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Court Orders Belemaoil to Pay Over $21m, ₦10Bn Contract Debts to BGP/CNPC

A High Court in port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ordered Belemaoil Producing Limited (Belemaoil) to pay the sum of more than $21 billion and another nearly N11 billion to BGP/CNPC International Nigeria Limited being an unpaid balance of services rendered for an executed contract.

BGP/CNPC, a limited liability company incorporated in Nigeria, had in Suit No. PHC/3442/S/2022 against Belemaoil, claimed that by a tripartite contract No. BPL055017-00063 signed on 04/02/2019, that they were contracted to provide onshore and swamp seismic acquisition services in respect of OML 55 for a period of three years, effective 24/04/18 and to lapse on 23/04/2021.
The suit noted that the contract sums with a payment split of 40% payable in Naira, while 60% payable in United States Dollar and that the firm had between November 2019 and January, 2021, it sent several invoices to Belemaoil for payment of work done, all of which Belemaoil duly received, acknowledged and did not dispute at all material times.
The firm claimed that it wrote several demand letters to Belemaoil, which were also duly received, without objecting to same, adding that Belemaoil had given its bankers (Sterling Bank PLC and Access Bank PLC) letters of irrevocable payment instructions in favour of BGP/CNPC and its co-contractor for payment of 90% of its anticipated cash call inflow from his senior partner NAPIMS but that no payment was made.
BGP/CNPC opined that several meetings were held by the parties wherein the outstanding sums were reconciled and agreed upon, and Belemaoil reiterated its commitment to paying the debt and agreed on a time line schedule for payment of the part of the debt that may not be accommodated by NAPIMS cash call contribution.
The firm noted that despite the agreement and repeated demands, Belemaoil failed to pay the debt which impacted negatively on their business and ability to meet its financial obligations, thereby initiating the suit through a summary judgment procedure, exhibiting tendering 32 copies of invoices, letters of demand, minutes of meetings and others documents.
But, Belemaoil in opposition to summary judgment admitted that BGP/CNPC was actually engaged to execute the contract and was issued some invoices wherein some discrepancies were discovered and several meetings were held to reconcile the differences in the amounts quoted by BGP/CNPC.
Belemaoil stated further that the sum of the invoices submitted by BGP/CNPC was a total of $28,008,170.07 and N 6,413,890,343.91, out of the said amount, Belemaoil made payment of the sum $7,578,365.67 and N 1,768,718,772.48, adding that the outstanding invoices issued by BGP/CNPC is $22,358,185.12 and N 5,053,732.656.30, but could not be attended to due to non-compliance with the terms of the contract by BGP/CNPC, for refusing to release data on work done to Belemaoil.
They told the court that all the invoices submitted have no certificate of job completion, and that BGP/CNPC is entitled to payment only upon the complete delivery of all seismic products and all data related deliverables, stating that it is not indebted to BGP/CNPC and urged the court to dismiss the application for summary judgment brought by BGP/CNPC.
Meanwhile, Belemaoil had during the pendency of the suit, sought the leave of court to settle the matter out of court and leave was granted by the court, and paid to BGP/CNPC the sum of N 2,440,000,000.00, and $500,000.00 out of the outstanding indebtedness, but failed to pay the balance.
However, delivering his judgment, Justice G. O. Ollor, presiding judge, held that in accordance with the Rules of court, judgment would be entered against a Respondent who is unable to show that he has a good defence to the claim.
Ollor noted that upon a careful perusal of all the processes filed by the parties and the application for summary judgment in particular, the affidavits, Exhibits and submission of both learned Counsels, he is not in doubt that BGP/CNPC was engaged by Belemaoil to provide onshore and swamp seismic acquisition works in respect of OML 55 which BGP/CNPC issued its invoices to Belemaoil, and that Belemaoil also admitted its indebtedness to BGP/CNPC in several meetings and in the documents before the court and that there is no bona fide evidence that the debt owed to BGP/CNPC is disputed by Belemaoil.
Ollor held further that the letters issued by Belemaoil, the irrevocable payment instruction to its banks (Access Bank and Sterling Bank) in respect of its indebtedness and resolutions reached at meetings with Belemaoil, BGP/CNPC and IDSL wherein Belemaoil admitted its liability to BGP/CNPC, reveals the fact that Belemaoil does not dispute any part of the claim being asserted by BGP/CNPC, even as Belemaoil did not dispute that work was done by BGP/CNPC nor the invoices that were issued.
The court held:“The Defendant/Respondent having failed to pay within the sixty days (60) period prescribe by the contract, the Defendant/Respondent has deprived itself of the benefit of the Naira to USD exchange rates applied in the unpaid invoices. Allowing the Claimant/Respondent to benefit from its own wrong will be unjust and contrary to equity.
“It is a settled law that summary judgment procedure is for the plain and straight forward, not for the devious and crafty. I find that the instant suit is plain and straight forward and this application for summary judgment by the Claimant/Applicant is apt, because the Defendant/Respondent has no good defence to this suit of the Claimant/Applicant.
“Accordingly, I hold from the above findings that the application of the Claimant/Applicant for summary judgment in this suit is meritorious and it is granted as prayed”.
The Court, however, ordered Belemaoil to pay to BGP/CNPC, the sum of N10,810,270,635.00, and $21, 858,185.12, being the balance outstanding of the invoices issued by BGP/CNPC to Belemaoil for work done.
The Court also ordered Belemaoil to pay post judgment interest at the rate of 10% per annum from the date of judgment until final liquidation of the judgment, while setting down the claims with regards to cost of action and pre-judgment interest for full trial. A cost of N200,000.00 was also awarded against Belemaoil and in favour of BGP/CNPC by the court.
News
LG Nigeria Begins Nationwide Search for Oldest Working TV, Rewards Loyalty with AI QNED Upgrade

