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Oil Marketer Forges Document to Obtain N963.7m

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Chidi Onyejekwe, a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of an oil marketer, Rowaye Jubril and his company, Brila Energy Ltd over their alleged fraudulent activities in the fuel subsidy support scheme has told a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja that the oil marketer forged some documents to obtain the N963.7 million subsidy payments.

Onyejekwe,  branch manager of Inspectorate Marine Services Limited, told the court presided over by Justice Lateefat Okunnu that the inspectorate has a system of keeping records in connection to the importation of the petroleum product but there was no records of Brila Energy Ltd’s transactions in their system.

The witness, who is part of  a team of officials of the Inspectorate Marine Services Limited that investigated the allegation of  fraud in the fuel subsidy regime further stated while been led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Seidu Atteh that his signatures never appeared in  any of the documents issued to the marketer.

However, the defence counsel, Richard Oluyede during cross examination contradicted the witness by showing him some documents signed by the inspectorate and issued to his clients.

The documents allegedly signed by the officials of the inspectorate include, a certificate of cargo transfer  and a certificate of origin which according to the lawyer were appropriately issued and stamped by the directorate and could not be forged.

The prosecuting counsel Mr Atteh has informed the court that the EFCC will be filing additional proof of evidence against the oil marketer and his company.

According to the lawyer the additional proof to be filed and served on the parties before the next adjourned date will help the prosecution to prove its case against the marketer.

Further hearing on the  matter has been fixed for the 13th of June.

It will be recalled that another prosecution witness, Mr Lawal Ahmed had at the last adjourned date told the court that  Jubril did not import the petroleum products for which he obtained the subsidy payment.

Ahmed  was part of the special team set up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the fuel subsidy fraud.

The witness alleged that Jubril had obtained the money from the Federal Government of Nigeria for the purported importation of 13,500 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

According to the witness, it was discovered during investigations that Brila Energy had forged some documents which were presented to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to obtain the payment.

“The documents included Gasoline Analysis and Certificate of Quantity of the Mother Vessel, MT Overseas Lima, which was said to have been issued by Saybolt Nigeria Ltd.

“It also included Certificate of Quantity and Cargo Manifest of the Daughter Vessel, MT Defilna which was purportedly issued by Inspectorate Marine Services Ltd,” he said.

According to him, both companies later told the EFCC that the documents did not emanate from them.

He further stated that Llyod Lister, an agency which monitors the movement of international vessels, also confirmed that MT Overseas Lima was in Venezuela when the defendant claimed the vessel was being discharged in off-shore Cotonou.

He said:”The products were discharged but not imported into the country as claimed by the defendant.

“The inspectorate companies which were purportedly involved in the ship to ship transfer have denied ever participating in the transaction.” He added.


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Nigeria Police suspends tinted glass permit enforcement over court injunction

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Nigeria Police Force has suspended nationwide enforcement of its tinted glass permit policy, hours before its scheduled rollout, in compliance with a Delta State High Court order.

Nigeria Police suspends tinted glass permit enforcement over court injunction

Tinted glass permit

The policy, set for January 2, 2026, aimed to curb vehicle-related crimes but faced legal challenge from a private citizen against the Inspector-General of Police, the force, and Delta Police Commissioner.

An ex parte injunction issued in December 2025 restrained enforcement pending suit determination, prompting the hold announced by spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin on January 1.

Police entered appearance, filed preliminary objections, and sought injunction vacation; hearing adjourned to January 20, 2026.

The Nigerian Bar Association condemned initial police plans as “executive recklessness,” accusing disregard for rule of law, while police insisted no permanent bar existed on statutory duties.

IGP Kayode Egbetokun reiterated adherence to law while prioritising public safety via intelligence-led strategies during proceedings.


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NDIC Reinforces Full Oversight Compliance to Safeguard Depositors

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Mr. Thompson Sunday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has reaffirmed the Corporation’s strict compliance with fiscal and financial regulations, including the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, noting that the NDIC has consistently remitted the required percentage of its earnings to the Federal Government.

Mr. Sunday made this known during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Takang, as part of NDIC’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders following his formal assumption of office in July 2025.

According to him, NDIC takes financial accountability and transparency seriously, stressing that the Corporation complies fully with statutory remittance obligations, including the payment of 20 per cent of gross earnings or 80 per cent of net surplus to the Federal Government, as applicable. He added that NDIC also submits its financial statements ahead of statutory deadlines.

The NDIC MD/CE explained that this culture of compliance aligns with the Corporation’s role as a key institution within Nigeria’s financial safety-net, charged with protecting depositors and promoting confidence in the banking system. He emphasized that adherence to fiscal discipline remains central to NDIC’s credibility and effectiveness.

Mr. Sunday further disclosed that NDIC also complies with the Federal Government’s 50 per cent cost-to-income ratio policy, although he noted that the policy poses operational constraints. He explained that the deductions affect NDIC’s ability to build a strong Deposit Insurance Fund, which is needed to respond effectively to bank failures.

He stressed that international best practices under the Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance issued by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) require deposit insurers to maintain adequate funds to reimburse depositors when banks fail without recourse to government, adding that the NDIC is seeking an exemption to strengthen its capacity in this regard.

Mr. Sunday described MOFI as a critical stakeholder, noting that the Federal Government, through MOFI, holds a 40 per cent equity stake in NDIC. He said sustained collaboration with MOFI is essential to ensuring that NDIC continues to meet its obligations to government while effectively safeguarding depositors’ funds.

In his remarks, Dr. Takang commended the NDIC for its exemplary collaborative spirit and acknowledged the Corporation’s compliance with fiscal regulations. He assured that MOFI would continue to engage the Federal Ministry of Finance on NDIC’s behalf, noting that a strong NDIC is vital to sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation, transparency and accountability, with Mr. Sunday reiterating that NDIC remains focused on balancing regulatory compliance with its overriding mandate of depositor protection and financial system stability.


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T2 Backs Youth Excellence as NCBC Wins Bosun Tijani Foundation Basketball Tournament

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T2 has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development and excellence through sport as the NCBC basketball team, adopted by the brand, emerged champions of the Bosun Tijani Foundation Youth Basketball Tournament held at the Alake Sports Complex, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

The tournament, organised by the Bosun Tijani Foundation in collaboration with the Ogun State Government and supported by several partners including T2, brought together 12 competitive teams from across Nigeria, positioning basketball as a powerful platform for youth engagement, discipline, and opportunity.

NCBC’s championship run reflected the values T2 seeks to champion, work ethic, intelligence, teamwork, and resilience. The team recorded commanding victories over Team Vision, Warlords, and Elevate before defeating the Ilupjeu Raiders 66–52 in a gripping final.

Commenting on the adoption of the team, Seni Ogunkola, Vice President, Brands and Communication, T2 stated “NCBC embodies the qualities we believe in, exceptional work rate, intelligence on the ball, discipline, and a hunger to excel. By supporting them, T2 is investing in potential, purpose, and the next generation of leaders on and off the court.”

The climax of the event saw His Royal Highness, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, present the trophy to the victorious team, drawing rapturous applause from spectators. The event was also attended by the Chief of Staff to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Lere Olayinka, and the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, underscoring strong institutional support for youth-focused initiatives.

Through its participation in the tournament, T2 continues to position itself as a brand that goes beyond sponsorship, championing platforms that unlock talent, inspire ambition, and create lasting social impact for Nigerian youth.


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