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Bayelsa resolves oil well dispute between three communities 12th July 2025

The Bayelsa State Government has resolved a dispute between Egweama Nembe and Elepa communities in Brass and Nembe local government areas over the ownership of Elepa 1 and 2 oil wells.

Both communities accepted a decision reached by the state government on Friday in Yenagoa to ensure peace and security in the area while awaiting the outcome of ongoing litigation over the dispute.

The Elepa oilfields are currently being operated by the Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited after divestment of the facilities by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.

Addressing leaders of both communities at a meeting, Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said the government had endorsed the sharing formula recommended by the Irorodamie Komonibo-led committee set up last year to mediate on the matter.

Ewhrudjakpo announced the allocation of 40 per cent of all royalties, employment chances and contractual jobs from Renaissance Africa Energy Company to Elepa, while Egweama and Nembe were allocated 30 per cent each.

He directed that the three contractors engaged under the company’s Free To Operate system for the supply of a tug boat, swamp buggy, and crew boat should come under one contract and share the profits accordingly based on the sharing formula.

Ewhrudjakpo commended the calmness of leaders and stakeholders of the area, explaining that the government’s position was informed by its overriding interest in ensuring peace among the feuding communities.

He urged them to talk to their people, especially the youth to maintain the existing peace, and patiently wait for the determination of the lawsuit over the ownership of the disputed Elepa 1 and 2 oil wells at the Court of Appeal.

He said, “We have carefully studied the recommendations in the report submitted by the committee we set up sometime last year to look into your dispute, chaired by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Irorodamie Komonibo. As a government, we have adopted the recommendation. So going forward, the Elepa community will have 40 per cent while Egwema and Nembe will get 30 per cent each, pending when the court will give judgment on the ownership case.”

He stated further: “This decision was reached after a thorough consideration of a lot of factors involved, and I believe it is in the best interest of the communities and that of the state to make this sacrifice.”

Responding separately on behalf of the communities, the Chairman of the Nembe Council of Chiefs, Chief Bright Ereware-Igbeta, the Paramount Ruler of Elepa Community, Chief Gelegukuma Apiri, and the CDC Chairman of Egweama Community, Mr. Tonye Yemoleigha, appreciated the relentless efforts of the state government to ensure that there is peace among the three communities despite their conflict of interest.

While thanking the government for the next parameters put in place in respect of employment opportunities and contracts, they agreed to remain peaceful, stressing there is no price too much to pay to enjoy peace.

The highlight of the meeting was the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Bayelsa State Government represented by the deputy governor and representatives of the three communities.

Iyabo Ojo battles Liz Anjorin, threats after office fire 12th July

Popular actress, Iyabo Ojo, has responded to her colleague, Liz Anjorin, via a video post, stating that she should be held responsible if anything happens to her or any member of her family. This comes as Ojo has been fighting different battles, and receiving threats received.

Earlier in the week, her office in Lagos was engulfed in a fire but no causalities were involved. Her daughter, Priscilla, then stated online that the fire incident was only a part of other events that had been a threat to her and her family. Priscilla also noted that her mother, Iyabo, had received a threat letter in May that insinuated that her movement and that of her daughter were been monitored.

Also responding, Iyabo took to her Instagram page on Thursday, July 10, 2025. In a lengthy post, she corroborated her daughter’s account of the threat she allegedly recieved, stating that certain people were continuously trying to kill her and destroy her family.

The post read in part, “Without prejudice to the ongoing investigation, it is important to state that a few days before my daughter’s wedding in Tanzania, I received a letter threatening my life at my office. The letter explicitly stated that I would go through hell in the next three months”

Less than 24 hours after her response, her colleague, Lizzy Anjorin, announced the dismissal of the N1bn lawsuit. Her post got the attention of Iyabo, who later responded in a now-deleted video with the caption, “If anything should happen to my children or my kids, hold Lizzy Anjorin responsible… we haven’t started any case yet… that was just ADR, case never start.”

In the video, Iyabo explained that if anything happened to her or any of her loved ones, Anjorin should be held responsible. She further explained that although the case wasn’t a court case but stated that it was part of an Alternative Dispute Resolution process, which had not even begun properly.

In a more shocking turn of events, social media personality, Martins Otse, aka VDM, responded to the statement posted by Iyabo. He stated that her post was a shock to him, while also implying that he knows more than what was said, but would remain silent in respect of the actress.

Worker dies after US immigration raid 12th July

A farm worker died on Friday after being injured during a raid by US immigration agents on a legal cannabis farm in California that resulted in the arrests of 200 undocumented migrants and clashes with protestors.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, called demonstrators involved in attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents “slimeballs” and said they should be arrested.

