NEWS
Reps To Grill Aviation, Justice Ministries Officials, Summons CBN Gov, Others
The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation has decided to postpone its investigative hearing regarding the contentious launch of Air Nigeria, the national carrier, under the previous administration led by Muhammadu Buhari.
Initially, the committee had called upon key stakeholders to attend the hearing, which was originally planned to take place on Monday in Abuja.
Unfortunately, many representatives from these stakeholders had already departed from the venue by the time the committee’s Chairman, Nnolim Nnaji, arrived, which was approximately two hours later than scheduled.
The committee had extended invitations to various stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Aviation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Airline Operators of Nigeria, Ethiopian Airlines, and aviation fuel (Jet-A1) suppliers.
Upon Nnolim Nnaji’s belated arrival, he expressed apologies to the stakeholders who had patiently remained at the venue. He requested that the hearing be rescheduled for 3pm on Tuesday (today).
During the Buhari administration’s eight-year tenure, the launch of Nigeria Air, the national carrier, faced significant controversy, ultimately resulting in the administration’s inability to successfully establish the airline.
The Federal Government had excluded domestic airlines, represented by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), and instead forged an agreement with Ethiopian Airlines to establish the Nigerian carrier.
As a result, the AON took legal action against the government and its affiliated entities, seeking a court injunction to halt the ongoing process.
According to a report, the Federal Government received the first aircraft for Nigeria Air, the national carrier, on Friday which occurred towards the end of the administration, leading to protests from local operators who claimed it went against a court order prohibiting the government from further progressing with the project.
Simultaneously, the House of Representatives has issued summons to Governor Godwin Emefiele of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Auditor General for the Federation, and the Accountant General of the Federation.
The summonses were in relation to a payment of N32.5 billion made to two companies, namely Messrs GSCL Consulting and Biz Plus, without proper documentation or formal records.
In addition, the House of Representatives has also called upon the Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers of various oil companies, such as Exxon Mobil and Nigeria Agip Oil Company, to appear before them.
The summons were issued by the House’s Ad Hoc Committee, which is responsible for investigating the alleged loss of over $2.4 billion in revenue resulting from the illicit sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil exports in 2015.
The committee’s investigation encompasses all crude oil exports and sales conducted by Nigeria from 2014 until the present day. The summonses were issued during the committee’s ongoing investigative hearing in Abuja on Monday.
During the committee’s proceedings, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Bashir Jamoh, faced questioning from lawmakers.
He revealed to the committee that the Federal Government had not yet claimed a judgment debt of approximately $1.7 billion from a company that was found guilty of providing false information regarding the crude oil it received from Nigeria.
However, during the discussions, it was noted that committee records indicated that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) made payments of N16.5 billion each to two companies on the same day.
Additionally, it was revealed that these funds were withdrawn by the companies within a two-month period.
The committee chairman emphasized the importance of the CBN providing an explanation regarding these payments to the firms, especially considering that the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had previously denied any knowledge of the payment.
Gbillah emphasized that it is the obligation of all agencies, officials, and companies summoned by the committee to comply with the summons.
He highlighted that even though the 9th House is nearing the end of its term, it retains the authority to issue a bench warrant for their arrest if necessary.
Following the committee’s proceedings, Jamoh informed journalists that NIMASA is continuing to pursue the case in court.
He said, “In 2013 when the revenue profile was low, NIMASA was directed from the Attorney-General’s office to coordinate two technical teams to source data on the actual lifting of crude oil and the last destination point to see if there are any discrepancies.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to ₦970 per litre for oil marketers.
This new price, effective immediately, marks a ₦20 decrease from the refinery’s previous ex-depot price of ₦990 per litre, which was set earlier this month.
In a statement released on Sunday, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery’s Chief Branding and Communications Officer, explained that the price reduction is a way for the company to express its appreciation to Nigerians for their unwavering support in making the refinery a reality.
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“This decision is our way of thanking Nigerians for their unwavering support in making the refinery a dream come true,” Chiejina said.
The statement also highlighted the refinery’s gratitude towards the Nigerian government, acknowledging the role of government measures in supporting domestic businesses.
“In addition, this is to thank the government for their support, as this will complement the measures put in place to encourage domestic enterprise for our collective well-being,” the statement read.
Despite the price cut, the refinery reassured consumers that there would be no compromise on the quality of its products. “While the refinery would not compromise on the quality of its petroleum products, we assure you of best quality products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable,” the statement added.
The company also committed to ramping up production to meet domestic fuel consumption and alleviate concerns over potential supply shortages.
“We are determined to keep ramping up production to meet and surpass our domestic fuel consumption; thus, dispelling any fear of a shortfall in supply,” the statement concluded.
The price reduction is expected to save marketers approximately ₦20 per litre on purchases from the refinery’s Lekki-based plant.
Simon Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent and a controversial figure in the Biafran separatist movement, has dismissed his self-styled title of “Prime Minister of Biafra” as inconsequential.
Speaking during legal proceedings at the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, Ekpa stated, “I am just a content creator; the issue of Prime Minister of Biafra is not serious.”
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Ekpa’s statement comes in the wake of his arrest by Finnish authorities on charges related to incitement of terrorism.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has accused Ekpa of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.
The arrest stems from an incident in Lahti on August 23, 2021, and officials are also seeking the detention of four other suspects linked to the case.
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the NBI said in a statement.
Ekpa, who has used his social media platforms to advocate for Biafran independence, has been a divisive figure in Nigeria’s southeast region.
His rhetoric and actions, including calls for economic shutdowns through “sit-at-home” orders, have been linked to widespread unrest and disruptions in the region.
The National Assembly management team, led by Clerk Sani Magaji Tambawal, has ramped up efforts to ensure a seamless presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The event, scheduled for a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, is regarded as a significant moment in Nigeria’s legislative calendar.
Preparations include a thorough inspection of the assembly chambers to ensure all facilities are fully functional.
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Deputy Clerk Kamoru Ogunlana, who is overseeing the technical arrangements, confirmed that key systems, including microphones, sound equipment, and other audio-visual tools, have been tested to ensure smooth communication during the session.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that the National Assembly is fully prepared to receive Mr. President and provide a conducive environment for this significant moment in our democratic process,” Ogunlana stated.
Seating arrangements are also being finalized to accommodate lawmakers, government officials, and other dignitaries expected at the session.
Security measures are being reviewed in collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure the safety of all attendees. Meanwhile, press accreditation is being managed to facilitate effective media coverage.
The 2025 budget presentation is expected to highlight the government’s economic priorities while reinforcing the partnership between the executive and legislative arms of government.
As the session approaches, the National Assembly has expressed its commitment to upholding Nigeria’s democratic values and providing a platform for transparent governance.
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