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[BREAKING] Impeachment : Embattled Ondo dep gov counters lawmakers, asks Chief Judge not to constitute panel

Published

3 years ago

October 24, 2023

Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa

[BREAKING] Impeachment : Embattled Ondo dep gov counters lawmakers, asks Chief Judge not to constitute panel

The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has countered the latest offensive against him by the Ondo State House of Assembly by asking the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olusola Odusola to ignore the request of the Assembly to constitute a seven-man panel of investigators to probe allegations of gross misconduct against him.

This is contained in a seven-page letter written by the leading counsel for the Deputy Governor, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, submitted to the Chief Judge in Akure on Tuesday, 24 October 2023.

Recall that the Assembly wrote a letter to the Chief Judge on October 23, 2023, asking him to constitute a seven-man panel to probe the Deputy Governor, claiming that the orders of injunction granted by the Federal High Court, Abuja, had expired.

In the letter delivered in the office of the Chief Judge on October 24, 2023, Aiyedatiwa through his lawyer punctured the position of the Assembly, which he said was based on conjectures, misconceptions, inconsistencies, undue desperation and misconstruction of the law.

He argued that the Orders granted by the Federal High Court, Abuja on September 26, 2023, were still in force and remained valid and subsisting, contrary to the conclusion of the Assembly that the said Orders had expired by operation of law.

Dwelling on Order 26 Rule 10 (2) and (3) of the Federal High Court Rules 2019, the Deputy Governor argued that the Court in Abuja has been given wide discretion to determine the nature, status and duration of any order granted and “in this case, the Court directed that the Orders granted on 26th September 2023 should last till the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction, which is still pending before the Court”.

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The Deputy Governor stated in his letter that based on the two proceedings of the Federal High Court, Abuja of October 9 and 16, 2023, the Court has not set aside the pending orders and the order cannot be extinguished by the application to set it aside since it was combined with the hearing of the substantive suit.

Aiyedatiwa drew the attention of the Chief Judge to the inconsistent action of the Assembly which on one hand is claiming that the Orders have expired whilst, on the other hand, it is pursuing an appeal against the said Orders.

The Deputy Governor referred the Chief Judge to the Motion on Notice filed by the Assembly at the Court of Appeal, Abuja on October 20, 2023 where it stated that the Orders granted by the Federal High Court were still valid and subsisting because they were tied to the hearing and determination of the Deputy Governor’s motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

He then queried whether the Assembly can approbate and reprobate at the same time by stating under oath in Court that the Orders are still valid and pending while at the same time writing a letter to the Chief Judge claiming that the Orders have expired.

The Deputy Governor quoted extensively from the motion filed by the Assembly at the Court of Appeal, Abuja to show the malicious intent of the Assembly.

He argued, “Contrary to this misconception of law and the facts, the same House of Assembly filed a Motion on Notice dated 20th October 2023, before the Court of Appeal, Abuja in respect of the same orders of the Federal High Court, praying for abridgement of time to hear its appeal against the said orders.

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“If it is true that the orders expired by operation of law on 18th October 2023 as being falsely canvassed, why would the same House of Assembly file a fresh application two days later, in pursuit of its desire to set aside the said orders that it claimed have expired? While the Assembly is pursuing its appeal to set aside the orders in Court, it is deviously asking My Lord to set aside the same orders in Chambers, purportedly by operation of law.

“In Ground 4 of the said Motion on Notice dated 20th October 2023 filed the House of Assembly and pending before the Court of Appeal in Abuja and paragraph 9 of the affidavit of Elizabeth Omiwole in support thereof, it is stated on oath as follows:

“GROUND 4: The lower Court has not heard the Originating Summons till date and has in fact adjourned the case till 30th October 2023 whilst the INTERIM INJUNCTIONS ARE TIED TO THE HEARING AND DETERMINATION OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT’S INTERLOCUTORY APPLICATION WHICH HAS ALSO NOT BEEN TAKEN OR ARGUED TILL DATE.”

In Paragraph 9, he said, “I know as a fact that the lower Court has not heard the 1st Respondent’s Originating Summons till date. In fact, the Court has again adjourned the case till 30th October 2023 whilst the INTERIM INJUNCTIONS ARE TIED TO THE HEARING AND DETERMINATION OF THE INTERLOCUTORY APPLICATION WHICH HAS ALSO NOT BEEN ARGUED OR HEARD TILL DATE.”

The Deputy Governor reminded the Chief Judge of his principled position as stated in his letter to the Assembly on October 3, 2023 that all parties should await the hearing of the cases in court, stating that nothing has changed to warrant a departure from the stand of the Chief Judge.

He then referred to other cases pending before the Akure High Court on the same subject matter of impeachment, urging the Chief Judge as the head of the judiciary not to allow the Assembly to ridicule the Courts and their authority.

He also quoted from the Supreme Court decision in the case of the Deputy Governor of Taraba State (Danladi v. Dangari) where in a similar fashion, lawmakers rushed to impeach him whilst his case was pending in Court, whereupon the Supreme Court quashed the impeachment and ordered his reinstatement.

Related Topics:Chief Judge Featured impeachment Ondo Dep Gov

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Shell Exits Nigeria’s Gas Distribution Business, Sells Stake to Vaaris Energy

Published

6 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Trends Admin

Shell Exits Nigeria’s Gas Distribution Business, Sells Stake to Vaaris Energy

Shell Petroleum B.V. has agreed to sell its entire interest in the Shell Nigeria Gas Group to indigenous energy company Vaaris Energy Limited, marking another major shift in the international oil giant’s business portfolio in Nigeria.

