General News
House move to address revenue leakages in oil sector
By Saint Mugaga
The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating pre-shipment inspection failures and the non-remittance of crude oil proceeds has resolved to address longstanding revenue leakages in Nigeria’s oil and non-oil export sectors.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Seyi Sowunmi made the pledge at the opening of a capacity-building workshop for members of the committee in Abuja on Tuesday.
He noted that Nigeria’s continued losses running into billions of dollars were not abstract figures but the equivalent of hundreds of hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure denied to citizens because violations of pre-shipment regulations.
He said the House set up the committee in response to mounting evidence of systemic exploitation in crude and non-oil exports, stressing that the probe is a national mission, not a witch-hunt.
“This committee intends to close loopholes, recover lost value, and restore confidence in Nigeria’s economic governance.
“For the first time, we are looking at the entire export chain from crude oil flows to financial repatriation through a transparent, data-driven lens,” he said.
Sowunmi said the ongoing workshop was designed to equip lawmakers with the expertise needed to confront the technicalities surrounding export data, maritime operations, and financial intelligence.
He said that experts in trade compliance, forensic auditing, and international oil transactions are facilitating the training.
According to him, the exercise is an investment in competence, credibility, and national integrity.
He added that public scrutiny was welcome as democracy flourishes when the people are informed and engaged.
The lawmaker stressed that the country must transition to a system where exported barrels are digitally tracked and every dollar earned is accounted for.
He urged his colleagues to embrace stronger legislative oversight and champion reforms that would guarantee that natural resource earnings benefit Nigerians, warning that the era of impunity and unaccounted exports is coming to an end.
Contributing, Hon. Peter Aniekwe cautioned members to expect resistance from vested interests opposed to transparency in oil revenues.
Aniekwe however assured that the Committee is Committee is determined to plug all the leakages.
“We know there will be fight backs but we must stand firm and do the right thing because the country depends on this revenue. In the end, Nigerians will be happy with our work,” he said.
General News
Tinubu Appoints Adesayo, Ceo Nemsa; Magaji Da’u Aliyu As Md Of Shestco
By Saint Mugaga
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu as the Managing Director of the Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja.
The Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) is responsible for conducting research and development in technology and for operating a nuclear research facility.
A statement by the Special Adviser (Information and Strategy) to the President, Bayo Onanuga said Tinubu also appointed Engr. Adesayo Olusegun Michael as the Managing Director/CEO of the Board of Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).
Other Board members of NEMSA appointed by the President include: Engr. Aliyu Abdulazeez (Executive Director, Technical); Ikechi Clara Nwosu (Chairman, South East); Zubair Abdur’rauf Idris (Member); Igba Elizabeth (Member-North Central); Sani Alhaji Shehu (Member–North East); Adeyemi Adetunji (Member–South West); Engr Emmanuel Eneji Nkpe (Member–South South) and Engr. Charles Ogbonna Asogwa (South East).
The President nominated Amina Gamawa, representing Bauchi, and Abdullahi Muktar, representing Kaduna, as Commissioners to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
The President has sent the two nominees to the Senate for confirmation.
General News
Tiv Christians feared killed, churches burnt in 33 days in Taraba
By Our Correspondent
At least 102 Tiv Christians have been feared killed with dozens of churches burnt in 33 days in Taraba state.
According to Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly (NOCRELA), the killers, suspected to be militia Fulani men, have committed the crimes between 2nd January to 3rd February 2026 in Chanchanji ward, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba state.
NOCRELA also disclosed that the body has interacted with the Tiv community and the affected NKST pastors extensively when they were told that the killings were perpetrated by Fulani militia and were specifically targeting the Tiv community and NKST churches.
In a submission, the Taraba State Chairman, NOCRELA, Rev. Dr. Micah Dopah, on Monday condemned the continuous, horrific, brutal, and targeted killing of the Tiv Christians brethren and their properties.
“Within an interval of 33 days only from 2nd January 2026 to 3rd February 2026, the militia killed at least 102 people and injured over 31 as analyzed by the local authorities.
“The local authorities also complained that the government and security agencies have not done enough to protect their lives, houses, and churches. stating that the laxity of the government in defending their people and properties has encouraged the militia to perpetrate the satanic killings.
“Ten murderous attacks in 33 days is horrific. Where is the government? And where are the security agencies?
“We interacted with the Tiv community and the affected NKST pastors extensively. They told us that these killings were perpetrated by Fulani militia, and are specifically targeted at the Tiv community and NKST churches.
Relatedly, similar attacks are going on in Benue state by suspected Fulani against the Tiv settlements in Kwande local government where whole communities have been sacked with many indigenous people killed.
Anwase and Abande, among other villages, have been deserted and there is great apprehension that they would be occupied by the invading Fulani militias whose aim to seize Tiv lands and occupy them is no longer new as the case of Moon.
The invasion is partly to take over the lands now known to be rich in gold and other minerals.
General News
Prof Gundu Asks Court to Strike out Gov Sule’s ₦100.5bn Defamation Suit
By Our Correspondent
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has been asked to dismiss the ₦100.5 billion defamation suit instituted against Prof Zacharys Anger Gundu, VC of University of Mkar, Mkar by the Nasarawa State Government and Governor, Abdullahi Sule.
The request is contained in a notice of preliminary objection filed by the defendant through his legal team led by Sebastian Hon, SAN.
Gundu flawed the competence of the suit, marked FCT/HC/CV/3554/2025, and asked the court to decline jurisdiction, describing the case as frivolous and an abuse of court process.
The legal team said the claimants did not comply with a mandatory condition precedent required for the validity of the originating processes, as stipulated under Order 2 Rule 8 of the FCT High Court Civil Procedure Rules, 2025.
This faulty premise, the alleged non-compliance, the team asserted, renders the suit procedurally defective and liable to be struck out.
