Bablink Slams N11. 5bn suit against two petroleum firms…. Secures Mareva Injunction
Bablink Resources Nig. Ltd has instituted an N11. 5billion suit against Brentex Petroleum Ltd. and China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. Ltd. The presiding judge, Justice Edward Okpe, of a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Nyanya, also granted a Mareva injunction, restraining eight financial institutions, pending the determination of the substantive suit in this Court. The order also restrain each and everyone of them, their servants, agents and privies from transferring or dealing with or paying over or disposing of however, any money standing to the credit or which may come to the credit or for the benefit or to any of the Defendants or all the Defendants or removing such moneys in the Defendants Bank Account as listed in “EXHIBIT A” attached to the affidavit in support of the instant application, from jurisdiction, pending the determination of the substantive suit in this Court. Justice Okpe made the order upon hearing of a motion exparte marked FCT/HC/M/1962/2023, dated and filed on December 13, 2023. The exparte motion moved by Martin Onoja Esq. on behalf of Bablink Resources Nig. Ltd. on Thursday, was drawn from a suit marked FCT/HC/CV/589/2023, filed by Bablink Resources Nig. Ltd. against Brentex Petroleum Ltd. and China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. Ltd. “The Defendants’ Bank Account Exhibit “A” to which this order relates attached to the affidavit in support of the Motion is hereby incorporated as part of this order” Justice Okpe ordered. Meanwhile, in the substantive suit, Bablink wants declaration that the Claimant acted jointly with the Defendants (by deploying its technical expertise, experience, facilities, personnel, amongst others) in the formation of the unincorporated Brentex-CPP Consortium that submitted a bid to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and successfully won the contract for the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of part of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline (“AKK Gas Pipeline Project”). Bablink wants an order directing the Defendants to pay it a sum representing at least 30% of the net profit accruing to the Brentex-BPP Consortium for the portion of the Contract already performed without the participation of the Claimant or any other sum the court may determine considering the overall circumstances of the case as compensation for the Claimant’s efforts towards the award of the Contract to the Defendants by the NNPC. The Claimant is asking for an order of compensation to the tune of ₦10,000,000,000.00 (Ten Billion Naira) in favour of the Claimant and to be paid by the Defendants for the unjust, unfair, callous and unconscionable exclusion of the Claimant so far from performing part of the Contract as agreed by the parties and evidenced by the Origin and Scope of the Tenderer’s Supplier/Sub-contractors Form dated 6th April 2016, which was submitted by the Defendants to NNPC for the award of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project.” A declaration that the deployment of the Claimant’s complementary assets, certifications, qualifications, experience, equipment and personnel provided significant advantage to the Brentex-CPP Consortium and led to the eventual award of part of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project now known as Segment II of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project to the Defendants by the NNPC. “A declaration that the Claimant, having acted jointly with the Defendants to bid and win Segment II of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project is entitled to be awarded project management services, execution of some subcontracts within the scope of the work in full spectrum of Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation Pipelines i.e. Construction and Pre-commissioning works as agreed by the parties and evidenced by the Origin and Scope of the Tenderer’s Supplier/Sub-contractors Form dated 6th April 2016 which was submitted by the Defendants to NNPC for the award of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project or in the alternative share in the profits accruing from the performance of the Contract by the Brentex-CPP Consortium. The Claimant is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants from sourcing or continue to source all the materials needed for the performance of the Contract from China or outside the country in continuous violation of the relevant laws and contrary to the understanding between the parties as evidenced by the bidding documents submitted to the NNPC. Bablink wants a perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants from engaging other local companies and contractors who were not pre-qualified by NNPC and whose facilities, expertise and experience were never inspected, ascertained and certified satisfactory by NNPC.”₦500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) damages for the reputational loss and loss of goodwill suffered by the Claimant as a result of the Defendants’ unfair and unconscionable conduct.”₦1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) general damages for breach of the understanding and agreement between the parties in bidding and winning the Contract, the subject matter of this suit.”Post judgment interest of 25% per annum on the Judgment sum from the date of judgment until the final liquidation of the judgment sum. Among other prayers, Bablink is seeking an order directing the defendants to allow the Claimant to undertake and perform the remaining Pipeline Construction and Pre-commissioning works of the Contract as of the date of filing of this suit.
