By Adedapo Adesanya

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the former Attorney General (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and two others, bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties.

The sureties, according to the judge, must have landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa.

The documents of the properties are to be verified by the deputy chief registrar of the court while the sureties are also to depose to affidavit of means.

Mr Malami was also ordered to deposit his travelling documents with the court and must not travel out of the country without the permission of the court.

The former AGF and his sureties were also ordered to deposit their two recent passport photograph with the court.

Meanwhile, Mr Malami has been ordered to be remanded in Kuje prison pending his perfection of the bail conditions.

Justice Nwite subsequently fixed February 17 for commencement of trial of the corruption charges.

The same bail were extended to Mr Malami’s son, Mr Abdulaziz Malami, and a listed employee of Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, Mrs Asabe Bashir, who is also believed to be Mr Malami’s wife.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a 16-count alleged money laundering charge against Malami, his son and his wife.

In one of the counts, the anti-graft agency alleged that Mr Malami and his son procured Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited to conceal the unlawful origin of the sum of N1,014,848,500.00 in a Sterling Bank Plc account, when they reasonably ought to have known that the sum constituted proceeds of unlawful activities, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 21(c) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.

It also said they conspired to disguise the unlawful origin of the aggregate sum of N1,049,173,926.13 paid through the Union Bank Plc account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, Jabi, between November 2022 and September 2024, contrary to Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Sections 18(2)(a) and 18(3) of the same Act.

Another count alleged that between November 2022 and October 2025, the duo indirectly took control of the aggregate sum of N1,362,887,872.96 paid through the Union Bank Plc savings account of Meethaq Hotels Limited, when they reasonably ought to have known that the funds constituted proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced special operational enforcement code named Operation Zero Tolerance for Non-Compliance in the Nigerian maritime domain.

The directive was issued through a Marine Notice, pursuant to the agency’s statutory mandate under the NIMASA Act 2007, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, and other applicable regulations.

Under this operation, all Ship/Vessel Owners, Operators, Managers, International and National Oil Companies, Masters and Officers of Merchant Ships, Shipping Companies, Shipping Agents, Charterers, Offshore Installations and Platforms Operators, Vessel Operators at the Free Trade Zones (FTZ), and Maritime Stakeholders operating or intending to operate within Nigerian waters are required to ensure full compliance with statutory requirements contained in existing maritime laws and regulations.

These include proper vessel registration, valid certifications, updated ownership documentation, adherence to Cabotage provisions relating to vessel ownership, registration, manning, and build.

The notice also emphasised the importance of timely payment and remittance of all statutory levies and fees as prescribed by law.

As part of the enforcement process, NIMASA will conduct random and targeted vessel inspections, verify documentation against its databases, and carry out physical and documentary compliance assessments at ports, terminals, and offshore locations. Operators will also be required to present proof of payment of all applicable levies and fees upon request.

To allow stakeholders the opportunity to regularize their operations, NIMASA has granted a thirty (30) day window from January 5, 2026 for a self-audit and voluntary compliance.

The agency warned that failure to comply after the expiration of the grace period will attract enforcement actions, including vessel detention, monetary penalties, withdrawal of waivers or operational licences, and denial of port clearance until full compliance is achieved.

The Director General of NIMASA, Mr Dayo Mobereola has assured all stakeholders of the Agency’s commitment to promoting indigenous shipping development, enhancing maritime safety and security, protecting the marine environment, and ensuring strict compliance with Nigeria’s maritime laws.

“We therefore urge all stakeholders to do their part so that together, we can build on the gains of previous regulatory achievements, which is enhanced safety, a secure maritime environment and sustainable utilisation of our marine resources,” the DG added.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria’s private security firm, Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL), has entered into an agreement with a United States–based Textron Systems for the supply of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in a move aimed at curbing crude oil theft in the country.

Textron Systems said the drones would support security operations around Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure, which has continued to face threats from crude oil theft, vandalism and sabotage.

The deal also includes provisions for training and the possible acquisition of additional aircraft as Tantita expands its operations, building on a previous US Foreign Military Sales delivery of Aerosonde drone systems to Nigeria.

The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 is designed to operate without a runway, using a hybrid quadrotor system for vertical takeoff and landing before transitioning to fixed-wing flight. The system can carry multiple payloads and conduct extended surveillance missions.

Speaking on the development, Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Mr Waredi Enisour, said Tantita officials were in the United States to inspect the drone operations and understudy the associated technical processes.

Mr Enisour added that with the latest technological acquisitions by Tantita, incidents of crude oil theft are expected to decline significantly, as the drones will provide extensive surveillance coverage across the Niger Delta region.

He disclosed that Tanttia is the first private security firm in Nigeria to acquire the Aerosonde UAV which hosts ISR capabilities.

Tantita is a company owned by a former militant leader, Mr Government Ekpemupolo, commonly known as Tompolo. Over the years, the federal government has collaborated with the former militant leader for the protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure and securing permanent peace in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region.

Oil and gas remains Nigeria’s economic mainstay, contributing nearly 90 per cent of forex earnings and 70 per cent of national revenue. However, constant oil theft over the years has made it impossible for the country to hit its peak production of 2.5 million barrels recorded in 2005, although improvement has occurred in recent years, there have been more hands-on approach.