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Stop EFCC From Selling My Seized Assets – Diezani Begs Court

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Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, begging it to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from selling off all the properties seized from her.

The erstwhile minister in the legal action she filed through a team of lawyers, led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, equally prayed the court for an order directing the anti-graft agency to retrieve from persons (natural or corporate), to whom it had sold off any of the properties.

She told the court that the EFCC had, pursuant to a notice it issued in 2023, and acting in breach of her fundamental right to fair hearing, commenced a public sale by auction, assets linked to her.

According to the ex-petroleum minister, the anti-graft agency based its decision to sell off the properties on final forfeiture orders it obtained from various courts in the country.

She told the court that despite EFCC’s claim that final order of forfeiture was granted against her seized properties, she was neither served with any charge and proof of evidence in respect of any criminal proceeding, nor summons relating to any matter pending before any court.

The Applicant accused the anti-graft agency of obtaining forfeiture orders against her through misrepresentations and concealment of facts.

“In many cases, the final forfeiture orders were made against properties which affected the Applicant’s interest, the courts were misled into making the final order of forfeiture against the Applicant, based on suppression or non-disclosure of material facts.

“The several applications upon which the courts made the final order of forfeiture against the Applicant were obtained upon gross misstatements, misrepresentations, non-disclosure, concealment and suppression of material facts and thus court has the power to set aside same ex-debito justitiae, as a void order is as good as if it was never made at all,” she said.

The embattled former minister argued that the said forfeiture orders were made against her by courts that lacked the requisite jurisdiction, saying they were made without recourse to her constitutional right to fair hearing.

Insisting she was never served with relevant court processes in all the proceedings that led to the orders for final forfeiture of her assets, the Applicant said the EFCC was aware that she was not within the shores of Nigeria at all material times as she left to seek medical treatment since 2015.

“The Applicant did not have any access to newspapers circulating within Nigeria during this period as she was not in Nigeria at all material times relevant to this suit,” her counsel said.

She told the court that though EFCC alleged that the seized properties constituted proceeds of alleged unlawful activities, “till date, the Applicant has not been convicted of any unlawful activities to warrant the forfeiture of her properties and assets.

“The courts, in granting the final order of forfeiture in a matter that is said to flow from criminal activities and which are criminal in nature, and without any conviction of the Applicant, granted the order of final forfeiture on minimum proof based on the civil standards of preponderance of evidence or balance of probability, instead of the strict proof applicable in criminal trials or civil proceedings where there is allegation of crime.

“Only a court of law can declare an act as constituting unlawful activities and there was no such order that had declared the alleged conduct of the Applicant to be unlawful.

“A mere allegation by the Respondent (EFCC) that the act or action of the Applicant constituted unlawful activities will not suffice in the circumstance.’’

The Applicant told the court that she had three suits against the EFCC pending before courts in Lagos, contending that “since the forfeiture orders are being challenged, no sale can validly take place as such would be rendered nugatory.”

Meanwhile, the EFCC, in response to the suit, filed a counter-affidavit to challenge its competence.

In the affidavit deposed to by one of its detectives, Oyakhilome Ekienabor, the anti-graft agency told the court that following extensive investigations into activities of the Applicant while she was a public servant, criminal proceedings were initiated against her in various courts.

It told the court that examples of such cases included a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018, which was filed on November 2018, as well as another charge marked: HC/ADYL/56c/2017, filed on July 1, 2017, before a High Court in Adamawa State.

EFCC maintained that sale of properties that previously belonged to the former minister was conducted in execution of final forfeiture orders of Justice C.A. Obiozor of the Federal High on July 9, 2019, as well as another order by Justice I. N. Oweibo on September 10, 2019.

The commission told the court that before the assets were deemed to have been forfeited, it made newspaper publications inviting any person interested in the properties to show cause.”

“The final forfeiture orders pursuant to which the sale of the properties was conducted, are still in force and have not been set aside. The forfeited properties were disposed of in accordance with the due process of law,” EFCC added.

At the resumed proceeding in the matter yesterday, Mr. Godwin Iyibor, who appeared for the Applicant, requested for time to file his response to EFCC’s counter-affidavit which, he said, was served on him on March 14.

On his part, Mr. Divine Okoro, who represented the EFCC, told the court that the commission encountered some difficulties that made it impossible for it to file the process within the 14 days allotted to it.
Consequently, Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter to March 27 for definite hearing.

The trial judge noted that the case had been pending since 2023, even as he warned that the court would no longer entertain any excuses from the parties.

It will be recalled that the former minister had earlier filed a N100billion defamation suit against the EFCC which, she alleged, had authored and sponsored several publications that portrayed her as a treasury looter.

In the suit marked: CV/6273/2023, she insisted that the said defamatory publications brought her into “public ridicule, odium, contempt, derision and obloquy.”

 

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Union Bank Of Nigeria Marks International Women’s Month 2026 With Inclusion-First “Give to Gain” Campaign

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In observance of International Women’s Month 2026, Union Bank of Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to gender equity through a focused initiative centred on women living with disabilities and women raising children with disabilities.

Aligned with the global theme “Give to Gain,” the Bank’s campaign “Give to Gain: Creating Pathways for Inclusion and Endless Opportunities” centres the lived experiences of women living with disabilities and underscores the need for intentional systems of support for social and economic advancement.

Throughout March, Union Bank will implement targeted initiatives to expand access, foster inclusion, and unlock sustainable opportunities. Activities include a flagship event which held at

The Stable, its multipurpose venue in Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday. The event convened women with disabilities, caregivers, supporting organisations, and advocates for dialogue, mentorship, and resource sharing.

