General
FG To Reopen Eko, Apongbon Bridges Ahead of Schedule
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has announced that it will re-open both the Eko and Apongbon Bridges to road users ahead of schedule by midnight of July 9, 2023, six days earlier than initially planned.
The Director for Highways, Bridges and Designs in the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Omotayo Awosanya, confirmed this while leading top engineers from the Federal team and Lagos State on an inspection tour of the bridges.
According to him, this is to alleviate the suffering of road users who have had to suffer commuting stress due to the closure of the infrastructures.
Both Apongbon and Eko Bridges were razed by fire caused by human activities in 2022.
Apongbon Bridge was affected by fire in March 2022, and efforts for its December completion were stalled by another fire that affected the Ijora Olopa section of the Eko Bridge on November 4.
On the other hand, the Ijora Olopa section of Marine Bridge damaged by vandals was shut on May 17, 2023, for safety of the public.
The team earlier had a closed-door meeting with Buildwell Plants and Equipment Industries Limited, contractors on the project, at their construction yard in Costain.
Recall that Business Post had reported that the federal government had earlier set July 15 completion deadline for the bridges.
Upon inspection of the Apongbon Bridge, both up and beneath, and the Ijora-Olopa section of the Eko Bridge by the joint team, Mr Awosanya said the date review was borne out of the need to relieve stress commuters have undergone for almost a year since the fire gutted the Apongbon section and later Ijora Olopa portion.
“At exactly midnight on Sunday, July 9, the bridges will be re-opened so that commuters will have smooth passage on Monday morning of July 10.”
He said that when the bridges are re-opened, there will be intermittent short closures to continue repairs.
He said an existing contract for the rehabilitation of the entire Eko Bridge had reached 50 per cent completion.
The director added that a total of 150 bearings had been replaced, with an additional 150 to be installed in subsequent rehabilitation works.
He said full-scale rehabilitation would continue on other sections of the Eko Bridge, as the contract is meant to last three years.
“We have come here to urge the contractor to reduce five days out of the 15th of July; we are now going to open the bridge on the 9th at 12.00 midnight.
“And a minute after 12.00 a.m on the 9th, the bridge will be opened for traffic on the 10th.
“This is as a result of close collaboration between the federal government and Lagos State Government because we are mindful of the stress the closure of this bridge has caused to Lagosians, and we have put pressure on the contractor to open the bridge on Monday for traffic.
“This will reduce the stress presently on other bridges connecting the island and Victoria Island,” he said.
He warned that the Federal Government would evacuate all illegal squatters under all Lagos Bridges, causing damage to the infrastructure.
He noted that the collaboration of the federal and state governments would help to achieve the eviction of the squatters under the Apongbon and Ijora bridges, as well as other bridges.
The Permanent Secretary Office of Infrastructure in Lagos State, Mr Olufemi Daramola, expressed satisfaction with the level of work, assuring residents of a better motoring experience on the axis after the re-opening of both bridges.
Mr Daramola said with what is on the ground, “9th of July is very realistic”, assuring that arrangements were at a high level towards the protection of all bridges.
On her part, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, appreciated the Lagos public for their patience while the repairs of both bridges lasted.
Mrs Kesha appealed to residents to be vigilant and report illegalities and vandalism, adding that they should take ownership of all infrastructure to prevent the wastage of scarce resources that go into repairs.
The joint team from the Federal and Lagos State governments also inspected the Ijora Olopa section of the Marine Bridge, scheduled for completion in September 2023.
During the inspection, Mrs Kesha assured that demolition had been completed on all the five panels destroyed by vandals, adding that casting of concrete was set to begin.
The delivery date for Apongbon Bridge was extended to May 2023 because some materials for its repairs were used to start the emergency repair of the Ijora Olopa section.
The government later set another deadline for July 15 which was reviewed downward to July 9.
The 4.1km Eko Bridge links Lagos Island with Mainland. It directly links to Apongbon on the Island side.
Eko Bridge has been undergoing phased rehabilitation, but the contract for its comprehensive maintenance was awarded in February 2022 and is expected to extend to 2026.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on conducting a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death of Miss Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The demise of the deceased, which occurred in late June, recently became public and has sparked calls for a probe from many quarters.
Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has approached the court to stop the autopsy, but experts tell Business Post that the family has no authority to file an affidavit, as this is a case of suspected murder against the state and not the family.
Mr Umahi has also called for a probe.
The Ebonyi Police Command said the autopsy was necessary to establish the cause of death and support its ongoing investigation, despite objections from the deceased’s family.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, stating that the police had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Habila’s death.
