News
Court Nullifies Shell, AFC, Others’ ICC Arbitration Against Aiteo

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has nullified ongoing arbitration proceedings at the International Chamber of Commerce, London, initiated against indigenous oil firm, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company Limited, by a group of lenders that partially financed its acquisition of Oil Mining Lease 29.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice S.B. Belgore held that the ICC arbitration commenced in defiance of existing injunctive orders issued by the Nigerian court constituted a “brazen affront” to the nation’s judicial authority and was therefore void.
“The arbitration proceedings in London, undertaken in clear disregard of binding interim injunctions, amount to a violation of this court’s authority. It is a breach that cannot be condoned,” Belgore said.
The dispute stems from Aiteo’s $3.01 billion acquisition of OML 29 and the Nembe Creek Trunk Line from Shell in 2014. Benedict Peters, Aiteo’s founder, is reported to have contributed nearly $1 billion in equity to facilitate the transaction and revive crude oil production.
Tempo Energy Nigeria Ltd., a minority equity partner in the transaction, claimed it was sidelined in legal and arbitral proceedings despite having a material stake. The company also alleged that the consortium of lenders, including Shell Western Supply & Trading, Shell International Trading & Shipping, the African Finance Corporation, and several Nigerian banks, breached obligations under the financing agreements.
READ ALSO: Court Adjourns Defamation Case Against Anambra Businessman
Tempo filed suit FCT/HC/CV/079/2021 on January 14, 2021, seeking to restrain Aiteo and the lending syndicate from proceeding with the UK High Court action and ICC arbitration without its inclusion.
In response, the FCT High Court granted interim injunctions on January 22, 2021, barring the parties from taking further steps in the foreign proceedings pending the determination of the substantive matter.
However, the ICC arbitration reportedly continued between 2021 and 2024, in direct contravention of the court’s orders.
On April 25, 2025, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the injunctions, describing the appeal lodged by the defendants as an abuse of court process.
The appellate court imposed costs of N1.5 million and ordered an expedited hearing of the outstanding applications before the FCT High Court.
At the resumed hearing from May 20 to 22, 2025, Tempo’s lead counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), urged the court to nullify the ICC arbitration in its entirety.
READ ALSO: Court Slams €1m Damages Against Union Bank Over Breach, Negligence
“The continued prosecution of the arbitration proceedings in London, in spite of subsisting Nigerian court orders, undermines the rule of law and judicial independence. It is not only contemptuous but unlawful,” Ogunwumiju told the court.
Lawyers representing the defendants, including Mrs. Joke Aliyu and Mr. Babatunde Fagbohunlu (SAN), argued that the Nigerian court lacked jurisdiction to interfere with foreign arbitral proceedings.
They further contended that arbitration was the preferred forum under the terms of the financing agreement.
However, Justice Belgore dismissed the preliminary objection as “incompetent and an abuse of the court process.”
“This court is not without power to restrain parties from proceeding with foreign arbitration where such steps offend the administration of justice in Nigeria,” the judge ruled.
The court accordingly granted Tempo Energy’s application, declared the ICC arbitration proceedings null and void, and reaffirmed that the interim injunctions issued in 2021 remained valid and binding on all parties.
Belgore directed full compliance with the court’s earlier orders and awarded N500,000 in costs to Tempo Energy.
READ ALSO: My Husband Leaves Home Whenever We Have Misunderstanding, Woman Tells Court
The matter was adjourned to September 29, 2025, for hearing of the consolidated interlocutory applications.
The arbitration is part of a broader legal tussle arising from Aiteo’s acquisition of OML 29.
In a separate case before the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/738/2021), Aiteo is suing Shell for $2.5 billion, alleging fraud and misrepresentation in the sale of the oil block.
“The asset was significantly degraded at the time of sale. Shell failed to disclose the true condition of OML 29, including chronic operational and security challenges that continue to affect production.”
Aiteo claims the poor state of the asset, coupled with rampant crude oil theft, has severely impaired its ability to meet debt repayment obligations.
