Economy
Okutepa, Ananaba Differ on NFIU Ban on Cash Withdrawals from Govt Accounts
By Adedapo Adesanya, Dipo Olowookere
Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Mr Jibrin Okutepa and Mr Paul Ananaba, have expressed different opinions on the recent ban on cash withdrawals from government accounts by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
While speaking on the flagship breakfast show on Channels Television, Sunrise Daily, monitored by Business Post on Friday, Mr Okutepa said he supports the ban because it would help in tracking government spending.
However, in his opinion, Mr Ananaba argued that the NFIU does not have the power to restrict the state and local governments from having access to their funds, either through cashless or otherwise.
“The NFIU does not have the powers to enforce such except it works with other agencies; standing alone, NFIU ought not to have made that statement; it should have been a joint statement [with other agencies like the EFCC, CBN],” the legal luminary said.
On Thursday, while addressing reporters, the chief executive of NFIU, Mr Moddibo Tukur, explained that from March 1, 2023, the new policy would become effective, noting that it was to curb the rate at which monies were withdrawn from public accounts in total disregard to the money laundering laws, and also to reduce corruption in public service.
He warned that any government official that withdraws cash from public accounts would risk investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the NFIU.
“The NFIU had told banks and government agencies at all levels to go fully digital by moving online, as all transactions involving public money must be routed through the banks for the purpose of accountability and transparency.
“This is not reversible as we are only enforcing the law. As far as we are concerned, Nigeria will become a full non-cash economy by March 1, 2023, this year.
“As a consequence, any government official that withdraws even one naira cash from any public account from March 1 will be investigated and prosecuted in collaboration with relevant agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and Nigeria Police Force (NPF),” he declared.
Mr Okutepa, while commenting, said the organisation has the power to carry out this function.
“I support the position and enforcement of the provisions of the Act that set them up in order to prevent money laundering.
“I agree that no government officials should be allowed, including Governors, Ministers, presidential aides, the President himself should not be allowed to withdraw huge amounts of money,” the legal practitioner submitted.
Mr Okutepa noted that if this policy is religiously enforced, it will curb corruption, especially funds withdrawn by state governors through security votes.
“For instance, you talk about this particular thing called security votes; there is a lot of money being withdrawn under the guise of security votes, and yet, we are in a state where [we have serious security threats], and people are afraid to go to their villages,” he said.
“My fear about this law is not the intention but the ability to follow through.
“From the point of law, looking at the provisions of the law that set up the NFIU, particularly Section 1 that talked about its aims and objectives, Section 2 that created the act and Section 3 that set out the functions, [it has the power to carry out this policy].
But Mr Ananaba said, putting sentiment aside, the NFIU cannot enforce the policy alone because it has limited powers to do so.
“You want to go cashless, but does NFIU have the capacity or guarantee that the country has the technology for a totally cashless society from March 1?” he queried.
“I would have expected that the CBN and other financial institutions would be part of a coalition that will bring this to pass,” he submitted.
Speaking further, he asked, “On what basis will the NFIU give directives to states? What happens when things go wrong [and the states challenge or go against the policy]?”
“My point is that NFIU cannot go outside the laws setting it up in 20218; it does not give it the powers to regulate cash withdraw,” he emphasised
By Adedapo Adesanya
Dangote Petroleum Refinery imported a total of $3.74 billion) worth of crude oil in 2025, to make up for shortfalls that threatened the plant’s 650,000-barrel-a-day operational capacity.
The data disclosed in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Balance of Payments report noted that “Crude oil imports of $3.74 billion by Dangote Refinery” contributed to movements in the country’s current account position, as Nigeria imported crude oil worth N5.734 trillion between January and December 2025.
Last year, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), which is the refinery’s main trade partner and minority stakeholder, faced its challenges, the company had to forge alternative supply links. This led to the importation of crude from Brazil, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Algeria, and the US, among others.
For instance, in March 2025, the company said it now counts Brazil and Equatorial Guinea among its global oil suppliers, receiving up to 1 million barrels of the medium-sweet grade Tupi crude at the refinery on March 26 from Brazil’s Petrobras.
