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  • Air Peace reacts to NSIB report on crew testing positive for drugs, alcohol

    Air Peace reacts to NSIB report on crew testing positive for drugs, alcohol

    …says no official report from NSIB on test result

    The management of Air Peace airline has reacted to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report concerning its Boeing 737-524 aircraft, with registration 5N-BQQ, involved in an incident on July 13 during a Lagos–Port Harcourt flight.

    According to the NSIB, toxicology tests revealed that members of the flight crew tested positive for alcohol consumption, while a cabin crew member tested positive for THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. 

    The aircraft, carrying 103 passengers, had landed long on runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach.

    In its response, Air Peace expressed shock that, more than a month after the incident, it had not received official communication from the Bureau regarding the findings. 

    The airline reaffirmed its commitment to safety, transparency, and compliance, stressing that it enforces strict policies on alcohol and drug use.

    Air Peace emphasised that its rules completely prohibit drug use and mandate stricter alcohol restrictions for crew members than the standard eight-hour pre-flight requirement.

    The NSIB stated that the results are still under review within the human performance and safety management components of the investigation. 

    This was disclosed in a statement by the Bureau’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Oladeji.

    The statement reads, “The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released the preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-524 aircraft, with nationality and registration marks 5N-BQQ, operated by Air Peace Limited. 

    “The incident occurred on 13 July 2025 at Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Omagwa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    “The aircraft, operating as a scheduled domestic flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt with 103 persons on board, landed long on Runway 21 after an unstabilised final approach. 

    “The aircraft touched down 2,264 metres from the runway threshold and came to a final stop 209 metres into the clearway. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no injuries were reported.

    “Initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption”.

    The statement continues: “A cabin crew member also tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis. 

    Read Also: Air Peace crew tests positive for drug, alcohol -NSIB report

    “These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation.

    “The NSIB has issued immediate safety recommendations for Air Peace Limited to strengthen crew resource management (CRM) training, particularly in handling unstabilised approaches and go-around decisions, and to reinforce internal procedures for crew fitness-for-duty monitoring before flight dispatch”.

    The Bureau while noting that the report represents early findings and is subject to further analysis, added that the final report will present detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to enhance aviation safety in Nigeria.

    Responding to the report, the airline stated that it grounded the captain involved for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and disregarding standard go-around procedures advised by the co-pilot.

     The statement by the airline reads: “Our attention has been drawn to media stories on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) currently circulating online and in the media regarding the incident involving one of our aircraft at Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.

    “We are yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol which took place in less than an hour of the incident!

    “As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, and it is important to set the record straight.

    “Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a no-no!

    “Following the incident, we took immediate and decisive action:

    The captain of the affected flight was grounded and relieved from further flight duty till date for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot but not for testing positive to breathalyser test as the result was not communicated to us by NSIB to date”.

    The statement continues: “Contrary to reports in the media, the First Officer (Co-pilot), who demonstrated professionalism in calling for a go-around to his captain, has been reinstated into active flying duties, with full approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). 

    “The NCAA cleared him. If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties.

    “However, if the relieved captain tested positive to the breathalyzer test, then we must increase the frequency of our alcohol and drug tests on our crew.

    “Again, the importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training can not be over emphasized.We will intensify strict Fitness-for-Duty checks and Stronger Internal Monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy.

    “Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implements global best practices in all aspects of its operations, and we reassure our esteemed passengers and the Nigerian public that safety will never be compromised in Air Peace”.

  • Court okays DSS’ request for accelerated trial of terror suspect, Al-Barnawi, four others

    Court okays DSS’ request for accelerated trial of terror suspect, Al-Barnawi, four others

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the request by the Department of State Services (DSS) for accelerated hearing in the ongoing trial of terror suspects, Khalid Al-Barnawi and four others accused, among others, of being behind the August 26, 2011 bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja.

    Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request while ruling on Friday on an application filed by the DSS through its lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN).

    Al- Barnawi was arrested by the DSS in April 2016 in Lokoja, Kogi State, five years after the attack on the Abuja UN building, the first of such attack on an international agency’s property in the country, which left over 20 individuals dead and over 70 others injuried.

    While moving the application on Friday, Izinyon said the request for speedy hearing was informed by the prosecution’s readiness to ensure that the case is promptly determined.