According to an internal bank document seen by our correspondent, the lenders committed approximately $2 billion to the transaction: Zenith Bank $323 million; First Bank and GTBank $200 million each; Fidelity Bank $175 million; AFC $125 million; Ecobank Nigeria and Union Bank $100 million each; Sterling Bank $60 million; and Shell Western $512 million.
Benedict Peters’ equity contribution reportedly amounted to $898 million in cash, with an additional $257 million provided at closing to cover transaction costs and restart operations. Tempo Energy, one of the smaller equity partners, contributed $136 million.
News
Eating Takeout Food Often May Increase Heart Disease Risk — Study

Research suggests that higher takeout food consumption may increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, like heart disease.
In a new study, published in Food Science & Nutrition, researchers said eating takeout food too often can influence systemic inflammation that underlies much cardiovascular disease.
The study of over eight thousand people in the 2009 to 2018 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that those who eat greater amounts of takeout food are likely to have various elevated risk factors for heart disease.
They were interviewed in their homes and also visited a mobile examination centre, where they recalled their food intake, received cardiometabolic health assessments, and had blood collected.
READ ALSO:23 Ships With Fuel, Food Items To Arrive Lagos Ports – NPA
Mammograms may predict heart disease risk in women — Study
The researchers found a correlation between the amount of takeout food a person consumes and their likelihood of developing chronic low-level inflammation, a key driver of cardiovascular pathology.
Deaths from cardiovascular disease and the consumption of takeout foods are both on the rise, and while that does not prove a causal relationship, the study explores whether there is a connection between the two.
The study tracked degrees of systemic inflammation according to the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), a scale that quantifies the risk of inflammation related to the intake of specific dietary substances.
READ ALSO:Food Security: 14,000 Smallholder Farmers To Benefit From N4bn Smart Agriculture Training In Bauchi
The three major takeaways from the analysis included that a higher level of takeout food consumption corresponded to an unfavourable cardiometabolic profile consisting of lower HDL, as well as higher triglycerides, fasting glucose, serum insulin, and insulin resistance.
Jayne Morgan, MD, cardiologist and Vice President of Medical Affairs in a reaction, who was not involved in the study, explained that “Takeout food raises the cardiovascular risk not because of one ingredient, but because of a predictable combination of nutrients, additives, and preparation methods that adversely affect blood pressure, lipids, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and endothelial function.”
“This includes excess sodium that increases blood volume and blood vessel stiffness, and unhealthy fats, usually saturated fats or trans fats, that increase cholesterol level and atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke.”
Michelle Routhenstein, Preventive Cardiology Dietitian at Entirely Nourished, also not involved in this study, declared, “It is also important to recognise that frequent takeout use often reflects broader lifestyle pressures such as demanding schedules, limited access to cooking resources, irregular meals, and disrupted sleep, all of which can quietly compound cardiovascular risk.”
News
How To Identify Fake Kiss Condoms In Circulation

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has recently warned Nigerians about the circulation of counterfeit Kiss brand condoms in major markets across the country.
Contents
Original DKT Kiss condoms
Fake Kiss condoms
In a public alert published on its website recently and referenced as Public Alert No. 042/2025, the agency said the warning followed information received from DKT International Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation involved in contraceptive social marketing and HIV/AIDS prevention.
NAFDAC stated, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control is notifying the public about the sale and distribution of fake Kiss condoms in various Nigerian markets.
“The information was received from the MAH-DKT International Nigeria, a leading non-governmental organisation focused on contraceptive social marketing. Its mission is to provide Nigerians with affordable and safe options for family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention.
“The fake Kiss condoms have been reported to be found in Onitsha Market, Idumota Market, Trade Fair Market, and various markets in Kano, Abuja, Uyo, Gombe, Enugu, and others.”
READ ALSO:Married Man Denies Wife At Brazil Concert To Kiss Tems On Stage [VIDEO]
Kiss condom is a brand of male latex condoms designed to offer sexual protection, including the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis.
