SAN Disclaims Asabe Waziri Induced Police Charge Against Abuja Lawyer, Victor Giwa
Respected legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Awa U. Kalu, has formally distanced himself from the ongoing criminal prosecution of Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, by the police over alleged forgery and impersonation.
Victor Giwa had in a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, dated 23rd May, 2025, asked the IGP to probe the allegation of financial inducement to charge him to court.
Specifically, Giwa called on the mrEgbetokun, to investigate the Commissioner of Police, legal services of the Nigeria Police, Chiozoba Oyakhire Ehiede and Ms Asabe Waziri, over allegation of frivolous xharge filed against him and one other.
He called on the IGP to probe the connection between the CP, Legal Services of the Nigeria Police and Asbe Waziri, a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Professor Kalu, in a letter dated May 30, 2025, addressed to the Inspector General of Police, clarified that he neither filed a complaint nor reported Mr. Giwa for allegedly forging his firm’s letterhead.
The letter comes in response to Charge No. CR/150/25 instituted by the police, in which Mr. Giwa is accused of forging the official letterhead of “Awa U. Kalu (SAN) & Partners”—formerly “Awa U. Kalu (SAN) & Associates”—to communicate with the Attorney General of the Federation.
Prof. Kalu wrote, “I wish to inform you that the internet is agog with news that a charge is preferred against the above named gentleman, indicating that he forged my official headed paper.
“Please note that I have neither filed a complaint nor have I incidented a report at any Police Station in Nigeria indicating that Mr. Victor Giwa forged my official headed paper.”
The clarification by Prof. Kalu significantly undercuts the foundation of the forgery allegation, which reportedly hinges on the unauthorized use of his firm’s name and letterhead. His statement suggests there was no formal accusation from the primary party whose identity was allegedly misused.
Legal analysts now question the legitimacy—and potential ulterior motives—of the police’s decision to file such a sensitive criminal case without consulting or securing a complaint from the alleged “victim.”
Victor Giwa has maintained his innocence, insisting that the letter in question was issued within the bounds of a legitimate legal relationship and did not involve any act of deception or forgery.
A lawyer and a member of Nigerian Bar Association Garki branch member who spoke to BarristerNG on the condition of anonymity wondered why the Police will charge a defendant to Court without a Petition or official complaint from a complainant.
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“Given the absence of a petition from Awa Kalu SAN and his clear disapproval of the police’s criminal framing, one wonders who will benefit from these charges, and why now?”…. he said.
Last week, Barrister Giwa wrote to the IGP, seeking his intervention to unravel the connection between Asabe Waziri and CP Legal, the withdrawal of the charge against him and re-investigation of charge no: CR/150/25 between IGP v. Victor Giwa and another
According to him, he is being charged to court for standing against falsehood and lies and insisting that the right thing should be done.
Parts of the letter read, “I write to report the various illegal and unlawful activities carried out against me by CP CHIOZOBA OYAKHIRE EHIEDE and Asabe Waziri
“Asabe Waziri who is a senior management staff of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has been boasting about how she use the police to deal with me, by charging me with various offences , to deter me
from opposing his Illegal and unlawful action against me and my client Cecil Osakwe.
“The CP Legal knowingly, gave unlawful advisory to the IGP in aid of ASABE WAZIRI and caused officers of the Nigeria police force led by Csp Maga, to FORCEFULLY BREAK INTO AN APARTMENT destroying doors and forcefully putting ASABE WAZIRI in possession of a the flats situated at NO 1 Mekong close Maitama, Abuja.
“This was done on the June 26th 2024, while there was pending application for STAY OF EXECUTION, Notice of Appeal with Appeal NO: CA/ABJ/CV/246/2022 to the Court of Appeal and positive Order of Court in High Court Keffi , Nasarawa State in Suit no: NSD/K70F /2024, served on Asabe Waziri and the Police.