Election Petition Tribunal Rulings:INEC Conducts By-elections in 34 Constituencies in 2024
Incompliance with the rulings of various election petition tribunals, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to conduct by-elections in 34 constituencies, starting from early next year.A breakdown reveals that the election shall take place in one Senatorial District, 11 Federal Constituencies, and 22 State Assembly constituencies. Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of INEC, disclosed this development during an extraordinary meeting with political party leaders held on December 18, 2023. This gathering, occurring just two months after the last quarterly consultative meeting in October 2023, aimed to apprise party leaders of the Commission’s readiness for the impending elections. Out of the 1,191 petitions filed, Professor Yakubu highlighted that 34 constituencies, representing 2.8% of the total petitions, require by-elections. Notably, the Commission has been mandated to organize elections across entire constituencies in three cases, while in the remaining 31 constituencies, elections will occur in specific polling units. “The upcoming elections fall into two distinct categories,” explained Professor Yakubu. “Firstly, as the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals conclude their post-2023 General Election proceedings, the Commission is directed to hold by-elections in specific constituencies as per court orders.” “Secondly,” he continued, “the Commission is tasked with conducting bye-elections to fill vacancies arising from the passing or resignation of members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.” Professor Yakubu clarified the logistical arrangements, stating, “Our intention is to combine and conduct both categories of elections on the same day. Re-run elections involve only the original participating parties and candidates, except in cases where a deceased candidate needs replacement. However, bye-elections constitute entirely new polls, requiring political parties to conduct fresh primaries within the legally prescribed timeframe.” Following this consultative meeting, the INEC Chairman assured that the Commission would convene to review preparations and announce a definitive date, accompanied by a detailed timetable and activities schedule for the elections. Comprehensive delineation details, including polling unit locations, registered voters, and collected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in each constituency, will be made available on the INEC website for public access. Key attendees at the meeting included Leaders of Political Parties, National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, and other senior officials.
Rivers Crisis: Lawyers call for investigation over alleged ex-parte order
As controversy over the suspension of 26 lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly took a new turn yesterday, Lawyers In Defence of Democracy, has called for investigation in the alleged ex-parte order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from conducting fresh election to fill the seats of the lawmakers. The group is calling on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, to investigate the alleged secrete ex-parte order issued on friday by Justice Donatus Okorowo.Last week, four lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly suspended 26 other members of the House. The Rivers State High Court also ordered that a fresh election should be conducted to fill the seats of the 26 lawmakers. But there was a new twist into the controversy yesterday, when a group lawyers who stormed the court discovered how Justice Okorowo, issued a fresh on December 15, restraining INEC from conducting fresh election to fill the seats of the suspended lawmakers. Barrister Okere Kingdom Nnamdi leading a group Concerned of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy at a briefing however called on the Chief Judge if the Federal High Court to order full scale investigation into thr process that led to the issuance of the ex-parte order . According to him, the investigation is necessary in order not to soil the reputation of the judiciary. He said, “We’ve done so much in the defence of this democracy and we will continue to do everything within the am bit of the law to defend this democracy. “We gathered that there is going to be a ruling Justice Donatus Okorowo, on Monday, 18th December, 2023 and that they intercepted the information. “I know the workings of the court, the application was filed last week Wednesday and it was hurriedly assigned between the day it was filed and last Friday to Justice Okorowo and ruling is expected to be delivered today, December 18.” One interesting thing I want the media to know is that, there is a twist to what we saw in the media. The Registrar in the court of Justice Okorowo has confirmed that the application was filed and that it was brought before their court. He added that the ruling was delivered on Friday. “The question we are asking this morning is, what is the urgency in that matter. Why will such application be filed on Wednesday, got to Justice Okorowo on Friday and sat on same that day and deliver ruling on it? “We have applied for the certified true copy of the order and paid and we are going to pursue this matter to logical conclusion. “We are calling