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Firm Seeks Criminal Case against Shell, CEO over Nigeria Deal

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A Dutch law firm has asked the public prosecutor in the Netherlands to file a case against Royal Dutch Shell, its CEO and former executives of over what it says were criminal actions relating to a 2011 oilfield purchase in Nigeria.

 

The Dutch authorities are already investigating the oilfield deal, alongside Italian prosecutors, who want to take Shell and Italy’s Eni to trial over alleged corruption on the same oilfield.

 

Shell and Eni have denied any wrongdoing. Shell said on Tuesday it did not believe there was any basis to prosecute the company or any current or former employee.

 

Prakken d‘Oliveira, a law firm specializing in human rights cases, filed its request in September on behalf of Global Witness and other clients, asking the prosecutor to charge Shell, as well as Chief Executive Ben van Beurden, former CEO Peter Voser and former Chief Financial Officer Simon Henry.

 

Voser and Henry did not respond to requests for comment.

 

Barbara van Straaten, a lawyer at Prakken d‘Oliveira, said the request would push the Dutch prosecutor’s office to say if they intended to move forward with criminal charges.

 

Campaign group Global Witness has published several reports on the 2011 deal in which Shell and Eni secured the oil prospecting license (OPL) 245.

 

Global Witness and others say much of the $1.3 billion in payments for the block did not go to the state but instead went to Dan Etete, a former Nigerian oil minister who was convicted of money laundering in France in 2007, and to Malabu Oil and Gas, a firm that previously held the rights.

 

Shell said earlier this year it knew the Nigerian government would compensate Malabu using some of the money but the transaction was fully legal.

 

An Italian judge is expected to decide on Dec. 20 whether to try Eni and Shell for alleged corruption in the deal.

 

Milan prosecutors have asked for the two firms, as well as some past and present managers from the companies, including Eni’s current CEO Claudio Descalzi, to be indicted.

 

A Dutch anti-fraud team raided Shell’s headquarters in The Hague in 2016 as part of its investigation.

 

 

 

 


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EFCC Detains Ayeni, Ex-Skye Bank Chairman over Alleged N36.5Bn, $30m Fraud

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has detained Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc, for alleged fraud involving N36.5 billion and $30 million.

EFCC Detains Ayeni, Ex-Skye Bank Chairman over Alleged N36.5Bn, $30m Fraud

Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc,

This follows the probe of alleged diversion of N36.5 billion and $30 million secured as loans from Polaris Bank Plc through companies linked to Ayeni.

He was arrested by EFCC operatives in Abuja on April 23, 2026, and is still been held in custody as at the time of filling the report.

Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC, confirmed the arrest on Friday but declined to provide further details.

Ayeni is under investigation for diverting funds obtained for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects into other unknown projects.

Investigators allege the loans were instead channelled into telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.

About 12 firms believed to be connected to Ayeni are also under investigation for their role in securing the loans.

The EFCC is expected to file charges once the investigation is concluded.


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Summit Factory Opens in Ogun, Targets Hygiene Market Expansion

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L-r: Sadiq Ali, General Manager, Summit Household Solutions Limited; Oba Abdulakeem Odunaro, Onikotun of Otun, Ota; Hon. Wasiu Adewale Lawal (FCA), Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota LGA; Mr Kehinde Akintomide, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Ogun State; and Mojeed Maaradesa, Manufacturing Manager, during the commissioning of the ultra-modern factory by Summit Household Solutions Limited in Ota on Thursday.
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Summit Household Solutions Limited has opened its ultra-modern manufacturing facility in Ota, Ogun State, as part of its efforts to scale production of home and personal care products in Nigeria.

The plant, which started operations in April 2025, produces items such as dishwashing liquids, handwash, sanitisers and multipurpose liquid soaps, with an annual capacity estimated at 7,000 tonnes.

Commissioning the facility on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mr Kehinde Akintomide, said the investment reflects growing confidence in Ogun State’s business environment.

He noted that the state hosts over 6,000 manufacturing firms and described the development as consistent with ongoing efforts to promote industrialisation, attract investment and reduce reliance on imports under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope initiative.

Akintomide disclosed that the factory has already employed more than 50 Nigerians, with projections to exceed 250 jobs as operations expand.

In his remarks, the General Manager of the company, Mr Sadiq Ali, said the facility represents a major step in Summit’s growth plans, adding that its flagship brand, 2Sure, currently leads production at the plant.

He also revealed that the company is preparing to introduce new home and personal care products later this year.

Summit Household Solutions manufactures the 2Sure brand and has expanded into the personal care segment with Lewar, a premium beauty soap line positioned for quality and affordability.

Among dignitaries present were the Onikotun of Otun, Ota, Oba Abdulakeem Odunaro, representing the Olota of Ota, Prof. Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege; the Agba Akin of Ota, Chief Dada Olusola; Director of Investment, Ms Yemisi Folarin; Director of Industrial Promotion, Mr Femi Adeboye; former Managing Director of 7Up Bottling Company, Mr Ziad Maalouf; and the Chief Executive Officer of OmniRetail, Mr Deepanker Rustagi.

Speaking at the event, Maalouf, who conceived the 2Sure brand during his time at 7Up Bottling Company, expressed satisfaction with its growth and commended Summit Solutions Limited for advancing the brand.

The special guests were conducted around the facility, and the programme was concluded with a luncheon.

 


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US Freezes $344m in Crypto Linked to Iran in Major Crackdown

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The administration of Donald Trump has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency allegedly linked to Iran, marking a sharp escalation in financial pressure on Tehran.

US Freezes $344m in Crypto Linked to Iran in Major Crackdown

The move comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts and a fragile ceasefire in the region.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that authorities are sanctioning multiple crypto wallets tied to Iran. “We will follow the money that Tehran is desperately attempting to move outside of the country and target all financial lifelines tied to the regime,” he said.

Tether, which facilitated the transactions, said it worked with U.S. authorities to freeze the funds across two wallet addresses after receiving intelligence linked to unlawful activity.

A U.S. official said blockchain analysis revealed “material links” to the Iranian regime, including transactions routed through intermediary addresses connected to wallets associated with the Central Bank of Iran.

Responding to the development, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the company does not tolerate illicit use of its stablecoin. “USD₮ is not a safe haven for illegal activity. When there is credible linkage to sanctioned entities or criminal networks, we act immediately,” he stated.

The crackdown underscores the growing reliance of sanctioned states on digital assets to bypass traditional banking restrictions. Data from Chainalysis shows Iran’s cryptocurrency holdings reached $7.8 billion in 2025, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly controlling about half.

Analysts say while the freeze is significant, Iran has historically adapted to sanctions. Daniel Tannebaum of the Atlantic Council noted that targeting third-party actors enabling such transactions may be key to increasing pressure.


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