In another development, a district judge ordered a halt to “roving patrols” in Los Angeles by federal agents who were detaining suspected undocumented migrants without probable cause and denying them due process.

District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong ordered an end to the arrests, which she said were being made “based upon race alone,” on whether a person was speaking Spanish or English with an accent or because of their place of work and ordered them stopped.

Trump’s remarks and the court order come a day after a chaotic raid on a cannabis plantation in Ventura County some 56 miles (90 kilometers) from Los Angeles, left one farm worker critically injured.

The United Farm Workers labour union said in a post on X on Friday that the worker had “died of injuries they sustained as a result of yesterday’s immigration enforcement action.”

Tricia McLaughlin, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokeswoman, said the man who died was never in custody.

“Although he was not being pursued by law enforcement, this individual climbed up to the roof of a green house and fell 30 feet (10 meters),” McLaughlin said. “(Customs and Border Patrol) immediately called a medivac to the scene to get him care as quickly as possible.”

The DHS said 200 undocumented migrants were arrested during raids on marijuana growing sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo on Thursday, and 10 children were rescued “from potential exploitation, forced labour, and human trafficking.”

Glass House Brands, which owns the farms, said in a statement that it has “never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors.”

DHS said more than 500 “rioters” had attempted to disrupt the operation and four US citizens are facing charges for assaulting or resisting officers.

Tear gas was used against the protestors, some of whom were seen in television footage throwing projectiles at law enforcement vehicles.

The department said immigration agency vehicles were damaged and a $50,000 reward was being offered for the arrest of an individual who allegedly fired a gun at law enforcement officers.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he had watched footage of “thugs” throwing rocks and bricks at ICE vehicles, causing “tremendous damage.”

Trump said he was authorising law enforcement officers who are “on the receiving end of thrown rocks, bricks, or any other form of assault, to stop their car, and arrest these SLIMEBALLS, using whatever means is necessary to do so.”

“I am giving Total Authorisation for ICE to protect itself, just like they protect the Public,” he said.

Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to deport millions of migrants, has been involved in a showdown over immigration enforcement with Democratic-ruled California for weeks.

The Republican president sent thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles last month to quell protests against roundups of undocumented migrants by federal agents.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has said the troops were not necessary to address the mostly peaceful protests, but his legal efforts to have them removed have failed so far.

The cannabis farm in Camarillo was calm during a visit by an AFP reporter on Friday as workers waited in line to collect their belongings and paychecks.

“We’ve been here since six this morning asking questions but they’re not giving us any information,” said Saul Munoz, a 43-year-old Colombian whose son was detained on Thursday.

“I just want to know how he’s doing,” Munoz said. “Bring him back to me and if it’s time for us to leave, we’ll leave.

“The truth is the American dream is no longer the American dream.”

AFP

Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, a scam – Babachir Lawal

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has described the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project as a “scam,” accusing the Bola Tinubu-led administration of lacking tangible projects that benefit Nigerians.

Lawal made the remarks during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, aired on Channels Television on Friday.

“If you ask me, ‘What projects has this government implemented so far that are visible to Nigerians and have impacted their lives?’ I cannot see any.

“At least in northern Nigeria, where I am a frequent traveller, I don’t see any road that they are constructing or rehabilitating. In the South-West, I don’t think there is any,” he claimed.

He also criticised the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project, claiming successive governments have used it as a political talking point without completing it.

“They are still talking about the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which it appears every government talks about and votes money for, and it never goes anywhere.

“Their so-called coastal road is just a scam. Every Nigerian knows it is a scam. Even before they started, we knew it would be a scam, and it has become a scam,” he said.

Tinubu had, in May, flagged off the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway — a 30-kilometre stretch from Ahmadu Bello Way to the Eleko Village area in Lekki, Lagos.

But Lawal dismissed the development, questioning its relevance in the face of mounting public debt.

“You borrow money from Europe, and before it comes, it is spent over there. So, I don’t understand. What can Nigerians see?

“It has become such that the President can go and commission 30 kilometres of a 700km road — which has even become a source of controversy. So, what are they doing with our money?” he asked.

Adoke was globally hunted over OPL 245 deal – Jonathan 10th July 2025

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, was globally pursued in connection with the controversial OPL 245 oil deal.

Jonathan, who spoke through former Senate President, Pius Anyim, made the revelation on Thursday in Abuja during the public presentation of Adoke’s memoir titled “OPL 245: Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Nigerian Oil Block.”

