NEWS
Intrigues Of Crime, Politics At Osun’s Temple Of Justice
The Osun State Chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union (JSU) has thrown its hat into the ring in the ongoing theatricals involving the state’s judiciary, the legislature and the executive.
The world woke up to the JSU demonstrating in support of embattled Chief Justice (CJ) of Osun State, Hon Justice Adepele Ojo, allegedly suspended, sacked or replaced by an acting CJ in the person of Justice Olayinka David Afolabi.
The theatre of justice in Osun State has been experiencing a movie series, melodramatic, some might say, involving the three arms of government, which by the assertions of a group going by the name “Concerned Osun Citizens” could be said to be fueled by the blood of a certain Timothy Adegoke.
Recall that the public was jolted with news of Adegoke, then a post-graduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) being murdered in November 2021, while lodging at Hilton Honours Hotel, Ile-Ife.
Following successful prosecution, Justice Ojo sentenced the owner of Hilton Honours Hotel, Chief Ramon Adedoyin to death by handing on Tuesday May 30, 2023.
It would now appear that Chief Adedoyin had counted on his strong social, business and political ties to evade justice in the matter.
Adegoke’s Blood Crying For Justice
It would seem that the more the high and the mighty teamed up to silence the blood of Adegoke, the more it cried for justice.
Or how would it be better to describe the ‘confusion’ that has characterised the ongoing intrigues of crime, politics and justice at the hallowed temple of justice in Osun State?
The state dominated the headlines across the Nigerian news-space for the better part of the last seven days, with negative vibes.
Watchers of public events consider the unfolding melodrama the crying of innocent blood from the grave and the desperation of ‘soiled hands’ to compromise justice.
This allegedly surmised what led to the travails of Justice Ayodele, suspended and replaced, albeit, “unlawfully”.
Concerned voices from the judicial segment of the society felt intrigued at the speed of ‘removal’, ‘suspension’, ‘appointment of acting CJ by the governor’, ‘denial of appointing acting CJ’, ‘willingness to cooperate with civil society’, and ‘apprising the Chief Justice of the Nigeria (CJN) and the National Judiciary Council (NJC)’, and ‘claim of being blackmailed’.
Justice Ojo had asked for a judicial intervention or interpretation of her removal from office, but the camp of the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke postured that their principal was not party to the litigation and couldn’t be bound by the outcomes.
This has seen the executive and legislative arms of the Osun State Government oscillating.
In a move, generally perceived as part of desperate efforts to shield Gov Adeleke, the Osun State Government (OSG) has issued media statements almost on daily basis, starting from November 16, when it claimed that the governor approved the Osun State House of Assembly’s (OSHA) resolution for the CJ, Justice Ojo to ‘step aside’.
According to the statement, the OSHA alleged that “the State Assembly on the premise that an official cannot be on the seat whilst investigation is ongoing, asked the Chief Judge to step aside.”
Signed by the Hon Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Osun State, Hon Kolapo Alimi, the statement added that “The Governor only acted on the Resolution of the House.”
Could the governor acting on, have meant giving effect to or executive backing to legislative resolution?
In the same resolution, the OSHA recommended to the governor, not the NJC or the CJN, that the person next in rank to the CJ be sworn-in to replace her, albeit on acting basis.
In the bid to clarify the actions taken by his principal, Hon Alimi stated, “To ensure there is no vacuum, the Governor appointed an Acting Chief Judge, as prescribed by the Constitution in a situation like this.”
This was how Justice Olayinka David Afolabi found himself as the acting CJ of Osun State.
Appointment Of Acting CJ, NBA’s Ire
In another statement, from the executive, this time signed by Spokesperson to the State Governor, Olawale Rasheed, Justice Afolabi was announced as Justice Ojo’s replacement.
It was issued under the subject, “Governor Adeleke Appoints Justice Olayinka David Afolabi as Acting CJ,” on November 16, 2023.
It read, “Governor Ademola Adeleke has appointed Justice Olayinka David Afolabi as the acting Chief Judge of Osun state with immediate effect following the approval of the resolution of the House of Assembly.”
This development drew the ire of the and reaction of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Probably this saw the statement denied by the OSG via another statement by Hon Alimi.
The NBA, through its National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, declared last Saturday that it would not accept the appointment of Justice Afolabi as the acting chief judge.
Lawal made it clear that the NBA’s stance is rooted in the constitutional principle of the separation of powers and the crucial independence of the judiciary.
He said, “The tenure of a judicial officer cannot and should not be subject to the mood of politicians.”
The perception minders of Gov Adeleke wants the world to believe that their principal is a law abiding leader, which had seen them apprise the CJN and the NJC.