Meanwhile, crude oil exports dropped from $36.85 billion in 2024 to $31.54 billion in 2025, representing a 14.41 per cent decline, further shaping the external balance.
The report added that the refinery’s operations also reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel, noting that “availability of refined petroleum products from Dangote Refinery also led to a substantial decline in fuel imports.”
Specifically, refined petroleum product imports fell sharply to $10.00 billion in 2025 from $14.06 billion in 2024, representing a 28.9 per cent decline, while total oil-related imports also eased.
However, this was offset by a rise in non-oil imports, which increased from $25.74 billion to $29.24 billion, up 13.6 per cent year-on-year, reflecting sustained demand for foreign goods.
At the same time, the goods account remained in surplus at $14.51 billion in 2025, rising from $13.17 billion in 2024, supported largely by activities linked to the Dangote refinery and improved export performance in other segments.
The CBN stated that the stronger goods balance was driven by “significant export of refined petroleum products worth $5.85bn by Dangote Refinery,” alongside increased gas exports to other economies.
Nigeria posted a current account surplus of $14.04 billion in 2025, lower than the $19.03 billion recorded in 2024 but significantly higher than $6.42 billion in 2023. The decline from 2024 was driven partly by structural changes in oil trade flows, including crude imports for domestic refining, according to the report.
Pressure on the current account came from higher external payments. Net outflows for services rose from $13.36 billion in 2024 to $14.58 billion in 2025, driven by increased spending on transport, travel, insurance, and other services.
Similarly, net outflows in the primary income account surged by 60.88 per cent to $9.09 billion, largely due to higher dividend and interest payments to foreign investors.
In contrast, secondary income inflows declined slightly from $24.88 billion in 2024 to $23.20 billion in 2025, as official development assistance and personal transfers weakened, although remittances remained a key source of inflow, as domestic refineries grappled with persistent feedstock shortages, exposing a deepening supply paradox in the country’s oil sector.
This comes despite the Federal Government’s much-publicised naira-for-crude policy designed to prioritise local supply.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
An application has been submitted by Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc for its proposed N5.0 billion rights issue.
The application was sent to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, and it is for approval to list shares from the exercise when issued to qualifying shareholders.
A notice signed by the Head of Issuer Regulation Department of the exchange, Mr Godstime Iwenekhai, disclosed that the request was filed on behalf of the underwriting firm by its stockbrokers, Cordros Securities Limited, Dynamic Portfolio Limited and Cedar of Lebanon Securities.
The company intends to raise about N5.022 billion from the rights issue to boost its capital base, as demanded by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) for insurers in the country.
Sovereign Trust Insurance plans to issue 2,510,848,144 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N2.00 per share on the basis of three new ordinary shares for every 17 existing ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
“Trading license holders are hereby notified that Sovereign Trust Insurance has through its stockbrokers, Cordros Securities Limited, Dynamic Portfolio Limited and Cedar of Lebanon Securities, submitted an application to Nigerian Exchange Limited for the approval and listing of a rights issue of 2,510,848,144 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N2.00 per share on the basis of three new ordinary shares for every 17 existing ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Tuesday, March 17, 2026,” the notification read.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Food Concepts Plc, the parent company of fast food brands like Chicken Republic and PieXpress, has disclosed plans to pay 10 Kobo in interim dividend to new and existing shareholders for the 2026 financial year.
This was disclosed by the company in a notice to the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange, where it trades its securities.
The notice indicated that the proposed interim dividend, which comes with no bonus, will be paid to those who hold the stocks of the company as of the qualification date for the dividend, which was Tuesday, March 24.
This means only those who hold the company’s shares as of the closing session will be eligible to receive the stipulated dividend payment.
The shareholders of the company will be credited with the 10 Kobo dividend on Tuesday, March 31.
The notice noted that the closure of the company’s register will be on Wednesday, March 25, through Friday, March 27, 2026, both days inclusive.
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