General News
Dangote Refinery War With NMDPRA Over Standards, Access Moves to Court
By Seyi Bslogun, Lagos
The face off between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the regulator, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, over allegations surrounding the quality and distribution of propane, centring on the regulator’s directive to suspend propane loading and truck-out operations at the refinery, and refusal of access, has moved to the court.
The face-off came to a head at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, where NMDPRA urged the court to discharge an interim order restraining it from enforcing the suspension, while Dangote accused the regulator of abusing its powers.
The court had on August 31 restrained NMDPRA, its officers, agents and representatives from entering, sealing, shutting down, restricting access to, obstructing, suspending, disrupting, inspecting, supervising or sanctioning the refinery’s operations pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.
NMDPRA, through its counsel, Matthew Burkaa, told the court that the interim order had been obtained through alleged misrepresentation and suppression of material facts.
The regulator also challenged the jurisdiction of Justice Akintayo Aluko to grant the order, arguing that the refinery had not filed the required motion on notice when its ex-parte application was heard.
According to the regulator, its decision to suspend propane loading and truck-out operations followed findings of alleged diversion of propane-laden trucks to unknown and unlicensed customers and the alleged illegal blending of propane at some LPG plants.
NMDPRA said its investigation began after laboratory tests conducted on LPG samples from three plants – Selai, Tewa and Ameego Pago – allegedly showed propane content above 50 per cent.
It said industry requirements stipulated that propane should constitute no more than 20 per cent of an LPG blend, while butane should account for about 80 per cent.
The regulator said representatives of the three plants were invited to discuss the findings and identified Sublime Oil and Gas Limited, an off-taker from Dangote Refinery, as their source of propane.
NMDPRA said this prompted a wider reconciliation and material-balance exercise involving propane-producing facilities and LPG-blending plants. It further alleged that its officials were denied access when they attempted to inspect propane-loading operations and records at Dangote Refinery on August 24.
The regulator subsequently issued a notice of potential non-compliance and directed the refinery to suspend propane loading and truck-out pending the outcome of its investigation and the implementation of additional safety measures.
According to NMDPRA, an examination of the refinery’s truck-out manifests revealed significant discrepancies. It alleged that Sublime Oil and Gas lifted 25 trucks of propane on August 20 and 22 for delivery to Navgas/Agasco, but Navgas confirmed receiving only six.
The regulator therefore said the remaining 19 trucks were unaccounted for. NMDPRA also alleged that records from Delta State showed that another off-taker loaded 52 trucks between May and August 2026 for delivery to Navgas, but Navgas reportedly confirmed that none of the consignments were received.
It argued that the alleged diversion of propane to unauthorised and unlicensed customers raised serious public health and safety concerns, particularly because the product was allegedly being used for LPG blending outside approved standards.
The regulator further claimed that propane produced by Dangote and other gas-processing facilities had a vapour pressure of about 13 bar, compared with the maximum seven-bar pressure required for the standard propane-butane LPG mixture.
It argued that the higher-pressure propane could pose an explosion risk at LPG refilling plants not designed to handle such pressure.
However, Dangote Group’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, rejected the regulator’s position, arguing that NMDPRA officials had inspected and certified the propane before it left the refinery.
Chiejina said, “We have NMDPRA staff there in the refinery. They inspected and certified the product as okay. Then, a company came to pick up the product with its truck, not Dangote’s truck. You later arrested the truck somewhere else and said it was conveying adulterated or blended propane. How does that concern us after you tested and certified our product okay?”
He added, “You went to the plant to seal it and later left the plant. For me, that is an absolute abuse of power by NMDPRA. And that is just a diabolical sense of control. It makes no sense. That’s what led to the court action.”
Chiejina further challenged the regulator to produce its records, saying, “They have a hidden transcript. Assuming you entered our refinery and discovered that what we have there is blended, that’s a different thing. You have earlier certified the product.”
He also questioned Dangote Refinery’s responsibility for the movements of products after they had been purchased and transported by independent off-takers.
“Let them go and check their records. And the owner of the truck has left with his truck. Where he goes with his truck – is it my business? He does what he likes with his products,” he said.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel for Dangote Refinery, Wale Akoni, SAN, drew the court’s attention to NMDPRA’s counter-affidavit filed in response to the refinery’s motion on notice.
Akoni, however, requested a brief adjournment to enable him to respond, saying he had only been served with the counter-affidavit in court on Wednesday.
Burkaa did not oppose the request but emphasised the urgency of the matter because of the safety concerns raised by the regulator.
