By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, has taken over the prosecution of his immediate predecessor, Mr Abubakar Malami.

Mr Malami is facing terrorism and illegal firearms possession charges brought against him by the Department of State Service (DSS).

Mr Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), took over the trial from the secret police on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, announced the Attorney General’s appearance in the matter.

Mr Oyedepo told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the trial cannot proceed because Mr Fagbemi has just taken over the prosecution.

He informed the court that the prosecution needed more time to familiarise itself with the facts of the case.

Counsel to the defendants, Mr Adedayo Adedeji, who did not oppose the application, however, urged the court to strike out the matter if the prosecution fails to open its case at the next adjourned date, citing lack of diligent prosecution.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter to March 10 for trial and for the prosecution to formally open its case.

The court had, on February 27, admitted Malami and his son, Mr Abdulaziz, to N200 million bail, with two sureties, each one of whom must own landed property either in Maitama or Asokoro.

Justice Abdulmalik had said that the title of the property must be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court along with valid international passports.

The sureties were also ordered to depose to an affidavit of means and submit their two recent passport photographs to the court.

Mr Malami and his son were also ordered to submit their international passports and recent passport photographs to the court.

The DSS had arraigned the ex-AGF and his son, Mr Abdulaziz, on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and illegal firearms possession.

In the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Malami is also accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, whose case files were handed to him while he served as the AGF and Minister of Justice.

Mr Malami and Mr Abdulaziz are equally accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birain Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, without lawful authority.

The DSS accused Mr Malami in count one of the charge, with knowingly abetting terrorism financing, while the ex-AGF and his son are charged in counts two to five, with unlawful, possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live rounds of cartridges and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, contrary to and punishable under relevant Sections of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Firearms Act, 2004.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced a significant 24.8 per cent increase in total cargo throughput for 2025.

According to the NPA’s 2025 Operational Performance Report, total cargo throughput rose from approximately 103.6 million metric tons in 2024 to over 129.3 million metric tons in 2025.

The report identified Lekki Port as Nigeria’s leading port, accounting for 40.6 per cent of the nation’s total cargo throughput. Onne Port followed with 19.1 per cent, while Apapa Port handled 16.7 per cent.

Beyond volume, Lekki Port also received the largest vessels, recording an average Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 55,712, slightly higher than Onne Port’s 53,022 GRT.

Apapa and Tin Can Island ports recorded average vessel sizes of 33,251 GRT and 36,909 GRT, respectively, while Delta Ports handled vessels averaging 17,414 GRT.

Although Tin Can Island Port recorded the highest frequency of ship arrivals, accounting for 22.7 per cent of total ship calls, Lekki and Onne are increasingly attracting larger “heavyweight” vessels, strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to handle higher-value cargo.

The data showed that imports continued to dominate cargo traffic, and the report highlighted a steady rise in outward trade. Exports accounted for 39.0 per cent of total cargo throughput, while inward traffic represented 59.2 per cent.

Containerised cargo, widely regarded as a key indicator of trade activity, recorded substantial growth. Total container traffic increased by 25.7 per cent, surpassing 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).

Import-laden containers surged by 32.8 per cent, while export containers rose by 3.1 per cent. Notably, transhipment containers recorded a remarkable 205.8 per cent increase, positioning Nigeria as an emerging regional logistics hub serving West and Central Africa.

Liquid bulk cargo, including petroleum products and chemicals, remained the dominant commodity category, accounting for 54.7 per cent of total cargo, while containerised cargo represented 24 per cent.

Speaking on the report, the Managing Director of NPA, Mr Abubakar Dantsoho, described the 2025 performance as a historic milestone.

“Nigeria’s maritime sector recorded a historic surge in activity in 2025, driven by increased cargo throughput, rising container traffic, and a growing export footprint. This underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to economic diversification,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mr Dantsoho expressed confidence that the Federal Government-approved port modernisation programme and the implementation of the National Single Window system would power the next phase of growth.

The comprehensive modernisation initiative aims to rehabilitate ageing infrastructure, deepen berths, upgrade quays, expand cargo-handling capacity, and deploy advanced digital solutions across Nigeria’s ports.

The reforms are expected to reduce vessel turnaround time, cut cargo dwell time, improve safety standards, and boost overall operational efficiency.

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of approved funds for the maintenance of Nigeria’s space assets in line with the National Space Policy and Programme.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to the realisation of Nigeria’s space policy and programme as outlined in the revised 25-year roadmap for space development.

“I hereby approve that the cost of the implementation of the approved revised 25-year roadmap for the implementation of the national space policy be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval,” he said.

The President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, approved on Tuesday during the first meeting of the National Space Council held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“Nigeria will not watch the new frontier unfold from the sidelines. We will participate, we will compete, we will contribute. Our space ambitions must be anchored in outcomes, accountability and national value.

“We must build a programme that serves the farmer in the field, the teacher in the classroom, the entrepreneur in the market, the soldier on duty, the researcher in the laboratory and the policy maker who must plan with evidence rather than guesswork. This is how a nation turns attitude into advantage.”

President Tinubu assured that his administration, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to developing the society “by engaging relevant human resources for the socio-economic improvement of our nation.

“We shall be steadfast in providing the required support to the success of the space programme as well as relevant resources needed for its growth and the successful realisation of the mandate of the nation’s space agency,” he added.

The President noted that his administration’s investments in the sector are prompted by the opportunities in outer space “as a new frontier for human development, as a stimulus for increased technological advancement and economic diversification.”