LG Electronics has announced the launch of a nationwide campaign aimed at celebrating decades of customer loyalty and technological heritage by searching for the oldest still-functioning LG television sets across the country.

The initiative, themed “The Oldest LG TV”, seeks to honour long-time customers whose LG screens have stood the test of time, while introducing them to the future of home entertainment through LG’s advanced AI QNED TVs.
For generations, LG televisions have been more than an electronic device in Nigerian homes, they have been silent witnesses to family milestones, cultural moments and shared memories.
This campaign bridges nostalgia with innovation, acknowledging the emotional connection Nigerians have built with the brand while showcasing LG’s leadership in AI-powered display technology.
The campaign features a storytelling -driven narrative that highlights community, heritage and the evolution of viewing experiences. Participants are invited to share the stories behind their long-serving LG TVs, transforming everyday screens into symbols of trust, resilience and innovation.

In creative twist, the campaign also introduces LG’s AI-enabled televisions as responsive companions that understand viewer preferences, recommend content and enhance picture quality in real time. This shift from nostalgia to futuristic interactivity underscores LG’s continued commitment to delivering smarter, more personalized entertainment solutions.
To participate, simply visit https://lgsearchcampaign.vercel.app/ upload a photo or video of your old LG TV and share the story behind it – how long you’ve had it and the memories it holds.
The winner walks away with a brand-new LG AI QNED TV, effectively trading legacy for luxury.
At its core, this campaign reminds us that technology is not only about pixels and processors, but about people. It’s about the laughter in the living rooms, the silence during tense match moments and the comfort of family routines.
By celebrating the oldest TVs still standing strong, LG is celebrating the people who kept the on, families who trusted the brand through changing times and evolving technologies. In doing so, LG isn’t just upgrading television, it’s upgrading memories into the future.
According to Mr. Choongbae Seok, General Manager, Media Entertainment Solutions, LG Electronics Nigeria, “The journey from our classic CRT Televisions to today’s AI QNED technology reflects how far both our customers and our innovation have come. Those early sets were built to last, and many are still functioning today, a testament to durability and consumer trust. This initiative allows us to honour that legacy while introducing a new era of intelligent viewing, where the screen does more than show content; it adapts, learns and enhances every moment”.
LG Display 2026 TV Models at InnoFest
LG Electronics (LG), a leader in AI-powered solutions for the home, outlined plans to accelerate growth in emerging markets at LG InnoFest 2026 MEA. The event, held in Abu Dhabi, provided a forum to share LG’s strategic direction and market outlook with regional partners. At the exhibition, LG displayed its premium 2026 AI TV lineup focusing heavily on advanced processing power, smarter picture and sound technologies. The flagship OLED evo G6 and 100-inch Micro RGB evo TVs are powered by the new Alpha 11 AI processor Gen 3 enabling faster and more intelligent performance. The OLED evo W6 Wallpaper TV, an ultra-slim television designed to sit flush against the wall like artwork uses true wireless connectivity, reducing cable clutter and creating a cleaner, minimal setup.
News
African Leaders Highlight Africa’s AI Ambitions

African leaders used the AU Summit in Addis Ababa over the weekend to sharpen the continent’s technology agenda, with Ethiopia positioning artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure and connectivity as pillars of Africa’s economic future.

