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Naira Depreciation: CBN Urges Court To Dismiss Falana’s Lawsuit

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is requesting a Federal High Court in Lagos to reject a lawsuit filed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana.

 

The suit aims to compel the apex bank to halt the concerning depreciation of the Naira.

 

In its preliminary objection to the suit, the CBN argues that Femi Falana lacks legal standing to file the case, asserting that the court does not have jurisdiction to consider it.

The senior lawyer had initiated the suit to contest the declining value of the Naira and the increasing influence of the dollar in the economy.

 

In the case labeled FHC/L/CS/470/23, Falana seeks a court order to prevent the CBN from allowing market forces to set the Naira’s exchange rate under Section 16 of the Central Bank Act.

 

Additionally, he requests the court to mandate the CBN to halt the dollarization of the economy, citing Section 20(1) of the Act, which designates the Naira as the sole legal tender in Nigeria.

 

The plaintiff is further requesting the court to instruct the CBN to cease the dollarization of the economy, citing Section 20(1) of the Act, which designates the Naira as the exclusive legal tender in Nigeria.

 

In his plea to the court, the plaintiff seeks a declaration that, according to Section 16 of the Central Bank Act, the acceptable legal tender in Nigeria is Naira and kobo.

 

He also contends that, in accordance with the combined effect of Sections 15 and 20(1) of the Central Bank Act, currency notes issued by the Defendant should be recognized as legal tender in Nigeria.

 

Falana is additionally requesting the court to declare, based on Section 16 of the Central Bank Act, that the exchange rate of the Naira should be determined periodically by a mechanism devised by the CBN.

 

He is also seeking a declaration that the CBN lacks the authority to permit multiple exchange rates between the Naira and the Dollar, as well as other foreign currencies.

 

Furthermore, the plaintiff is urging the court to declare, in accordance with Section 20(5) of the Central Bank Act, that the CBN is legally obligated to prosecute individuals who refuse to accept the Naira as a valid form of payment in Nigeria.

 

However, in the preliminary objections presented by Adeleke Agboola (SAN) on behalf of the bank, the CBN argues that Falana has not demonstrated any unique harm beyond that of other Nigerian citizens regarding the CBN’s exchange rate policy.

 

The CBN asserts that Falana lacks the legal standing (locus standi) to bring this case and highlights that he hasn’t reported those engaging in dollar trading in Nigeria.

 

The CBN’s objections include Falana’s failure to demonstrate that the CBN acted in bad faith and the plaintiff’s inability to disclose a reasonable cause of action against the bank.

 

The Bank is urging the court to dismiss the suit or, as an alternative, strike it out due to the purported lack of jurisdiction.

 

It argues that the court lacks the necessary jurisdiction and emphasizes that the plaintiff has not presented a reasonable cause of action against the CBN.

 

Furthermore, the Bank contends that the action is statute-barred, not competent, and not maintainable against the Defendant.

 

It asserts that the substantive reliefs sought by the plaintiff have become irrelevant following the Central Bank’s announcement of the unification of all segments of the foreign exchange market in its Circular of June 14, 2023.

 

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Savannah Energy Provides Unaudited FY 2024 Trading Updates 

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Savannah Energy Inks New Gas Sales Agreement with Notore

 

Savannah Energy has shared a trading update on its Nigerian operations and other markets in Africa, including up-to-date cash collections in its Nigerian business.

According to the update, made available on Thursday in Lagos, its gross production in Nigeria averaged 23.1 Kboepd for FY 2024, broadly in line with the prior year’s 23.6 Kboepd, of which 88% was gas (FY 2023: 91%).

On the update, CEO of Savannah Energy, Andrew Knott, said, “I am pleased to provide a FY trading update which demonstrates the continued progress we have made in 2024, a year which saw the highest level of cash collections ever recorded by our Nigerian business. 2025 is expected to be an exciting year for our Company: we have a large planned operational programme in Nigeria which is anticipated to enhance both our oil and gas production levels and capacity; we intend to progress our R3 East oil development project in Niger; we continue to pursue key acquisitions in the upstream oil and gas space; and we continue to seek to build our power business.

“Fundamentally, Savannah remains unequivocally an “AND” company, seeking to deliver strong performance both for the short AND long term across multiple fronts, and pursuing growth opportunities in both the hydrocarbon AND power sectors.”