In another statement issued by Hon Alimi on Sunday November 19, 2023, he averred that it was the OSHA and not the governor who was taking actions on the matter.
According to Hon Alimi, the OSG vehemently denied allegations that “Governor Ademola Adeleke has removed the Chief Judge and appointed an acting Chief Judge.”
What they want the world to believe is that “Governor Adeleke has only duly notified the Chief Justice as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) in writing about the resolutions of the House of Assembly following a series of petitions made against the sitting Chief Judge of Osun State.
“In the communication, Mr Governor intimated the CJN of the recommendation of the House that the Chief Judge should step aside and included his own submission for an acting appointment to fill the vacuum while the NJC reviews and decides on the petition.
“To that end, the Governor in the same letter recommended to the CJN, the appointment of the most senior judicial officer, Hon. Justice Olayinka David Afolabi for thorough consideration and further processing by the same NJC through the CJN.”
. . . And Concerned Citizens Become Dramatis Personae
However, a group that goes by the name, Concerned Osun Citizens (COC) has risen up against the moves to remove Justice Ojo.
The group had gone public that the allegations of fraud and other things against Justice Ojo were merely made-up to smear her and find a reason to shunt a patriotic law officer out of the way to make way for crime and injustice.
The group alleged in a flyer making the rounds online that personal and family interests were being enthroned over public and national interests in propelling Gov Adeleke to move the hand of the OSHA on the matter.
The COC in the flyer, under the subject, “When Patriots Are Persecuted”, averred that, “The Chief Judge of Osun State, Honourable Justice Ojo, from Ede, has been removed by the state government, because she chose to be patriotic when they asked her to set criminals free. Who are the criminals in question?
“One is Dr Ramon Adedoyin, owner of the Ile-Ife hotel, where OAU student, Timothy Adegoke was killed last year.
“The CJ sentenced Adedoyin to death, for being responsible for Adegoke’s murder, even though the CJ was asked to set Adedoyin free. She insisted, no sinner should go unpunished.
“Governor Adeleke, his sister, Dupe Adeleke-Sanni and Commissioner for Justice, Wole Bada are family friends of killer, Adedoyin. And they are the powerful forces persecuting the innocent CJ.
“Another CJ from Ile-Ife, who is a relative of Adedoyin, has been sworn-in, as the acting CJ to give freedom to Ramon Adedoyin.
“Why should a patriot suffer for doing the right thing?”
The OSG denies all the allegations, insisting that Gov Adeleke was being blackmailed.
Rasheed, alleged that the image of his principal was being tarnished with blatant falsehood by political opponents.
The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a defamatory fake news alleging that Governor Ademola Adeleke and his family are after the State’s Chief Judge because of the sentencing of Chief Raheem Adedoyin.
“The truth, which the public must be aware of, is that Mr Governor is being blackmailed with the Adedoyin case for refusing to shield and protect the Chief Judge, his town woman, from corruption probe.
“The blackmail is a falsehood without any foundation in truth. Chief Adedoyin is not and has never, in whatever form, been a friend of the Adelekes.
“Secondly, neither the Governor nor his family had any contact or interference in the Adedoyin case while it lasted. From the beginning to the end, no member of the Adeleke family was involved in any way in the legal process.
“Thirdly, Adedoyin was never in any way involved with the PDP, the party of the Governor. If anything, Adedoyin was a strong APC loyalist and an ally of the former Governor of Osun state.
“What is more, throughout the trial, Adedoyin’s legal team was manned by prominent APC lawyers from the beginning to the end. No single PDP lawyer was involved with the Adedoyin team.
“We affirm that the crisis rocking the state judiciary has to do with a series of petitions from judicial officers on alleged misconduct of the Chief Judge. On each occasion, those petitions always ended up unprocessed over deliberate blackmail with the Adedoyin matter until recent action by the State Assembly.
“The Governor’s sin is his consistent refusal to accept overtures to protect his kinswoman, the Chief Judge, from probe on alleged corruption. Mr Governor has always maintained his ground that if as a Governor he is not immune from accountability questions, why should he use his office to protect another official because of blood or town kinship?
“With all sense of responsibility, we declare that neither Governor Adeleke nor any member of his family has anything to do with the travails of the Chief Judge.
“The Governor’s refusal to shield his town people from corruption probe including the Chief Judge is largely responsible for the failed attempt to blackmail the Governor with the Adeoyin case. We reject the shameful linkage on alleged corruption within the judiciary and the Adedoyin matter. Public officials are not immune from accountability issues.
“We assert strongly that the Governor is not in any way linked with either the petition against the Chief Judge or the infamous Adedoyin case. The Number One Citizen will not use his office to shield anybody from accountability questions even if that person is from his family.
