Following the most recent London hearing, another London judge ordered P&ID to disclose additional information, including WhatsApp and text messages.
Business
FG Raises Fresh Fraud Claims against P&ID Ahead $11bn Trial
•Nigeria moves to prove firm secured contract through bribery, lies
Nigeria has levelled fresh claims of fraud against a little-known offshore firm, Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID), which earlier won an $11 billion arbitration award against the country, ramping up the pressure ahead of one of the biggest London trials to take place next year.
The federal government would seek to prove to the court that P&ID did not make full disclosure to the court in the first place in the course of the case.
As it attempts to show the court that the contract was corruptly procured, it would also urge the firm in the eye of the storm to answer the following questions:
“Did P&ID, or any individual or company associated with P&ID, make, procure to be made by any other person, or promise to make payments” to or on behalf of various Nigerian officials, including one Ms Taiga, Mr. Tijani, Mr Dikko, Mr. Rilwanu Lukman or Mr Ibrahim?
“Did P&ID collude with and/or communicate with and/or enter into a corrupt agreement with and/or make payments to Mr Shasore and/or any other person directly or indirectly involved in the FRN’s defence (including Ms Adelore and Mr Oguine), before, during or after the arbitration, with a view to influencing the conduct of the FRN’s defence in the arbitration?
“In what circumstances did the FRN engage Mr Shasore (and/or his firm) in respect of the arbitration? Did Mr Shasore conduct the arbitration in a manner contrary to Nigeria’s interests and/or instructions, and if so, why?”
“Did P&ID induce Ms Taiga or any other Nigerian official to depart from the terms of the FRN’s model arbitration clause in the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA)?” according to court filing.
An update on the legal tussle also showed that the Federal Government of Nigeria (FRN) has been successful in its bid at the London High Court to obtain further documentation in support of its efforts to set aside the $11 billion arbitration award.
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In the recent hearing, Mr. Justice Jacobs judged that the approach taken by P&ID to providing disclosure of WhatsApp/SMS messages had not been entirely satisfactory to date and as such it would be reasonable and proportionate for P&ID to disclose further information related to private WhatsApp/SMS messages sent between key figures associated with the company over a period of several years. Nigeria’s government hoped that disclosure of the messages would further reveal the questionable activities of the company ahead of the High Court trial due to begin in January 2023.
A spokesperson for the Federal Republic of Nigeria who pleaded to remain anonymous, was quoted to have said: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria remains dedicated to overturning arbitral award of around $11 billion and is leaving no stone unturned in its fight through the courts.
“This is another step in our long running effort to reveal who stands to benefit from one of the world’s largest scams. Today’s judgment will help us have greater access to messages sent between the senior figures associated with P&ID which is vital ahead of the trial which will begin in the High Court in January 2023.”
However, a Bloomberg report yesterday stated that Nigeria would try to overturn the penalty by proving that P&ID secured a gas-supply contract and the subsequent arbitration victory through bribes and lies.
The federal government had sought to convince a United Kingdom (UK) High Court that the purported $9.6 billion contract, which had now generated additional interest with P&ID, for a 20-year deal to turn Nigeria’s gas reserves into electricity, was a scam ab initio.
The lawyers representing the Nigerian government told Sir Ross Cranston, head of the court, that P&ID knew from the beginning that there was no deal, noting that it was only a facade to fleece the Nigerian people.
P&ID founded by the late Michael Quinn and Brendan Cahill, the lawyers told the court, had no intention to perform any obligation concerning the purported contract, reason the company went about bribing Nigerian government officials at the time.
The company had taken legal action against Nigeria for alleged breach of contract, with a panel of three arbitrators voting 2-1 to award P & ID the full sum of its claim of $6.6 billion at the time, plus interest, which spiked the arbitration value to about $9.6 billion.
In January 2010, Nigeria allegedly signed the gas-processing project, but two years later, the company began an arbitration process, alleging breach of contract.
In July 2015, a London tribunal gave judgement in favour of the company and in January 2017, gave the final award of $6.6 billion, with an interest rate of seven per cent, pre and post judgement.
Citing fraud, the federal government had ordered an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and in January requested a hearing to present evidence that the so-called deal was a fraud.