“In a reckless manner, I was arrested as the lawyer to Cecil Osakwe and the Abeh Signature Apartment forcefully taken to the apartment and made to open the flats. I insisted that I will not be able to do that, since that matter is subject of litigation in both the Supreme Court and the High Court.
“However, at the instance and advice of CP Legal, the police officers break the doors of the flats and put Asabe Waziri in possession. Asabe Waziri has remained in the flats till date.
“The CP legal, knowing that I will insist on the lawful action, conspired with Asabe Waziri to fetch and fish out different cases against me to set me up with the aim of raising charges against me.
“The CP Legal is using his office, to raise charges agaitist me with the intention of silencing me from speaking out against his illegal and unlawful despicable action , that puts the imtage of the Nigerian police into disrepute, just to favour Asabe Waziti. As at today, the CP has filed charges against me at the instance of Asabe Waziri’s petition.
“The Charge with Charge NO: CR/150/25 filed at the FCT High Court is aimed at embarrassing and harassing me to satisfy the boasting and the yearnings of Asabe Waziri .
“I humbly submit, that the current charge against me in Charge NO:CR/150/25 is baseless, frivolous and vindictive. It is self-serving and is borne out of Asabe Waztri’s quest to use the CP legal to “deal with me”.
Wike Speaks Out: Why I Wouldn’t Have Supported Rivers Emergency Rule If Consulted by Tinubu
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has declared that he would not have consented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if they had talked about his intention to announce a State of Emergency in Rivers State.
Wike stated that he is not in conflict with Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended Governor of Rivers State.
He emphasized his disagreement with the State of Emergency rule, asserting that only the President knows when it should be lifted.
During a conversation with reporters in Abuja on Monday, Wike noted that Fubara has allowed himself to be influenced by his opponents to stand against him.
Read Also: Transfer Buzz: Benfica Eyes Arokodare, Boniface at €50M, Delap’s Chelsea Prospects Debated
The FCT Minister stated: “I clarified that this impunity will not be tolerated, so what is occurring in the PDP is what I refer to as undertakers because I see no reason for you to place yourself in such a crisis. “ I have no crises with him (Fubara). I am not the President who announced a State of Emergency; had Mr President called me, I wouldn’t have consented to the State of Emergency.
“He understands when to lift, he has everything on his table, I don’t know. I have never been in favor of it.
“However, my point was that the state of emergency was declared to save the governor from imminent impeachment.
“I’m not the one in crisis; instead, the governor has, unbeknownst to me, made himself a tool for those unable to fight me directly.”
Transfer Buzz: Benfica Eyes Arokodare, Boniface at €50M, Delap’s Chelsea Prospects Debated
After a remarkable season in Belgium, Portuguese powerhouse Benfica has become the latest club associated with KRC Genk’s Nigerian forward, Tolu Arokodare.
During the 2024–25 season, Arokodare was in scorching form, scoring 21 goals and becoming the top scorer of the Belgian Pro League. His achievements have drawn attention, with clubs from Germany, France, and the English Premier League expressing interest.
As reported by the Belgian news outlet Voetbalkrant, Benfica have shown considerable interest in the 24-year-old forward. It has been reported that Genk is willing to sell their star player this summer if a suitable offer comes in.
Arokodare is presently with the Nigerian national team, gearing up for an international friendly match against Russia on Friday.
Amid Transfer Talks, Leverkusen Sets a €50m Price for Victor Boniface
Bayer Leverkusen, former champions of the Bundesliga, are willing to part ways with Victor Boniface this summer—but only if the price is right.
As they aim to reshape the squad after head coach Xabi Alonso’s departure to Real Madrid, the German side has placed a €50 million valuation on the Nigerian forward.
In January, Boniface was close to making a €70 million transfer to Al Nassr, but the Saudi club opted to sign Jhon Duran from Aston Villa instead.