“The Governor has subsequently directed the state law officers to prosecute anybody peddling such defamatory and libelous publications as such fake news has no foundation in truth or reality.”
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has justified the activation of the Osun State Security Trust Fund on the ground of growing insecurity and public sector funding challenges facing all levels of government.
To show commitment of the state government, Gov Adeleke announced a contribution of three hundred million naira (N300m) to the trust fund.
On his part, billionaire philanthropist and brother of the state governor, Dr. Deji Adeleke donated five hundred million naira (N500m) while several businesses contributed various amounts.
The governor also used the occasion to announce the imminent sharing of refurbished Armoured Personnel Carriers and new patrol vehicles, declaring that “the administration is determined to maintain Osun’s record as one of the most peaceful states in the country”.
Launching the security trust fund at Osogbo, the governor decried the abandonment of the trust fund initiative by the Oyetola administration, describing the implementation of the trust fund as ‘long overdue’.
According to the governor, several states in Nigeria have established security trust funds. Osun started the process but this was abandoned under the immediate past administration of Mr Gboyega Oyetola.
“Our government decided to revive the initiative by updating the law and organising the launching today. A security trust fund is a matter of necessity considering the security climate in Nigeria and Osun state.
“We all know Nigeria faces security challenges. Yet, available public financing resources are limited. Governments at all levels then initiate public-private partnership to bridge the funding gap.
“It is neither a political project nor a self-serving policy. This is a necessary policy to secure our people. Only an irresponsible government will abandon the PPP arrangement that is working so well in Lagos, Kaduna, River states among others. Ours is a responsible leadership with people-oriented innovations, policies and programmes.
ALSO READ: Dangote Refinery Showcases Power of Domestic Value Addition – Prof Ike‑Muonso
“This Fund is designed to provide sustainable funding for modern security infrastructure. Through this Fund, we will establish a modern Situation Room with real time CCTV surveillance. We will continue the provision of operational tools required by our security agencies.
The governor appreciated all individuals, corporate organisations and stakeholders that have been contacted. “We appreciate your positive disposition. Today, I am inviting, for partnership, the private sector, financial institutions, development partners, professional bodies and all sons and daughters of Osun State.
“As a trust fund regulated by law, I assure you of strict accountability, transparency and due process in the management of the trust fund”, the governor said.
Secretary to the State Government who also doubled as the deputy chairman of the trust fund, Hon Teslim Igbalaye congratulated the governor for activating the Fund after its enabling law was passed as far back as 2012 while several special guests pleaded support for the initiative.
Public Policy analysts, government officials and other stakeholders have in Lagos hailed the strategic foresight and industrial courage of the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, describing the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a transformative national asset deserving of collective appreciation by Nigerians.
This position was strongly articulated at the 2026 Bullion Lecture, powered by the Centre for Financial Journalism, where the Director‑General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof Nnanyelugo Ike‑Muonso, declared that Nigerians owe Aliko Dangote a profound debt of gratitude for investing in the world‑class refinery.
Delivering the keynote lecture themed “From Resources to Prosperity: How Raw Materials Development, Value Addition and Innovation Can Catalyse Nigeria’s Industrial Renaissance,” Professor Ike‑Muonso said the refinery represents a decisive break from Nigeria’s long‑standing dependence on crude oil exports with minimal domestic value addition.
According to the RMRDC Chief, Nigeria had historically exported crude oil only to re‑import refined petroleum products such as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), with little economic benefit beyond crude sales.
“That narrative has now changed. Instead of exporting crude and importing PMS alone, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery processes crude locally to produce PMS, diesel, dual purpose kerosene (DPK), and valuable by‑products for petrochemicals such as polypropylene. This represents complete domestic value addition.”
Prof Ike‑Muonso described the refinery as Nigeria’s most concrete example yet of how strategic industrial investment can unlock the full value of the country’s natural resources.
Against the backdrop of ongoing instability in the Middle East and its implications for global energy supply and price volatility, the RMRDC boss said the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has emerged as a stabilising force and an African‑led solution to global energy challenges.
“With the far‑reaching consequences of the Middle East crisis on global energy markets, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery stands today as a monumental demonstration of strategic foresight, industrial courage and African self‑reliance,” he said.
“Nigeria should, in fact, be praying for Aliko Dangote at this time.”
Prof Ike‑Muonso also presented comparative data on raw‑material value addition across countries, including the United States, India, Brazil, South Africa and Kenya, revealing that Nigeria records the lowest percentage of value addition.
He disclosed that the country loses an estimated $29 billion annually due to the export of raw materials without processing partly due to the energy deficit.
“Rather than exporting raw materials, Nigeria should be exporting processed raw materials and finished products,” he argued.