on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to investigate the order said to have been given by Justice Okorowo. This Nigeria cannot be taken bum politicians into their pockets. “This is not Federal High Court of Wike, if he has pocketed everyone, he can’t pocket the Federal High Court.”Federal High Court has reputation, this kind of applications are often seen in other courts. You can rarely see this kind of application in the Federal High Court because it has reputation. “The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court must look into how this case was filed, how it got to Justice Okorowo’s Court and how his Registrar claimed that they sat on Friday, whereas, what we gathered yesterday was that the ruling was going to be delivered today. “This calls for urgent and thorough investigation. We are challenging the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to maintain the integrity of the court. We are also calling on the NJC toook into the matter very critically. Democracy must be sustained and firmly rooted in this country and as lawyers in defence of democracy, this is not the first time. We are intervening in issues like this whenever we observe illegalities coming up. “These people who have come to file this application, as we speak are not members of Rivers State House of Assembly in the eyes of the law. The Rivers State House of Assembly has invoked the constitutional provision of Section 109(1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution. Until that section is expunged, the law remains. In the eyes of the law, the former Speaker and his other colleagues are former members of rye Rivers State House of Assembly. They should go to the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the Rivers State High Court. “The Rivers State High Court and the Federal High Court have co-ordinate jurisdiction, they should approach the Court of Appeal to set aside the decision of the state high court and not Federal High Court. “The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has been notified that they have been suspended. “By coming here to get an other, we will be making mockery of the judiciary amd we can’t be making mockery of the judiciary. We are advising them to go to Court of Appeal and appeal the decision of the state high court. “Rivers State High Court and the Federal High Court have equal, powers, the 26 lawmakers should go on appeal and not destroy the reputation of the federal high court. They should go to the Appeal Court amd challenge the procedure that suspended them.”
3 Dead, 7 Injured In Lagos – Ibadan Expressway Accident
An unfortunate incident occurred at the Conoil filling station area along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, resulting in three fatalities and seven injuries involving a Toyota Hiace bus (RLG 846 XA) and a trailer (JJN 32 YX). This occured on Saturday night, as reported by Florence Okpe, the spokesperson for the Ogun Sector Command of the FRSC in Abeokuta. The crash, which happened around 9:23 p.m., was attributed to excessive speed that caused the bus driver to lose control. Okpe highlighted that among the 18 individuals involved (16 men and 2 women), three lost their lives, while seven sustained injuries, necessitating their transfer to Idera Hospital in Sagamu for treatment. The deceased were taken to the same hospital’s morgue. Anthony Uga, the Sector Commander, emphasized the importance of considering the current period of increased traffic and limited visibility due to weather conditions. He condemned the habit of speeding among drivers, advocating for a more sensible speed limit as the safest approach.
NDLEA Discovers Drugs Concealed In Ceiling
Operatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have executed a major seizure of substantial bags of illicit drugs, cleverly concealed within the ceiling of a notorious druglord’s residence in Nassarawa. The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this significant bust in a statement released on Sunday. Babafemi shared videos illustrating the operation, captioning them to highlight the gravity of the situation. In the first video, #ndlea_nigeria officers can be seen uncovering jumbo bags of drugs hidden in the ceiling of the drug kingpin’s home in Lafia, Nasarawa state. Meanwhile, the second video exposes the interception of over 1.5 million pills of tramo destined for South, discovered at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
Fire Guts TCN Substation In Lagos
Late on Saturday night, the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s power substation located in Maryland, Lagos State, was engulfed by fire, as confirmed in a statement by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service. Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, reported that the fire outbreak has been successfully extinguished, averting any loss of life in the process. “The fire that erupted at the Transmission Company of Nigeria power sub-station at Maryland Junction, Maryland, at about 20:06 hours has been put out by the gallantry crew of the Ilupeju Fire Crew of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service,” the statement read. Thankfully, no casualties were reported during the incident. However, an ongoing investigation aims to determine the cause of the fire and assess the extent of damage to valuable equipment.