To help consumers avoid counterfeit products, NAFDAC outlined key differences between original and fake Kiss condoms.
Original DKT Kiss condoms
The original product comes in a light red box pack with clear instructions printed on the lower part of the pack, including single-use warnings and storage and caution information. The box contains detailed medical device information, including MDSS GmbH, Germany, and a complete Nigerian address at Isolo Industrial Layout, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.
The condom pack is light red, with the word “Kiss” closely written on six lines. The wallet outer pack is lighter red, carries the Oshodi-Apapa address, manufacturer details, and a clear product description beside the condom image. The hidden flap includes revision dates, medical device details, and caution information, while the wallet inner contains detailed instructions and eight bullet points under important notes.
READ ALSO:Lagos Names Mandy Kiss Anti-drug Abuse Ambassador
The original condom is large, oval-shaped, well-lubricated, and has a large teat end for semen collection.
Fake Kiss condoms
In contrast, fake Kiss condoms come in darker-coloured box packs with little or no additional information. Some boxes are plain white inside and lack condom images. The address is wrongly listed as 42, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos, while the manufacturer’s address is incomplete or missing. Storage and caution information is absent.
The condom pack is darker, with “Kiss” loosely written on five lines and wide spacing. The condom strip is longer than the original. The wallet outer pack is also darker red, carries incorrect or missing addresses, lacks colour wave designs, and shows inconsistencies in barcode lines. Medical device and caution information are missing, and the hidden flap contains no details.
Inside the wallet, information is summarised with only six bullet points. The fake condom is thinner, round-shaped, less lubricated, and has a smaller teat end.
(TRIBUNE)
News
Lagos: Police Arrest 14 Suspected Traffic Robbers On Lekki-Epe Expressway

Fourteen persons suspected to be involved in traffic-related robbery have been arrested at various points along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos over the past two weeks.
The arrests were confirmed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, via a post on her official X handle, @AbimbolaShotayo.
According to her, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Squad based in Elemoro carried out the operations that led to the suspects’ apprehension.
READ ALSO:VIDEO: Chaos As Last-minute Shoppers Overwhelm Lagos Balogun Market
She explained that the arrests followed sustained patrols and intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing criminal activities associated with traffic congestion and improving the safety of motorists and other road users along the busy corridor.
Adebisi noted that the development reflects the Command’s determination to strengthen security and uphold law and order on the Lekki-Epe axis, adding that the Tactical Squad has continued to proactively identify crime-prone areas and respond swiftly to threats posed by criminal elements.
She called on residents and commuters to support police efforts by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing and detecting crime.
READ ALSO:VIDEO: Chaos As Last-minute Shoppers Overwhelm Lagos Balogun Market
“Security is a shared responsibility. Members of the public are encouraged to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station,” she said.
The police spokesperson further reassured residents and road users of the Command’s commitment to maintaining aggressive patrols and security operations to protect lives and property in the area.
She reiterated the Command’s community policing message, “See Something, Say Something,” stressing the importance of cooperation between the police and the public in sustaining peace and security.
News5 days agoPHOTOS: SGF George Akume Weds Ooni’s Ex-Queen
News3 days agoEx-Edo Gov Obaseki Reacts As His Cousin Is Beaten, Stripped
News2 days agoBREAKING: Anthony Joshua Involved In Road Accident
Politics2 days agoWike Speaks On Defecting To APC
Politics2 days agoJUST IN: INEC Excludes PDP From Ekiti Governorship Election
Politics2 days agoYou’re Not 001 – Wike Rubbishes Claims Of Fubara Being APC Leader In Rivers
Metro3 days agoObaseki Beaten, Stripped In Edo
News2 days agoNAF Neutralizes Bandits At Turba Hill, Kachalla Dogo Sule Camps
Entertainment5 days agoI’ve Stopped Impregnating Women Anyhow – 2Baba
News2 days agoDoris Ogala: How Pastor Chris Knelt Before Church, Begged For Forgiveness [Video]
















