Alpha Morgan Bank Economic Review Webinar (18th Edition) Holds in November

Alpha Morgan is set to host the 18th edition of its periodic Alpha Morgan Economic Review Webinar, scheduled for 26 November 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., live on Zoom.

This session marks the final webinar for the year and continues the tradition of providing clear, credible, and timely economic intelligence, including a thoughtful breakdown of the most recent Monetary Policy Committee meeting in November and its implications for the economy.

This edition features renowned economist Bismarck Rewane, whose depth of insight and practical analysis have consistently shaped conversations around Nigeria’s economic direction. His participation makes the webinar a valuable platform for business leaders, policymakers, investors, and professionals seeking a grounded understanding of the current economic climate.

Over time, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review Webinar series has become a respected space for informed discussions on economic trends and market shifts. Participants benefit from expert interpretations of key indicators and emerging developments that influence the financial environment.

Beyond analysis, attendees will gain a powerful year-end overview of the economy, insights into unfolding patterns, and a clearer picture of what 2026 may hold. The webinar remains one of the most reliable platforms for those seeking real understanding—not guesswork.

Attendees can expect an engaging and insightful session that reviews the economic year, highlights emerging trends, and offers guidance on what to anticipate in the months ahead.

The public is invited to be a part of the conversation.

Date: 26 November 2025

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Location: Online via Zoom

Register here: https://bit.ly/JoinAMERSeries18

–Legal Experts: Ex Parte Orders Automatically Lapse After 14 Days — Enforcement Now Void

…Corporate Power Struggle Over OML 42 Exposes the Fragility of Interim Judicial Relief in Nigeria

A sudden quiet victory has settled over Nestoil and Neconde. Their offices — once sealed, monitored, and overshadowed by the heavy machinery of FBNQuest and First Trustees — have reopened with renewed activity. Billions of naira once locked in limbo are now accessible again. The dramatic freeze that stalled operations at OML 42 has evaporated, not through courtroom fireworks but through the silent mechanism of the law.

The ex parte orders granted on October 22 by Justice D. I. Dipeolu had allowed the banks to freeze funds, seal premises, and appoint a Receiver to take over operations. The impact was swift and severe: offices shut, crude production threatened, and corporate control seized in a stroke. But under the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, such drastic interim relief carries an inbuilt expiry date. Fourteen days after a motion to discharge is filed, the law strips the order of any legal force.

Nestoil and Neconde filed their motion on October 30. On November 13, the orders died a natural legal death.

What had appeared to be the banks’ ironclad grip turned out to be temporary — a procedural illusion bound by time and constitutional safeguards.

Victoria Island had, for weeks, resembled a corporate battleground. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Abubakar Sulu-Gambari, acting as Receiver, walked through seized premises like a custodian of contested billions. Frozen accounts disrupted operations, key decisions were suspended, and OML 42 — a vital crude-producing asset — stood at risk.

But the law is clear: ex parte orders are emergency tools, not instruments of prolonged domination. Under Order 26, Rule 10, they cannot extend beyond fourteen days post–motion to discharge. Section 36(1) of the Constitution reinforces that no party may be deprived of rights indefinitely without being heard. To do otherwise would violate the fair-hearing principle at the heart of Nigerian justice.

With the lapse, any enforcement actions still being carried out became instantly unlawful. Agencies or individuals occupying offices, supervising assets, or restricting corporate activity now lack legal authority. Companies regain autonomy; the banks, if still intent on pressing their claims, must return to court and start afresh.

Legal analysts stress that the brevity of ex parte orders is intentional. “An ex parte order is a temporary shield, not a permanent sword,” one senior counsel explained. “Its lifespan protects fairness. Anything longer would undermine due process.”

For large operators like Nestoil and Neconde, the consequences of extended freezes are not theoretical. Billions of dollars in assets, export schedules, and international business obligations hang in the balance. A prolonged freeze can destabilize operations far more than the underlying dispute itself.

The episode also serves as a cautionary tale for enforcement agencies. Continuing to act after an order lapses exposes them to legal challenge and potential sanctions. Nigerian courts have repeatedly held that enforcement without subsisting authority is unconstitutional.

Across the commercial litigation landscape, Mareva injunctions are well understood as powerful but short-lived. They prevent asset flight but must withstand the strict scrutiny of procedural fairness. Banks often seek them in urgent circumstances — as FBNQuest did, citing an alleged $1 billion exposure — but urgency does not override constitutional limits.

For Nestoil and Neconde, the expiry restores operational stability. For FBNQuest and First Trustees, it closes one chapter and forces a strategic reset. The banks may seek new orders, pursue the substantive case, or recalibrate their approach. The next move could shape not only this dispute but also broader jurisprudence on interim relief.

The corporate world is watching closely. OML 42 is not just another oil asset — it is a pillar of indigenous oil production with national implications. Even a brief freeze affects supply chains, investor confidence, and Nigeria’s energy outlook.

The lesson from this saga is unmistakable: urgency does not trump due process, and interim legal power is inherently temporary. The law’s clock always ticks — and when time runs out, even the most sweeping orders dissolve.

As operations resume on Victoria Island and crude production steadies at OML 42, the drama shifts back to the courts and corporate boardrooms. Will the banks return for another round? Will the court grant fresh relief? Or will the dispute finally move from procedural warfare to substantive adjudication?

For now, the Mareva injunction is dead — but the battle over OML 42 is far from finished.

*Fidelity Bank Grows Gross Earnings by 46% to ₦748.7 billion for H1 2025*

Fidelity Bank Plc has announced its audited financial results for the half-year ended 30 June 2025, demonstrating resilience and sustained growth across key performance indicators.

Highlights of the financial results which was uploaded on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) portal on Thursday, 13 November 2025 shows that the bank delivered robust results across key financial metrics including Gross Earnings, which stood at ₦748.7 billion, up from ₦512.9 billion in H1 2024; Interest Income, which rose to ₦557.9 billion, compared to ₦357.9 billion in H1 2024; and Total Deposits, which grew to ₦7.20 trillion, from ₦6.94 trillion in H1 2024.

Similarly, the bank’s Low-Cost Deposits increased to ₦4.85 trillion, compared to ₦4.83 trillion in H1 2024.

Fidelity Bank continued to expand its digital banking footprint, enhance customer experience, and support key sectors of the economy. The bank’s loan book grew, with Net Loans and Advances expanding to ₦1.69 trillion, up from ₦1.59 trillion in H1 2024, reflecting increased support for businesses and individuals. Asset quality remained stable, with non-performing loans well within acceptable limits.

The bank’s capital raising initiatives have further strengthened its financial position, ensuring readiness to meet new regulatory requirements and pursue growth opportunities. Fidelity Bank’s strong liquidity profile and robust governance framework provide a solid foundation for continued success.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.