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SERAP Sues NNPCL Over Alleged Failure To Account For Missing N825bn, $2.5bn

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to the Federal High Court in Lagos over its alleged failure to provide an account for an estimated N825 billion naira and $2.5 billion in public funds. These funds were reportedly allocated for refinery rehabilitation and other oil-related revenues.

According to a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, on Sunday, the lawsuit (FHC/L/MISC/722/25), filed last Friday, is predicated on findings detailed in the 2021 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, Adolphus Aghughu, which was made public on November 27, 2024.

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The legal action also comes amidst renewed public skepticism regarding the state of Nigeria’s refineries. Just last week, Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, openly expressed doubts that the NNPCL’s refineries would ever operate effectively again, despite an estimated $18 billion having already been spent on them over the years. This sentiment echoes previous concerns raised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo regarding the NNPC’s capacity to manage the refineries.

SERAP is seeking several court orders: Mandamus to compel the NNPCL to account for and explain the whereabouts of the missing N825 billion naira and $2.5 billion of public funds designated for refinery rehabilitation and repairs.

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Mandamus to compel the NNPCL to recover and return these missing funds to the federation account.

Mandamus to compel the NNPCL to identify those responsible for the missing oil money, surcharge them for the full amount involved, and hand them over to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution.

In its suit, SERAP argued that the “grim allegations by the Auditor-General (and Mr Aliko Dangote) suggest a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, national anticorruption laws, and the country’s international human rights and anticorruption obligations.”

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The organization contended that “granting the reliefs sought would strike a blow against the impunity of those responsible for the missing oil money meant to repair the country’s refineries and ensure that the money is returned for the sake of NNPCL’s victims—Nigerians.”

SERAP emphasised that these alleged financial irregularities have “undermined the economic development of the country, trapped the majority of Nigerians in poverty, and contributed to high levels of deficit spending by the government.”

READ ALSO:SERAP Drags Tinubu To Court Over Fubara, Deputy, Lawmakers’ Suspension

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The lawsuit, filed by SERAP’s lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Ms. Oluwakemi Oni, and Ms. Valentina Adegoke, further detailed the Auditor-General’s findings. These include — Over N82.95 billion ($82,951,595,510.47) “deducted from the sale of Crude Oil and Gas between 2020 and 2021” for “refinery rehabilitation and repairs” without proper authorization. The AGF “fears that the money may be missing” and recommends its recovery.

Over N343.64 billion ($343,642,598,726.51) “being proceeds from domestic crude sales,” unilaterally deducted for “pipelines maintenance and management costs.” The AGF “fears the money may have been diverted” and calls for its recovery and the prosecution of those involved.

Over N83.65 billion ($83,659,813,739.99) “being miscellaneous income from the NNPC joint venture operations from 2016 to 2020,” withdrawn from a “CBN/NNPC sinking fund account.” This practice, the AGF noted, “has led the Federation to resort to borrowings.”

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Over N204.85 billion ($204,853,744,047.39) “being unjustified deductions from the oil royalties for 2021,” originally due to the Department of Petroleum Resources (now NUPRC). The AGF “fears the money may have been diverted.”

Over N3.74 billion ($3,748,581,281.27) “purportedly paid to a Company as a shortfall on sales of MT cargo of PMS,” which the AGF “fears the money may be missing.”

READ ALSO:‘It’s Patently Unlawful,’ SERAP Sues Akpabio Over Natasha’s Suspension

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Over N28.65 billion ($28,654,179,867.00) “being outstanding bridging allowance from NNPC retail for 2021,” and over N13.55 billion ($13,555,965,814.91) “being outstanding bridging allowance claims from three major oil marketers in 2021.” The AGF is concerned this “may have resulted in difficulty in funding the 2021 budget.”

Over N15 billion ($14,134,947,949.80 and $1,087,533,332.62) “being outstanding revenues from debts owed by twenty-six marketers for 2021.”

Over $29.64 million ($29,648,970.36) “being outstanding royalties payable to the Department of Petroleum Resources CBN account.”

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Uncollected outstanding oil royalties of over $2.26 billion ($2,260,448,992.45) and N48.21 billion ($48,218,163,192.67) from oil companies for 2021. The AGF “fears that the money may be missing” and notes this “may have resulted in difficulty in funding the 2021 budget.”

No date has been fixed yet for the hearing of the suit as of the time of this report.
(TRIBUNE)

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UNICEF Urges Women To Breastfeed Babies Within One Hour Of Birth, Warns Against Breastmilk Substitutes Usage

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The United Nations Children’s Fund has called on pregnant women in Borno State to initiate their newborns into breastmilk consumption within one hour of birth

Speaking during the flag-off event of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week on Saturday in Maiduguri, the state capital, the UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Busiku, stated that only 35.5 per cent of children in Nigeria were initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, and only 28.8 per cent were exclusively breastfed

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According to him, this year’s theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support System”, highlights the urgent need to prioritise actions and systems leading to equitable access to breastfeeding, especially for vulnerable women in rural and conflict-affected areas.

READ ALSO:How UNICEF’s Initiative Changes Narrative Of Access To Healthcare Services In Bauchi

He said, “Only 35.5 per cent of children in Nigeria were initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, and only 28.8 per cent were exclusively breastfed.