    By the application, which was not objected to by defence lawyers, parties are to watch video recordings tendered by the DSS in the ongoing trial-within-trial to prove that the defendants’ extrajudicial statements were made voluntarily.

    Read Also: Court slams lawyer to suspected terror leader Al-Barnawi, others

    The defendants had claimed they were compelled to make the statements, which informed why the court is now conducting trial-within-trial.

    The video clips will be played in the presence of the court Registar and parties will take notes after which they will return to the court on the 23rd and 24th October for continuation of trial within trial.

    The main trial had begun shortly after his arrest in 2016 in Lokoja. However, several legal and administrative issues had stalled the trial. 

    Al- Barnawi known as Kafuri/ Naziru/Alhaji Yahaya/Mallam Dauda/Alhaji Tanimu, is believed to be a founding member of Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid Da’wah Wa’l-Jihad, the Boko Haram Islamist terror group, before he became the leader (Amir) of the break-away faction, Jama’at Ansarul Muslimim Fi Biladi Sudan (JAMBS).

  • BREAKING: Resident doctors commence five-day warning strike

    BREAKING: Resident doctors commence five-day warning strike

    The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has commenced a five-day warning strike today, following the expiration of its fresh ultimatum to the Federal Government over unpaid allowances, salary arrears and unresolved welfare issues.

    The association announced the industrial action after what it described as government inaction on long-standing demands.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Resident doctors extend strike ultimatum by 24 hours

    In a message titled: “Declaration of strike action” on Friday by NARD Secretary-General, Dr. Oluwasola Odunbaku, the association confirmed the commencement of the strike.

    “Good morning, NEC Members, thank you all for your continued cooperation and understanding. As clearly stated in our earlier communique, the strike is scheduled to commence at 8:00 am today (Friday).

    “All Centre leadership is expected to guide their members accordingly. Further updates will be communicated to NEC members in due course,” he said.

    Detail shortly…

  • INEC clears ADA, 13 others to apply for registration as parties

    INEC clears ADA, 13 others to apply for registration as parties

    • Meeting kick-starts process next week

    • 157 applicants fail to scale hurdle

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given the nod to the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) and 13 other associations to apply for registration as political parties.

    Having crossed the first stage of the scrutiny, the associations, according to the electoral agency, will move to the next stage of assessment, based on the guidelines for registration.

    The leaders of the 14 associations have been invited for a meeting with INEC officials on Wednesday, thereby kick-starting the second stage of the process.

    INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, said in a statement that the associations were cleared after meeting the requirements of the law.

    He said at the second stage, their claims would be further verified before registration.

    Olumekun said of 171 associations that approached INEC for registration with their letters of intent, 157 failed to meet the requirements.

    The All Democratic Alliance (ADA) is believed to be the first platform floated by the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the coalition against ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    READ ALSO: FULL LIST: World’s best countries for high earners in 2025

    Other associations that have pre-qualified to move to the next stage are African Transformation Party (ATP), Advance Nigeria Congress (ANC), Abundance Social Party (ASP), African Alliance Party (AAP), Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and Grassroots Initiative Alliance (GRIP).

    The Green Future Party (GFP), Liberation Party’s Party (LPP), National Democratic Party (NDP), National Reform Party (NRP), Patriotic People’s Alliance (PPA) and People’s Freedom Party (PFP) also crossed the hurdle.

    Olumekun said the commission will communicate its decision to all the parties in the next 24 hours.

    The statement reads: “the commission held its regular meeting today, Thursday, September, 11. In addition to reviewing our preparations for forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the end-of-tenure Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the meeting also considered the report of its Committee on the Review of Letters of Intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

    “A total of 171 requests for registration were received. Each request was assessed on the basis of its prima facie compliance with Section 222 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 79 (1, 2 and 4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 2 (i and ii) of the commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.

     “Of the total number of applications received, 14 associations have met the requirements to proceed to the next stage while 157 have not. The commission shall officially communicate the decision arising from today’s meeting to all the associations in the next 24 hours.

     “The list of the 14 pre-qualified associations has been published on our website and other official platforms for public information.

     “The interim chairmen and secretaries of the pre-qualified associations are invited to a briefing on Wednesday, September 17 at 11am at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

     “In addition to uploading the required information to the portal, the commission will verify all claims by each association in line with our Regulations and Guidelines.