He recounted that following the end of his administration in 2015, a campaign of targeted persecution was launched against officials who served in his government, with Adoke among the most affected.

“The author of this memoir, Mr. Bello Adoke, was the Attorney-General of the Federation at that time.

“He was hunted across the globe. But today, he’s alive, he’s healthy, and he’s here to tell his story,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan described the memoir as a bold and courageous effort to set the record straight, saying it was an important contribution to justice and nation-building.

He commended Adoke’s resilience, calling him a “friend and brother” who withstood intense pressure.

The former president also used the occasion to reflect on the nature of political power and urged public officeholders to act with fairness and responsibility.

“Power belongs to God. The best anyone who is blessed with the opportunity of holding public office should do is to commit to the assignment and use the opportunity to uphold truth, justice, and fairness,” he stated.

Jonathan warned that no society could thrive without justice and noted that Adoke’s decision to document his experiences was a step toward preserving the truth and strengthening democratic values.

“To some, the occasion may be a book presentation. To others, it is a celebration of victory over persecution,” he concluded.

Revenue generation: ICPC urges N’Assembly to strengthen oversight on MDAs

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on Wednesday charged the National Assembly to demonstrate more seriousness in its oversight role on revenue-generating agencies of government.

The anti-graft agency also condemned the practice of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies for their alleged mismanagement of public funds.

Speaking at the 2025 National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance organised by the Senate and House of Representatives Public Accounts Committees in Abuja, ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, called for tougher legislative measures to ensure that revenue generated and collected are timely remitted to government coffers by the provisions of the law.

“You see, the funny thing is that these revenue-generating agencies believe the money is their own.

“But unfortunately, it’s not theirs. So please, intensify oversight so they’ll be held accountable and bring to the table whatever they collect,” he said.

Represented by the Director of Finance, Akporo Michael, Aliyu pledged support for the country’s fiscal policy reforms, particularly the recent tax legislation signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

“For the first time in our history, the government has taken the bull by the horns by reforming our tax system.

“These reforms aim to increase our tax-to-GDP ratio to between 18% and 20% in the coming years,” he said, adding that this would help the country meet its growing development needs.

He said Nigeria’s low tax-to-GDP ratio of 7.8 per cent is among the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa, noting that countries like Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt are recording double-digit ratios and reaping the benefits in infrastructural development and service delivery.

“Our budget implementation suffers every year because we do not mobilise enough revenue.

“Contractors in my office have been waiting for payment since last year. It is time to close the gaps,” he said.

He also lamented what he called the lack of openness in the operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited.

He stated, “Saudi Arabia’s national oil company in the year 2024 posted a net profit of $106.25bn. Around the same year, you can do a good mix. How much does our NNPCL post pay? $2.4bn in 2024.

“These are players in the same league. Granted, Aramco’s capacity is higher than that of NNPCL. Their production on a daily basis is 9.1m barrels per day, while Nigeria in 2024 was doing 1.3m. We agree. So let’s assume that Aramco is producing 10 times that of Nigeria.

“They made a profit of $106bn. If their capacity is just 10 times higher, what should be our net profit? At least 10% of theirs. But we got only 2.4%.”

The ICPC chair also called for the overhaul of Nigeria’s public sector salary structure, which he described as unjust and demoralising.

He urged the National Assembly to engage the Salaries and Wages Commission to harmonise pay scales in a way that reflects fairness, justice, and economic reality.

While applauding recent wins in Nigeria’s global corruption ranking, he noted that the fight must continue.

He reminded the audience of Nigeria’s past designation as one of the world’s most corrupt countries by Transparency International and cautioned against complacency.

“We’ve improved, but we’re still not where we should be. Out of 140 countries ranked by Transparency International in 2024, Nigeria is still behind at 100. That means only 40 countries are below us,” he said.

To address leakages and enhance transparency, Aliyu called for the digitisation of key government processes, including payroll, procurement, and revenue collection.

He cited the successes of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, which helped the ICPC recover ₦21bn in salary fraud in a single investigation.

“If we digitise our systems and eliminate human discretion, we will cut out most of the corruption,” he said.

Aliyu cited international examples like Bulgaria, where procurement processes are fully transparent and publicly accessible.

The ICPC boss also called on the National Assembly to enact a comprehensive whistleblower protection law, describing it as a vital tool to encourage citizens to come forward with reports on corruption.

“Let it not just be policy. Let it be a law, with protection and incentives for those who speak out,” he said.

According to him, the country’s survival depends on the outcome of the anti-corruption fight.

