Economy
US Seeks Reopening Nigeria’s Controversial OPL 245 Case Against Shell, Eni
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United States is pushing for the reopening of an investigation against multinational oil companies Shell and Eni in Nigeria regarding their 2011 purchase of the rights to the controversial Oil Prospecting License (OPL) 245.
OPL 245 is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most lucrative oilfields and has seen a fierce battle over it and it appears the issue might not be over as the US House of Representatives through the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) wants to stir the waters again.
In a petition to Mr Merrick Garland, Attorney General of the US, the lower house is urging the reopening of the investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The House stated that “available evidence implicates both companies in a scheme that resulted in the payment of $1.1 billion in bribes to Nigerian government officials, including then-President Goodluck Jonathan”.
“Shell and Eni, both registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continue to profit from the deal in violation of the FCPA,” read the letter dated May 8, 2024 and signed by Representative Maxine Waters of the Committee on Financial Services, and Representative Joyce Beatty of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions
The House maintained, in the letter, that “allegations of corruption surrounding OPL 245 began in 1998, when Dan Etete, a convicted money launderer and Nigeria’s former Oil Minister during the military dictatorship of General Sani Abacha, awarded the OPL 245 license to Malabu Oil and Gas, a company whose principal shareholders were revealed to be Etete himself and the son of General Abacha”.
The rights to OPL 245, according to the petition from Congress, continued to be marred with corruption and in 2000, Malabu’s share registry was changed to reflect a 505 shareholding by Pecos Energy, a company secretly controlled by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Vice President, Mr Atiku Abubakar.
The letter stated that Malabu’s license was revoked in 2001 but restored in 2006, with evidence suggesting that bribes were paid to then-Attorney General, Mr Bayo Ojo, who played a key role in that decision.
The House alleged that Shell and Eni then purchased the license from Malabu in 2011 for $1.3 billion with the knowledge that a portion of the proceeds would be used to bribe numerous Nigerian officials. It added that hundreds of millions of Dollars passed through various Nigerian shell companies linked to Mr Aliyu Abubakar, a scandalous businessman.
“Then-President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have pocketed some $200 million from the sale, and the former Attorney General involved in the 2006 reinstatement of Malabu’s license also purportedly received a sizeable payout
“Other funds would later be traced to the purchase of real estate in the US, Dubai, Brazil, and Switzerland, as well as luxury vehicles and gems,” the House petition also read.
In further urging the re-opening of the case, the House stated that the harm to the Nigerian people would continue to be felt beyond the immediate payment of bribes, with experts alleging that the country lost $6 billion in estimated future revenue – double the size of Nigeria’s annual health and education budget.
According to the petition, in 2013, there was sufficient evidence for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the money laundering investigation into the deal, which was followed by an FCPA investigation. In 2019, the DOJ notified Eni that the US had closed the inquiries in light of Italy’s prosecution of the case, yet it noted that the file could be reopened if circumstances changed.
The House noted that Shell and Eni were subsequently acquitted by the Italian court yet the companies “continue to profit from their exploitation of the OPL 245 deal.”
“The United States has consistently demonstrated global leadership in the fight against foreign bribery, with the FCPA swerving as model legislation for countries around the world.
“The reopening of the case would further illustrate the US commitment “to aggressively pursue foreign bribery cases,” as stated in the U.S. Strategy on Countering Corruption and reaffirm its pledge to fully implement the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.
“We urge you to leverage this portent anti-corruption law to address the issues in the case and to send a powerful message that the United States stands vigilant in its pursuit of corporate crime around the globe,” the House petition to the Attorney General further read.
Economy
NASD OTC Bourse Climbs 0.75% as Gainers Dominate Trading
By Adedapo Adesanya
Four price gainers buoyed the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange by 0.75 per cent on Thursday, March 26.
During the session, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc gained N8.87 to sell at N110.00 per unit compared with the previous day’s N101.13 per unit, Golden Capital Plc rose by 63 Kobo to N13.00 per share from N12.37 per share, Geo-Fluids Plc appreciated by 29 Kobo to N3.18 per unit from N2.89 per unit, and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc increased by 2 Kobo to 52 Kobo per share from 50 Kobo per share.
