General
NSC Stands by Tariff Changes, Defends ICTN Rollout Delay
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has defended the council’s recent tariff adjustments that sparked outrage and the delayed implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN).
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the council, Mr Pius Ukeyima, noted in Lagos on Friday that all actions taken by the agency were guided strictly by law, due process, and extensive stakeholder consultations rather than external pressure or inconsistency in policy direction.
He explained that the tariff regulation was a core statutory responsibility of the council under Sections 5 and 6 of the Port Economic Regulations 2025, stressing that the NSC acted within its legal mandate in approving adjustments after years of sustained pressure from service providers who had repeatedly demanded significant increases due to rising operational costs.
He noted that for more than two and a half years, no tariff review had been implemented despite inflationary trends, increasing cost of operations, and multiple requests from industry players, some of which ranged between 150 per cent and 300 per cent increases, which the council had to carefully moderate in order to prevent wider economic disruption.
The NSC scribe maintained that tariff adjustment in the maritime sector cannot be treated as a profit-driven exercise but rather as part of broader sectoral development and investment sustainability, adding that any decision must take into account key macroeconomic indicators such as inflation, GDP performance, and the potential impact on national trade.
According to him, the council deliberately adopted a cautious approach given that over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s trade is dependent on maritime transport, warning that excessive tariff hikes could have immediate ripple effects across the economy.
On concerns that shipping companies were introducing exploitative charges and that the regulator was merely reacting to crises, he dismissed the allegation, stating that the council did not act arbitrarily but approved a structured adjustment framework of about 35 per cent, which was designed as a flexible band rather than a fixed rate.
He explained that operators were allowed to implement within an approved range, typically between 10 and 20 per cent, depending on their operational realities, while cautioning that any over-implementation would distort competitiveness in the sector.
Mr Akutah clarified that the tensions were not systemic but largely isolated to a disagreement between Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and its stakeholders.
He said that other shipping companies successfully concluded their stakeholder engagements without incident, adding that the situation with MSC stemmed from a breakdown in agreement during consultations rather than any regulatory lapse.
He disclosed that he personally intervened during a protest at MSC premises to de-escalate tensions and encourage dialogue, noting that regulatory engagement must always remain the preferred route for resolving disputes in the sector.
Addressing concerns about regulatory interference, he warned against what he described as regulatory capture, arguing that undue external pressure on a statutory regulator could undermine transparency and distort the balance required to protect both shippers and service providers.
He emphasised that the Council’s role is to maintain equilibrium in the industry, not to favour one side over another, stressing that the collapse of any segment of the value chain would ultimately affect national trade.
On the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), Mr Akutah acknowledged delays in implementation but attributed them to a complex web of legal disputes, court cases, and historical inconsistencies surrounding the project, explaining that the council was currently working with the Ministry of Justice to resolve outstanding litigation involving some stakeholders before full rollout can proceed, noting that the objective is to ensure a seamless and legally sound implementation that will not be subject to further suspension.
He reaffirmed that ICTN remains critical to improving cargo security, enhancing tracking efficiency, and safeguarding national revenue, but stressed that the Council must ensure all legal bottlenecks are resolved to avoid operational setbacks.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Onamusi Onadeko, has been sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N50,000.
The former lawmaker, who represented Ogun East Federal Constituency in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2003, was sentenced by Justice Chizoba Oji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
He was found guilty on count 11 and convicted for making inconsistent statements but discharged and acquitted on counts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Mr Onadeko’s journey to the court started in 2017, when he was charged by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for his alleged involvement in the award and execution of a N68.7 million contract.
The politician, according to a statement from the ICPC, was accused of using his private companies, Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines Limited, to execute several constituency projects while working as a Senior Legislative Aide to late Senator Buruji Kashamu, who represented Ogun East Senatorial District between 2015 and 2019.
The commission, had in the course of the eight years trial told the court that several contracts like buying of ambulance vehicles, supply of hospital equipment and drugs for Primary Health Centres, as well as construction of classrooms for some selected schools in six communities of Ogun East Senatorial District, were awarded to both Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines, where the convict doubles as a Managing Director and nominal Director, respectively, an action that violates Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
ICPC also accused Mr Onadeko of making an inconsistent statement that contradicted the one previously made to the Commissioner for Oaths, where he stated that he is a Director of Haines and Baines Limited in an affidavit dated June 30, 20216, but subsequently wrote another statement while under investigation on May 5, 2017, that he is not a shareholder or Director of Haines and Baines Limited.
This action violates Section 25(1)(b) of the ICPC Act and, upon conviction, is liable to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
However, Mr Onadeko, through his counsel, Mr Wahab Olatoyebi, argued in the course of the trial that his client was not a public officer as his appointment at that material time was on a short-term basis and non-pensionable, hence he, (Onadeko) did not fall within the category of those that could be tried under Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 which criminalize and punish abuse of office by public officers.
But this argument was rejected by Justice Oji, who stressed that based on the defendant’s letter of appointment as well as the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Federal Government of Nigeria v. Farouk Lawan, legislative aides are public officers and therefore could be prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abduction of students and teachers from Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The governor formally inaugurated the commission at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde said that although the successful rescue of the victims brought relief to the state, it did not provide complete closure.
He explained that the decision to set up an independent commission was not intended to undermine the efforts of security agencies but to ensure that every question surrounding the incident is thoroughly addressed and lessons are learnt to prevent a recurrence.
He charged members of the commission to conduct a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based investigation, assuring them of the state government’s full support. He also called on individuals and relevant institutions to cooperate fully with the panel.
Speaking on behalf of the commission, its chairman, Professor Mojeed Owoade, pledged that members would carry out the assignment with integrity, professionalism, and fairness. He added that the panel would seek an extension if necessary to complete its work.
Governor Makinde gave the commission four weeks to submit its report.
Earlier this month, the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, eight of the kidnappers had been arrested, but the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 23 sentenced three suspects in the abduction to life imprisonment.
According to the court, the sentencing of Mr Abdulrazak Umar, known under the alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Mr Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Mr Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, will start from the date of their arrest.
Before their sentencing by Justice Salim Ibrahim, counsel for the defendants pleaded with the court to sentence them on liberal terms, adding that they were first-time offenders and had pleaded guilty.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Two Chinese, Mr Zhang Hong Lin and Mr Gao Pei Hai, have been convicted and sentenced by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for conspiracy and the illegal mining of solid minerals.
They were both found guilty on all five counts levelled against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and sentenced each to five years’ imprisonment on each count, with an option of a N50 million fine covering all five counts.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the mineral resources recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The defendants were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and the unlawful possession of mineral resources intended for export without lawful authority.
“That you, Zhang Hong Lin, Gao Pei Hai, and Gao Pei Yu (currently at large), sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court, conspired among yourselves, with the intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of revenue accruing therefrom, and without the permission of the appropriate authority, engaged in the exportation of mica products, copper-bearing, and lithium-bearing mineral resources out of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(8)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983, and punishable under Section 8 of the same Act,” one of the charges read.
The defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them, with the prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, calling the investigating officer, Matthew Orogwu, who reviewed the facts of the case and tendered documentary evidence before the court.
After presenting the evidence, Kofarnaisa urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants in line with the charges.
