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Human Right Group Accuses Mele Kyari of shortchanging Nigerians

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Mele Kyari

Human Right Group Accuses Mele Kyari of shortchanging Nigerians

Mele Kyari

A civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Monday, accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under its Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, of allegedly shortchanging Nigerians.

National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, backed the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), and faulted the N6.34tn subsidy payment on Premium Motor Spirit (popularly called petrol).

 

 

“HURIWA wonders why Nigeria has not hired a World class forensic auditors that are credible enough and can’t be compromised to comprehensively audit the total litres of fuel consumed in Nigeria since most transactions on petroleum products are metred a across the Country and so it does not take Rocket Science to scientifically and accurately ascertain how much volumes of local fuel consumptions that take place in the entire Country daily,” the student said.

…NNPC Group CEO Mele Kyari.
Ali, a retired Army Colonel, had last week during a presentation before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance in Abuja, said NNPC cannot scientifically prove the 98 million litres per day consumption it was claiming, alleging that the nation’s oil company was supplying an excess of 38 million litres of PMS daily.

 

 

 

 

The Federal Government is proposing a budget with estimates totalling N19.76 trillion, while the deficit will hover between N11.30 trillion and N12.41trillion in the 2023 fiscal year.

However, the NCS boss said the issue was not about smuggling of petroleum products as claimed by Kyari at a State House briefing last week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“If we are consuming 60 million litres of PMS per day, by their own computation, why would you allow the release of 98 million litres per day? If you know this is our consumption, why would you allow that release?

“Scientifically, you cannot tell me that if I fill my tank today, tomorrow, I will fill the same tank with the same quantity of fuel. If I am operating a fuel station today and I go to Minna depot, lift petrol and take it to Kaduna, I may get to Kaduna in the evening and offload that fuel. There is no way I would have sold off that petrol immediately to warrant another load. So, how did you get to 60 million litre per day? That is my problem,” Ali had stated.

 

 

 

However, HURIWA said: “It is shameful how two government agencies are contradicting themselves publicly. Col. Hameed Ali (retd.) has thrown an open challenge at his NNPC counterpart and Nigerians are waiting for the explanation of Mele Kyari.

“It is no doubt that the NNPC is shortchanging Nigeria and Nigerians using vacuous and bogus subsidy claims because for now, it is not clear if any open and public records exist to show these details to allow for transparency and accountability which are the hallmarks of good governance. This is condemnable. It is particularly shameful that the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress failed Nigerians after criticizing past administrations over failure to stabilise the production capacity of NNPC refineries to allow for home refining of crude oil. The country’s refineries have been run aground in the last seven years since President Muhammadu Buhari came into office and has been the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources. If this is not a national shame, then Nigerians wonder what it is.

 

 

 

 

 

“To think that the President himself is the Petroleum Minister for seven years now is utterly perplexing. Rather than working, the current regime has been engaging in alleged round tripping scams in the name of subsidy regime. This is despicable for a government in an economic crisis. This is shown in the fact that even at the top most levels, the officials can’t say exactly why it costs the public a humongous sum to subsidise fuel locally consumed.

“HURIWA also condemns the practice of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo running to the World Bank to ‘help’ Nigeria stop subsidy when as a sovereign entity ruled by an elected administration, Nigeria should work out home-grown economic formula to close the yawning gaps and leakages that results in ballooning funding claims from the petroleum subsidy subhead of the budget. Nigerian leaders should stop playing to the gallery and exposing the Country as a Banana Republic.”

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Court nullifies Shell, AFC, others’ ICC arbitration in Tempo Energy suit over OML 29

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A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has nullified arbitration proceedings at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), London, instituted against indigenous energy company, Aiteo Eastern E&P Company Limited, by a group of lenders who partly financed its acquisition of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29.

The court declared the arbitration a violation of its subsisting injunctive orders.

Aiteo acquired OML 29 and the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) from Shell in a landmark $3.01 billion transaction concluded in 2014. The deal was largely funded by billionaire founder Benedict Peters, who contributed approximately $1 billion of his personal funds to close the purchase and restart production.

Justice S.B. Belgore gave the ruling on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, while delivering judgment in an application filed by Tempo Energy Nigeria Ltd., a minority equity contributor to the OML 29 deal.

According to court documents, the claims originated from a multi-party financing arrangement dating back to 2014. Tempo Energy alleged that several of the defendants breached their obligations under the governing facility agreements and, without including Tempo, initiated proceedings in the High Court of England and Wales and commenced arbitration before the ICC on December 11, 2020.

To protect its interest, Tempo filed a suit on January 14, 2021, seeking injunctive relief to restrain the defendants from taking any further steps in the UK proceedings and the ICC arbitration.

In a related application, filed by Tempo through its counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, the FCT High Court granted interim injunctions on January 22, 2021, restraining the defendants from proceeding with the arbitration and the English court case pending the determination of the motion on notice. The court also consolidated pending applications and adjourned the matter.

The suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/079/2021, listed Aiteo Eastern E&P Company Ltd, African Finance Corporation, Ecobank Nigeria Ltd, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Fidelity Bank, Shell Western Supply & Trading, Shell International Trading & Shipping, Citibank Europe (UK Branch), Citibank N.A. (London Branch), FBN Trustees, Zenith Trustees, FBN Merchant Bank, Sterling Bank, Union Bank, Zenith Bank, and Dame Elizabeth Gloster as defendants.