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Throughout the 2024-2025 season, Boniface struggled with consistency due to injuries, resulting in a total of 11 goals from 27 appearances in all competitions. In 2023, the 24-year-old transferred to Leverkusen from Union Saint-Gilloise.
Troy Deeney: Delap Should Opt for Man United Instead of Chelsea Watford legend Troy Deeney has commented on the Liam Delap transfer situation, indicating that the 22-year-old forward might be making a mistake by opting for Chelsea instead of Manchester United.
Having already finished the first stage of his medical examinations, Delap is poised to move to Chelsea from Ipswich Town. Deeney believes, however, that the transfer could impede the young striker’s development.
„Ich dachte, Manchester United passe perfekt“, sagte Deeney zu talkSPORT.
“By opting for Chelsea, he is missing out on a developmental step.”
After Ipswich Town’s relegation, Delap did not participate in Premier League matches last season. Deeney thinks that the forward would have gained more from the demands and expectations of a club like United.
Ferdinand ‘Hurt’ as Frimpong Moves to Liverpool Instead of Manchester United Rio Ferdinand, a former defender for Manchester United, has voiced his disappointment following Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong’s signing with Liverpool, despite strong rumors of a transfer to Old Trafford.
In recent months, United scouts had been keeping an eye on Frimpong, and Ferdinand thought that the 24-year-old would fit perfectly into the tactics of new manager Ruben Amorim.
„Frimpong wechselt zu Liverpool, was mich ein wenig verletzen wird. “I have to be honest,” Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents. „Meiner Meinung nach passt er perfekt zu Rubens Amorims Spielstil.“
This action follows Ferdinand’s public call to United just weeks prior to sign Frimpong, as well as Victor Osimhen, Adam Wharton, and Matheus Cunha during the current summer transfer window.
Daniel Etim-Effiong Reflects on Lessons from His Womanizing Past
Daniel Etim-Effiong, a well-known actor in Nollywood, has disclosed that he engaged in womanising during a certain period of his life.
According to reports, the celebrity disclosed this during a conversation with media figure Chude Jideonwo.
Etim-Effiong characterized the experience of engaging in romantic relationships with various women as a learning process.
The actor stated that he frequently counseled young people to avoid womanizing, as it can impact their future relationships and marriages, emphasizing that it may be difficult to stop.
Chude posed the question, “Did you have a reputation as a womanizer before your marriage?”
Etim-Effiong answered, “That depends on how you define a womanizer.”
Chude schloss: „Ein Mann, der mehrere Frauen gleichzeitig datet.“
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Etim-Effiong: „Vielleicht gab es eine Phase in meinem Leben, in der ich es war. Although definitions may vary, in that context, there might have been a time in my life when I fit that description, though I wouldn’t say it applied for long stretches of my life. Perhaps for some specific periods that I investigated. Maybe.”
Chude asked, “Were they good periods?”
Etim-Effiong responded, “Yes, I learned a lot during those times. “Wenn ich lernte, waren es gute Zeiten.”
Chude inquired, “What have you learned?”
Etim-Effiong responded, “I found out that some things don’t always provide the sense of fulfillment you expect from them. It seems like that is the life on paper, but in experience, maybe not.
“I often tell young people that being a player is cool, but if you cultivate that habit or lifestyle, you won’t transform overnight.
„Also, entwickle nichts, das du nicht dein ganzes Leben lang fortführen willst. Jumping from one relationship to another and lacking the ability to commit to one person won’t change automatically after marriage.
„Wenn du heiratest, ist diese Fähigkeit noch nicht ausgebildet. Bei einer Herausforderung willst du sofort springen oder sagst einfach: ‚Ich rede mit dir, du hörst mir nicht zu, lass mich jemanden finden, der zuhört.‘“
“If you were the type of person who found it easy to walk away, maintain multiple relationships, and keep women hanging before marriage, that behavior won’t change once you’re married.”
