upcoming elections signed the peace agreement.

Oyediran claimed that the action was required to ensure that there would be no strife or violence leading up to, during, or following the upcoming elections.

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“There is campaign going on everywhere and we are all aware of the hues and cries in some places while some places are very peaceful and some are not.

“But for the areas that are not so calm, we have made some attempts to ensure that they have calmness in those areas.

“The worst of the areas is Idanre, but by the grace of God, I think we have stemmed the crisis in the bud and it is relatively peaceful now,” he said.

The Edo State Government has said quality education which EdoBEST offers will end illegal migration and youth unemployability.

A statement by the Edo State Ministry of Education stated that Governor Godwin Obaseki unveiled the EdoBEST reform programme in 2018 to address the challenge of poor learning outcomes and youth unemployability, which were the root causes of illegal migration and people trafficking in the state.

Likewise, it stated that the Economist had recognised EdoBEST as a working model for basic education service delivery.

“Since the introduction of EdoBEST, pupils throughout the state received identical lessons in real-time. They are taught using a methodology used by Bridge Schools in Kenya; a method described by Nobel Prize in Economics Winner, Professor Michael Kremer, as delivering exceptional learning outcomes when compared to traditional methods.

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According to The Economist, the feature is based on evidence from a three-day visit to a junior secondary school and two primary schools, one a progressive school in a remote village in Edo state.

The statement maintained that poor learning outcomes and youth unemployability were the root causes of illegal migration and people trafficking in the state.

It revealed that it was for this reason the “Government has upskilled 16,400 teachers and provided them with tablets to deliver more impactful lessons using a completely new method, the EdoBEST pedagogy.

“More than 350,000 children, most of them in primary schools in urban and rural areas, are benefitting from the programme.”

Tajudeen Bakare, the head of the fraternal organization Ogboni, was listed as wanted by the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday for posing a danger to the public’s peace and carrying a firearm in the Surulere district of the state.

In a statement shared on Twitter, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the state police public relations officer, said that police officers broke into Bakare’s home while acting on useful information.

He revealed how Bakare just barely evaded the sting operation.

According to Hundeyin, “The CSP Yinka Egbeyemi-led Rapid Response Squad conducted a sting operation on the guy’s house in the Surulere region of the state after the release of a video earlier this week depicting a man brandishing a pump-action rifle and endangering public order.

“Found in the suspect’s residence were three pump-action rifles, one Beretta pistol magazine, one expended 9mm ammunition, one expended and three live cartridges, and a picture frame of the suspect.

“The suspect, Tajudeen Bakare, narrowly escaped arrest and is hereby declared wanted. Any useful information leading to his arrest would be highly appreciated and treated with utmost confidentiality.”

According to the message inscribed on the picture frame recovered from Bakare’s residence, he was described as a monarch of the Ogboni fraternity.

Recall that Bakare was among 49 suspects arrested during the Yoruba Nation rally in the state sometime in 2021.

He was paraded alongside other suspects at the police headquarters in Ikeja.

Speaking during the parade, Bakare claimed he was on his way to a destination in the state when the police stopped him, adding that he was not among the protesters.