Opening the 39th African Union Summit, Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed outlined an ambitious vision to place Africa at the forefront of the global AI race, anchored by Ethiopia’s plan to launch what he described as Africa’s first AI-focused university.
“In 2020, Ethiopia established Africa’s first Artificial Intelligence Institute. Building on this foundation, we are preparing to launch an AI university anchored in the philosophy of Medemer, purposeful collaboration, to unite human values with machine intelligence and position Africa as a global leader in the age of intelligence,” Abiy told delegates. “
He framed AI not as a standalone sector, but as a cross-cutting enabler for governance, industry and social development. “Every river we manage, every city we design, and every digital platform we deploy must generate resilience, opportunity and dignity,” Abiy said. He further linked digital transformation to Agenda 2063’s long-term prosperity goals.
Beyond AI, the high-powered AU summit discussions highlighted digital identity, cross-border connectivity and telecom expansion as critical building blocks for an integrated African market. Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 roadmap, including its Faida digital ID ecosystem, was cited as a model for secure, interconnected public services.
Abiy pointed to aviation and telecom infrastructure as key accelerators for economic development across the continent. “Through Ethiopian Airlines, we connect people and markets. Ethio Telecom is expanding partnerships across Africa to bridge the digital divide,” he said.
The Ethiopian leader added that large-scale infrastructure projects are designed to anchor Africa deeper into global value chains.
The broader summit tech agenda also touched on regulatory harmonisation, digital trade and data governance, with leaders emphasizing that continental cooperation is essential to avoid fragmented digital markets.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the need for inclusive innovation, telling delegates that Africa’s digital rise must be “people-centered and opportunity-driven,” while African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf stressed coordinated policy frameworks to accelerate adoption.
“AI capability, digital infrastructure and unified regulation are no longer optional ambitions, but strategic imperatives shaping the continent’s competitiveness in the intelligence era,” he said.
News
NITDA Explores Partnership with Trust Stamp on Digital Trust and Innovation

By Naeemah Junaid
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has held strategic discussions with representatives of Trust Stamp, a NASDAQ-listed global technology company, to explore potential areas of partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital trust framework and advancing innovation within the digital economy.

The meeting, chaired by NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, focused on identifying collaborative opportunities aligned with Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and the Agency’s strategic priorities for building a secure, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital ecosystem.
Inuwa emphasised that trust remains a critical foundation for the growth of the digital economy, noting that secure systems and strong cybersecurity frameworks are essential for driving innovation, economic growth, and national development. He stated that building trust in digital platforms and services is key to accelerating adoption and unlocking opportunities across sectors.
He reiterated NITDA’s mandate as a regulator to create an enabling environment through forward-looking policies and regulatory frameworks that support innovation rather than promote specific technologies. According to him, government interventions are designed to stimulate markets, create opportunities, and empower both businesses and citizens to participate fully in the digital economy.
The Director General further reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to investments that strengthen digital infrastructure and enhance digital services, stressing that sustainable national development is best driven by private sector participation under supportive regulatory and policy frameworks. He called for continued engagement to ensure alignment with national priorities and effective integration into Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
In his remarks, Trust Stamp Vice President, Jonathan Pasha, highlighted the company’s global experience in secure verification and trust technologies, describing its approach as partnership-oriented and focused on delivering long-term value within local ecosystems. He noted that the company prioritises collaboration with governments and private sector stakeholders to address local challenges and expand access to secure digital services.
Pasha referenced Trust Stamp’s ongoing operations in Nigeria, including its collaboration with a telecommunications provider to enhance SIM swap prevention and fraud detection capabilities. He also outlined the firm’s biometric tokenisation technology, which converts biometric data into secure, privacy-preserving representations, enabling verification processes without exposing sensitive information.
He explained that the technology supports secure verification, fraud prevention, financial inclusion initiatives, and the tokenisation of real-world assets, while being designed to function effectively in low-connectivity environments and on low-specification devices to expand access to digital services.
Both parties expressed interest in advancing technical-level discussions to identify specific areas of collaboration aligned with national priorities and Nigeria’s digital transformation objectives.
NITDA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a secure and trusted digital economy through strategic partnerships, robust regulatory frameworks, and initiatives that promote innovation, inclusion, and sustainable growth.
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