The project first started under the petroleum minister at the time, Mr. Rilwanu Lukman, who died in 2014, whom the Nigerian legal representative said yesterday spearheaded the alleged fraud.
The federal government told the judge that Lukman and several government officials knew the agreement was a sham and stood to make financial gains.
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A tribunal granted the company the damages in early 2017, after finding that the government had breached the original agreement.
P&ID didn’t respond to a request for comments, according to Bloomberg, but had repeatedly denied the allegations. It insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government concocted the claims to avoid its legal obligation to compensate the British Virgin Islands-registered company.
The potentially costly crisis for Nigeria stems from a deal struck in 2010, where the government agreed to provide gas to a plant P&ID proposed to build.
Buhari’s administration now argues the project was a “sham” from the outset designed by the company and corrupt public officials to engineer the successful arbitration claim that a tribunal delivered more than five years ago.
The government introduced the fraud allegations after a UK judge ruled in August 2019 that P&ID could enforce the award, which has increased with interest from an initial $6.6 billion.
Nigeria discovered late last year that P&ID was, “in possession of numerous documents which might be privileged and confidential” to the government, it said in documents prepared for a London court hearing last month.
While the “full details” of how P&ID obtained the documents “remain obscured,” it was to be “inferred” they were provided to the company by a former legal director at the petroleum resources ministry and “other corrupted individuals” acting on behalf of the government, Nigeria claimed.
Granting Nigeria permission to proceed to a full trial, Judge Cranston had said in September 2020 the government had established a strong case that the contract was “procured by bribes” and the arbitration was “tainted.”
There is “a possibility” that Olasupo Shasore, the state’s lawyer during most of the arbitration, was “corrupted,” he had said.
Shasore didn’t respond to a request for comments, according to Bloomberg.
P&ID rejected Cranston’s conclusions in its skeleton argument last month, telling the court that Nigeria’s allegations are “clearly unfounded.” The eight-week fraud trial is scheduled to start in January.
The Nigerian government “keenly awaits the opportunity to present its case before the High Court” and “is confident that justice will finally be served,” a spokesman told Bloomberg by email.
An image of at least one of the privileged documents was supplied to P&ID by Adetunji Adebayo, a Nigerian businessman active in the oil and gas industry, who signed an agreement with the company in 2014 instructing him to facilitate negotiations around a potential settlement during the arbitration, according to the government’s skeleton argument.
Adebayo was entitled to up to half of any pay-out above $1 billion, the court document said.
The company’s co-founder, Brendan Cahill, secured the “silence” of one of his former employees who had offered in 2020 to act as a witness in the trial by entering an agreement that is “contingent on P&ID succeeding in its claim,” Nigeria further alleged last month. Neither Adetunji nor Cahill responded to requests for comments.
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Auto
Toyota Corolla Cross: The SUV That Blends Everyday Comfort With Practicality
Toyota Corolla Cross: The SUV That Blends Everyday Comfort With Practicality

With its elevated driving position, spacious cabin, advanced safety technologies and fuel-efficient hybrid options, the Toyota Corolla Cross offers motorists a compelling blend of SUV versatility and everyday convenience.
For motorists seeking a vehicle that combines the comfort of a family car with the versatility of a sport utility vehicle, the Toyota Corolla Cross presents an attractive option in the increasingly competitive crossover market.
Developed around the familiar Corolla nameplate, the Corolla Cross brings together the practicality associated with the Corolla range and the elevated stance, generous interior space and utility expected of an SUV.
Toyota describes the model as combining spacious interior accommodation and outstanding utility with responsive performance and fuel efficiency.
The result is a vehicle designed to appeal to families, professionals and urban motorists who want a versatile vehicle for daily commuting, business engagements, weekend outings and longer journeys.
SUV styling meets everyday functionality
The Corolla Cross adopts the raised body profile and commanding road presence of an SUV while retaining proportions intended to make it manageable for everyday driving.
Its design seeks to balance visual appeal with functionality, giving buyers an alternative to conventional saloon cars without requiring them to move into a larger SUV.
The elevated seating position can provide drivers with a more commanding view of the road, while the crossover format offers flexibility for passengers, shopping, luggage and other everyday transportation needs.
For Nigerian motorists navigating a combination of busy city streets, highways and varying road conditions, these characteristics make the model worth considering as an all-round family and business vehicle.