L-R: Chief Talent Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, Omayuli Wale-Ajayi; Head, Corporate Banking, Union Bank of Nigeria, Ali Kadiri; Head, Retail and SME Business, Union Bank of Nigeria, Vivian Imoh-Ita; Founder/Executive Director, Deaf International Foundation, Funmilola Ogunro; MD/CEO, Union Bank of Nigeria, Yetunde Oni; SouthWest Coordinator, Nigeria Association of the Blind, Adenike Olorundare; Women Leader, Lagos Chapter, Nigeria Association of the Blind, Olubukola Salako; Executive Director, Corporate Bank & Business Banking Lagos & West, Union Bank of Nigeria, Taiwo Shote; Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, Olufunmilola Aluko; Regional Executive, Business Banking SouthWest and Lagos, Union Bank of Nigeria, Emmanuel Aihevba, and Lead Innovation, Events and Platform Management, Union Bank of Nigeria, Chiamaka Moses during the Bank’s commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026 at the Stable, Surulere, Lagos recently.

Complementary efforts include outreach to disability support facilities and collaboration with educational institutions to distribute learning materials to female students with disabilities. Tailored mentorship programmes will build confidence and capability in education, entrepreneurship, and careers. Through its women’s banking proposition alpher and strategic partnerships, the Bank will also deliver business sustainability training specifically designed for women living with disabilities and women raising children with disabilities.
Internally, Union Bank will activate WeHub — its employee-led women’s network — to strengthen inclusive culture and support professional growth across the organisation.

These actions reflect Union Bank’s long-standing commitment to advancing equity for underserved communities — and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). For Union Bank, these are not frameworks to cite; they are commitments to live out.

Olufunmilola Aluko, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, stated that “At Union Bank, inclusion is not an abstract ideal; it is a deliberate choice. While many conversations around women’s empowerment are important and necessary, women living with disabilities and women raising children with disabilities are too often left out entirely. This year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain,’ reflects exactly what we believe: that when we intentionally open access, support, and opportunity to these women, the value created extends to families, communities, and society at large.”

Union Bank’s IWD 2026 campaign is a statement of intent: that true inclusion requires us to go further, reach deeper, and serve those who have waited longest for a seat at the table. In 2026, Union Bank is committed to ensuring that a seat exists — and that it is built to last.

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Just In: Dangote Refinery Announces Petrol, Diesel Price Reduction

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The Dangote Petroleum Refinery officially reduced its gantry prices for petrol (PMS) and diesel (AGO) following a series of price hikes earlier in the week.

According to a new pricing template released by the refinery on March 10, 2026, the gantry price of petrol has been reduced by N100, dropping from N1,175 to N1,075 per litre.

The refinery also stated that the price of PMS for coastal supply will now be N1,050 per litre. The difference in price reflects additional costs linked to maritime distribution.

Similarly, the price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) has been reduced to N1,430 per litre at the gantry, down from the previous N1,620 per litre. This represents a decrease of N190 per litre.

The refinery noted that these gantry prices do not include regulatory charges from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Meanwhile, JomogNews earlier reported on Monday that Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised its gantry PMS price to N1,175 per litre — the third upward adjustment in seven days

The refinery communicated the new ex-depot price to marketers and depot operators, up ₦180 from the N995 per litre announced last week Friday, an 18.1 per cent increase in three days.

 

 

 

 

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Drama At Rivers Assembly Over Nominee’s ‘I don’t pay tax’ Statement

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A video circulating online has captured a tense moment during the screening of commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The footage seen shows the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, questioning one of the nominees, Charity Deemua, over the status of her tax clearance certificate.

During the screening of commissioner nominees, the Rivers State House of Assembly rejected nominee Charity Deemua after she claimed that as a politician, she did not pay taxes.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule and other lawmakers expressed shock at the statement, leading to the rejection of her nomination along with three others due to lack of tax compliance.

During the screening session, Amaewhule pointed out that the nominee’s tax clearance appeared outdated.

“I just wanted to know, so there’s no current tax clearance. Madam has not been paying tax since 2018. I just wanted to know if she’s been exempted from paying taxes. So let her tell us now,” the Speaker said.

Responding, Deemua explained that she had not had a steady source of income in recent years.

“Like I said before, I’m a politician, I don’t have work,” she stated.

When asked to clarify her employment history, Deemua told the lawmakers that she had previously served briefly in government.

“I was a member, a commissioner in the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission,” she said.

Amaewhule then pressed further about her role in a local government caretaker committee.

“When were you? Hold on… local government caretaker committee member, right?” the Speaker asked.

“I was just three months there,” Deemua replied.

“When? When was that?” Amaewhule asked.

“And I think November last year,” she responded.

“November when? What year?” the Speaker asked again.

“2025,” she answered.

The Speaker then questioned whether she earned income during that period.

“You were not paid salary? Were you not paid salary?” Amaewhule asked.

“In the caretaker committee, we were paid,” Deemua admitted.

“You were paid? Yes. Is that not income? But you said you have not had any income from 2018 to date as a politician. So no tax clearance, and that’s what you are telling Rivers people. Madam, that is not nice. You are misleading the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly,” Amaewhule said.

In response, Deemua apologised and suggested she could address the issue.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker. But I think I can still go back for…,” she began before being interrupted.

“No, but you say you have not had any income now,” Amaewhule replied before moving on to the next nominee.

The video of the exchange has since drawn reactions online, with many Nigerians asking that if politicians say they don’t work, what exactly are taxpayers paying for.

See video:

 

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