    “The final determination of their registration status as political parties will be made after verification of all their claims to determine compliance with the legal framework.

     “We wish to reiterate that party registration is a continuous process under the law. The commission remains open to the consideration of applications that meet the criteria as provided by law.”

     Currently, 18 political parties exist on the INEC list, underscoring the status of Nigeria as a multi-party state.

    The battle for the registration of more parties was led by the legal luminary, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who got the court to make a pronouncement affirming the rights of Nigerians to form more parties.

    Although ineffective or dormant parties were removed from the list in the past, following their inability to win the required number of electoral seats, agitation for the registration of more parties, in the exercise of their freedom of association and assembly, have not abated.

    From three main parties in 1999, the number increased to 50 parties at a time, before it reduced to 18.

  • Security: UK lifts red flag on Kaduna

    Security: UK lifts red flag on Kaduna

    • Ansaru leader convicted for Kuje prison’s jailbreak

    Two milestones were recorded yesterday in the security situation of the country.

    The United Kingdom (UK) government lifted its red flag on the security situation in Kaduna State, while a captured leader of an Islamic fundamentalist group was convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for the Kuje Prison’s jailbreak two years ago.

    With the movement of Kaduna from  “Red” to the “Amber” category, British citizens can now travel to the state for investment and leisure.

    UK’s   Development Director of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Cynthia Rowe, made known the decision during the signing of Mutual Accountability Framework (KaMAF) with the Kaduna State Government.

    Rowe said the state, which was classified “Red” in  2022, was moved to “Amber” due to improvements in the security situation under the Uba Sani administration.

    She said the government’s efforts to address insecurity have sent a positive signal to potential investors.

    The KaMAF agreement is designed to build on existing progress in areas such as governance, health, education and agriculture.

    READ ALSO: FULL LIST: World’s best countries for high earners in 2025

    The UK decision upholds Governor Sani position that the security situation in the state had improved tremendously under his watch.

    It is contradictory to what former Governor Nasir El-Rufai said last week that the security improvement is a farce.

    El-Rufai claimed that the state government was given money to bandits to make them stay away.

    The Sani government chided the former governor for failing to acknowledge the achievement of his successor.

    Yesterday, Governor Sani who was upbeat about the UK gesture, said the partnership had already contributed to the reduction of maternal and child mortality, improvement of healthcare access, upgrade of school infrastructure and teacher training.

    He also said more than 10 per cent of Kaduna’s 2025 budget has been earmarked for crop and livestock production.

    He expressed optimism that the new framework would accelerate development and further consolidate Kaduna’s image as a state committed to resilience and inclusive growth.

    Ansaru leader  linked to Kuje jailbreak jailed

    The Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday arraigned three individuals on two separate charges relating to offences of terrorism, kidnapping, gun running, concealment of information, among others.

    One of them, Mahmud Usman (aka Abu Bara’a/Abbas Mukhtar), a top commander of the proscribed Ansaru terrorist group, was convicted and jailed for 15 years after admitting his involvement in illegal mining and use of its proceeds to fund the purchase of arms for terrorism and kidnapping.

    The other two–   Abubakar Abba (aka Isah Adam/Mahmud Al-Nigeri)   and Huzaifa   Haruna– did not plead guilty, thus leaving Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court with no choice but to fix October 21 for their trial. 

      Abba, who is also said to be a leader of Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-linked organisation and Usman were both arraigned on a 32-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025.

    Haruna was arraigned alone on a five-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/459/2025.

    The trio, who were charged last week,  will remain in DSS custody till the trial date of October 21.

    In the charge sheet, the DSS linked Usman and Abba to the July 2022 Kuje prison break in which more than 600 inmates, including Boko Haram fighters, escaped. Some of those who escaped either returned voluntarily or were arrested.

    They were accused, among others, of being involved in the bombing of Wawa Military Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, receiving training in weapon handling in Mali and Sudan, as well as fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices(IEDs).

    The DSS equally accused them of kidnapping a Customs officer and an  Immigration Officer, who was killed while in their custody.

    The secret police alleged that the defendants collected ransom in millions of naira from the families of their victims before they were eventually arrested and charged.

    The DSS   also alleged that both defendants concealed information on terror attacks on various locations in Niger State.