Drama as Rita Edochie Drags Nneoma Ukpabi: ‘Your Nakedness Was Shared With Help
Rita Edochie, a seasoned actress in Nollywood, has reacted to her younger colleague Nneoma Ukpabi regarding the latter’s choice of attire for the wedding of actress Ruby Ojiakor.
Reports indicate that the drama began after Nneoma’s outfit, which revealed her cleavage, circulated online.
In an Instagram post reacting to the video, Rita voiced her frustration over the increasing prevalence of revealing clothing among women, labeling it a disturbing trend and questioning what message it conveys to young people.
The movie icon stressed the importance of fostering self-respect and modesty, calling on people to reconsider their clothing choices.
She further stated that she has a zero-tolerance policy for indecency and recommended that individuals steer clear of her when wearing unsuitable clothing.
Nneoma responded by giving Rita a stern warning to take her name out of her mouth and emphasized that the veteran actress has no interest in her choice of clothing.
Rita strongly rebutted her and accused Nneoma of embezzlement in a post on his Instagram on Monday, June 2, 2025.
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The thespian stated that Nneoma had pleaded with her to conceal the financial misconduct from her time as Imo State Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), but she declined and reported it to the committee.
She remarked, “I heard you’re attempting to pull out your intestines over a truth that is quite obvious. Regardless, I cannot lower myself to the level of exchanging banter with you; I’ll just put the fact out there: there’s a significant difference between my level and yours, and you are aware of it.
“People who are resistant to advice and corrections don’t always take the truth well. I served as the chairman of the investigation panel committee in Imo State, established by AGN. You repeatedly called and begged me to help cover for you and save you from ruining your chances of becoming the AGN chairman’s second tenure, as you had embezzled their millions. I told you, no!! You displayed your records in their unclean state, and as a result, you regarded me as an adversary—something I was indifferent to.
“You, being the rogue you are, managed to pay your way through and became the Chairman of the AGN Imo State chapter. You also distanced yourself from me as you were unable to cope with the advice I continued to offer you.
“On the other hand, having you close is damaging to my character, as your indecency is unparalleled. That’s why I allowed you plenty of space.” The only thing you can do is concoct lies to take turns with yourself.
“The video of your indecency that I posted was already going viral; bloggers and a few content creators had to assist in spreading your nakedness.”
How Ruby Ojiakor and Her Husband Met and Found Love
In a recent video, Nollywood actress Ruby Ojiakor and her husband, actor Moc Madu, revealed how they began their relationship while collaborating on a film set in Anambra State.
Ruby recounted that during the filming, where they portrayed lovers but did not marry in the storyline, Madu frequently asked her for favors. She thought of those moments as the start of a deeper connection between them.
Moc Madu, looking back on that period, mentioned that he returned to Lagos after filming and they kept in contact. Nevertheless, he could not disregard the intense feeling in his heart that Ruby was destined to be his wife. His ongoing conviction caused him to regard their connection with greater gravity and advance the relationship.
When it came to discussing her husband, Ruby mentioned that while he could be playful, he was not a womaniser—something she valued greatly. Wie sie es ausdrückt:
“My husband isn’t a womanizer, as I don’t like men who cheat; I can’t tolerate it. “My husband has a deep respect for God.” While sharing the video, Ruby included a message directed at her fans:
“How we met, please listen and be pleased. Love is wonderful. Give love a try and express your gratitude later.
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The couple shares their distinctive journey from co-stars to real-life partners in the video.
Check out some comments below:
@yvieroyalty: “A couple of individuals whose affection for each other is so demonstrative. Infatuated with one another. Love is a wonderful sentiment, and I adore this for them. May their love endure forever, as their marriage is blessed.
@ms_amarachi: „Ich finde es toll, wie sie sich gegenseitig ergänzen!“ Ruby and Modi, may no evil eyes see or come near your marriage 🙏 The Lord will lead the way for you both in this joyful union.
