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S’Court Upholds Ex-BPE Chief’s Jail Term
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has upheld the contempt conviction of Alex Okoh, former Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).
The judgment, delivered on Friday, solidified Okoh’s one-month imprisonment, highlighting compelling evidence of BPE and Okoh flouting a prior court order.
This order explicitly prohibited the sale of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) Ltd to any entity other than the BFI Group Corporation, the rightful winner of the 2004 bid.
Tijjani Abubakar, delivering the lead verdict, expressed strong criticism for BPE and Okoh’s blatant disregard of the court’s directive.
In scrutinizing the appeal arguments, the judge dismissed BPE’s claim that Alex Okoh was not personally served court papers (Forms 48 and 49) pertaining to the contempt proceedings.
Forms 48 and 49 are crucial in contempt cases. Judge Abubakar asserted that serving the documents on the BPE Secretary was a valid service to Mr Okoh.
He criticized BPE’s actions of re-offering ALSCON for sale post the Supreme Court ruling as a blatant contemptuous act, emphasizing a flagrant disregard for the court’s authority.
According to Mr Abubakar, BPE’s invitation for fresh bids after the court’s order “leaves no one in doubt that the appellants indeed flouted the order of the court as handed down in SC/12/2008, particularly the third leg of the order, which perpetually restrained the first appellant (BPE), servants, agents, privies, management or howsoever called from negotiating the sale, selling, transferring or otherwise handing over ALSCON to any other person or persons, in violation of the contract between the BPE and the BFI Group.”
The appellant’s lawyer, Chris Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) had argued that his client did not violate the court order.
However, Mr. Abubakar dismissed Uche’s assertion, emphasizing that court orders are meant to be adhered to.
He stated that it is not within the appellant’s right to claim compliance when the court records clearly show their utter disregard for the order.
Abubakar condemned the appellants’ actions as a blatant display of disrespect, deeming it scandalous and shameful.
“It is disgraceful that an agency of government decided to hold the economy of the country hostage. Agencies of government must respect the rules. Nobody in this country is above the law.
“Both the government and the governed are subject to the rule of law.
“The appellants are not at liberty to choose which of the orders of this court to obey and which one to ignore.
“I must say the conduct of the appellants in this case offends the majesty of the law and undermines the dignity of the court.
By acting in defiance of the order of perpetual injunction handed down by this court, the stage was obviously set for the second appellant’s (Okoh’s) committal to prison,” the judge said.
Mr. Abubakar declared the appeal as lacking merit before dismissing it. Consequently, he upheld the Court of Appeal’s January 2022 decision affirming Mr. Okoh’s contempt conviction.
The court also maintained the imposition of a N10 million cost against the appellants in favor of the respondent, BFI Group.
Mr. Abubakar ordered that the N10 million cost be personally paid by Mr. Okoh, further specifying that this payment is in addition to his imprisonment for contempt.
Recall that in 2004, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) initiated the privatization of ALSCON through an expression of interest advertisement.
Following the bidding process, BFI Group Corporation emerged as the preferred bidder. BPE communicated this decision to BFI Group through a letter dated June 17, 2006, requesting a 10% payment of the bid price within 15 days.
However, BFI Group contested the 15-day payment deadline, arguing that the terms of the May 2004 memorandum of understanding between the parties stipulated that the preferred bidder should pay 10% of the accepted bid price within 15 days from the execution date of the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA).
Following BFI Group’s failure to meet the 15-day payment deadline, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) terminated the contract and subsequently re-offered ALSCON for sale. In response, determined to challenge BPE’s contract termination, BFI Group filed a lawsuit.
The Supreme Court, in a 2012 judgment, ruled in favor of BFI Group, affirming the existence of a valid contract of sale between BPE and BFI Group regarding ALSCON.
The court issued a restraining order, prohibiting BPE and its agents from further offering ALSCON for sale to any other individual or entity outside of BFI Group.
In pursuit of executing the Supreme Court judgment, BFI Group initiated a judgment enforcement suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
On September 30, 2014, the Federal High Court issued an enforcement order, which faced objection and appeal from BPE.
The appellate court modified the enforcement order but maintained the directive to enforce the Supreme Court judgment. It instructed BPE to furnish the mutually agreed Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) for execution.
However, disagreements arose between BPE and BFI Group regarding the execution of the SPA, with BPE objecting to certain documents annexed to the agreement.
Following the disagreement, BFI Group initiated contempt proceedings against BPE and Mr. Okoh at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In December 2019, the court found both guilty of contempt and sentenced Mr. Okoh to one month of imprisonment until he purged himself of the contempt.