As a result, the market capitalisation added N18.91 billion to close at N2.531 trillion versus the previous session’s N2.512 trillion, and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) grew by 31.61 points to 4,230.46 points from 4,198.85 points.
The volume of securities went down by 84.4 per cent to 342,825 units from 2.2 million units, the value of securities decreased by 50.7 per cent to N23.0 million from N46.7 million, and the number of deals shrank by 27.0 per cent to 27 deals from 37 deals.
Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc remained the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 39.3 million units sold for N2.4 billion, followed by Infrastructure Guarantee Credit Plc with 400 million units valued at N1.2 billion, and Okitipupa Plc with 6.5 million units traded for N1.2 billion.
Resourcery Plc was the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 1.1 billion units worth N415.7 million, followed by Infrastructure Credit Plc with 400 million units exchanged for N1.2 billion, and Geo-Fluids Plc with 133.0 million units transacted for N511.1 million.
Economy
FRTX Web Review: A Research-Based Look at the Platform, Website, and Licensing
After spending time reviewing the FRTX website, its platform pages, and the company’s public disclosures, my impression is that FRTX is trying to present itself not just as a brokerage brand with a landing page, but as a structured trading service built around a browser-based platform, analytics, onboarding flow, and client support. That matters because with newer financial brands, the real question is rarely whether the homepage looks polished. The real question is whether the service has enough visible structure behind the branding to feel like an actual operating environment rather than a marketing shell. In FRTX’s case, there is enough public material on the site to form a practical first impression.

The platform itself is clearly one of the central selling points. FRTX Web is presented as a modern browser terminal for CFD trading, designed to work without mandatory downloads or long setup. The site emphasizes direct browser access, desktop and mobile usability, a quick trading panel, real-time quotes in the order book, MarketCheese forecasts, a MarketCheese economic calendar, and built-in indicators for market analysis in the mobile version. From a product-review perspective, that is a sensible combination. It tells me the company understands that many users want access, analysis, and execution in one place without installing heavy software first.

What also stood out to me is that FRTX is not positioning the platform as a bare terminal. The broader website connects the trading interface to supporting sections such as Analytical Tools, Trading Ideas, the Economic Calendar, Tutorials, News and Views, FAQ, and Online Support. In practice, that gives the impression of a service trying to build a full client environment rather than relying on the terminal alone to do all the work. From a reviewer’s standpoint, that is usually a better sign than when a broker has a flashy login page but very little else around it.
Another point in favor of the platform narrative is that FRTX does not present the terminal in isolation. The website ties the platform to a broader analytical environment. On the Analytical tools page, FRTX describes its Chart tool as a space to build lines and levels, use indicators, and analyze market behavior. The same section includes Market watch, described as a widget for tracking grouped instruments and price dynamics across different periods. This makes the platform look less like a standalone order-entry screen and more like the center of a wider trading workspace.

In terms of usability, the platform pitch is fairly direct. FRTX says the terminal can be launched on PC or in a mobile browser, with no need to download an app, and describes it as fully customizable. The homepage repeats the same practical advantages: quick start without pre-installation, access in any browser, color scheme customization, market-analysis tools, and protection from DDoS attacks. That is the kind of language I would expect from a company trying to appeal to users who care less about technical ceremony and more about speed of access and a clean workflow.
The award messaging is also very visible, and it is part of the platform story whether one likes awards or not. On the trading platform page, FRTX states that the platform received “Best Trading App” at Money Expo Mexico 2025 and “Best Trading Platform” at Wiki Finance Expo 2023 in Sydney. The homepage separately repeats the “Best Trading App of 2025 at Money Expo Mexico” line. I would not treat awards alone as the basis for judgment, but in a review they are still relevant because they show how the company is choosing to position its platform publicly.
Another point worth mentioning is the technology layer behind the experience. Based on the platform structure, browser-first workflow, integrated analysis modules, and the overall execution logic, FRTX appears to be using a mature software product from one of the established players in the trading technology market rather than trying to pass off a rough in-house prototype as a full solution. For users, that is generally a better look. It suggests the company is building on proven market infrastructure instead of improvising where stability matters most. This is an inference from the platform setup and feature mix rather than a direct statement published by FRTX, but it is a meaningful one when assessing the overall product presentation.