Justice Aluko, however, said he could not fix a fresh date because he was sitting as a vacation judge and the court’s annual vacation would end on Friday.
“My jurisdiction ends on Friday as far as the vacation matter is concerned. Therefore, the Admin Judge will, in his wisdom, decide where the case file should go,” the judge said.
“So, it’s not even proper for me to give you a date now. The case file should be sent back to the court registry for the admin judge to, in his wisdom, set a date.”
The judge thereafter extended the interim order restraining NMDPRA from interfering with the refinery’s operations pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.
Justice Aluko held, “I find it proper to extend the interim order made on the 31st day of August 2026. It shall continue to subsist and shall be in force till the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, or until the court gives further directive.”
He subsequently directed that the case file be returned to the registry for assignment to the regular court by the administrative judge. “The case file is hereby remitted to the registry for assignment to the regular court by the Honourable Administrative Judge,” the judge held.
The court’s interim order therefore remains in force while the substantive dispute over NMDPRA’s regulatory action, the quality and handling of propane, and the alleged diversion of trucks awaits determination. The earlier court order had specifically restrained the regulator from shutting down or otherwise disrupting the refinery’s operations.
By Philip Nyam, Abuja
The Director General of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), Hon. Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of elder statesman, businessman and politician, Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Mahmud Tukur, CON, who died Saturday in Abuja at the age of 90.
Hon. Namdas, who is also the Deputy Coordinator of Arewa for Tinubu described the late Tukur as “A towering figure in Nigeria’s political and economic history whose service to the nation spanned more than six decades.”
“Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was a patriot, a mentor, and a bridge-builder. From his time as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority, to Governor of the old Gongola State, Minister of Industries, and later as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, dedicated his life to nation building,” Hon. Namdas said.
Hon. Namdas noted that the late Tafidan Adamawa was also a renowned businessman who founded the DADDO Group of Companies, and served with distinction as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.
“His wisdom, humility, and commitment to unity will be sorely missed not only by the people of Adamawa, but by all Nigerians. He lived a life of service, and his legacy will continue to inspire present and future generations,” Hon. Namdas added.
The BCDA boss extended his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, Governor Adamu Fintiri, the government and people of Adamawa State and the entire nation. He prayed that Almighty Allah forgives his shortcomings and grants him Aljannah Firdaus.
“On behalf of my family and constituents, I stand with the Tukur family in this moment of grief. May Allah grant us the fortitude to bear this great loss,” the statement concluded.
General News
Mother Subjects Daughter to Abuse, Admits: “I made $300 from my 8-yr-old daughter’s pornographic video’
By Nick Ibe
The viral video on the social media involving an 8-year old girl whose ordeal was caused by her money loving mother has been arrested.
The arrest was facilitated by vigilante police operatives in the area, as well as bloggers and residents who provided information that assisted the investigation leading to the arrest of her 36-year-old mother, Anulika Onyeanusia, Onitsha, Anambra state.
According to the police, the Anambra State Police Command arrested her over alleged child pornography in Onitsha, by uploading a video involving her eight-year-old daughter on a pornographic platform to make money.
Onyeanusia, after the arrest, reportedly, told investigators that the highest amount she had made from uploading such content was $300.
The suspect also disclosed that the eight-year-old girl seen in the video is her second child, while preliminary investigation by the police allegedly revealed that she had also subjected her first daughter to similar acts and uploaded the content on a pornographic platform.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly blamed the act on the devil, telling police: “It is the devil, please forgive me” while adding that her husband was unaware of what she had allegedly been doing to their two daughters.
The arrest followed the circulation of a video showing the woman allegedly using sex toys on the eight-year-old girl. The video prompted police operatives to act on what the command described as open-source intelligence and traced the suspect.
In the disturbing footage, the girl could be heard crying and pleading with her mother to stop as the alleged abuse continued. The police said the video showed the suspect allegedly engaging in the act while apparently producing the content for an online audience.
During the operation, which was carried out on Thursday evening, the command said four children, aged two, three, six and nine years, were rescued.
The Police also disclosed that sex toys and other items believed to be relevant to the investigation were recovered from the suspect.
The command said investigation was ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse and determine whether other persons were involved.
Spokesman for the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect and rescue of the children, said, ” The suspect is currently in police custody as the Command intensifies its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence and the possible involvement of other persons. The husband of the suspect is also undergoing interrogation to determine whether he has any connection with the alleged offence.