Challenging this decision, Mr. Okoh and BPE appealed to the Supreme Court.
The verdict delivered on Friday affirmed the conviction and upheld the sentence imposed by the Federal High Court.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expresses deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr Dotun Oladipo, former Political Editor of The Punch newspaper and Publisher of The Eagle Online, describing his death as a painful loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the nation at large.
President Tinubu acknowledges the deceased’s contributions to journalism, particularly his years of dedicated service in political reporting and his commitment to providing Nigerians with credible information through both traditional and digital media platforms.
The President says Oladipo’s professional career reflected the important role journalists play in strengthening democracy by informing citizens, holding public officials accountable and providing platforms for robust public discourse.
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He recalls the deceased’s passion for his profession and his contributions to the growth of digital journalism through The Eagle Online, which he founded after his remarkable career at Punch Newspaper.
“Dotun Oladipo’s death at the age of 56 is a painful loss to the Nigerian media community and to our nation. He was a committed journalist who devoted significant years of his life to informing the public and contributing to the development of our democracy.
“His contributions to political journalism and the digital media space will not be forgotten. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues in GOCOP and friends. I pray that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” President Tinubu notes.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, has expressed profound sadness over the death of veteran journalist and publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo.
Akpabio described Oladipo’s passing as a painful loss to the Nigerian media industry and the nation, noting his significant contributions to journalism, public discourse and the growth of online media in Nigeria.
The President of the Senate commiserated with the family, friends, colleagues and professional associates of the deceased, particularly members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), where Oladipo served as Emeritus President.
“Dotun Oladipo was a courageous, principled and dedicated journalist who devoted a significant part of his life to the pursuit of truth, responsible journalism and the advancement of society.
“His sudden passing is a profound loss to his family, the journalism profession and Nigeria as a whole. His immense contributions to the development of online journalism, as well as his commitment to professional excellence, integrity and public interest, will remain indelible.
“As the philosopher John Stuart Mill reminded us, ‘He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that.’ Dotun understood that a free and responsible press must listen, question and speak truth to power. His life demonstrated that journalism, when guided by courage and conscience, can illuminate society and strengthen democracy.
“His legacy will continue to inspire journalists and media professionals who believe in the power of responsible journalism to strengthen democracy and contribute to national development,” Akpabio said.
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The Senate President prayed that God Almighty would grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Akpabio also urged members of the media to uphold and build upon Oladipo’s legacy of professionalism, integrity, courage and unwavering commitment to the public interest.
“May God acquaint his soul with the compass of His course” he added.
Norway’s King Harald V has died at the age of 89, bringing an end to his more than three-decade reign and ushering in a new era for the Norwegian monarchy.
The Royal Palace announced on Friday, August 28, 2026, that the monarch died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35am local time.
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“It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, August 28 at 6:35 am,” the palace said in a statement.
King Harald, who ascended the throne in 1991, had been hospitalised in Oslo since August 17 while receiving treatment for haemolytic anaemia.
His condition became “extremely serious” on Thursday, prompting members of the royal family to gather at his bedside.
His 53-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, has automatically succeeded him as monarch under Norway’s constitutional succession rules. He is expected to take the name King Haakon VIII.
Following the announcement of Harald’s death, the flag at the Royal Palace in Oslo was lowered to half-mast, while members of the public gathered outside the palace to lay flowers and mourn the late monarch.
Harald was widely regarded as a popular and unifying figure during his 35 years on the throne. He was also known for his modest lifestyle and efforts to modernise the monarchy.
Kaspara Bolstad, 24, described him as “a very steady and warm king.”
“I think the entire Norwegian people see him as a role model and as someone who brings people together. Whether you’re for or against the monarchy, I think he’s well-liked across the board,” she said.
Magnus Skaugseth, 27, also praised the late King’s inclusive approach.
“He was so inclusive and committed to having values that are inclusive in the society we live in today. When there is so much division and polarisation, he was a pillar pointing in the opposite direction,” Skaugseth said.
Harald had experienced several health challenges in recent years and had undergone procedures including the fitting of a pacemaker. Despite his declining health, he repeatedly ruled out abdication, maintaining that his oath to serve Norway was lifelong.
His death comes during a turbulent period for the Norwegian royal family, which has faced a series of health and personal controversies in recent months.
With Harald’s death, Crown Prince Haakon now takes over the Norwegian throne, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the country’s monarchy.
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