NEWS
Dangote Group To Withdraw ₦100bn Lawsuit Against NMDPRA Amid Ongoing Talks
The Dangote Group has announced plans to withdraw its ₦100bn lawsuit against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), following ongoing conciliatory talks.
The legal dispute, which arose from the NMDPRA’s issuance of import licenses to several companies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has now been deemed “an old issue” by the group.
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The lawsuit, initially filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 6, 2024, challenged the issuance of licenses to companies such as Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, AA Rano Limited, and four others, despite the availability of locally produced petroleum products.
Dangote Refinery had argued that these licenses violated sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which allow imports only when there is a proven shortfall in local production.
In a statement released late Monday, the Dangote Group confirmed that it no longer intends to pursue the case.
Group spokesperson Anthony Chiejina said the parties involved have opened discussions to resolve the matter out of court.
“We have agreed to put a halt to the proceedings. No orders have been made, and there are no adverse effects on any party involved,” Chiejina said, adding that the case would likely be formally withdrawn in January 2025.
The legal battle was seen as a significant move by Dangote to protect its multi-billion-dollar refinery, which began operations in December 2023.
Dangote Refinery, with an initial capacity of 350,000 barrels per day, aims to ramp up production to 650,000 barrels per day by the end of 2024.
The company had argued that the import licenses issued by the NMDPRA were detrimental to its business, leading to a decline in demand for its locally produced products.
Background and Impact on the Petroleum Sector
The Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest, was developed to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
The country, despite being one of the world’s top oil producers, has long struggled with fuel scarcity, as all of its state-owned refineries remain non-operational.
As a result, Nigeria heavily relies on imports, with NNPCL being the primary importer.
The legal confrontation emerged at a time when fuel prices in Nigeria have skyrocketed.
Following the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023, petrol prices have surged from ₦200 per litre to over ₦1,000 per litre, exacerbating inflation and placing additional strain on Nigerians, who rely on fuel for transportation and power generation due to erratic electricity supply.
The Dangote Group’s lawsuit contended that the NMDPRA’s decision to issue import licenses was unwarranted, as the refinery was capable of meeting local demand.
The group sought an injunction to prevent further issuance of these licenses, arguing that local production should be prioritized.
Court Proceedings and Next Steps
The case, which was adjourned by Justice Inyang Ekwo to January 20, 2025, is now expected to be formally withdrawn.
According to the Dangote Group, the matter is now being addressed through out-of-court talks, signaling a shift towards reconciliation between the refinery and the regulatory body.
With Dangote Refinery continuing to expand its production and supply of key petroleum products, including diesel, aviation fuel, and petrol, industry experts are watching closely to see how this resolution will impact Nigeria’s energy landscape.
The Dangote Group’s refinery remains a crucial player in Nigeria’s effort to reduce its reliance on imported fuel, as the country grapples with energy supply challenges that have persisted for decades.
NEWS
Ex-UN Envoy Warns Of New Cold War Threatening Africa’s Unity
Renowned diplomat and former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Ibrahim Gambari, has raised alarms over the looming threat of a new Cold War that could fracture Africa along geopolitical lines.
Speaking at the Realnews Magazine Annual Lecture in Lagos, Gambari urged African leaders to urgently reposition the continent amidst intensifying global power struggles.
The lecture, themed “Africa in World Shifting Geopolitics: Matters Arising on Demography, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Resources,” explored Africa’s strategic role in a rapidly evolving international system.
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Gambari cautioned that without proactive measures, Africa risks being sidelined or exploited in the unfolding global order.
Africa: Battleground in a New Power Struggle
Describing the increasing militarisation by major global powers, Gambari painted a picture of fierce competition for control over Africa’s resources and strategic locations.
He noted that the proliferation of foreign military bases across the continent is evidence of this struggle.
“A relentless militarisation is taking place across the world—from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Arctic to the Antarctic,” Gambari said. “Rich in natural resources and strategically located, Africa has become a key battleground in this global power struggle.”
He cited Djibouti as a stark example of Africa’s strategic importance.
The country, located near the Red Sea, hosts both the United States’ only permanent base on the continent, Camp Lemonnier, and China’s first overseas military installation.
Gambari warned that the presence of such bases represents more than security interests, suggesting echoes of colonial ambitions aimed at controlling Africa’s wealth and arable land.
“The seaboard of Africa is already dotted with military bases operated by various powers,” Gambari observed. “The continent is once again at the center of a scramble as the new Cold War intensifies.”
The Return of Zero-Sum Geopolitics
Gambari also highlighted the resurgence of zero-sum geopolitics, where nations compete for influence at the expense of others.
He noted that China and Russia are emerging as dominant players in Africa, with China leveraging infrastructure projects and debt relief, while Russia offers weapons and military support.
“These actions signal a destabilising competition for influence,” Gambari said, adding that traditional powers like France, Germany, India, and the UK are also expanding their presence on the continent.
