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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 entire 10 communities of the old Ohaozara Local Government Area, known as Ohanivo, of Ebonyi State have been reverberating with joy, because their illustrious son, the Minister of Works, HE Sen. Engr (Dr) Nweze David Umahi emerged Silverbird’s Most Outstanding Honourable Minister of the Year.
Biztellers reports that Ohanivo is made up of three LGAs, including, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo, while the 10 autonomous communities are Uburu, Okposi, Aka Eze, Ishiagu, Isu, Onicha, Ugwulangwu, Ukawu, Abaomege, and Oshiri.
Feelers from the organisers of the glamourous awards, Silverbird Group, assure that plans have been fine-tuned for the annual event, billed for the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday.
There are indications that a strong team of community leaders including Chief Kenneth Eze, Uche Umezurike, Okoro Enekwachi, Francis Ekwe, Emma Nwaze, among others would be on ground to cheer the distinguished minister of works as he receives his well-deserved award.
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In a related development, the Member, House of Representatives, representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, Hon. (Dr.) Kama Nkemkanma, has sent his congratulatory message to Sen Umahi.
Hon Nkemkanma’s message reads, “It is with deep pleasure that I convey the profound felicitations of my family and good people of Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency to our dear leader and achiever, His Excellency, Sen. Engr (Dr) Nweze David Umahi CON, FNSE, FNATE, GGCEHF, Honourable Minister of Works on his emergence as the Silverbird Most Outstanding Honourable Minister of the Year. Whom the cap fits, let him wear.
“Your Excellency, the initiative of this administration to construct the Renewed Hope four (4) legacy projects and the will power to continue the funding and construction of the inherited on-going projects across the six (6) Geo-political Zones are eloquent testimonies of the commitment of Mr President in unlocking the potentials of every segment of our country and building a regenerative economy for sustainable future. We are proud that you have unmitigated signature in this memory. May God continue to give you the flourishing grace and enablement to always be on top in your endeavours.
“Please accept the assurances of the prayers, solidarity, and esteemed regards of my constituents, always. Once more congratulations.”
The Kano State Government has addressed widespread misinterpretations surrounding the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the ongoing emirship dispute, urging the public to rely on accurate legal information.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Governor Abba Yusuf’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, clarified the ruling and the government’s position.
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Speaking at a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Kano, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, explained that the Court of Appeal’s verdict, delivered on January 10, 2025, upheld the repeal of the Kano Emirate Council Law, 2019, effectively overturning the previous judgment of the Federal High Court, Kano.
However, Dederi noted that Alhaji Aminu Dan’agundi, who was dissatisfied with the ruling, has since filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.
He further stressed that the Appeal Court’s judgment remains binding until the Supreme Court rules otherwise.
Addressing concerns over the stay of execution recently granted by the Court of Appeal, the Attorney General described it as a standard legal procedure intended to maintain the status quo pending the Supreme Court’s final decision.
“The Kano State Government urges the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and avoid any form of provocation,” the statement read.
The government has also directed its legal team to thoroughly review the proceedings and determine the next steps in accordance with the law.
On behalf of the governor, Dederi expressed appreciation to the people of Kano for their patience, understanding, and continuous prayers for peace and progress in the state and the nation.
The emirship dispute has been a topic of intense debate in Kano, with various legal and political implications.
Tensions are rising in Rivers State as the Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, threatening to halt oil production in response to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
In a statement signed by its president, Bene Youkore Mamamu, and made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday, the group listed three key demands: the restoration of Rivers State’s statutory revenue allocation, an end to alleged impeachment moves against Governor Similaye Fubara, and a public retraction of reported anti-Ijaw remarks attributed to former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
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The youth group warned of dire economic consequences if their demands were ignored.
“We are ready to shock the world in seven days. The oil that fuels this nation flows from our land, the fourth largest and most populated ethnic group in Nigeria. We will not allow Wike, who we suspect is being used by the Presidency, to sabotage our region and undermine Ijaw history,” the statement read.
The NDYC accused Wike of attempting to manipulate the political landscape of Rivers State and marginalize the Ijaw ethnic group, citing his reported comments describing the Ijaws as a “minority within a minority.”
The group labeled the remarks as “provocative, inflammatory, and a declaration of economic and political war.”
Further criticizing the Federal Government, the NDYC alleged that President Tinubu’s administration was enabling Wike’s interference in Rivers politics.
“We are angry that Tinubu’s government has empowered Wike and the Judiciary to undermine Ijaws and the Niger Delta region, with regular threats to impeach Governor Fubara, seize the state’s allocation, insult late Pa Edwin Clark, and rewrite the history of the Ijaw nation,” the letter continued.
With the deadline fast approaching, the NDYC has called on its members to prepare for action, warning that oil production across the region could be disrupted if their demands are not met.
The potential shutdown poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s economy, given that the Niger Delta remains the country’s primary source of crude oil revenue. A disruption could exacerbate economic challenges, including foreign exchange shortages and rising inflation.
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