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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 Anambra State Government has released fresh details challenging former Governor Peter Obi’s claim that he left more than ₦2.13 billion in an ecological fund account before handing over power in 2014.
The state government made the disclosure in a statement released on Saturday, September 26, 2026, titled “Peter Obi’s Debts and Lies: More Questions Than Answers.”
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According to the statement, the account number cited by Obi as containing the ecological fund was actually the Anambra State Government’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Consolidated Account.
The government said First Bank, in a letter dated September 16, 2026, confirmed that account 2018779464 was an IGR account and not an ecological funds account.
It further claimed that as of March 17, 2014, the account balance was not close to ₦2 billion and that the account never recorded an inflow or balance of ₦2.13 billion throughout its active period between 2011 and 2018.
The state government consequently questioned the whereabouts of the money Obi said he left as an ecological fund.
The latest development follows Obi’s earlier defence of his administration’s financial record, in which he said the ₦2.13 billion was released for the Oko/Umuchiana erosion control project and was deliberately left for his successor to execute.
Obi had also maintained that the ecological fund was separate from the savings he said his administration left behind.
However, the Anambra Government also challenged Obi’s account of the state’s overall financial position at the time he left office.
It alleged that his handover document highlighted assets and savings while failing to adequately disclose outstanding liabilities.
The government claimed that the document included valuations for incomplete projects such as the Nnewi Shopping Mall, Onitsha Hotel and Agulu Lake Hotel.
It also alleged that a purported ₦10 billion Federal Government refund was included in the stated net balance even though the money had not been received before Obi left office.
On road infrastructure, the government said Obi’s administration had awarded and signed contracts for 101 roads covering 779 kilometres, with outstanding liabilities of about ₦127 billion at the time of handover.
The state government argued that such liabilities should be considered alongside the savings and assets attributed to the administration when assessing the financial position inherited by Obi’s successor.
The fresh statement has therefore reopened questions over the disputed ₦2.13 billion ecological fund and the broader financial position of Anambra State at the end of Obi’s administration.
While the Anambra Government says bank records support its latest position, Obi has continued to defend his administration’s financial record and his account of the ecological fund.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to prioritise regional unity, integration and engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
He made the call on Friday in New York, United States, while receiving the new ECOWAS Commission President, General Birame Diop (rtd), and his delegation on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
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Shettima urged the new ECOWAS leadership to prioritise regional integration and build stronger relationships among countries across West Africa.
“Beyond your administrative duties, your leadership of the commission must make deliberate efforts to build bridges of friendship across the sub-region. ECOWAS should be at the forefront of our engagement with emerging blocs in the area such as Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
“I urge ECOWAS under your leadership to champion the cause of regional integration and strengthen the bonds of unity and friendship among our people,” the Vice President said.
He also urged the commission to take private-sector participation seriously in the execution of the Lagos-Abidjan highway project.
Shettima congratulated Diop on his election, noting that he assumed office at a difficult time requiring greater synergy and cohesion among leaders and people of the sub-region.
The Vice President assured the new ECOWAS president of Nigeria’s continued cooperation and support, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to efforts aimed at transforming the regional body.
“My boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a man of honour and conviction who will always support efforts aimed at advancing the transformation of ECOWAS as a regional body, and the progress of the area in general,” Shettima said.
He added that Nigeria would continue to create an enabling environment for ECOWAS to succeed and contribute to the attainment of the vision and objectives set by its founding fathers.
Earlier, Diop commended Nigeria for its role in the establishment and sustenance of ECOWAS, as well as its sacrifices for the stability and prosperity of the sub-region.
He said the commission was facing challenges, including insecurity and lagging development, which required Nigeria’s intervention as a “big brother.”
The ECOWAS president described the organisation as a tool for regional stability that should be encouraged and supported, while urging other countries in the sub-region to cooperate with Nigeria towards achieving inclusive development and a better future for West Africans.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Jimoh Ibrahim and senior officials of the ECOWAS Commission.
Kenyan President William Ruto on Friday toured the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex in Lekki, Lagos, where he was hosted by Dangote Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Aliko Dangote.
The visit comes ahead of the planned September 30 groundbreaking of a proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lamu, Kenya, being developed with Dangote.
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The Dangote Group had earlier confirmed that Dangote would host Ruto during his visit to the Lagos refinery.
The planned Kenyan refinery is expected to expand refining capacity in East Africa and strengthen petroleum supply in the region.
Ruto had earlier said discussions with Dangote and Africa Finance Corporation CEO Samaila Zubairu focused on financing and final preparations for the project.
Dangote is targeting a combined refining capacity of 2.1 million barrels per day through the planned expansion of the Lekki refinery and the proposed Kenyan facility.
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