Comfort and space for modern motorists
Interior space is an important part of the Corolla Cross proposition. Its cabin is designed to accommodate passengers comfortably while providing practical storage and luggage-carrying capability for everyday activities.
The model’s SUV-inspired layout offers an alternative for customers who need more versatility than a conventional compact saloon but do not necessarily require a full-size SUV.
Depending on the grade, Nigerian buyers should confirm the availability of specific convenience and infotainment features, including touchscreen functions, smartphone connectivity, climate control and other equipment, with an authorised Toyota dealer.
Fuel efficiency and hybrid technology
Fuel economy remains a significant consideration for Nigerian vehicle buyers, particularly households and businesses seeking to manage running costs.
Toyota’s Corolla Cross range includes hybrid versions in selected markets, combining a petrol engine with an electric motor to improve efficiency. The official Toyota Corolla Cross product information highlights fuel-saving hybrid technology as one of the model’s major strengths.
Toyota also lists an E-Four electric four-wheel-drive system on applicable hybrid versions. Availability of this drivetrain and the associated features depends on the specific version.
Actual fuel consumption will vary according to the powertrain, driving conditions, traffic, vehicle load and driving style. Prospective Nigerian buyers should therefore confirm the engine, transmission and hybrid availability of the exact vehicle being offered locally rather than assume that every international specification is available in Nigeria.
Safety and driver assistance
Safety is another important element of the Corolla Cross package.
Toyota’s international product information highlights Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of active safety and driver-assistance technologies designed to support drivers in everyday traffic situations. Depending on the model grade and market, the package may include functions intended to help detect potential collisions and support safer driving.
The manufacturer’s information also identifies parking assistance and a back-guide monitor on applicable grades, helping drivers manoeuvre in confined spaces.
However, equipment can differ by market and specification. Buyers should request confirmation of the safety features fitted to the particular Corolla Cross being sold by Toyota (Nigeria) Limited or its accredited dealers.
Backed by Toyota’s Nigerian dealer network
Beyond the vehicle’s design and equipment, the availability of authorised sales, servicing and genuine spare parts is an important consideration for buyers.
Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, appointed distributor of Toyota Motor Corporation in Nigeria, operates through seven accredited dealers across the country. The company says its network supports vehicle sales, after-sales services and the supply of genuine parts.
Purchasing an eligible new vehicle through an accredited dealer also provides access to Toyota (Nigeria) Limited’s stated basic warranty of three years or 100,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, subject to the manufacturer’s terms and conditions.
The company says its Nigerian-market vehicles are configured with local operating conditions in mind, including a Severe User Package designed to help vehicles cope with challenging road and environmental conditions. Customers should confirm the precise specification applicable to the Corolla Cross they intend to purchase.
Where to enquire about the Toyota Corolla Cross
Customers can contact Toyota (Nigeria) Limited’s accredited dealers to confirm the Corolla Cross’s availability, current price, engine and transmission options, colour choices, warranty coverage and delivery arrangements.
The seven dealers listed on Toyota (Nigeria) Limited’s official website are:
Elizade Nigeria Limited, R.T. Briscoe (Nigeria), Omoregie Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Mandilas Enterprises Limited,
Kojo Motors Limited and Metropolitan Motors Limited.
Dealer contacts and locations can be checked on Toyota (Nigeria) Limited’s official website at www.toyotanigeria.com/dealers/.
A versatile choice for the modern driver
The Toyota Corolla Cross brings together the elevated stance of an SUV, the everyday practicality of the Corolla nameplate and the availability of fuel-efficient hybrid technology in selected versions.
For Nigerian buyers weighing comfort, utility, safety and long-term ownership support, the model deserves consideration as a versatile vehicle for both personal and family use.
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Auto
Hyundai Unveils Mufasa, Grand Creta SUVs to Strengthen Nigeria Line-up (Updated)
Hyundai Unveils Mufasa, Grand Creta SUVs to Strengthen Nigeria Line-up (Updated)
Hyundai Motors Nigeria has expanded its sport utility vehicle (SUV) range with the introduction of the all-new Mufasa and Grand Creta, offering Nigerian motorists more choices in styling, performance, technology and passenger comfort.