Budget 2024: Senate Urges Revenue Agencies to Surpass N18.3 Trillion Revenue Target
The Senate’s Committee on Finance has called upon various federal government revenue-generating agencies to exceed the targeted revenue of N18.324 trillion set for the 2024 fiscal year. President Bola Tinubu recently presented a total projected expenditure of N27.503 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year before the joint session of the National Assembly. Out of this amount, N18.324 trillion is earmarked as targeted revenue, while N9.18 trillion represents the projected deficit to be covered through internal and external borrowings as well as proceeds from privatization. At separate meetings to assess their readiness, the Finance Committee Chairman, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (APC Niger East), charged the agencies not to only meet but surpass the revenue projections assigned to them. During a recent interface with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCLtd), led by its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, Sani Musa urged them to exceed the revenue targets set for the 2024 fiscal year. He acknowledged the company’s contribution of N4.5 trillion in revenue remitted into the federation account between January and October of the current year but emphasized the need for further contributions, given the company’s commercialized status. “President Bola Tinubu’s budget presentation indicated a shift away from deficit budgeting by projecting a lower deficit of N9.18 trillion for 2024 compared to the N13.4 trillion used in the ending 2023 fiscal year. Our committee, along with other relevant standing committees, will ensure oversight and regular interface with revenue-generating agencies to ensure the necessary revenues for the full implementation of the 2024 budget,” stated Sani Musa. Speaking at the sidelines of a colloquium celebrating the 61st Birthday of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senator Sani Musa expressed confidence in achieving the proposed N100 trillion budget size for 2025, suggested by guest speaker Olisa Agbakoba (SAN). “The proposed budget size for 2025 might seem substantial, but it’s achievable if all revenue-generating agencies tighten their processes and prevent leakages,” he emphasized.
SANS decry alleged reckless war against Judiciary
A group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have kicked against the allegations of fraud and corruption against Judges and the Judiciary.This is following a certain controversial decisions entered by few judges in some political cases and warned those involved to desist immediately in the interest the country and its citizens. The lawyers and politicians allegedly involved in tarnishing the image of the nation’s judiciary were asked to have a second thought in their war against the institution so as not to bring it down. Among the Senior Advocates who expressed displeasure in what he described as unwarranted and reckless attack against the judiciary are Chief Mike Ahamba. Others lawyers are a former Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Awa Kalu, SAN, rights activist Mr Kunle Adegoke, SAN and constitutional lawyer Dr Olukayode Ajulo, SAN. The senior lawyers who disagreed with their colleagues joining forces with non-lawyers in politics said they ought to know that portraying the judiciary as a failed institution amounted to endorsing anarchy to terminate the Nigeria project. According to them, while it is not in doubt that few judges across levels of court lately gave certain controversial judgments in few political cases, demonizing the entire judiciary because of the few errors was not only unfair to the majority of upright judges faithfully discharging their duties but also has the capacity to undermine the legitimacy of the third arm of government which thrives on public perception. The lawyers had separately said while it is understandable that politicians would eulogize the judiciary each time its verdicts were in their favour and would not stop at anything to set the institution ablaze when its judgments are against them, it is disturbing that lawyers who understand procedure would join the fray and most times sponsor the denigration war against the judiciary. Although they spoke at separate times with our correspondent, they did not mention any lawyer engaging in the alleged misconduct but counselled them on how to handle the situation where wrong judgments are entered in cases. Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Kunle Adegoke, SAN said, “Yes, we have few elements in the judiciary that are bad. We cannot shy away from that. It is, however, easier to notice the negative side of any person or any system. “The positive aspect hardly registers sufficiently to the good measure of appreciation by the populace. And when in a system, a few bad elements commit some atrocities, the tendency is for the people to register a negative perception against such a system. “In the judiciary today, I still believe as a practitioner that we have majority of judges that are quite upright presiding over cases. “Those ones are doing creditably well. It will now be a form of injustice to rubbish the entire judiciary because of the negative activities of a few of the judges that are perpetrating atrocities. “Besides, when you look at the judicial system in Nigeria and the Nigeria populace, tendency is for some people to want to blame every other person except themselves for their own failure. “There are many cases that I believe have been rightly decided yet generating controversy and attracting negative comments both in the conventional and social media. “And until you read some of those judgments, that is when you will see