@fabulousiffy: “You can’t hold onto a man who doesn’t want to be held. Onwa sees his late mother’s virtues in Ruby. What more?” Adambano nwannem carry go…”
@marramccoy: „Oh! Sie ist so unschuldig, Gott segne sie.“
@lladydana87: “They were friends for years before becoming lovers. This is love, my dear. May God keep them safe. For eternity united.
Bruno Fernandes’ Salary Demands Revealed as Neves Welcomes Him to Al-Hilal
Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, has allegedly requested a substantial salary from Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, as speculation intensifies regarding a possible summer transfer.
It is reported that Bruno Fernandes is amenable to a move to the Saudi Pro League giants, but only if the terms are favorable to him.
As reported by the Saudi outlet Ariyadhiah, Fernandes is seeking a £25 million salary per season over a three-year contract, plus an extra £7 million in performance-related bonuses.
On the other hand, Al-Hilal’s proposal consists of a four-year contract valued at £21 million each season, but they are not open to adding supplementary components. While discussions have been temporarily halted due to differing expectations, the Saudi club is still prepared to pay any transfer fee demanded by Manchester United.
The negotiations are ongoing, and during this time, Ruben Neves, a midfielder for Al-Hilal and teammate of Fernandes in the Portugal national squad, has expressed his support for Fernandes’s move to the club.
In an interview with A Bola, Neves expressed his admiration for Fernandes and his eagerness to see him transfer to Saudi Arabia.
Read Also: ‘We’re Not Rich, Let’s Be Honest’ – Presidency Defends Borrowing Amidst Criticism
„Selbstverständlich empfehle ich alle Spieler der Nationalmannschaft“, sagte Neves. “Portugal has generated a great deal of talent and still does. In that regard, we are fortunate to be a lucky country. Additionally, we are very diligent. Though it is a very small country, it has produced excellent players. I would be happy to have any player from the national team on my team.
Neves’ remarks have intensified the situation, underscoring Al-Hilal’s significant interest in Fernandes, a player who has distinguished himself as one of the Premier League’s top midfielders since his 2020 transfer to Manchester United from Sporting CP.
The Portuguese playmaker was signed by the Red Devils for £58 million, and he has since made 290 appearances for the club, recording 98 goals and 87 assists.
Ruben Amorim, the manager of United, recently stated that Fernandes has not provided a conclusive answer regarding his future. However, he recognized that the midfielder has expressed a willingness to leave if the club chooses to sell him.
As Fernandes’ salary expectations are now known and he has backing from prominent teammates such as Neves, it is now up to Al-Hilal to determine if they will agree to the conditions and conclude what might be one of the summer’s most notable transfers.
‘We’re Not Rich, Let’s Be Honest’ – Presidency Defends Borrowing Amidst Criticism
The Presidency has emphasized that borrowing for essential economic development is not a sin, particularly when done appropriately.
President Bola Tinubu reportedly sent a request to the National Assembly for approval of additional external and domestic loans amounting to ₦34.15 trillion, sparking outrage among political elites.
During a presidential media interaction in Lagos, however, Bayo Onanuga, who serves as Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, remarked that Nigeria is a poor country with a large population.
Onanuga stated that the focus should be on the implementation of the funds rather than on the fact that they were borrowed.
He stated, “Borrowing is not sinful. Even countries considered developed, such as the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK), take on debt that exceeds their GDP. The problem is not borrowing; it depends on how you use the borrowed funds.
“Our country is impoverished and has a high population density. It’s time to stop self-deception: Nigeria’s budget is less than South Africa’s. We need to be realistic about what we can finance without taking on debt.
Onanuga, while discussing the economic progress made by the administration, stated that the government has achieved noticeable advancements in macroeconomic reforms and inclusive initiatives, all while addressing inherited economic limitations.
He stated, “We recognize that this administration’s first year was turbulent. We encountered significant challenges, such as inflation, foreign exchange instability, and legacy issues that were beyond our direct influence.
