Motorists demand cheaper petrol as global crude oil prices fall

Motorists and consumer groups across Nigeria have renewed calls for a reduction in the pump price of petrol following the recent decline in global crude oil prices, arguing that Nigerians should benefit from lower international energy costs.

The demand comes as Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil prices, retreated sharply after recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East eased. The decline has raised expectations that the cost of importing refined petroleum products into Nigeria should also fall.

Many motorists who spoke in separate interviews said the current pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) no longer reflect prevailing market realities, insisting that petroleum marketers and refiners should adjust prices downward in line with the drop in crude oil prices.

Commercial drivers, who depend heavily on petrol for their daily operations, said high fuel prices have continued to increase transportation costs and reduce their earnings. They argued that a reduction in petrol prices would ease the financial burden on millions of Nigerians already grappling with rising inflation and the high cost of living.

Consumer rights advocates also urged the Federal Government, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and industry operators to ensure that Nigerians benefit whenever global oil prices decline, just as consumers bear the impact when crude prices rise.

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According to energy analysts, the international crude oil market plays a significant role in determining the landing cost of imported fuel and the pricing decisions of local refiners. However, they noted that other factors—including the exchange rate, shipping costs, insurance, taxes, storage expenses and domestic distribution costs—also influence the final retail price of petrol in Nigeria.

Analysts explained that while a sustained fall in crude oil prices could create room for lower pump prices, the impact may not be immediate if the naira remains weak against the US dollar or if marketers are still selling products purchased at higher international prices.

The recent decline in global oil prices follows a period of volatility triggered by heightened tensions in the Middle East, which had briefly pushed crude prices higher over fears of supply disruptions. As concerns over supply eased, oil prices retreated, prompting renewed expectations of lower fuel costs in several oil-importing countries.

Industry stakeholders said local fuel prices could also be influenced by production levels at the Dangote Refinery and the availability of refined petroleum products from other domestic and international suppliers. Increased local refining capacity, they noted, has the potential to reduce dependence on imports and improve price stability over time.

Some marketers, however, cautioned against expecting an immediate reduction in pump prices, explaining that existing fuel inventories purchased at earlier, higher costs must first be exhausted before new pricing can take effect.

Despite these concerns, motorists maintain that any sustained decline in crude oil prices should ultimately translate into cheaper petrol at filling stations, helping to reduce transportation fares, business operating costs and overall inflation.

As global oil markets continue to fluctuate, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether refiners, marketers and regulators respond with corresponding adjustments to petrol prices, offering much-needed relief to households and businesses struggling with rising living costs.

Motorists demand cheaper petrol as global crude oil prices fall

“She Sold My Father’s Properties Worth N88 Million, Cut Us Off” – Mr Ibu’s Son Accuses Stepmother

• Somtochukwu Okafor alleges widow sold Lagos, Enugu, and Asaba properties, kept N66 million public donations, and neglected late actor’s other children

Fresh drama has erupted in the family of late Nollywood icon John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, after one of his sons publicly accused his stepmother, Stella Maris Okafor, of taking over the actor’s assets and excluding his other children. The accusations came shortly after Stella Maris made a public appeal for financial assistance, claiming she was struggling to care for her children. In a viral video that has since generated widespread attention, Stella Maris appeared with content creator Mukoro “King Mitchy” Michelle, revealing that her household had been without electricity for about two months, relied on a well for water, and her children could no longer attend school due to unpaid fees. The emotional plea was intended to solicit help from the public, but it has instead opened a new chapter in the long-running family feud surrounding the late comedian’s estate. Reacting to the video, Okafor Somtochukwu, who identified himself as Mr Ibu’s third son and fourth child, countered her claims with serious allegations. He challenged the narrative that Stella’s children were the only ones the late comedian left behind, insisting that Mr Ibu had many children, both older and younger than hers. He described Stella’s public appeal as a “slap in the face” to the rest of his father’s children and family, stating that her children are not the only ones Mr Ibu has and that the late actor left behind a lot of children, both the ones that are older and younger than her children. He alleged that his father died and left a lot of properties and things for all his children, but Stella chose to take everything for herself and her children.

Somtochukwu levelled several specific allegations against his stepmother, claiming she sold off multiple properties belonging to the late actor without involving other family members. He provided a detailed breakdown of the alleged sales, claiming that a property in Lagos was sold for ₦60 million, while properties in Enugu and Asaba were also allegedly sold for ₦17 million and ₦11 million respectively, totaling approximately N88 million. According to Somtochukwu, despite the sales, he received only ₦40,000 from Stella, which he said was presented as a gift rather than a share of the proceeds. He alleged that the properties were sold after his father’s death, and the money was kept exclusively for Stella and her children, with no accountability to other family members.

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Somtochukwu further alleged that Stella failed to honour Mr Ibu’s dying wishes. He claimed his father called him from Delta State to Lagos before his death and instructed Stella to take care of him, including paying for his WAEC examinations. However, even when he called her asking for money for his WAEC, she told him she didn’t have any money to give. She didn’t reply to his messages and didn’t pick his calls. He also alleged that the money Nigerians contributed when his dad was sick was all spent by Stella alone. He stated that he was unable to access his WAEC results because he remained in school fees arrears, and Stella allegedly blocked him and other children from accessing their father’s properties and assets. Somtochukwu also claimed that over N66 million raised through public donations during Mr Ibu’s prolonged illness was solely controlled and spent by Stella without any accountability to other family members.