    On his part, Haruna is among others, accused of “knowingly render support for the commission of acts of terrorism by providing material assistance for and transportation of Seven (7) M-16 assault rifles with serial numbers: 0700422; 24006914; 00513011; 07000135; 24007165; 07000417; and 07000822, as well as seven empty magazines in a green coloured Opel Vectra vehicle with Reg No: BSA-732-AE (Plateau).

    Haruna is also accused of possessing seven M-16 assault rifles with serial numbers: 0700422; 24006914; 00513011; 07000135; 24007165; 07000417; and 07000822, as well as seven empty magazines, without a license.

    He is equally alleged to have knowingly rendered support for the commission of acts of terrorism by providing material assistance for and transportation of five M-16 assault rifles from Dogo Village, Barkin Ladi LGA to one Wakill Julide in Wase LGA, Plateau State.

  • ADA, 13 other associations scale INEC’s first hurdle as commission disqualifies 157

    ADA, 13 other associations scale INEC’s first hurdle as commission disqualifies 157

    The letters of intent of 157 of the 171 political associations seeking to be registered as political parties failed to scale the first hurdle of the Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC). 

    The development means they failed to meet the requirements of the laws for registration as political parties. 

    The Commission said only 14 of the associations meet the requirements of the law to process to the next stage of the registration exercise, adding that it will verify all claims by the associations before being registered. 

    The All Democratic Alliance (ADA) initially believed to be the platform for the coalition against the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government is one of the associations that has been pre-qualified to advance to the next stage.

    Other associations are African Transformation Party (ATP); Advance Nigeria Congress (ANC); Abundance Social Party (ASP); African Alliance Party (AAP); Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA); Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and Grassroots Initiative Alliance (GRIP). 

    Read Also: Court jails man for stealing 35 tubers of yams in Ondo

    Others are: Green Future Party (GFP);  Liberation Party’s Party (LPP); National Democratic Party (NDP); National Reform Party (NRP); Patriotic People’s Alliance (PPA) and People’s Freedom Party (PFP). 

    A statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun said the Commission will communicate its decision to all the parties within the next 24 hours

    The statement reads: “the Commission held its regular meeting today, Thursday 11th September 2025. In addition to reviewing our preparations for forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the end-of-tenure Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the meeting also considered the report of its Committee on the Review of Letters of Intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

    “A total of 171 requests  for registration were received. Each request was assessed on the basis of its prima facie compliance with the provisions of Section 222 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 79 (1, 2 and 4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 2 (i and ii) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022. 

    “Out of the total number of applications received, 14 associations have met the requirements to proceed to the next stage while 157 have not. The Commission shall officially communicate the decision arising from today’s meeting to all the associations in the next 24 hours.

    “Meanwhile, the list of the 14 pre-qualified associations has been published on our website and other official platforms for public information.

    “The interim Chairmen and Secretaries of the pre-qualified associations are invited to a briefing on Wednesday 17th September 2025 at 11am at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja.

    “In addition to uploading the required information to the portal, the Commission will physically verify all claims by each association in line with our Regulations and Guidelines.

    “The final determination of the registrability of the associations as political parties will be made after the physical verification of all their claims to determine compliance with the legal framework.

    “We wish to reiterate that party registration is a continuous process under the law. The Commission remains open to the consideration of applications that meet the criteria as provided by law.”

  • Alleged N228.4m judgment debt: Court sends lawyer to prison

    Alleged N228.4m judgment debt: Court sends lawyer to prison

    An Abuja-based lawyer, Ridwan Abdulwahab was on Thursday ordered to be remanded in Kuje prison following his arraignment on charges bordering on perjury and defamation of character.

    Magistrate Musa Sadiq of the Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone Six, Abuja issued the order in a ruling in which he rejected an oral application for bail made by Abdulwahab’s lawyer, Kalat Jatu.

    Abdulwahab, described as the Head of Legal Department of the EcoBank in the Northern Region, was arraigned on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the police in the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

    He was accused of giving false information on oath and defaming the character of Justice Charles Agbaza of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. 

    IGP alleged that Abdulwahab deposed to an affidavit in which he gave false information in the bid to block his bank from releasing N228.4M judgment debt awarded against the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the judgment creditor, Vision Kam Jay.

    In the said deposition, Abdulwahab allegedly claimed that the writ of execution used to effect implementation of agl garnishee absolute order issued against EcoBank, ordering the release of the judgment creditor was not signed by Justice Agbaza. 