“The age of zero-sum geopolitics is back, with all its destabilising consequences for African countries,” he said.
Unlocking Africa’s Potential Amid Challenges
Despite the geopolitical rivalry, Gambari emphasized that Africa’s youthful and growing population provides a significant opportunity for the continent to assert its influence globally.
He urged African leaders to invest in education, innovation, and youth-driven initiatives to harness this demographic dividend.
“With well over a billion people and an overwhelmingly youthful population, the African continent is destined for a significant role in the demographics of the world,” Gambari said.
“But we must build national and regional strategies to leverage the energy, innovative acumen, and futuristic vision of our young people.”
Gambari warned that without these strategies, Africa’s demographic advantage could remain underutilised.
He also called for the continent to be proactive in shaping the rules of the emerging global order, rather than being passive participants.
“We cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while the rules of a new world order are being written,” Gambari said.
“We must insist on being joint rule-makers, ensuring the new global order reflects our values and aspirations for a fairer, more inclusive, and equitable world.”
A Call to Action
Gambari concluded with a rallying cry for African leaders to harness the continent’s abundant resources and human capital.
He said Africa must use its demographic and strategic advantages to achieve the structural transformation that has long eluded it.
He said, “We must be ready to harness our abundant human and natural resources to leapfrog our development. Although the outcomes of ongoing geopolitical shifts are uncertain, they need not come at the expense of our people and our continent.”
Gambari stressed the need for bold leadership, warning that Africa cannot afford complacency. “Our youth bulge must become an advantage that places us at the forefront of the digital economy and its innovations,” he said.
NEWS
Relatives Of Renowned Journalist Abducted In Kogi, N50m Ransom Demanded
Three relatives of Malam Ahmed Ajobe, a former Editor of Daily Trust, were abducted by gunmen on Thursday evening along the Ankpa-Adoka-Makurdi road in Kogi State.
The victims, identified as a male and two females, include Ajobe’s immediate younger sister, Halimtu-Sadiya Tahir.
The family members were returning from a market in Awo, Ankpa Local Government Area, where they had gone to purchase items for the seventh-day prayers of Ajobe’s late mother, Malama Aishetu Tahir.
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The matriarch passed away on Sunday after a protracted illness.
The abduction occurred around 3 p.m. on the deplorable Ankpa-Adoka-Makurdi road, a known hotspot for criminal activities.
According to a family source, the kidnappers contacted the family on Friday and demanded a ransom of N50 million for the release of the victims.
A close family friend, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “Yes, three of Ajobe’s family members were kidnapped at gunpoint at about 3 p.m. on Thursday.
The kidnappers reached out on Friday afternoon demanding for N50 million as ransom.
However, I can’t confirm what the family is offering in the negotiations because I had to leave the community for an emergency in Lokoja. What I can say is that no amount has been paid yet, and the victims are still in captivity.”
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the incident and assured the public that efforts are underway to rescue the victims.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), William Aya, disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area has deployed officers to track the assailants.
“The Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, has ordered the drafting of a tactical team to reinforce the local police. We are doing everything possible to ensure the safe release of the victims and to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Aya said.
The Ankpa-Adoka-Makurdi road has long been a source of concern for residents, who have repeatedly called for improved security and road infrastructure.
Negotiations between the family and the kidnappers are ongoing, but as of press time, the victims remain in captivity.
NEWS
I Previously Called For Simon Ekpa To Be Shot – APC Chieftain
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jesutega Onokpasa, has expressed strong support for the recent arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafran Republic Government in Exile.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, Onokpasa, a lawyer, described Ekpa as a dangerous figure whose actions warranted severe measures, including his elimination.
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Simon Ekpa was apprehended in Finland earlier this week by the country’s Central Criminal Police alongside three other individuals.
The arrests were part of an investigation into suspected terrorist activities.
Finnish authorities confirmed the development in a statement, noting that Ekpa and others were being questioned for their alleged roles in terrorism-related crimes.
Onokpasa, who has been a vocal critic of the separatist leader, revealed that he had previously called for Ekpa to be neutralized due to his alleged involvement in violent activities in Nigeria’s Southeast.
“The case of Simon Ekpa—his arrest is long overdue,” Onokpasa said during the interview. “In fact, I had actually encouraged that he should be shot because he was killing his fellow Igbos. If the person is an enemy combatant, he is liable to be shot. I know the law. This is just intelligence stuff.”
The APC chieftain also described Ekpa as “a crazy, poorly educated fellow,” adding that his actions have led to significant bloodshed among Igbos in the region.
Onokpasa emphasized his unwavering support for Ekpa’s arrest, which he believes is a necessary step in addressing the violence linked to separatist agitation. “In that case, I am in full support of his arrest,” he added.
Ekpa has been a polarizing figure, often accused of fueling unrest in Nigeria’s Southeast through his advocacy for Biafran independence.
His arrest is being hailed by some as a crucial step toward restoring peace in the region.