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Court Bars Reps From Summoning 17 Insurance CEOs Over Alleged Debt

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order restraining the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the House Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, and two of its members from compelling the appearance of Chief Executives/Managing Directors of 17 insurance companies at its scheduled hearing session, over debt allegations.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the interlocutory order, on August 18 following an application filed by the insurers who are members of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA).

The application brought by their counsel, Mr Taiwo Osipitan, sought to stop the House committee from enforcing various letters directing the Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors of the companies to appear before the lawmakers on July 21, 2025 or any subsequent date pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The suit arose after reports that the House of Representatives commenced an investigation into 25 insurers over alleged non-remittance of multibillion-Naira revenue allegedly owed to the federal government.

Through their Counsel, the insurers, however, argued that their activities are already regulated by statutory agencies of the Executive arm of government, namely the National Insurance Commission, Corporate Affairs Commission, and Federal Inland Revenue Service—and that the National Assembly lacks constitutional powers to scrutinize their operational documents or alleged indebtedness to the federal government.

They contended that the July 3rd summons requiring them to submit operational records was aimed at recovering N98.4 billion, allegedly owed to the Federal Government, which falls outside the legislature’s oversight mandate and amounts to an unlawful usurpation of executive powers.

The plaintiffs in the suit are Regency Alliance Plc, Coronation Insurance Plc, Linkage Assurance Plc, Guinea Insurance Plc, Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc, LASACO Plc, Universal Insurance Plc, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Alico Insurance Plc, AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, NEM Insurance Plc, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, International Energy Insurance Plc, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, SUNU Assurances Nigeria Plc, and Staco Insurance Plc.

The defendants are the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, a member of the Committee, Mr  Kwamoti Laori, as well as the the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Bob Solomon.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite observed that none of the defendants filed any process or appeared for defence to the application.

The judge noted that once a party has been given the opportunity to be heard but fails to respond, such a party cannot claim to have been denied fair hearing.

In granting the interlocutory injunction, Justice Nwite restrained the defendants, their agents, or representatives from taking any steps or compelling the Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors to attend the committee’s meeting/hearing slated for July 21 or for any subsequent date, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The court subsequently adjourned to September 9, 2025, for hearing of the substantive suit.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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NGIC Pipeline Network to Experience 4-Day Gas Supply Shortage

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NGIC Pipeline Network

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The pipeline network of the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC) will witness a temporary reduction in gas supply for four days.

This information was revealed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr Andy Odeh, in a statement on Thursday night.

A key supplier of gas into the NGIC pipeline network is Seplat Energy Plc, a joint venture partner of the state-owned oil agency.

It was disclosed that the facility would undergo routine maintenance from Thursday. February 12 to Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The NNPC stated that, “This planned activity forms part of standard industry safety and asset integrity protocols designed to ensure the continued reliability, efficiency, and safe operation of critical gas infrastructure.”

“Periodic maintenance of this nature is essential to sustain optimal system performance, strengthen operational resilience, and minimise the risk of unplanned outages,” it added.

“During the four-day maintenance period, there will be a temporary reduction in gas supply into the NGIC pipeline network. As a result, some power generation companies reliant on this supply may experience reduced gas availability, which could modestly impact electricity generation levels within the timeframe.

“NNPC Ltd and Seplat Energy are working closely to ensure that the maintenance is executed safely and completed as scheduled. In parallel, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) is engaging alternative gas suppliers to mitigate anticipated supply gaps and maintain stability across the network,” the statement further said.

“Upon completion of the maintenance exercise, full gas supply into the NGIC system is expected to resume promptly, enabling affected power generation companies to return to normal operations,” it concluded.

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Judge Withdraws from EFCC Cases Against Former AGF Malami

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Abubakar Malami Assets Recovery Campaign

By Adedapo Adesanya

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has recused himself from the two cases involving the former Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr Egwuatu was recently reassigned the cases by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and he disclosed that he withdrew for personal reasons and in the interest of justice.

The cases against Mr Malami were formerly before Justice Emeka Nwite of the same court, who was a vacation judge during the festive season.

Mr Egwuatu’s recusal comes after the civil suit for the forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Mr Malami was called for mention.

The former AGF, his wife, and son are facing a 16-count money laundering charge. They were granted bail on January 7 in the sum of N500 million with two sureties by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Nwite stated that the sureties must have landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, and Gwarinpa.

The judge added that the trio must submit their travel documents to the court.

The former Minister of Justice is facing a fresh persecution over the arms and ammunition found in his house by the Department of State Service (DSS). The arms were reportedly uncovered at his Kebbi country home by the operatives of the EFCC during a search.

The anti-graft agency handed the weapon to the secret police for a comprehensive probe, citing a lack of constitutional authority to investigate the possession.

Similarly, the former AGF was accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were brought to his office as the AGF in the last administration for prosecution. Alongside his son, the lawyer was accused by the DSS of engaging in conduct in preparation to commit an act of terrorism by having in their possession and without a licence, a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 Cartridges.

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NLNG Says Low-Risk Key to Unlocking Value in Nigeria’s Gas Industry

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By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria LNG (NLNG) has reaffirmed that a well-structured, low-risk approach in Nigeria’s energy sector is essential to unlocking investments, accelerating economic development and strengthening energy security.

NLNG’s General Manager, Production, Mr Nnamdi Anowi, said this at a panel session titled De-Risking Investments in African Oil and Gas Projects during the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) in Lagos, noting that when oil and gas projects are perceived as too risky, investors tend to withdraw, leading to stalled projects, job losses, and missed revenue opportunities critical for national growth.

According to a statement by Mrs Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, he stated that reducing risks in oil and gas projects, beyond being a business strategy, was a matter of national importance for Nigeria’s economy, energy security, and long-term development.

He further explained that for NLNG, lowering risk means keeping gas flowing reliably, meeting long-term contracts, and ensuring the company remains a trusted supplier to global and domestic markets.

He said this will allow investors to fund projects at a lower cost, which ultimately benefits both companies and the country.

Mr Anowi also highlighted the importance of good infrastructure, local skills, and modern technology in reducing everyday operational risks.

He said that when pipelines, processing facilities, and digital systems work well, projects are safer, cheaper to run, and more reliable over time.

“If we reduce risk the right way and work together, investment will come; the next decade must focus on growing proven, bankable projects that deliver real value to the country, ” he further said.

In his closing remarks, Mr Anowi noted that Africa and Nigeria in particular are investable when risks are planned for and managed carefully, not ignored.

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