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Child Custody: Court Orders Arrest of Mike Adenuga’s Son

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By Dipo Olowookere

The battle for the custody of a child between Mr Eniola Adenuga, son of Globacom owner, Mr Mike Adenuga, and the mother of his child, Damilola, has taken a new twist.

According to report, a Tinubu Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the arrest of the younger Mr Adenuga for refusing to give the custody of his child, Anthena, to the mother.

Punch reports that the chief magistrate, Mr T.A. Elias, in a ruling on Thursday, August 16, 2018, said the 28-year-old was in contempt of court, saying Eniola should be arrested until he gives “full custody of the subject (Anthena) to the respondent (Damilola).”

Eniola and Damilola dated during which the 25-year-old became pregnant and had the child and disagreement allegedly broke out between the duo and their families, resulting in a legal battle for the custody of the child.

Punch had reported that in September 2017, a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court gave an interim order which awarded the custody of the child to the mother.

While Eniola was given unrestricted access to the child, he was, however, asked to pick her every Friday and return her to the mother on Sunday.

The arrangement was said to have been running smoothly until May 18, 2018, when the father, in company with two policemen, allegedly took Athena from school and failed to return her to the mother.

The Falana & Falana Chambers had written a petition to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, accusing Eniola of abduction.

Mrs Funmi Falana, on behalf of her client, filed an ex parte application on May 25, 2018, seeking the release of the child to the mother.

She said Damilola had been traumatised by the incident, adding that she was afraid for the child’s safety.

The application was granted by a magistrate, Mrs M.R. Osho-Adebiyi, who ordered Eniola to produce the child.

He was further ordered to appear before the court to explain why he should not be charged for contempt of court.

However, Eniola’s lawyer, Victor Amalu, filed a motion on notice on August 7, 2018, praying for a stay of execution of the order.

Amalu also asked that the contempt of court application be set aside.

He said it was not right for orders to be given when Eniola was not represented to defend himself.

Eniola’s application was, however, countered by Falana, who said Eniola was taking the court for granted.

The chief magistrate, Elias, overruled Amalu’s objections, describing the “modus operandi” used by Eniola as “appalling.”

He said, “The applicant (Eniola) on May 18, 2018, in company with some armed mobile policemen, went to Athena’s school and forcefully took her away contrary to the order of court dated September 20, 2017, granting custody to the respondent and access every fortnight from Friday to Sunday to the applicant. As there is no order of court validating this act, it amounts to taking law into his own hand and this on its own attracts sanction which should be expected.

“As the best interest of the child shall be primary consideration, this honourable family court is satisfied with the applicant application….”

The chief magistrate, citing Section 64 of the Lagos State Child Right Law, 2007, gave full custody of the child to the mother till she was 18 years old.

He also gave Eniola “supervised” access to the child, adding that he could only see her every fortnight.

Elias advised the parents to take the child’s welfare seriously and put her development and progress first.

“The continuous refusal of the applicant to produce the subject in court amounts to contempt; bench warrant is accordingly ordered for any police officers to effect his arrest until he purges himself of contempt and gives full custody of the subject to the respondent,” he added.

When our correspondent reached out to Eniola for his reaction to the ruling, he asked for some time to call back.

A lawyer, who claimed to be representing him, Abimbola Eniola, sent our correspondent a Lagos State High Court bench ruling, dated August 17, 2018.

The document showed Eniola as the applicant, while the chief magistrate, Elias, and Damilola, were respondents.

The ruling, signed by Justice E.O. Ogundare, said Amalu’s prayers for stay of execution were meritorious.

It said, “This is an application by way of motion ex parte dated August 6, 2018, praying for the following reliefs.

“1. An order granting the applicant leave to apply for judicial review by way of an order of certiorari to remove the purpose of quashing (a) the ex parte order made on May 28, 2018 in suit no. FCL/10/2016 – Eniola Adenuga vs Damilola Oguns (b) the directive of the 1st respondent at the proceedings of July 25, 2018, directing the applicant to comply with the ex parte made on May 28, 2018, in neglect of an application dated July 5, 2018, seeking to set aside the ex parte order on grounds of nullity and irregularity.

“An order staying execution, further execution or action, enforcement or howsoever giving effect in any manner whatsoever to the ex parte order made on May 28, 2018 in suit no. FCL/10/2016 pending the hearing and determination of applicant’s instant application seeking judicial review of the orders and proceedings in this suit.

“An order staying further proceedings in suit no FCL/10/2016 pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s pending application, dated and filed on July 5, 2018, seeking to set aside the ex parte order made in the suit on May 28, 2018.

“And for such further orders as this honourable court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”

Ogundare said after considering Amalu’s applications, facts, exhibits and arguments, the reliefs had merit and were granted.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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IBEDC Promises Stability, Growth After Board Restructuring

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ibedc prepaid meter

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has announced the reconstitution of its board following the resignation of three nominees of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), promising growth and stability.

Earlier this week, the disco, which serves Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Kwara States, as well as parts of Ekiti, Kogi and Niger States, unveiled its new board led by the new chairman, Mr Tunde J. Afolabi.

The newly constituted board include Mr Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, with Mr Michael I. Magaji as Alternate Director; Mr Taiwo Afolabi; Professor Oladapo Afolabi; Mr Tunde Fayinka; Mr Oluwaseyi Akinwale and Mr Adeolu Ijose.