Mr Ukandu said preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased and a colleague were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she later died in a room within the compound of his residence.
According to him, detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) have visited the scene, documented relevant evidence and obtained statements from persons connected to the incident.
He added that the command had concluded arrangements to engage a qualified pathologist to carry out a post-mortem examination, which it considers crucial to determining the actual cause of death.
Mr Ukandu explained that the police became involved in the matter after receiving a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ohaozara Division, informing the command of a medical emergency involving Habila and requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
“On arrival, the DPO was informed by hospital authorities that Miss Mary Habila had been brought in dead.
He immediately briefed the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson disclosed that while the family of the deceased had opposed the conduct of an autopsy, the command considered the procedure necessary in view of the circumstances surrounding the death.
“The Command therefore awaits the attendance of the family or their duly appointed representative, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination,” Mr Ukandu said, assuring the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally, transparently and without bias, stressing that every necessary step would be taken to uncover the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.
Mr Ukandu further assured that the command would continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
Family Seeks to Stop Autopsy
The family of the deceased, who is a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and was seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works, formally requested the withdrawal of further investigation into her death and declined an autopsy.
In an affidavit titled Affidavit of Withdrawal of Case filed before the High Court of Justice of Ebonyi State, her father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, said the family was not alleging any foul play in her death and wished to proceed with her burial.
According to the affidavit, Mary Habila died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The deponent stated that before her death, Habila was a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, where she served in the Office of the Minister of Works for about three years.
By Adedapo Adesanya
A Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of billions of Naira worth of assets linked to businesswoman and socialite, Ms Aisha Achimugu, to the federal government.
Justice Jude Onwugbuzie granted the order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), directing the permanent forfeiture of jewellery valued at N4.645 billion, 11 exotic vehicles worth N4.293 billion, $50,000 and N30 million in cash.
The ruling followed the EFCC’s request for the final forfeiture of the assets, which the commission said were linked to Ms Achimugu.
The forfeited assets include: Jewellery valued at N4,645,170,294.90; 11 exotic vehicles worth N4,293,000,000; $50,000 in cash; and N30,000,000 in cash.
The court’s judgment vests ownership of the assets in the federal government, bringing the forfeiture proceedings to a close.
In March, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to the Lagos socialite. However, in an interview in April, she denied that $13 million was discovered by the EFCC in her residence, describing the claim as inaccurate and misleading.
Justice Nwite had, on August 22, 2025, granted the anti-graft agency’s motion ex parte for an interim order forfeiting the sum of $13 million linked to Oceangate Ltd to the federal government over allegations that the fund was proceeds of unlawful activity.
The judge had then directed the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested people to show cause within 14 days why the fund should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
In 2024, the businesswoman gained significant media attention for a seven-day birthday celebration in Grenada, which was attended by high-profile guests, reportedly including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The socialite also defended her widely publicised birthday celebration, noting that it had been “planned for 10 years” and was not funded with any money under investigation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
To boost fertiliser production, strengthen food security and advance Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has signed a 16-year Gas Sale Agreement (GSA) with Indorama Fertiliser FZE for the supply of up to 60 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day from the Assa North Ohaji South (ANOH) Gas Processing Facility.
The agreement was signed by the chief executive of Renaissance, Mr Tony Attah, and Indorama’s counterpart, Mr Manish Mundra, with both executives describing the deal as a significant milestone in advancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, industrial development, and agricultural growth aspirations.
“This agreement reflects our commitment to unlocking the value of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources through partnerships that create real and lasting impact,” Mr Attah said, adding: “By supplying natural gas to a major fertiliser producer such as Indorama, we are supporting a value chain that is critical to food security, agricultural productivity, industrial growth, and economic development.”
The agreement will provide Indorama Fertiliser with a secure and reliable source of natural gas to support uninterrupted production and enable the company to meet growing domestic and regional demand for fertiliser products.
The resulting increase in fertiliser availability is expected to contribute to improved crop yields, enhanced agricultural productivity, and strengthened food security across Nigeria and Africa.
Commenting on the agreement, Mr Mundra said the deal was an important milestone for the company in its ambition of supporting Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.
“Reliable access to natural gas is fundamental to fertiliser production, and this long-term arrangement provides a strong foundation for sustainable operations and future growth,” Mr Mundra said. “We appreciate the partnership with Renaissance and look forward to leveraging this collaboration.”
The transaction aligns closely with Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative and further demonstrates the strategic role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, supporting manufacturing, enhancing energy security, and enabling economic diversification.