    The debt arose from a judgment got against ECOWAS by a firm, Vision Kam Jay, following a dispute over contractual disagreement.

    Read Also: Court jails man for stealing 35 tubers of yams in Ondo

    In the FIR, the IGP said the EcoBank complied with the garnishee order absolute by paying the judgment debt into the firm’s account in 2020 but the bank immediately placed a “Post No Debt” (PND) on the same account, making it impossible for the owner of the fund to access it. 

    In protest, the firm filed a direct complaint against Abdulwahab, accusing him of giving false evidence. The complaint was later referred to the Assistant Inspector General of Police AIG, Zone 7 for investigation and report. 

    In its report, the AIG Zone 7 found that contrary to the claim of the accused person, the writ of execution for garnishee absolute, was dully signed by Justice Agbaza before the court order was enforced. 

    The police found that the writ used for the enforcement of the judgment was signed by Justice Agbaza of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in compliance with orders of courts. 

    The lawyer was said to have made the false deposition in sympathy with ECOWAS and as a ploy to block the judgment creditor from accessing the fund. 

    He was then charged with perjury contrary to sections 158 and 392 of the Penal Code, laws of Northern Nigeria. 

    Abdulwahab pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him on Thursday, following which his lawyer made oral application for bail, which the prosecuting lawyer, Bale Nimnan objected to .

    Ruling, Magistrate Sadiq ordered the defence lawyer to file a formal bail application, ordered the remand of the defendant in prison and adjourned till October 7.

  • JUST IN: Resident doctors extend strike ultimatum by 24 hours

    JUST IN: Resident doctors extend strike ultimatum by 24 hours

    The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has extended by 24 hours the nationwide strike scheduled to begin today, following the expiration of its 10-day ultimatum for the Federal Government to meet its welfare demands.

    The association warned that a full-scale strike would commence if the demands were not met within the extension window.

    Read Also: FCT resident doctors commence warning strike after 7-day ultimatum

    NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, announced the decision in a text message on Thursday morning, explaining that it followed a six-hour meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC). 

    He confirmed that the extension was prompted by an engagement with the Federal Government.

    The text reads: “The Federal Government called us yesterday and promised to address our concerns.

    “We had our meeting and after a 6-hour deliberation decided to give the government the next 24 hours to ensure disbursement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to beneficiaries, for MDCN to upgrade our membership certificates and attend to our other demands.

    “If there is no payment by today (Thursday), then tomorrow (Friday), we will start the strike immediately.”

  • EFCC quizzes Kyari over  spending on refineries, others

    EFCC quizzes Kyari over  spending on refineries, others

    • Ex-GCEO: I have nothing to hide

    Former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kolo Kyari, is being probed over funding of the repair work on refineries.

    He was taken before investigators at the Abuja Headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday.

    As of 8:30pm, he had not been allowed to go, raising suspicion whether or not he was detained.

    Under investigation, according to sources at the anti-graft agency, are:

    •How the over $2 billion meant for Turn-Around Maintenance (TAM) was spent: The money, it was learnt, was made available, thus: $1.55 billion to the Port Harcourt Refinery; $740.6 million (Kaduna Refinery) and $656.9 million (Warri Refinery).

    •The contracts awarded during his tenure:

    Kyari, before submitting himself to interrogation, had always insisted he had nothing to hide.

    In a statement on his invitation, titled: “Hard questions, honest answers”, Kyari said: “I have done my part; the EFCC must do theirs. When each of us does our duty – without fear of favor, with honour, respect and commitment – Nigeria moves forward.”

    On arrival at the EFCC headquarters, his international passport was seized.

    The four state-run refineries are: Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) (2); Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC).

    They have installed capacity to produce 445,000 barrels per day (bpd)

    The two Port Harcourt refineries have a combined capacity of 210,000 barrels per day (bpd), Warri has a capacity of 125,000 bpd and Kaduna has 110,000 bpd.

    But the refineries remained non-functional for years despite several attempts to refurbish them.

    About $18 billion has been sunk into TAM since 2010 but the refineries were still in poor state.

     According to an EFCC source, Kyari was asked to “state how much was voted for TAM during his tenure, what was expended and the balance, if any.

    “Detectives were also curious to know how N4.8 trillion was incurred as operating costs on the refineries when they weren’t working.