Dissatisfied with the High Court’s ruling, the defendants filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division. However, despite the subsisting interim injunctions issued by the High Court, the defendants continued with the ICC arbitration proceedings in London from 2021 to 2024.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on April 25, 2025, the Court of Appeal affirmed the validity and subsistence of the January 2021 injunctions. The appellate court dismissed the appeal as an abuse of court process, awarded N1.5 million in costs against the defendants, and ordered an accelerated hearing of the pending applications at the High Court. It also warned that any actions taken in defiance of valid court orders may be declared void.

Following the appellate court’s judgment, at the resumed hearing before the High Court on May 20–22, 2025, Tempo Energy applied for a restorative order to nullify the ICC arbitration. Ogunwumiju, SAN, argued that the arbitral proceedings were conducted in flagrant violation of the court’s orders.

Counsel to Ecobank Nigeria and other defendants, including Mrs. Joke Aliyu and Mr. Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court. They argued that the FCT High Court lacked the competence to restrain foreign arbitral proceedings.

Justice Belgore dismissed the objection, describing it as incompetent and an abuse of court process. He ruled in favour of Tempo Energy and declared the ICC arbitration proceedings null and void, having been conducted in violation of subsisting court orders.

The court reiterated that the interim orders of January 22, 2021, remain valid and binding on all parties. It directed the defendants to desist from taking any further steps in defiance of its orders and awarded an additional N500,000 in costs to Tempo Energy. The matter was adjourned to September 29, 2025, for hearing of the consolidated interlocutory applications.

Aiteo had earlier sued Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, alleging fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation in the 2014 sale of its 30% stake in OML 29. In suit number FHC/ABJ/C8/738/2021, filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja, Aiteo claimed Shell failed to fully disclose the actual condition of the oil wells and asked for $2.5 billion in compensation.

The company cited the poor condition of the asset and repeated attacks by oil thieves on its infrastructure as reasons for its inability to meet its financial obligations to creditors.

According to documents, the consortium of lenders committed approximately $2 billion in financing: 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.

Peters’ total equity contribution included $898,237,697.35 in cash and an additional $257 million at closing to cover fees, ancillary costs, and restart production. Tempo Energy, among other small equity holders, contributed $136 million.

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“Safety Watch’’, Nigeria’s First Real-Time Security Monitoring App Debuts

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A new mobile application aimed at enhancing personal and community security has been launched in Nigeria.

The app, named Safety Watch, is the country’s first real-time security monitoring platform, offering users access to live security alerts, location tracking, and instant crime reporting.

The developers say Safety Watch is designed to help Nigerians stay informed and proactive in the face of rising security concerns across the country.

Key features of the app include:

Live Security Alerts: Users receive real-time updates about threats and incidents in their vicinity.

Real-Time GPS Tracking: The app allows users to track their loved ones or share their location with trusted contacts during emergencies.

Instant Crime Reporting: Witnesses or victims can report crimes directly through the platform, contributing to a community-sourced safety network.

Route Planning Tools: The app provides security information for travelers commuting in cities like Lagos and Abuja, or anywhere across Nigeria.

According to the developers, Safety Watch was built with community engagement in mind. User-generated reports contribute to a collective safety map, aimed at fostering more secure neighborhoods nationwide.

“Whether you’re navigating urban traffic or facing a potential threat, Safety Watch keeps you informed and connected,” the company said in a statement. “Your safety is our priority.”

The app is now available for download on the Google Play Store.

Download link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.affluenceinfo

 

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Brenda Unuavworho Launches Amplify-You: Empowering Women to Amplify Their Voice and Legacy

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Brenda Unuavworho Launches Amplify-You: Empowering Women to Amplify Their Voice and Legacy

Brenda Unuavworho Launches Amplify-You: Empowering Women to Amplify Their Voice and Legacy

 

 

As part of activities to mark her 45th birthday, renowned architect, author, speaker, and empowerment coach Brenda Unuavworho will launch Amplify-You on Monday, July 7, 2025, a transformational brand designed to help women turn their stories into legacy products and step boldly into the visibility they deserve.

 

Brenda Unuavworho Launches Amplify-You: Empowering Women to Amplify Their Voice and Legacy

According to the author, Amplify-You is built on her signature five-step framework: ‘Clarify, Create, Brand, Publish, Amplify’.

 

 

Through hands-on coaching, writing contests, digital content, and immersive events, she equips women—especially professionals and experts—to move from buried ideas to bold execution.

 

“I believe every woman has a voice worth hearing and a story worth preserving,” Brenda shares. “Amplify-You is my answer to the women who are ready to show up, speak out, and shine—without apology.”

 

 

As part of the brand’s debut, Brenda will also be unveiling a powerful new book titled ‘Rise. Write. Roar’, the official Amplify-You manual. The book, she said, is now open for preorder and serves as a cornerstone resource for women ready to move from obscurity to impact.

 

 

“‘Rise. Write. Roar is a practical guide that will help women unlock their potential and amplify their voice. This book is a must-read for any woman who wants to build a legacy that speaks long after she’s gone,” Brenda says.

 

Brenda Unuavworho is a prolific author, speaker, and empowerment coach with over 18 years of experience in architecture. She leads Sterling Realties Development Company as the Business Lead and is the founder of the Women’s Growth Academy (WGA), a thriving empowerment community that helps women overcome internal limitations and live purposefully.

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