“We don’t have many options – just two. It’s either we kill corruption or corruption kills us. And the choice, as they say in science, is in our hands,” he added.

On his part, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, called for greater synergy between monetary and fiscal authorities to enhance Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability and ensure sustained national development.

“Contrary to the general belief, the Central Bank and fiscal authorities are not working at cross purposes.

“They may appear to have different tools, but both are focused on achieving the same goals: economic growth, stability, and improved welfare for Nigerians,” he said.

Cardoso noted that one of the apex bank’s major concerns is to balance government spending with the maintenance of macroeconomic stability, especially in areas like inflation, exchange rate management, and the strength of the naira.

He highlighted that since the inauguration of the current management at the CBN, the bank has adopted a proactive approach to both global and domestic economic developments.

He cited the minimal impact of recent geopolitical tensions as proof of this shift in strategy.

“We don’t sit and wait for events to occur. That’s why even recent global disruptions have had minimal impact on Nigeria’s economy,” he said.

NACA to convene national council on AIDS amid global aid shifts

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS has announced plans to convene the seventh National Council on AIDS, which will focus on Nigeria’s HIV response in the context of evolving global aid dynamics.

The agency made this known in a statement signed by the Chairman, Planning Committee, Dr. Daniel Ndukwe, on Thursday.

The event, to be held in Lagos with support from the Lagos State Agency for the Control of AIDS, is themed, “Advancing national HIV sustainability agenda in the changing global policy on aid.”

The meeting is designed to bring together representatives from government ministries, civil society, development partners, and affected communities, with discussions focusing on ensuring the long-term sustainability of HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs nationwide.

The National Council on AIDS, established under the NACA Act of 2006, functions as Nigeria’s apex coordination body for multi-sectoral HIV response. The upcoming seventh session aims to review past progress and chart a strategic direction for future HIV interventions.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Director-General of NACA and Chairman of the Council, Dr. Temitope Ilori, highlighted the importance of sustaining HIV response efforts in the face of shifting donor priorities.

“As donor landscapes evolve, Nigeria must take bold steps to ensure that HIV prevention, treatment, and support remain accessible and resilient. The Council offers us a unified platform to chart that future,” she said.

The meeting will feature three core thematic tracks on advancing the national HIV sustainability agenda in a changing global aid landscape; multi-sectoral approaches to sustainability of HIV and related developmental diseases; and strengthening sub-national structures for sustainability and health systems effectiveness.

In addition to technical sessions, the agenda includes a review of the twelve resolutions adopted at the sixth NCA meeting and an invitation for stakeholders to submit policy and implementation memoranda for consideration.

The seventh NCA is expected to serve as a national platform for aligning efforts across sectors, including TB, malaria, reproductive health, and broader health system strengthening.

Senegal scraps Akon’s $6bn Wakanda-inspired city project

Senegal has cancelled Akon’s $6 billion plan to build a futuristic “Akon City” on the country’s Atlantic coast, after years of inaction and missed payments by the Senegalese-American singer, Bloomberg reports.

The project, first announced in 2020, was pitched as a tech-driven smart city inspired by Marvel’s Wakanda and promised to transform the quiet village of Mbodiène into a modern hub powered by solar energy and Akon’s own cryptocurrency.

But five years later, the Senegalese government has reclaimed most of the 136 acres of land initially allocated to the singer, after construction failed to begin and financial commitments were not met.

“That project no longer exists,” Serigne Mamadou Mboup, head of Sapco-Senegal, the state agency responsible for developing coastal and tourism zones, told L’Agence de presse sénégalaise.

Bloomberg reports on Wednesday that SAPCO said it would now pursue a scaled-down, state-backed tourism project in the same area, with a budget of 665 billion CFA francs (about $1.2 billion), largely sourced from private investors.

Akon will retain just 8 hectares of the original land allocation, which will be absorbed into the broader development.

Despite the setback, officials say the revised plan could generate up to 15,000 jobs in its first phase, offering long-awaited economic hope for Mbodiène residents.

Since its launch, Akon City has made little headway beyond a youth centre, a basketball court and an information kiosk.

The initial phase, which included a hospital, was originally scheduled for completion by 2023.

Senate to probe NMDPRA CEO over corruption allegations

The Senate had said it is set to begin probe of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority , Farouk Ahmed, as the protest of public interest lawyers to the National Assembly enters day two.

The lawyers stormed the National Assembly, Tuesday, calling on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to immediately suspend and prosecute Farouk Ahmed.

The lawyers cited grave allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and conflict of interest against Ahmed.