    “The most crucial aspect of the investigation is why the refineries broke down shortly after repairs.

    Read Also: Police arrest self-proclaimed “Obi of Lagos,” foil installation ceremony

    “Some of his former top officials have refunded money to the EFCC from TAM cash. Kyari is to explain what he knew about how the slush funds came about.”

    The source said: “After the probe of TAM, Kyari will proceed to the second phase of the investigation, which is about the humongous contracts awarded during his tenure.

    “So far, we have seized his international passport to limit his movement to the country in the course of investigation.”

    TAM has been a major money pit of NNPC in the last three years, in particular.

    On June 24, 2022, the Federal Executive Council awarded Maintenance Services for Quick Fix Repairs of Warri Refinery to Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited at $497, 328, 500.

    The contract was different from the 2017 job award to Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited for Tech Plant Survey of Warri and Kaduna Refineries at 2, 025, 000.32 Euros.

    The rehabilitation of the Kaduna Refinery and Petro-Chemical Company (KRPC) had, in the past 10 years, gulped N2.26 billion.

    The NNPCL approved a renovation deal with Daewoo Engineering and Construction Limited to renovate Kaduna Refinery in February 2023 to restore the refinery to production of 110,000 barrels of petrol per day and at least 60 per cent capacity by early last year.

    Kyari was appointed NNPCL GCEO in 2019 and served till April 2, when his appointment was terminated.

     On August 28, Kyari’s successor, Bayo Ojulari, said Nigeria lost between $300 million and $500 million monthly while the Port Harcourt Refinery was operating.

    He said: “When I resumed, one of the first priorities I focused on was the refinery. I did a quick review to see if we could quickly fix it. What I found is that we were losing between $300 million to $500 million on a monthly basis in the refinery.

    “We were pumping about 50,000 barrels of crude to go into the refinery. What was coming out was less than 40 per cent equivalent of what was coming in.”

    Ojulari spoke in his Abuja office when he met with the leadership of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

    After years of being in comatose, the NNPCL restarted the Port Harcourt Refinery in November, 2024. Kyari announced the reopening of the facility to a huge applause by Nigerians, but the operation was halted in May, barely one month after Ojulari’s resumption.

    Ojulari said he halted the operation of the refinery to prevent further losses, and work towards a sustainable arrangement.

    Ojulari explained: “The first thing we said was rather than continue to lose, let’s quickly stop and look for a way to put this refinery into a sustainably profitable venture.”

    He said the NNPCL was working to revive the moribund refineries to operate at full capacity by adopting the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) model (Public, Private, Partnership), which PENGASSAN advocated during the meeting.

    The NNPCL chief said talks were on to find a viable solution to the refining crisis, ensuring the refineries become a sustainably profitable venture.

    He said the national oil company had concluded a technical review for the three refineries, pointing out that the long term neglect and lack of maintenance were major reasons behind the huge losses recorded monthly, despite the huge investments to make them work.

    The NNPCL chief, who explained that a lot of money has been spent on the refineries, admitted that it has been challenging to translate those funds into profitability.

    He likened the situation of the refineries to parking an old car for some time without any greasing and oiling. He added that the Port Harcourt Refinery has been difficult to put back because of years of neglect and it’s been difficult: when you fix one thing, the other thing is still there.

  • Tinubu, Macron agree on stronger partnership

    Tinubu, Macron agree on stronger partnership

    Nigeria and France have agreed to a stronger partnership for shared prosperity.

    The two nations struck the deal during a “production lunch” at Élysée Palace by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Emmanuel Macron.

    President Tinubu, who is on a 10-day working vacation in Europe made this agreement known through his verified X Handle @officialABAT.

    He wrote: “Had a productive lunch with President Emmanuel Macron today(yesterday) at the Élysée Palace. We reviewed key areas of cooperation between Nigeria and France and agreed to deepen our partnership for mutual prosperity and global stability.”

    Read Also: Tinubu orders further crash in food prices

    The meeting underscores Tinubu’s continued diplomatic outreach during his time away from Abuja, with an emphasis on consolidating Nigeria’s strategic partnerships with France, one of its longstanding allies in trade, security, and development.

    The Élysée Palace meeting adds to a growing record of high-level engagements between the two countries, which have in recent years broadened cooperation in energy, counterterrorism, climate action  and investment promotion.