What strengthens the credibility of the overall picture is that FRTX does not rely only on platform marketing. The company also publishes public legal and licensing identifiers on the website. According to the platform page footer, the FRTX brand and the names frtx.global, frtx.org, and FRTX Web are owned and operated by FRTX Ltd, registered under number HV01125482 and licensed by the Mwali International Services Authority as an international brokerage company under license number BFX2025158. In a review context, this matters because it gives readers something concrete to verify beyond slogans and design.

The onboarding structure on the website also looks reasonably coherent. FRTX presents a path that starts with sign-up, continues through verification, then moves to account opening, funding, platform access, and eventually withdrawals. The support page adds two visible contact routes: the internal request system for clients and a callback form on the website. That does not automatically answer every operational question, but it does make the service feel more complete. A lot of online doubt around financial brands comes from missing practical detail, and here the company at least tries to show the user journey in a readable way.
That said, a serious review should keep one foot on the ground. FRTX also states that it does not provide services to citizens of the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and several other jurisdictions. The site further includes a risk warning explaining that leveraged trading in CFDs and other derivatives involves a high level of risk and that losses may exceed the original deposit. In my view, this is the correct balance for a brokerage website: platform strengths and access convenience on one side, but a clear reminder that the product itself remains high-risk on the other.
My overall conclusion after reviewing the FRTX platform and website is that the brand is trying to position itself as a usable, modern, browser-first trading service with a visible support structure, integrated analytics, and publicly stated licensing details. The platform presentation is stronger than a generic brochure-style broker site, and the use of established trading technology gives the product a more mature feel. At the same time, the right way to read FRTX is not through hype but through verification: look at the legal entity, look at the license number, look at the service structure, and then decide whether the platform fits your needs and risk tolerance.
Disclaimer:
This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Trading CFDs and other derivative instruments involves a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all users. Users should review the company’s terms, jurisdictional restrictions, and risk disclosures before using the service.
Economy
Naira Appreciates to N1,383/$1 at Official Market
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira appreciated against the United States Dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) by N2.82 or 0.2 per cent to N1,383.88 /$1 on Thursday, March 26, from the N1,386.70/$1 it was traded a day earlier.
Also, the local currency improved its value against the Pound Sterling yesterday by N8.62 to trade at N1,847.76/£1 compared with the previous day’s N1,856.38/£1, and gained N8.66 on the Euro to sell at N1,597.14/€1 versus N1,605.80/€1.
However, the Naira lost N10 against the Dollar at the GTBank FX desk to quote at N1,401/$1 compared with the preceding session’s N1,391/$1, and in the parallel market, it depreciated by N5 to trade at N1,410/$1, in contrast to the N1,405/$1 it was traded on Wednesday.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has scaled back its foreign exchange interventions since the Naira’s previous rebound, allowing market dynamics to play a more prominent role.
Moreover, the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran has intensified demand for the Dollar, propelling the greenback upward while other major currencies have experienced notable declines since the conflict erupted.
Despite strong expectations that instability in the Middle East would boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange income, the country’s gross external reserves have plunged for several consecutive days.
Meanwhile, the digital currency market was under pressure on Thursday due to geopolitical conflicts, as Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil infrastructure have disrupted a key workaround to offset supply shocks from the Iran war. Elevated oil prices are reinforcing concerns about persistent inflation and the prospect of tighter monetary policy.
This is amplifying risks for financial markets, including cryptocurrencies.
Solana (SOL) depreciated by 3.4 per cent to $85.97, Cardano (ADA) slipped 3.1 per cent to $0.2536, Ethereum (ETH) dropped 2.9 per cent to $2,059.61, Bitcoin (BTC) fell by 2.0 per cent to $68,589.47, Ripple (XRP) crashed by 1.9 per cent to $1.35, Binance Coin (BNB) crumbled by 1.2 per cent to $627.56, and Dogecoin (DOGE) moderated by 0.8 per cent by $0.0919.
But TRON (TRX) gained 0.1 per cent to sell at $0.3149, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) remained unchanged at $1.00 each.
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