According to the chairman, the emergence of a new core investor and the reconstituted board marks a significant milestone in the company’s corporate journey and signals a renewed strategic direction focused on stability, continuity and sustainable growth.

“This transition represents renewal, not rupture. It represents investment, not instability. It represents partnership, not division. Our goal is to strengthen governance, enhance operational performance, deepen capital investment and deliver improved service to customers across our franchise areas,” he added.

Mr Afolabi, while addressing customers directly, assured them that there would be no avoidable service disruptions as a result of the transition, stating that all IBEDC offices will remain open, while field operations will continue uninterrupted.

“The new core investor has committed to sustained capital investments in feeder rehabilitation and expansion, transformer upgrades and replacements, injection substation improvements, and the replacement of obsolete network components,” he stated.

He added that IBEDC plans to accelerate the integration of advanced digital and operational technologies, disclosing that these include enhanced outage management systems, strengthened billing platforms, expanded smart metering deployment, and digitised customer engagement channels aimed at improving transparency and service responsiveness.

On workforce stability, the chairman emphasised that there will be no job losses as a direct result of the transition, noting that the board, under his leadership, is committed to employee welfare, improved work tools, modern safety equipment, and technology upgrades to support field efficiency, while maintaining high performance standards.

Mr Afolabi also pledged proactive and structured engagement with regulators, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), underscoring its commitment to full regulatory compliance, strengthened governance frameworks, transparency and accountability.

Furthermore, he reaffirmed the commitment of the distribution company to structured and timely payment cycles for vendors and suppliers, recognising their critical role in maintaining network stability.

With the new board in place, he insisted that IBEDC is poised to deepen operational excellence, strengthen financial sustainability, and position itself firmly on the path to becoming Nigeria’s leading power distribution company—powering progress across its franchise with unity, confidence and innovation.

Established in November 2013 following Nigeria’s power sector privatisation, IBEDC operates the largest distribution network serving the highest customer population within Nigeria’s electricity distribution landscape.

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Eyesan Promises Enhanced Transparency, Digital Transformation at NUPRC

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NUPRC

By Adedapo Adesanya

The chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has promised to enhance transparency and ensure that the NUPRC’s internal communications are fully digital.

Mrs Eyesan said this when the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mr Musa Adar, visited the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

“We have set for ourselves a 60-day programme to digitise our interactions and communications within the commission. I can assure you that once we get to day 60, there will be no paper trail within the Commission. All our transmissions will be electronic, which also means speed is assured. It means we will be able to trace where we have hiccups,” Mr Eyesan said.

The NUPRC boss said digitising processes often leads to better results, like the enforcement of payments of royalties.

“I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that for royalty payments, the default rate was enormous prior to 2025 when the Commission went live on the system. Now, compliance has improved,” Mrs Eyesan said.

The NUPRC boss sought a deepened relationship with NEITI, which will foster transparency, especially amid the 2025 Licensing Round.

In his remarks, the NEITI’s scribe said there was a need for the NUPRC to carry the agency along in its operations as this would not only enhance transparency but also deepen investor confidence.

Mr Adar also urged the commission to be firm on oil companies that run afoul of the Petroleum Industry Act.

Speaking on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Mr Adar asked that the NUPRC actively participate in the 2026 EITI flagship conference, which will provide the Commission with better insights into the standards that guide EITI implementation.

The NEITI boss also sought support from the Commission in the area of data sharing, which will enhance the operations of the agency.

“We are here to seek understanding, and we must collaborate,” Mr Adar said.

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Tinubu Tasks Acting IGP Disu to Restore Peace, Strengthen Security Nationwide

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Tunji Disu decorated IGP rank

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Tunji Disu, has been charged to do everything within his powers to restore peace and strengthen security across the nation.

This task was given to the new police chief by President Bola Tinubu after being decorated at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Disu was chosen to succeed Mr Kayode Egbetokun on Tuesday. His appointment is expected to be approved by the Nigeria Police Council and confirmed by the Senate next week.

President Tinubu described Mr Disu’s appointment as coming at a critical moment, urging him to rebuild public confidence in the police’s capacity to do their job in collaboration with other security forces.

“I made this decision for you to assume this responsibility. I know your record. I saw the dedication you exhibited while you were in Lagos when I was governor,” the President said.

“Lead firmly but fairly, demand professionalism at every level and ensure that the safety of lives and property remains our highest priority. It’s a daunting challenge. I know you can do it. You have my word, you have my full support,” he added.

Mr Tinubu urged him to advance the security pillars of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He expressed confidence in the Acting IGP’s discipline, operational experience and leadership capacity.

“Nigeria is challenged with banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities. You will be part of the thinking and innovation to overcome them,” the President said, reaffirming his belief that Nigeria would prevail under a committed leadership.

The President also paid tribute to Mr Egbetokun, who was present with his spouse, saying, “We are a grateful nation. Nigeria appreciates your contribution to maintaining law and order.”

He urged Egbetokun to be ready to offer useful advice to his successor and wished him and his family peace, good health and success in future endeavours, noting,

“You have not succeeded without a good successor. His success will also be part of your legacy.”

Mr Tinubu urged all security stakeholders to work collectively to safeguard lives and property during this critical period.

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