The update It also shows that it generated a Total Income of US$393.6 million in 2024, compared to FY 2023’s US$289.8 million. This consists of Total Revenues of US$258.7 million and Other operating income of US$134.9 million.

The report also shows that Savannah’s FY 2024 Total Revenues were ahead of the previously issued financial guidance of greater than US$245 million, while FY 2024 financial guidance is reiterated for Operating expenses plus administrative expenses at ‘up to US$75 million’. The company expects its FY 2024 capital expenditure to come in lower than planned (previously guided at ‘up to US$50 million’) due to the phasing of spend.

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According to the update, Savannah’s cash collections in 2024 amounted to US$248.5 million, a slight increase from the US$206 million it received in 2023. The report further shows that its cash balances as at 31 December 2024 stood at US$32.6 million, compared to the 31 December 2023 figure of US$107.0 million.

The report shows that the company’s midstream subsidiary, Accugas Limited, had as at 31 December 2024 drawn down on its NGN332 billion of the NGN Transitional Facility, with the resulting funds being converted to US$, which, along with cash held, was used to partially prepay the existing Accugas US$ Facility, leaving a balance as at 31 December 2024 of approximately US$212.3 million.

The report also provided new updates on Accugas’ US$45 million Uquo Central Processing Facility (“Uquo CPF”) compression project in Nigeria, noting that its commissioning which will enable the expansion of gas production in the medium term is well underway.

The report highlighted the progress being made in the procurement process of long lead equipment in Nigeria for a potential two-well drilling campaign on the Uquo Field in H2 2025, with an additional gas development well expected to add up to 80 MMscfpd of supplemental production capacity and a potential exploration well targeting an Unrisked Gross gas initially in place (“GIIP”) of 154 Bscf (25.7 MMboe) of incremental gas resources.

The update shows that progress is also being made in the planned Savannah acquisition of Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Nigeria Limited, whose principal asset is a 49% non-operated interest in the Stubb Creek oil and gas field (“Stubb Creek”), with regulatory approval and completion being targeted in Q1 2025. Following the completion of the acquisition, Savannah intends to commence an expansion programme which is anticipated to increase Stubb Creek gross production from an average of 2.7 Kbopd in 2024 to approximately 4.7 Kbopd.

In Niger, Savannah continues to seek to progress its 35 MMstb (Gross 2C Resources) R3 East oil development in South-East Niger, while it continues to push for a potential alternative transaction structure to acquire a material stake in producing oil and gas assets in South Sudan as previously announced on 20 December 2024.

On the renewable energy front, the update shows that Savannah has up to 696 MW of renewable energy projects currently in motion, including the up to 250 MW Parc Eolien de la Tarka wind farm project in Niger and the up to 95 MW Bini a Warak hybrid hydroelectric and solar project in Cameroon. A firm believer in Africa’s transition to renewable energy, Savannah continues to target a portfolio of up to 2 GW+ of power projects in motion by the end of 2026.

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Nigeria Can Achieve 5.5% GDP Growth – NESG

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The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has projected that the country has the potential to achieve a 5.5% growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if critical policy reforms are sustained.

This was disclosed on Thursday during the launch of the NESG’s 2025 Macroeconomic Outlook report.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Economist and Director of Research & Development at NESG, Dr. Olusegun Omisakin, highlighted the need for more efficient policy implementation to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential.

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“We believe at the optimal level, if we embark on more efficient policy reforms, the Nigerian economy has the potential, the GDP to end up at 5.5 per cent, and we believe that this is achievable,” Omisakin stated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

More to follow………. 

 

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CBN Approves Release Of Nigerian FX Code

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CBN Prohibits Foreign Banks' Rep Offices From Banking Operations

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the release of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Code, a set of guidelines designed to promote ethical conduct among authorized dealers in the country’s FX market.

In a statement, the apex bank disclosed that the official launch of the Code would take place on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the CBN Head Office Auditorium in Abuja.

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“The Central Bank of Nigeria has approved the release of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Code as a guideline to the banking industry to promote the ethical conduct of authorised dealers in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market,” the statement read.

The introduction of the FX Code is expected to enhance transparency, accountability, and professionalism within Nigeria’s foreign exchange ecosystem, aligning it with global best practices.

The event is anticipated to attract key stakeholders in the financial and banking sectors, as well as representatives from authorized FX-dealing institutions across the country.

 

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