“Today, there has been a significant improvement in Nigeria’s macroeconomic indicators. This has been noticed; international organizations such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have praised our initiatives and trajectory.
Read Also: Hadiza Bala Usman’s Controversial Tenure as NPA MD: A Record of Ignored Contracts and Court Rulings
“Nigeria’s All Share Index has increased more than twofold, rising from 50,000 in 2023 to over 110,000 in 2025.
“The country’s foreign reserves now amount to $21 billion, which is a significant increase from previous lows. Nigeria has reduced its debt servicing from 97% of government revenue to less than 60%, creating additional fiscal space for social services investment.
The Presidency underscored ongoing efforts directed at economic inclusion by leveraging state governments to fund essential road and housing initiatives, referencing Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and innovative financing mechanisms like Infraco, tax credits, and matching funds.
He added, “The student loan scheme under NELFUND has benefited over 600,000 students, among others. We are establishing the foundation for Nigeria’s industrial base via technical education and financial access.
Hadiza Bala Usman’s Controversial Tenure as NPA MD: A Record of Ignored Contracts and Court Rulings
We have noted recent public statements made by Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, who was dismissed from her role as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). She accused BUA Group and our Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, of violating a concession agreement and misrepresenting facts in her comments. The claims were made in response to our Chairman’s interview and article, “Two Years of President Tinubu: A Business Perspective” (watch at https://bit.ly/pbatbua), which praised Nigeria’s reform trajectory and referenced past instances of arbitrary disruptions to business operations without naming anyone. This situation has been curtailed by President Tinubu’s firm approach to restoring sanity and stability in Nigeria’s business environment.
Under normal circumstances, we would not involve ourselves in this matter. However, the inaccuracies in her reply require a factual clarification, particularly concerning her conduct while serving as MD of the NPA.
THE AGREEMENT AND HER OMISSIONS
In 2006, BUA and the NPA established a valid long-term lease agreement for the rehabilitation and operation of Terminal B at Rivers Port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Even prior to Ms. Usman’s appointment, BUA had initiated formal discussions with the NPA to tackle unresolved remedial tasks and infrastructure shortcomings. When she took office, these discussions were close to concluding.
Instead of developing that process, Ms. Usman overlooked BUA’s requests and obligations as outlined in the agreement. In 2016, BUA sent a letter to the NPA based on Article 8.4 of the lease, which required concessionaires to report environmental and safety issues and obtain approval for remedial actions. Instead of taking constructive action, Ms. Usman exploited that letter as a pretext to issue a termination notice and abruptly shut down the terminal, doing so without any prior warning, consultation, or reference to the dispute resolution clause.
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In her response, she either forgot or did not mention that the NPA, under her leadership, was in material breach of core obligations such as failing to hand over critical portions of the port, leaving derelict iron ore on the berths, neglecting to dredge or repair quay walls, and not providing mandatory security. These lapses significantly hindered BUA’s operations, resulting in disputes between the parties.
ILLEGALITY, CONTEMPT, AND DISREGARD FOR CONTRACTUAL MECHANISMS
Following the illegal termination, BUA went to the Federal High Court, which quickly issued an injunction preventing the NPA from moving forward with the termination. The NPA subsequently referred the dispute to arbitration, as specified in Section 17.3 of the agreement, which states clearly:
“Any dispute, controversy, or claim… shall be settled exclusively and finally according to the dispute resolution process outlined in this Article.”
Nevertheless, Ms. Usman, contrary to her agency’s counsel, took it upon herself to decommission the berths, which constituted a breach of both the agreement and a court injunction. For clarity, the concession agreement did not grant her any power to decommission. Should she hold a different belief, we encourage her to publicly reference the exact clause that permits this action.
