General
Police Set up Tactical Team for NLNG Train-7 Project in Bonny
By Adedapo Adesanya
As the planned construction of the seventh gas processing plant of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) commonly known as Train-7 project commences, the Nigeria Police Force has set up a tactical team for crisis management and security in Bonny.
This was put in place following the move by the Deputy Senate President, Mr Ovie Omo-Agege and the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, to engage with the host communities and relevant stakeholders in providing a secured environment for the project.
The duo spoke in Bonny Island over the weekend during a familiarisation visit to Bonny stakeholders at the palace of the Amayanabo of Bonny, Mr Edward People, while sharing ideas on how to provide security for the NLNG’s Train-7 project.
Mr Omo-Agege, represented by his SSA on Community Affairs, Conflict Resolution and Local Content Matters, Mr Christopher Agaga, said the IGP’s Tactical Team for the Bonny Kingdom would manage the security coverage of the project in collaboration with other security agencies in the country.
He said the move was imperative following the level of importance which the federal government attaches to the Train-7 project, which would create thousands of direct and indirect jobs as well as revenue generation.
He also stated that the IGP Tactical Team will partner with all relevant stakeholders in ensuring that opportunities in the project are available to the host communities in particular and Nigerians in general.
“The NLNG Train-7 project is the biggest in Africa. It is also the most attractive project in Africa, hence it will attract the good, the bad and the ugly. It will attract people that have good intentions and negative intentions.
“Based on that, the IGP being the chief internal security officer of the country, has set up a tactical team for crisis management to manage security for the project, working with the community and all stakeholders. It is important for a strong security architecture is put in place,” the lawmaker from Delta State said.
Also, the Inspector General of Police, represented by the Team Lead, IGP Tactical Team on Train-7, ACP Usman Magaji, said given the huge economic potentials of the project, it has security implications for the host community and the country.
The IGP explained that this informed the need to engage stakeholders on how to tackle any security challenges that may arise before, during and after the project.
“We know that the NLNG Train 7 project is of immense economic potential for the country and for the Bonny Kingdom, hence the security implication for the host community and the nation at large,” the police chief said.
On behalf of the communities, the Chairman, Bonny Council of Chiefs, Mr Se-Alabo Dagogo Wilcox, who commended the Deputy Senate President and the IGP, said Train-7 project was one that everyone in the kingdom looked forward to.
Mr Wilcox noted that security was of paramount importance in the project and then assured the team of Bonny Kingdom’s support to ensure that the IGP Tactical Team succeeds on its mandate.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to a Lagos socialite, Ms Aisha Achimugu, and her company, Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited, to the federal government of Nigeria.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nwite held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) established that the foreign currency was proceeds of fraud and unlawful activities.
The judge further held that Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited failed to establish how it came by the money, saying the anti-money laundering agency satisfied all requirements for the funds to be classified as proceeds of fraud and to be forfeited to the appropriate authority.
He dismissed the claims that the $13 million was gifts received into the Oceangate Engineering Company by Ms Achimugu, adding that the woman never came to the court to show cause why the huge amount of money should not be forfeited to the government.
He held that no single person who gave the monetary gift to Aisha Achimugu to the tune of $13 million was called to testify.
The judge further held that the burden to establish genuine ownership of the money was not established by the applicant to counter the claims of the anti- graft agency that the money was the proceeds of fraud based on its investigation.
According to the judge, Oceangate Engineering Company did not show the business it undertook that fetched it the money, nor did it show whether any payment was made to it by any of its customers.
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.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has inaugurated a 17-member Planning Committee to coordinate the National Flag-Off of the Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) Initiative, a flagship programme aimed at transforming research outputs into economic value.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Philip Ndiomu Ebiogeh, described the initiative as a strategic intervention to convert Nigeria’s vast research and innovation outputs into market-ready products, scalable enterprises, and job-creating opportunities.
He noted that ECoN will mobilise stakeholders nationwide to identify bankable innovations and accelerate their transition from laboratories to the marketplace, stressing that the country must move beyond theoretical research to practical solutions that drive industrial growth and national prosperity.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, had earlier briefed the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, on the initiative and proposed her as a champion of the programme, with the national flag-off scheduled for Kano State.
He explained that Kano was deliberately selected due to its historic role as a commercial and industrial hub, offering strong potential to attract investment, stimulate enterprise, and create jobs.
The Committee is chaired by the Minister, with the Permanent Secretary as Co-Chairman, while the Director-General, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency, NBRDA, and the Director-General, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, SHESTCO, serve as Alternate Chairmen.
Members include Professor Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso, Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Dr Jummai Adamu, Dr (Mrs) Obiageli Amadiobi, Dr Kabiru Mu’azu, Dr Anwal Mustapha, Engr Ibiam Oguejiofo, Mr Moses Fatogun, Mr Adamu Sulaiman (a representative of SMEDAN), Dr Prince Lawrence Eze, Mr Sani Garba, Dr Muhammad Mustapha, Dr Chioma Okeke, Mr Luther Onyemkpa, Mr Charles Egumgbe, and Dr Nwankwo Nnenna serving as Secretary.
The national flag-off is proposed for late April or early May 2026, subject to Presidential approval.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to positioning innovation as a key driver of economic diversification and sustainable development, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Switzerland-headquartered global shipping giant, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has complied with the directive of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to suspend the implementation of its new tariff pending consultations with stakeholders.
In a customer advisory titled Temporary Suspension of New Tariff Implementation, the shipping line stated that the tariff regime in place before the recent increase would remain effective until further notice.
Business Post reported a few days ago that freight forwarders picketed the offices of MSC, protesting the recent increase in shipping line tariffs. They blocked the regulators from accessing the MSC premises to address the matter.
Despite the protests, the council’s attempt to engage the aggrieved freight forwarders in discussions was resisted, as the protesters insisted that there was no basis for dialogue and vowed to continue the protest until the increased charges were immediately reversed.
In the latest directive, the shipping company said, “We wish to inform our esteemed customers that the recently implemented tariff adjustment has been temporarily suspended, following a directive from the NSC. This suspension is pending the conclusion of ongoing engagements and resolution with the regulator.”
“Accordingly, the tariff regime applicable prior to the recent increase will remain in force until further notice, as mandated.”
The company further assured customers that updates would be communicated once a final decision is reached by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
“We remain fully committed to regulatory compliance, transparency, and protecting the interests of our customers. Further updates will be communicated promptly once a definitive position is issued by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. We appreciate your understanding and continued cooperation,” the advisory added.
NSC had warned that prolonged industrial disputes within the maritime sector could disrupt port operations and negatively impact trade and economic activities.
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