Identifying obstacles to achieving full value addition, the RMRDC Director‑General highlighted key structural challenges such as: Private infrastructure tax, resulting from companies’ reliance on self‑generated power; Logistics gaps, noting that only about 30 percent of Nigeria’s road network is paved; and Capability gaps within the industrial ecosystem.
He stressed that sustained industrialisation remains Nigeria’s most viable pathway to broad‑based economic prosperity, citing Dangote Industries’ investments as a model for the country.
Earlier in his remarks, Otunba Kelvin Dele Oye, Chairman of the Economic Research and Ethics Committee and former President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), also commended Dangote’s industrial contributions.
He decried what he described as an imbalance in the exploitation of Nigeria’s raw materials by foreign investors, often without meaningful value addition to the local economy.
Otunba Oye called for deliberate government policies and stricter regulatory vigilance to ensure that raw material exploitation benefits Nigerians, while enabling local investors to compete favourably with foreign players.
The event, which marked the 10th anniversary of the Bullion Lecture, also featured the unveiling and launch of a commemorative book titled “Pathways to Nigeria’s Socio‑Economic Transformation.”
The book, authored by Mr. Ray Echebiri, Chief Executive of the Centre for Financial Journalism, documents all lectures delivered since the inception of the Bullion Lecture series.
Photo Caption
From Left: GMD/CEO, Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak; Chairman, Sinoma International Engineering Co. Ltd., Yin Zhisong; Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, Yan Yaqing; President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; Chairman of the Board, Sinoma International Engineering Co. Ltd., Lin Zhisong and Vice President Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, during the Sinoma International visit to Dangote Head Office in Lagos
NEWS
Dangote Refinery Exports 1.1bn Litres of Aviation Fuel to Europe, Supplies 95% of Nigeria’s Jet A1 – AON
The Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON) has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as a critical pillar of support for Nigeria’s aviation industry, disclosing that the refinery currently supplies over 95 per cent of the Jet A1 fuel consumed nationwide.
Biztellers reports that the company also exported 1.1 billion litres of aviation fuel to Europe between March and April 20.
Speaking during a televised interview, AON spokesperson Obiora Okonkwo said the refinery’s output has played a vital role in sustaining domestic airline operations at a time of global supply disruptions arising from tensions in the Middle East and rising fuel costs.
“It is a matter of fact that over 95 per cent of aviation fuel supplied across the country comes from the Dangote refinery. To airline operators in Nigeria, Dangote is not just a refinery; it is a game changer and, indeed, a lifesaver,” Okonkwo said.
He noted that despite the refinery’s consistent supply, airlines continue to face severe operational strain due to escalating Jet A1 prices, which he attributed to sharp practices within the downstream distribution chain.
According to Okonkwo, some fuel marketers are allegedly creating artificial scarcity in spite of available supply from the refinery, leading to disproportionate price increases. He disclosed that airline operators have recorded Jet A1 price hikes of up to 300 per cent since the onset of the Middle East crisis.
“We consider this exploitation. The refinery has not indicated any shortage, yet we are witnessing artificial scarcity and unjustifiable price increases. What airlines pay does not reflect depot prices,” he said, suggesting the presence of racketeering within the market.
Echoing these concerns after a closed‑door meeting between the AON and the Federal Government, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, described the situation as deeply troubling, particularly given that the Dangote refinery sells its products at comparatively lower rates.
“The truth is that marketers must be called to account. How do prices rise by as much as 300 per cent when Dangote’s supply remains the cheapest and some marketers source directly from the refinery?” Onyema asked. “So, why the astronomical increase?”
ALSO READ: NNPC Ltd, Algeria’s Sonatrach Ink MoU for Research, Innovation
Meanwhile, the Dangote Refinery continues to expand its footprint in the international aviation fuel market. Industry data indicate that the facility exported approximately 876,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel to Europe within the period under review—about 456,000 tonnes in March and an additional 420,000 tonnes by April 20.
These export volumes underscore the refinery’s growing capacity and improved logistics, further reinforcing Nigeria’s emerging role in the global downstream oil and gas market, even as it strengthens domestic energy security.
Photo Caption
From Left: President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Museveni; President of Kenya, H.E. William Ruto, and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu, at The Africa We Build Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday.
Adeleke Justifies Osun Security Trust Fund
Dangote Refinery Showcases Power of Domestic Value Addition – Prof Ike‑Muonso
NNPC Foundation Wins CSR Champion Award (Health)
Dangote Refinery Exports 1.1bn Litres of Aviation Fuel to Europe, Supplies 95% of Nigeria’s Jet A1 – AON
NNPC Ltd, Algeria’s Sonatrach Ink MoU for Research, Innovation
Peterside Harps on Strong Leadership at NCDMB Book Reading Series
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