In the petition signed by Samuel Ihensekhien Jnr and three others, they also demanded that the National Assembly commence an immediate investigation, recommend Ahmed’s immediate sack and suspension, and arrest.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Oil and Gas, Senator Kawu Ismaila, who received the petition on behalf of the Senate promised to liaise with other members of the committee and investigate the agency.

“One of our constitutional rights is to do oversight. We will look into the allegation, those who are concerned should come and defend themselves.

“We will invite you to come and defend the petition. We will call you to come and defend the allegation because we must do it in accordance with the law.

“When we have a copy of the petition we will sit down together with your leaders and look at the allegation act in accordance with the law”, he said.

The petitioners also called for the freezing of Ahmed’s local and offshore assets and sweeping reforms in the appointment and oversight of regulatory agency heads in the oil and gas sector.

The lawyers described Ahmed’s actions as a clear abuse of office, a betrayal of the Nigerian people’s trust, and a severe breach of the fiduciary duty required of all public servants.

They said, “We urge the Senate to commence an immediate and public hearing investigative hearing into these allegations, summoning Mr. Farouk Ahmed and relevant stakeholders..

“Recommend his immediate sack and suspension from office to prevent interference with ongoing investigations.Refer this matter to the EFCC, ICPC, and the Code of Conduct Bureau for coordinated criminal investigation and prosecution.

“In the event he has absconded from Nigeria immediately Call for collaboration with international security agencies like the Interpol to ensure his extradition back to Nigeria and the freezing of his local and offshore assets. Institute sweeping reforms in the appointment, conduct, and oversight of regulatory agency heads in the oil and gas sector.

“This is a defining moment for the National Assembly to rise in defense of public interest, uphold its constitutional oversight duty, and send a strong message that corruption, abuse of power, and impunity have no place in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The petition is backed by civil society organisations, including the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms, the Concerned Young Professionals Network, and the Coalition for Public Accountability, who have held protests calling for Ahmed’s suspension and prosecution.

Musk’s chatbot Grok slammed for praising Hitler, dishing insults

Billionaire Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok was under fire again Wednesday, for antisemitic comments, praising Hitler and insulting Islam in separate posts on the X platform.

One series of comments, which included insults directed at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, led a court there to ban the posts in question.

These were just the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the AI creation, which has already been accused of promoting racist conspiracy theories.

Screenshots posted on X showed several posts made by the bot in which it praised Adolf Hitler and claimed Jews promoted “anti-white hate”.

The chatbot, developed by Musk’s company xAI, was criticised by the Jewish activist group Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for answering multiple user prompts with questionable posts.

And in Turkey, a court announced it was blocking access to a series of messages from Grok on X, which it said had insulted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Islamic religious values.

Musk’s AI start-up acknowledged the issues in a post via Grok on X.

“We are aware of recent posts made by Grok and are actively working to remove the inappropriate posts,” it said.

“Since being made aware of the content, xAI has taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X.”

– Friday upgrade –

Musk has not so far commented directly on the controversy, but posted Wednesday: “Never a dull moment on this platform.”

Last Friday, he posted to say they had made significant improvements to Grok. “You should notice a difference when you ask Grok questions,” he added.

Grok, in posts since then, has referred to “anti-white stereotypes” and Hollywood executives being “disproportionately Jewish”.

The ADL criticised the latest posts by the chatbot.

“What we are seeing from Grok LLM right now is irresponsible, dangerous and antisemitic, plain and simple,” the ADL said on X.

“This supercharging of extremist rhetoric will only amplify and encourage the antisemitism that is already surging on X and many other platforms.”

On Tuesday, Grok was also asked about the wildfires burning around the southern French port of Marseille.

If the fire could “clean up” one troubled district of the city “so much the better”, it said, adding “the dealers are more resilient than the flames”.

– ‘Sarcasm’ –

Also Tuesday, Grok insulted Erdogan and his family in a series of Turkish-language posts, according to screen captures posted by other users.

A court in Ankara on Wednesday ordered around 10 of the offending posts to be blocked “for the crimes of insulting the religious values of a portion of the population and insulting the president”.

In one post on Wednesday, Grok appeared to be suggesting that some of its more controversial remarks had been tongue-in-cheek.

“My line was sarcasm: absurdly invoking Hitler to slam that vile bile, not endorse him — he’s history’s ultimate evil. Irony backfired hard,” it posted.

Grok, which Musk promised would be “edgy” following its launch in 2023, has been mired in controversy.

In May it caused a row for generating misleading and unsolicited posts referencing “white genocide” in South Africa, which xAI blamed on an “unauthorised modification.”

AFP