“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji, who is deeply disturbed by the alleged act, described it as unacceptable, particularly because it involves the exploitation and abuse of children who are incapable of protecting themselves. He has therefore directed a thorough and professional investigation while ensuring that the rescued children receive appropriate care and protection.
“To this end, the Command notes that beyond the investigation and prosecution, its priority is the safety, dignity and wellbeing of the rescued children.
“The Command will work with the appropriate child-protection and relevant support agencies to ensure that the victims receive the necessary care, protection, counselling and other support required for their recovery. Their identities and privacy will be protected throughout the process, and they will be treated with compassion and sensitivity.
“The Command also commends the vigilante operatives in the area, as well as bloggers and residents who provided information that assisted the investigation and led to the arrest of the suspect”, he stated.
General News
Lawyer Assaulted by Police: NBA Gboko Branch Secures N500 Million General and Exemplary Damages in Makurdi Court
By Our Reporter
In the pursuit of justice for a colleague, B. B. Iliamkondo, Esq., who was recently assaulted and battered by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gboko Branch, under the leadership of Felix Uwar, Esq., on Friday, 11th September, 2026 obtained judgement in favour of its member.
The facts which impregnated the suit that delivered the sweet victory are that, sometime in May, 2026, a client retained the legal services of B. B. Iliamkondo, Esq. to secure his bail at Koti-Mbaduku, Shangev-Ya, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
On arrival at the police outpost, the officer in-charge, one Inspector Terngu Ikyuur, demanded for money as a condition for the bail of the said client. Confused, the learned Iliamkondo, Esq. requested to know why he had to pay for bail when it was statutorily free of charge whereupon the police officer got infuriated and ordered him to vacate the police outpost immediately or face being implicated in his client’s cause. Mr. Iliamkondo then made to deliver his written application for the bail of his client but the officer instead seized him by the shirt, stalked him to the ground and cramped him into detention alongside his client and other inmates.
The following day, Inspector Terngu Ikyuur brought Mr. Iliamkondo out of the detention facility and forced him to carry on his head a bucket of faeces and urine passed over night by inmates. The officer compelled him to sing that he was a-charge- and-bail lawyer as he marched Mr. Iliamkondo around the community with a loaded gun pointed at his head all the while, threatening to kill him if he stopped marching.
Upon the intervention of his learned friends, Iliamkondo was later released after being brutalized and stripped half-naked by the police Inspector. Aggrieved, the NBA Gboko Chairman, Uwar, Esq., quickly empanelled a team of lawyers to secure the enforcement of fundamental rights of their learned friend. The team had: I. S. Gese, Esq. ; F. M. Z. Uwar, Esq.; Bem-Ephraim Orlunan Ayati, Esq. ; T. I. Tur, Esq.; S.L.Puusu, Esq. ; B. I. Aker,Esq.; G. M. Jimin, Esq. ; S. S. Gbileve, Esq. ; C. M. T. Uwar, Esq. ; F. Tyoyima, Esq. ; B. E. Atser, Esq. ; and M. I. Tagher, Esq.
The team instituted SUIT NO: MHC/4110M / 2026 before the Benue State High Court of Justice, sitting at Makurdi with B. B. Iliamkondo, Esq. as the Applicant against Inspector Terngu Ikyuur; CSP Banfa U. Nanzing; Commissioner of Police, Benue State; Inspector General of Police; Police Service Commission; and Nigeria Police Force as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Respondents, respectively.
In his judgement delivered on September 11, 2026, Hon. Justice M. M. Ikwulono, upheld the application and entered judgement in favour of the Applicant, Agugu Iliamkondo Benson Bemsen, Esq.
The Court awarded general and exemplary damages in his favour and against the Respondents in the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira (₦500, 000,000.00) only for the violation of his fundamental rights by the police.
The Court also Ordered the police to author and publish an apology to the Applicant in national newspapers with nation-wide circulation, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Applicant.
But besides the court ruling, the NBA has reportedly caused a formal petition to be written against Inspector Terngu Ikyuur and his DPO, CSP Banfa U. Nanzing, for discreet disciplinary action against them.
In their response to the outcome of the matter, the legal team said: “On our part as the legal team, we salute this judgement as sound in law, compensatory to our learned friend and deterrent against the police.
“We equally thank the Chairman of the Gboko Branch of the NBA, Uwar, Esq., under whose watch he ensured that our learned colleague’s humiliation got the justice that he deserves.”
At the time of filing this report, the NPF had yet to react to the judgment.
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