To add to the illegality, BUA—after supplying the guarantees and indemnities sought by the NPA—was allowed to resume operations for a short time. Just three weeks later, the terminal was closed again, this time under Ms. Usman’s orders. This eliminated any doubt that her actions were driven by personal animosity and an abuse of office, rather than by due process.
Afterward, BUA initiated contempt proceedings and was assessing estimated losses exceeding $10 million. The only reason these proceedings were withdrawn was the respect for national interest and the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians, both within and outside the government.
PRESIDENT BUHARI’S ACTIONS WERE BASED ON FACTS AND LAW—HE WAS NOT MISINFORMED
Ms. Usman’s assertion that former President Muhammadu Buhari was “misinformed” when he overturned her actions is inaccurate, disrespectful, and insincere.
After a meeting in 2018, which our Chairman was privileged to hold with President Buhari, he brought the issue to the President’s attention. The President then instructed the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to carry out a comprehensive legal review and investigation of the matter. All parties, Ms. Usman included, were invited by the AGF to multiple meetings. At none of these events did we see her. Regardless, the AGF moved forward with an exhaustive examination of the contract, the litigation, the arbitration clause, and all communications and actions taken by BUA and NPA. The attached legal advice concluded that the termination was illegal, the decommissioning lacked legal justification, and BUA’s rights should be restored. With this as a basis, President Buhari commanded that her illegal actions be undone. His involvement maintained the contract’s sanctity, saved more than 4,000 jobs, and protected BUA’s $500 million integrated investment cluster that included flour, pasta, and sugar processing facilities reliant on terminal access. We are profoundly thankful to ex-President Buhari for this.
As mentioned by our Chairman in his interview, imagine if he didn’t have the privilege of access. However, under President Tinubu’s leadership, this culture of impunity has been significantly reduced, as many recognize that abusing their positions could lead to dismissal or imprisonment.
POST-HADIZA: DUE PROCESS REINSTATED, INVESTMENT CONTINUED
After Ms. Usman was removed from her position, the NPA adopted the AGF’s stance under new leadership. In 2022, BUA received official authorization to continue reconstruction activities. After TREVI was awarded the contract, BUA made investments exceeding $65 million—this was entirely self-funded and did not rely on public funds or subsidies. The work is in progress, and it is anticipated to be finished by the first quarter of 2026.
THE ACTUAL THREAT: INVESTOR ASSURANCE AND LEGAL PRINCIPLE
It must be made clear that this issue extends beyond BUA. If Ms. Usman’s actions had been permitted to remain, it would have conveyed a catastrophic message that contracts in Nigeria hold no value, court orders can be disregarded at will, and individuals or public institutions may take unilateral action without facing repercussions. It is imperative that we do not go back to that time. The success of Nigeria’s reforms today is based on the principles of honoring contracts, ensuring due process, and fostering investor confidence—principles that are being reinstated under President Tinubu’s administration. During this administration, BUA has pledged more than $1 billion in new investments in sectors such as energy, food processing, manufacturing, infrastructure, and social interventions.
We want to stress that Ms. Usman has the right to her opinions, no matter how distorted they may be. Nevertheless, she does not have the right to misrepresent the facts or alter history. Our intention is not to instigate a public quarrel; rather, we hope she will focus on her responsibilities in her new position, guided by President Tinubu’s robust leadership. We thus reiterate the facts that Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman lacked the authority to unilaterally decommission Terminal B. Her actions disregarded a court injunction and contractual procedure, resulting in significant economic losses exceeding USD 10 million, reputational damage to BUA, and investor concerns regarding Nigeria.
The essence of our message has not changed: public office ought to be regarded as a role that requires trust, not as an opportunity to promote personal prejudices. It is essential for those who have been given public authority to withstand the urge to allow their actions to be shaped by bias, self-importance, or revenge.
Should Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman feel that her actions were lawful, we invite her to point out the exact clause or clauses that informed her unlawful behavior. If not, allow the facts to stay in their rightful place: the public record.