General
Reps to Amend PIA Liability on Host Communities
By Adedapo Adesanya
The House of Representatives Committee on Host Committees has assured of speedy amendment to section 257 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 which puts the responsibility of securing oil and gas infrastructure on host communities.
Business Post reports that Section 257 (2) and (3) of the PIA state that “Where in any year, an act of vandalism, sabotage or other civil unrest occurs that causes damage to petroleum and designated facilities or disrupts production activities within the host communities, the community shall forfeit its entitlement. The basis for computation of the trust fund in any year shall always exclude the cost of repairs of damaged facilities attributable to any act of vandalism, sabotage or other civil unrest.”
This was one of the resolutions at the opening of a two-day Technical Session on 3 per cent Opex Funding for Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs) organized by Spaces for Change in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Monday.
The Chairman of the House of Reps Committee on Host Communities, Mr Dumnamene Dekor, said host communities should not be held liable for vandalism, as they do not have the security architecture to protect oil and gas facilities.
“We are working towards amending that section (section 257) of the PIA. Host communities should not be held liable for vandalized oil facilities, that is the position of the Committee.
“It is one of the gaps in the Act and as a committee, we are going to take that up, so that the amendment will be done.”
The Reps Committee also urged settlors (oil operators) who were yet to fund their HCDTs to begin the funding, assuring that no host community will be shortchanged in the PIA implementation.
“Communities may not have been shortchanged, but where they have been shortchanged, we will make sure that doesn’t happen. The implementation of the HCDT aspect of the PIA is quite slow, but I am also sure that the companies are aware that there are penalties for non-implementation.
“Some communities are also part of the problem, there are so many litigations in some communities hindering the implementation of the HCDT, and in that case, you can’t hold the settlor responsible.
“We call on the host communities, the Board of HCDTs and the settlors, to ensure the PIA is implemented and there is real-time development in host communities and that is what we stand for, but the companies must also live up to its responsibilities to ensure that where an HCDT has been put in place, they should go ahead and fund.”
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Spaces for Change, Mrs Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, said the technical session was imperative to evaluate the progress on the 3 per cent Opex remittance to host communities.
Mrs Ibezim-Ohaeri recalled that the PIA requires companies to remit 3 per cent of the operating cost of the previous year to HCDT for the socio-economic development of the host communities.
“Since the PIA is now a law, so we are engaging host communities to see if they are receiving the remittances, and also understand how the remittances are determined and how they are being applied in the community.
“HCDTs that have been implemented jumped by over 100 after our technical session in 2023, and there has been substantial compliance.
“However, we are not just going to relax because oil companies have begun setting up HCDTs, because it’s not only by setting up the Trust but funding it and ensuring the funds get to the target developmental projects across the communities.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Police Command is investigating the delivery of a parcel containing live ammunition delivered to the managing director of First Bank Nigeria, Mr Oluwasegun Alebiosu.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, Mr Tijani Fatai, confirmed the incident on Tuesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters.
He said Mr Alebiosu reported the case on May 7, noting that two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were sent to him through a parcel.
“The managing director reported the matter to the police after a package containing two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition was delivered on his behalf by his security guard at his residence. The case is still under investigation, and we are treating it with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
According to him, the parcel was first received by the bank chief’s security guard, who then handed it over to him.
The police commissioner said that operatives have launched an investigation, including forensic analysis and intelligence work, to identify the perpetrators and the circumstances of the incident.
He added that no suspect linked to the crime has been brought into custody.
“Presently, no suspect is in custody. Even though the MD has mentioned some people whom he suspected of being the brains behind it, that is his suspicion, anyway. We are still working on it,” he said.
Mr Fatai noted that detectives are reviewing information provided by the complainant, including details of individuals who may have relevant knowledge of the incident.
He assured the public that the command would keep them informed as the investigations go on, adding that the public should allow the police to carry out their duties.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has approved the declaration of a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas of the state, as part of measures targeted at tackling insecurity.
According to a memo issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Musibau Babatunde, the curfew takes effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
The movement restriction, between 4 pm and 8 am, lasts for 48 hours in the first instance and affects local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park.
The affected local councils are Oriire local government (Headquarters: Ikoyi-Ile), Orelope (Headquarters: Igboho), Irepo (Headquarters: Kisi), Saki West (Headquarters: Saki), Saki East (Hq Ago-Amodu), Atisbo (Headquarters: Tede / Ago-Are), Itesiwaju (Headquarters: Otu), Iseyin (Headquarters: Iseyin), Olorunsogo (Headquarters: Igbeti), and Atiba (Headquarters: Offa-Meta, Oyo).
The development followed a series of protests that rocked the state over the abduction of children and teachers in the Orire Local Government Area in May.
The National Coordinator of the movement, Mr Juwon Sanyaolu, who spoke during the latest protest held on Monday, said the demonstration was part of ongoing efforts by the group to push for the freedom of the victims.
According to him, the protest “is a continuation of actions the organisation has embarked upon since the abduction of children and teachers” in the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May.”
“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their rooms and offices while innocent 46 students and their teachers are languishing in the kidnappers’ den.
“We are demanding freedom for all captives in the North, South, West, and East of Nigeria,” Mr Sanyaolu said.
He also criticised political leaders for focusing on preparations for the 2027 elections while insecurity continues to threaten the lives of Nigerians.
“We will not be sitting until 2027. By that time, we won’t even know how many will be alive.
“So that is why we are at the heart of Ibadan in Oyo State, where the abduction took place. The state and federal governments must act, or they will continue to witness mass action,” he added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Department of State Services (DSS) has closed its case against former Kaduna State Governor, Mr Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
At the resumed sitting on Tuesday, prosecuting counsel, Mr Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling further witnesses in the matter, prompting the formal closure of the DSS case.
Following the development, defence counsel, Mr Paul Erokoro, told the court that the defence intends to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution has failed to establish sufficient evidence against the former governor.
The defence subsequently sought two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution requested two weeks to respond.
The defence also applied for a variation of some of the bail conditions earlier granted to El-Rufai, describing them as stringent and difficult to meet.
They argued that the bail terms were too stringent, particularly the requirements for level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro, as well as verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna state traditional council.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, insisting that qualified public officers who meet the conditions exist and urging the court to refuse the application.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the request to vary the bail conditions, ruling that there are civil servants who own properties at the said location.
The court, however, adjourned to September 22 for the filing of the no-case submission and continuation of the trial.
In February, the federal government filed a three-count charge against the former governor of Kaduna State over an alleged interception of communications belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Nuhu Ribadu.
In a television interview, he confessed that he and other unnamed individuals listened to conversations from Mr Ribadu’s phone after it was tapped by a third party. While acknowledging that such interception is technically unlawful, he argued that illegal surveillance was not unusual.
However, the FG, through the secret police, filed charges against Mr El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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