The allegations have sparked heated reactions online, with many Nigerians calling for both sides to clarify the claims and demanding transparency in the management of the late actor’s estate. Social media platforms have been flooded with comments, with some users expressing sympathy for Somtochukwu while others have urged the family to resolve the matter privately to respect Mr Ibu’s memory. Some have called for accountability regarding the funds contributed by well-wishers during his medical treatment, while others have questioned why family matters are being played out in the public eye. The video featuring Stella Maris and King Mitchy has also come under scrutiny, with many wondering about the motives behind the public appeal. As of the time of this report, Stella Maris Okafor has not publicly responded to the allegations levelled against her by Somtochukwu.

Mr Ibu died on 2 March 2024 at Evercare Hospital in Lekki, Lagos State, aged 62, following cardiac arrest. The beloved comedian, known for his hilarious roles in Nollywood movies, was laid to rest on 28 June 2024 in his hometown of Amuri, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, with many dignitaries and fans in attendance. The late actor was married five times; four of his marriages ended in separation and divorce. His fifth wife, Stella Maris Okafor, was his final and most well-known wife before his demise. The couple had children together, and Stella was widely recognized as his primary caregiver during his prolonged illness. The dispute is the latest chapter in the long-running family controversies that surrounded Mr Ibu’s health, finances, and estate both before and after his death. Several family members had previously exchanged accusations over the handling of donations and medical funds, with the late actor himself publicly calling out some of his children for allegedly stealing from him while he was ill. It is important to note that the allegations made by Somtochukwu have not been independently verified, and no court ruling or official investigation has publicly confirmed the claims. Both parties have the right to present their side of the story, and the public is urged to await further clarification before drawing conclusions.

The unfolding family drama has left many Nigerians wondering about the fate of Mr Ibu’s estate and the welfare of his children. Calls have been made for a proper legal framework to manage the late actor’s assets, with some suggesting that the government or relevant agencies should intervene to ensure fairness. As the situation continues to develop, all eyes remain on Stella Maris Okafor, who has yet to address the allegations publicly. Whether the family will resolve the matter privately or through legal channels remains to be seen.

“She Sold My Father’s Properties Worth N88 Million, Cut Us Off” – Mr Ibu’s Son Accuses Stepmother

Two sentenced to death by hanging for kidnapping NYSC staff in Ekiti

An Ekiti State High Court has sentenced two men to death by hanging after finding them guilty of kidnapping a staff member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), in a landmark judgment aimed at tackling the growing menace of kidnapping in Nigeria.

The convicts, Ibrahim Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar, were convicted by the Ekiti State High Court I sitting in Fajuyi, Ado-Ekiti, in suit number HAD/124C/2022. However, the court discharged and acquitted a third defendant, Usman Abubakar, after ruling that the prosecution failed to prove his involvement in the crime beyond reasonable doubt.

The case stemmed from the abduction of Omoboade Adesina, a staff member of the NYSC in Ekiti State, on April 22, 2022. According to court proceedings, armed kidnappers abducted Adesina after killing her husband, Taiwo Adesina, during an attack on their farm in Ado-Ekiti before taking her to an undisclosed location.

During her captivity, the kidnappers reportedly demanded a ₦10 million ransom from her family. Following negotiations, the family paid ₦3.25 million, leading to her eventual release.

Following the incident, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) launched an intelligence-driven investigation that led to the arrest of the suspects and their subsequent prosecution before the High Court.

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Delivering judgment, Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, held that the prosecution successfully established the guilt of Ibrahim Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Ogunmoye said the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence linking the convicts to the kidnapping, including witness testimonies, an identification parade conducted by the DSS and the analysis of Call Data Records (CDRs), which placed the defendants in contact with the crime.

The judge commended the professionalism, diligence and investigative efforts of the DSS prosecution team, noting that the quality of evidence presented before the court played a crucial role in securing the conviction.

Consequently, the court sentenced Ibrahim Abubakar and Abdullahi Abubakar to death by hanging, the maximum punishment prescribed under the relevant Ekiti State kidnapping law.

Justice Ogunmoye, however, ruled that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence connecting Usman Abubakar to the offence. He therefore discharged and acquitted him of all charges.

The judgment represents another major legal victory for the DSS in its sustained campaign against kidnapping, terrorism and other violent crimes across Nigeria.

The conviction follows a series of recent successful prosecutions secured by the security agency, including the sentencing of three men to death by a Sokoto State High Court over terrorism and cross-border arms trafficking, as well as the conviction of a kidnap suspect in Kogi State.

Reacting to the judgment, the DSS reiterated its commitment to deploying intelligence-led investigations to dismantle criminal networks and ensure that perpetrators of kidnapping and other violent offences are brought to justice.

Security experts say the ruling sends a strong message that courts are prepared to impose the full weight of the law on individuals convicted of kidnapping, a crime that has continued to threaten lives, public safety and economic activities across many parts of Nigeria.

The judgment is also expected to strengthen public confidence in the criminal justice system while reinforcing ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb the rising wave of kidnapping, banditry and violent crimes nationwide.

Two sentenced to death by hanging for kidnapping NYSC staff in Ekiti