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“Every child born in Borno State deserves to be initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, exclusively, breastfed for the next six months of life and continue breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond”

Francis also warned against the use of breastmilk substitutes and unsafe water, while noting that it poses a serious health risk to infants

The use of breastmilk substitutes and unsafe water in our communities can pose serious risks to the health of infants. It is therefore critical that the state enacts, enforces, and monitors the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes to protect children and promote breastfeeding,” he advised.

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READ ALSO:Polio: UNICEF Engages Traditional Rulers To Ensure Vaccine Compliance

He emphasised that breast milk provides all essential nutrients infants need in the first six months and offers maximum protection against illness and supports health growth and development

The UNICEF boss further called on the Borno state government and stakeholders to strengthen maternal protection polices, increase funding support, revitalise baby-friendly initiatives and prioritise community-level nutrition interventions.

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“Together, through strategic partnerships, innovative approaches, and sustained commitment, we can transform breastfeeding practices across Borno state. UNICEF remains steadfast in its support to the government and partners in this vital vision”, he concluded.

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NBA Slams Niger Gov Over Shutting Down Of Radio Station

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The Nigerian Bar Association has called on the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, to immediately withdraw what it described as an unconstitutional order shutting down Badeggi FM in the state.

The NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN), in a statement on Saturday, emphasised that only the National Broadcasting Commission had the legal authority to regulate or shut down broadcasting operations in the country as anything contrary will amount to press gagging.

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The Association urged the governor to rescind his directive ordering the immediate closure of the privately owned Badeggi 90.1 FM.

It stressed that the action, reportedly carried out through instructions to the State Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner for Homeland Security, allegedly involved profiling the station’s owner and marking the premises for demolition.

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The statement read, “This constitutes executive rascality of the highest order. It is a blatant abuse of power that undermines constitutional democracy and the rule of law. The Governor lacks the constitutional or legal authority to revoke broadcast licences or shut down any media establishment. In Nigeria, only the National Broadcasting Commission has the statutory mandate to regulate broadcasting, including the suspension or revocation of licences, subject to due process.

“It is imperative to state that the Commissioner of Police or any security agency must not act on unlawful executive directives. Security agencies are bound by law to act within constitutional limits and not as instruments for political intimidation or media suppression.

“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression under Section 39, including the right to own, operate, and access media. No person, regardless of office, has the right to arbitrarily restrict or shut down a media house without due process of law. This unlawful closure, without regulatory sanction or judicial backing, is a dangerous assault on press freedom and democratic governance.”

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The NBA further stated that Governor Bago’s directive is entirely unlawful and of no legal effect.

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Osigwe maintained that the Commissioner of Police and other relevant authorities must refuse to implement illegal orders that infringe on constitutional rights, reiterating that media regulation must follow due process through established statutory mechanisms, not arbitrary executive action.

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The Association also noted that the actions taken against Badeggi FM constitute a direct affront to press freedom and violate Nigeria’s democratic norms.

We call on Governor Bago to immediately withdraw this directive and refrain from further unconstitutional acts. The NBA also urges all levels of government to uphold the rule of law, respect constitutional boundaries, and protect the freedom of the press. A free and independent media is not a privilege – it is a constitutional right and a cornerstone of any democratic society,” the statement read.

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NGE Reacts As Govt Closes Radio Station In Niger

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The Nigerian Guild of Editors has condemned the recent closure of Badeggi Radio by Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, describing the action as a direct assault on press freedom and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement signed by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, on Saturday, the Guild said the governor acted outside his constitutional powers and bypassed due process in ordering the shutdown of the station.

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This act of censorship and intimidation undermines the fundamental principles of a democratic society, where a free press is essential for holding those in power accountable,” the Guild said.

Citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the NGE emphasised that press freedom and freedom of expression are guaranteed rights that must be protected.

READ ALSO:Activists Condemn Nigeria’s Natural Resources Exploitation, Finger Govt

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The Guild noted that only the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission has the legal authority to sanction broadcast stations, and only after a thorough investigation of any alleged breach of the broadcast code.

The closure of Badeggi Radio, a vital platform for public discourse and information dissemination, is a worrying trend that threatens the very fabric of our democracy.

“Governor Bago acted outside his powers to order the closure of a radio station. The power to sanction television and radio stations only lies with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) after a thorough investigation of any alleged breach of the Code.

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“We are happy that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, has pointed this out. This should go beyond observing the anomaly.

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The Federal Government should order the unsealing of the premises of the radio station while an investigation is carried out,” the statement read.

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The editors likened the governor’s action to the arbitrary clampdowns experienced during military rule, warning that such decisions erode the democratic progress made since 1999.

Arbitrary closure of media houses reminds us of the dark days of military rule, which ended 26 years ago,” the Guild stated.

While acknowledging that Bago had alleged that the station incited violence, the Guild insisted that such a serious accusation must first be investigated and proven before any punitive measure is taken.

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READ ALSO:Senator Withdraws From Legislative Duties Over Health Challenge

Governor Bago’s allegation of incitement of violence by the radio station is a serious issue, which has to be investigated and proven before any action can be taken. We urge the media to operate under strict adherence to the code of ethics of journalism, with responsible conduct at the back of the minds of the professionals,” the statement read.

The editors urged media professionals to operate responsibly and adhere strictly to the code of ethics of journalism, but stressed that due process must always be followed by authorities.

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The Guild reiterates that a free and independent press is essential for a functioning democracy and demands that governments at all levels respect and uphold this fundamental right,” the statement concluded.

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