By Dipo Olowookere

Efforts are being made to ensure the throughput of Ellah Lakes Plc is increased to deliver long-term value for shareholders, the chief executive of the organisation, Mr Chuka Mordi, has said.

Mr Mordi was reacting to the audited 17-month financial statements of the firm ended December 31, 2025, as it transitions to a December financial year-end to enhance comparability with industry peers.

This action is also to strengthen reporting discipline and align financial reporting with the agricultural operating cycle, from planting through harvest and processing, providing a more accurate reflection of the company’s operational performance.

In the period under review, Ellah Lakes recorded N146.66 million in revenue, driven by initial harvests and sales of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs), with the cash flows supporting operational stability as larger assets continue to mature.

However, the company suffered an operating loss of N3.84 billion, as the earnings per share (EPS) closed with a N1 loss.

Between July 2024 and December 2025, the organisation achieved a key operational milestone, with the commissioning of its upgraded 5-tonnes-per-hour crude palm oil mill in July 2025, strengthening its ability to process output internally and capture more value across its palm oil value chain as plantation maturity improves.

Also, it planted 17,000 seedlings and maintained 47,000 seedlings in the nursery, as part of a broader planting programme, supporting Ellah Lakes’ medium-term production pipeline and providing a stronger foundation for future output as more hectares move into productive phases.

“The 17-month period marks an important transition for Ellah Lakes as we progress from asset development into early-stage commercial operations.

“During the period, we commissioned our upgraded crude palm oil mill, advanced plantation development, and commenced pig farming activities, marking the beginning of revenue generation across our core value chains.

“While our reported results reflect the cost of expansion, start-up activities and non-recurring transaction-related expenses, they also establish the operational foundation required to scale the business.

“Our focus now is on improving yields from maturing plantations, increasing processing throughput, and driving greater efficiency across our operations. We remain committed to disciplined execution and capital stewardship as we work towards translating our asset base into stronger operating performance and long-term value for shareholders,” Mr Mordi stated.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered an immediate asset freeze on 13 entities allegedly linked to terrorism financing across the capital market.

A directive titled Commission’s sweeping compliance directive issued to capital market operators noted that the move was after the 10 individuals and three entities were designated and blacklisted on the Nigeria Sanctions List by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee.

The commission anchored its directive on provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which mandates the immediate freezing of all funds, assets, and economic resources linked to the named persons and organisations without prior notice.

The SEC stated that all Capital Market Operators (CMOs) and stakeholders have been notified that, pursuant to section 49 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Nigeria Sanctions Committee has approved the addition of entries and entities subject to asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo.

“The directive to free accounts and halt all transactions with the flagged entities is binding on all capital market operators and stakeholders, with strict reporting and compliance obligations, including: immediate identification and freezing of all assets linked to designated individuals and entities without prior notification. Mandatory reporting of frozen assets and attempted transactions to the Nigeria Sanctions Committee Secretariat.”

Details accompanying the designation reveal that several of the individuals were convicted by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal in April 2019 for terrorism financing activities linked to Boko Haram.

The offences largely involved the alleged collection of funds in Dubai and transferring them to Nigeria to support terrorist operations. Sentences ranged from 10 years imprisonment to life sentences, underscoring the severity of the offences.

“This highlights a pattern where corporate vehicles are used as channels for financial flows, reinforcing the need for heightened scrutiny of business entities within the financial system.

“The SEC also emphasised that the asset-freezing mechanism is preventive rather than punitive, designed to disrupt financial support systems for terrorism before funds can be deployed.

“The implications for non-compliance are severe, including both civil and criminal liabilities, as well as reputational damage for institutions found wanting.

Additionally, the directive extends beyond traditional financial institutions to include Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), signalling a more comprehensive enforcement approach across Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.”

The latest alert, SEC noted, is in line with its zero-tolerance enforcement of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) rules within Nigeria’s capital market, with emphasis on real-time compliance, detailed reporting, and continuous transaction monitoring.

“For market operators, the trading systems must be capable of rapid name screening, asset tracing, and reporting, while compliance teams are expected to act without delay or prior notice to affected clients.”

“It has to be noted that failure to comply not only exposes firms to regulatory sanctions but also risks damaging their credibility in both domestic and international markets,” the statement added.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of State for Industry, Mr John Enoh, has tasked the Dangote Sugar Refinery to reach a production capacity of 600,000 metric tonnes (MT) per annum by 2030.

Speaking during a recent visit to the company’s complex in Numan, Adamawa State, Mr Enoh, who was accompanied by the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council, (NSDC), Mr Kamar Bakrinv, said he was at the sugar refiner as part of ongoing inspections of sugar projects nationwide, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to accelerate Nigeria’s attainment of self-sufficiency in sugar production.

He said the country’s annual sugar consumption stood at about 1.8 million metric tonnes, far above current local production levels, noting that as a leading operator in the sector, Dangote Sugar must contribute significantly to bridging the supply gap.

“DSR is a very big player in the industry. Our circumstances in this sector will continue to depend on what DSR does.

“The company must deliver at least 600,000 metric tonnes annually by 2030 and sustain the output thereafter,” he said.

He commended the council for its role in driving the implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan, noting that collaboration among stakeholders remained critical.

“I have lost count of the number of times Mr President has spoken about the development of the sugar industry at Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings,” he said.

The Minister described the infrastructure and level of investment at the Numan facility as evidence of commitment to the Backward Integration Programme.

He, however, stressed the need to accelerate efforts to meet national targets, assuring that the government will support operators to overcome existing challenges.

“We are aware that there are issues, including access to affordable long-term finance. Government is ready to work with stakeholders to address them,” he said.

Mr Enoh added that scaling up production was essential to meeting national expectations and reducing dependence on imports.

He said the programme had created employment opportunities and added value through local processing of sugarcane.

On his part, the Vice President of the Dangote Group, Mr Olakunle Alake, assured the minister of the company’s commitment to expand production capacity.

He said the firm would invest more resources to meet the 600,000 metric tonnes target by 2030.

The minister and his team inspected the new 6,000 tonnes-per-day factory expansion site, as well as harvest fields, mills and processing facilities during the visit.

The inspection also covered haulage systems, boilers, turbines and sugar bagging operations at the warehouse.

The NSMP was launched to achieve self-sufficiency, reduce reliance on imported sugar, and bridge the massive gap between local production and the national consumption rate of approximately 1.8 million metric tonnes annually.