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Court Jails Delta Director General

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By Ebitonye Akpodigha

Justice U.N Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced to one and half years imprisonment, a former Director General of Delta State Direct Labour Agency, Mr Emmanuel Odafe Igbini. The sentence is without an option of fine.

Mr Igbini’s journey to prison began when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him on a three-count charge in November 2014, for failing to make full disclosure of assets comprising his Naira account with Stanbic IBTC Bank, US Dollar Account and his daughter’s account with same bank.

He pleaded not guilty to the three- count charge and the matter went into full trial.

However, Justice Agumoh found Mr Igbini guilty of the charges and sentenced him to six months imprisonment on each of the counts without an option of fine.

One of the charge reads “that you Emmanuel Odafe Igbini on or about 13th November, 2013 at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, South-South Zonal Office, No 6A olumeni street, Old GRA Off Forces Avenue, Port Harcourt within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly failed to make full disclosure of your Assets to wit: your Stanbic IBTC Bank US Dollar Account number 0006441862 in the Asset Declaration Form you filled at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and thereby violated provisions of the Establishment Act 2004 and punishable under section 27 (1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act 2004”.

In the same vein Justice Agomoh convicted and sentenced one Onaioye Kiipoye to 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine for dealing in petroleum products without requisite license.

The convict was arraigned on 10 February, 2011 on a two-count amended charge bordering on dealing in petroleum products without license.

She pleaded not guilty and the matter went into full trial. Justice Agumoh found her guilty of the charges and consequently convicted and sentenced her to five years imprisonment on each of the count charge without an option of fine.

The Judge ordered that the Man Diesel Caravan Truck with Reg. No. XB 103 RUM used in conveying the proceeds of crime should be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The Journey to prison started when the Joint Task Force ‘Operation Flush Out III’ of the Nigerian Army arrested Kiipoye on 15 April, 2008 with a Truck that contained about 64 drums of petroleum products suspected to be condensate and handed them over to the EFCC for further investigation.

Count one against her read; that you Onaioye Kiipoye and one Ebuname Ike (now at large) on or about the 15th of April 2008 at Port Harcourt within the Jurisdiction of the Honourable Court did conspire with each other to commit felony to wit: Dealing in petroleum products contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Reversed Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act, 2007 and punishable under section 1 (17) of the same Act.

Another count charge read; that you Onaioye Kiipoye and one Ebuname Ike (now at large) on or about the 15th of April 2008 at Port Harcourt within the Jurisdiction of the Honourable Court without appropriate licence deal in petroleum product to wit: 64 drums; suspected to be condensate conveyed in a Man Deisel Caravan Truck with Reg. No. XB 103 RUM and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (17) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Reversed Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (17) of the same Act.

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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Dangote Unveils Phone Number to Report MRS Stations Selling PMS Above N739

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.

This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.

“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.

“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.

The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.

Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.

By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.

The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.

“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.

Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.

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ANLCA Airport Chapter Scores Salamatu High on Stakeholder Engagement, Trade Facilitation

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By Bon Peters

The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.

At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.

At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.

“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.

He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.

The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating  trade and increasing Revenue generation.”

“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.

“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.

“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.

Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.

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FG Declares Holidays for Christmas, New Year Celebrations

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.

The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.

The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.

He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.

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