The two models, unveiled in Lagos on Wednesday, are targeted at different customer segments, with the Mufasa designed for motorists seeking a stylish, five-seater SUV, while the Grand Creta offers a three-row, seven-seater configuration suited to larger families and customers requiring additional passenger space.
The launch underscores Hyundai’s efforts to strengthen its presence in Nigeria’s competitive automotive market, where demand for versatile vehicles that combine comfort, safety, performance and practicality continues to shape consumer preferences.
Speaking at the launch, Hyundai Motors Nigeria’s General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Mr Gaurav Vashisht, said the new models reflected the company’s commitment to providing vehicles that meet the changing needs of Nigerian customers.
“The SUV segment continues to attract strong interest in Nigeria, as customers increasingly prioritise comfort, safety, technology and versatility,” Vashisht said.
He also gave a rundown of the two new vehicles’ features even as he stated that the Mufasa and Grand Creta were designed to meet different lifestyle requirements while maintaining Hyundai’s global standards of quality and innovation.
Mufasa targets style-conscious motorists
The Hyundai Mufasa combines bold exterior styling with a spacious cabin and features designed for everyday driving. Its distinctive front grille, signature LED lighting and muscular bodywork give it a commanding road presence.
Power comes from a 2.0-litre Smartstream multipoint fuel injection (MPi) petrol engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the market specification, the engine produces approximately 150–160 horsepower and 193Nm of torque.
The five-seater SUV measures about 4,475mm in length, with a 2,680mm wheelbase, providing room for passengers and luggage while retaining a practical footprint for urban driving and longer journeys.
Its cabin features a modern dashboard, digital displays and storage spaces, while available equipment, depending on the variant, includes touchscreen infotainment, smartphone connectivity, automatic climate control, wireless charging and selectable driving modes.
Safety and driver-support features include anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, airbags and parking assistance, subject to the vehicle specification.
The Mufasa is positioned as an option for professionals, younger motorists and families seeking a combination of contemporary design, technology and everyday usability.
Grand Creta offers seven-seat flexibility
The Grand Creta complements the Mufasa with a larger cabin and seating for up to seven occupants, making it suitable for families and motorists who prioritise passenger capacity and interior flexibility.
The SUV is powered by an available 2.0-litre Smartstream petrol engine producing approximately 159 horsepower and 191Nm of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is offered on automatic variant.
Its 2,760mm wheelbase supports a spacious three-row layout, while the flexible seating arrangement allows occupants to adjust the cabin to accommodate passengers or luggage.
Depending on the trim, convenience features include an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, rear air-conditioning vents, keyless entry, push-button start and a digital instrument cluster.
Higher-specification versions may also feature leather-appointed seats, ventilated front seats, automatic climate control, wireless charging and a panoramic sunroof.
Safety equipment offered across the range includes six airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and ISOFIX child-seat mounting points.
The model is aimed particularly at larger families seeking additional space and comfort without sacrificing the styling and versatility associated with SUVs.
After-sales support in focus
Beyond the new models, Hyundai Motors Nigeria says it is focused on delivering a comprehensive ownership experience through its authorised dealership network, after-sales services and access to genuine spare parts.
Vashisht said the Mufasa would appeal to customers seeking bold styling, modern technology and dynamic performance, while the Grand Creta would cater to those requiring greater passenger capacity, comfort and versatility.
“Our objective is not simply to introduce new vehicles but to deliver a complete ownership experience,” he said, reaffirming the company’s commitment to building long-term customer confidence in the Hyundai brand.
The two additions expand Hyundai’s existing SUV portfolio, which includes the Creta, Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade.
Their introduction comes as automakers compete to attract Nigerian buyers with vehicles offering a balance of comfort, safety, technology, performance and long-term ownership value.
With the Mufasa and Grand Creta, Hyundai is seeking to broaden its appeal across different customer categories while strengthening its position in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive SUV market.

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Auto
Happening now: Hyundai unveiling of Mufasa and Grand Creta
Happening now: Hyundai unveiling of Mufasa and Grand Creta (photos)

Two latest models of Hyundai auto brands are currently being officially rolled out in Lagos. The new vehicles are Mufasa and Grand Creta.
The unveiling is taking place at the Hyundai showroom on Akin Adesola Street Victoria Island, Lagos.


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