that many of such cases are naturally bound to fail as a result of the way they were presented to the judiciary or the inherent failure in the facts presented to the court and the inability of such cases to meet the requirements of the law. “It is therefore my position that a few wrong judgments here and there cannot and should not lead to a total damnation of the judicial system. “In actual fact, the wrongs committed by such judges would be less in severity when compared to the negative campaign against the entire judiciary. “Many people, forget that when you mount a general campaign against the judiciary for its damnation, you are not only sending wrong signals to the rest of the world about your country, you are equally condemning the internal survival of the country itself,” he said. As if corroborating Adegoke, SAN, Constitutional lawyer, Professor Awa Kalu, SAN, also said: “the lawyers who are making frantic efforts to denigrate the judiciary forget the African proverb: there is nobody who will say his mothers soup is not sweet. “You cannot wake up and say, oh, my mother’s soup is not sweet. If your mother’s soup is not sweet, which one is sweeter. I will advise such lawyers to be very careful before you say your mother’s soup is not sweet. “That is the best way I can put it. In any event, it takes two to tangle. There is no judge who will go directly to politician to negotiate for hanky-panky business. Most of the times , it is the lawyers who act as the conduit. That is the blunt truth. There is no way we can run away from it. “My take is very simple on this matter. You cannot dismiss the judiciary because it is a very vast arm of government. You can’t dismiss it,” he said. Another Constitutional lawyer based based in Abuja, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN who agreed with his colleagues also said: “I don’t think we need to deceive ourselves. Criticism of the judiciary, low perception of the judiciary is universal. That is one. “However, in Nigeria, it is only rife during election. You will notice that by February, only few of such cases will happen. And the reason for this is not far-fetched. The lawyer handling such controversial matter will never come to tell his client that look I am the one that made a mistake. “Again, I will still insist that that case of Maina vs Lawal shows how people perceive issues. In that case, what is in the record of the court is different from what is in the public space. Nigerians were simply misled in that case,” he said.
276 Junior Officers Graduate From Armed Forces College
276 military officers from the Junior Course 96 on Saturday graduated from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna State. During the graduation ceremony, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, commended the graduates, highlighting the significance of their accomplishment for both them and their families. He praised their dedication to the course and expressed confidence in their achievements.Acknowledging that many might have preferred to pursue the course abroad, Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja emphasized the value of their experience at Jaji, stating, “Jaji is better than London. “He underscored the college’s commitment to enhancing the professional knowledge of officers, emphasizing the course’s role in preparing them for higher responsibilities in command positions within the Armed Forces of Nigeria and allied nations. Highlighting the adaptability of the course curriculum to evolving operational landscapes, Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja stressed its responsiveness to changes in the operating environment. He lauded the international students from Burkina Faso, Chad, Coted’voire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo, appreciating their unique perspectives and the diverse contributions they brought to the course. The COAS commended them for representing their countries well and making their nations and families proud.
Emir Of Kuwait Dies After 3-Year Rule
The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, has died at the age of 86. The Royal Court confirmed his death on Saturday in a solemn statement broadcasted on state television. His three-year rule, characterized by political tensions, saw him face economic challenges and implement several amnesty measures. His tenure, which commenced upon the passing of his predecessor Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in 2020, was marked by economic turbulence stemming from fluctuations in oil prices. Despite concerns about his health, Sheikh Nawaf steered the nation through various parliamentary elections and political standoffs. Beginning his political journey as the governor of Hawalli province at the age of 25, Sheikh Nawaf eventually served as the interior minister for a decade. He earned recognition for his softer governance style and was fondly referred to as the “emir of pardons” for his issuance of multiple amnesty decrees. With his passing, attention now shifts to the potential appointment of a younger generation ruler to guide the nation forward amidst challenges. Kuwait’s future leadership remains a topic of intense speculation as the country grapples with ongoing political deadlock and delays in essential reforms, impacting infrastructure and education, leaving parts of the population discontented. Kuwait, a country where power is centralized within the ruling Al Sabah family, has historically seen significant tensions between elected lawmakers and the ruling family’s appointed cabinet ministers. This friction has impeded developmental efforts and deterred potential investors, resulting in multiple resignations of governments and dissolutions of parliaments in recent years.