The agreement, announced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, covers Shell’s domestic gas distribution business in the country. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed in the announcement.

The proposed sale will transfer Shell’s interest in the gas distribution group to Vaaris Energy, a Nigerian-owned company seeking to expand its presence in the country’s oil and gas industry.

The transaction represents another adjustment to Shell’s Nigerian operations as the company focuses on selected oil, gas and integrated energy projects.

Shell’s latest move follows its earlier exit from onshore oil production through the sale of its interest in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) to the Renaissance consortium. That transaction was completed in March 2025 after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals.

However, the two transactions involve different parts of Shell’s Nigerian business. The earlier deal covered its onshore oil-producing subsidiary, while the latest agreement concerns its domestic gas distribution operations.

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Following the SPDC sale, Shell retained other interests in Nigeria, including its deepwater oil and gas operations and its participation in Nigeria LNG Limited. The company also continued operating its domestic gas distribution business, which is now expected to come under Vaaris Energy’s ownership once the latest transaction is completed.

Shell said the proposed divestment aligns with its strategy of simplifying its global portfolio and concentrating investment on projects expected to deliver stronger returns.

Elohor Aiboni, Shell’s country chair in Nigeria, said the company would continue to focus on its strategic deepwater and integrated gas positions in the country.

For Vaaris Energy, the proposed acquisition offers an opportunity to strengthen its position in Nigeria’s natural gas market and expand its participation in the domestic energy value chain.

The company is a privately held Nigerian energy business with interests across the oil and gas sector. However, details of its plans for the acquired business, including any operational changes or investment commitments, were not disclosed in the announcement.

The financial value of the transaction and the precise timeline for completion were also not made public in the information available at the time of reporting.

The deal comes as Nigeria seeks to increase domestic gas utilisation, improve energy supply and attract investment into its gas infrastructure. Gas distribution plays an important role in connecting producers with industrial users and other customers that rely on natural gas for their operations.

The implications of the acquisition for Nigeria’s domestic gas market will depend on the completion of the transaction and how Vaaris Energy manages and develops the business under its ownership.

Shell’s agreement with Vaaris therefore marks another change in the ownership of a significant energy asset in Nigeria, while allowing the international company to maintain its focus on other strategic oil and gas interests in the country.

Shell Exits Nigeria’s Gas Distribution Business, Sells Stake to Vaaris Energy

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Delta Tragedy: Man Allegedly Kills Wife, Dies by Suicide After Land Dispute

Published

6 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Trends Admin

Delta Tragedy: Man Allegedly Kills Wife, Dies by Suicide After Land Dispute

A domestic dispute allegedly involving the sale of landed property and accusations of infidelity has left a couple dead in Agbarho community, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, leaving their four children without either parent.

The incident reportedly occurred on Owiri Street in Agbarho, where the man allegedly attacked and killed his wife before later dying by suicide after ingesting a poisonous substance.

According to a report published by Vanguard on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the tragedy followed a disagreement between the couple over landed property and alleged infidelity. However, the full circumstances surrounding the confrontation have not been independently established.

A source quoted in the report said the man was reportedly angered by allegations concerning his wife’s fidelity and the sale of his landed property. The precise sequence of events leading to the couple’s deaths remains unclear.

A neighbour reportedly said the couple had experienced repeated physical confrontations before the incident, suggesting that tensions within the household may have persisted for some time. However, details of the earlier clashes and whether the authorities had previously been alerted have not been confirmed.

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The deceased man’s elder brother also reportedly expressed shock over the deaths, saying he was not fully aware of what had triggered the fatal confrontation. He confirmed that the couple had four children, with the eldest said to be about 21 years old, but declined to disclose their identities.

A senior police officer at the Agbarho Division reportedly confirmed the incident, saying officers evacuated the bodies to a morgue as investigations began. The officer also indicated that no formal complaint had been lodged by the families as of the time of the report.

Attempts to obtain further comments from the Delta State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, were reportedly unsuccessful before the report was published.

The deaths have left the couple’s four children facing the loss of both parents, adding to the devastating consequences of the incident. The circumstances surrounding the reported property dispute, the allegations of infidelity and the events immediately preceding the deaths remain subject to investigation.

The tragedy highlights the potentially devastating consequences of unresolved domestic conflict. Disagreements involving marital relationships, property ownership and land sales should be addressed through peaceful dialogue, appropriate support and lawful channels. Violence is never an acceptable way to resolve such disputes.

Delta Tragedy: Man Allegedly Kills Wife, Dies by Suicide After Land Dispute

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Obasanjo Backs Higher Oil Derivation, Says 13% Is Only the Beginning

Published

16 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Trends Admin

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Obasanjo Backs Higher Oil Derivation, Says 13% Is Only the Beginning

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has backed calls for an increase in the 13 per cent oil derivation fund allocated to oil-producing states, saying the existing arrangement should be regarded as a starting point rather than a final settlement.

Obasanjo made the position known on Monday during the inauguration of the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) of the $1 billion Azikel Refinery at Obunagha in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Addressing Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, the former president acknowledged that oil-producing states and communities had yet to receive what he considered a fair share of the benefits from the exploitation of their natural resources.

“You are right that the states and oil-producing communities have not got a fair deal so far. Thirteen per cent is the beginning. You can continue to talk,” Obasanjo said.

His remarks reinforced renewed demands for a review of Nigeria’s revenue-sharing arrangement, particularly from the Niger Delta, where crude oil production has remained central to the national economy.

Under the existing constitutional framework, oil-producing states receive at least 13 per cent of revenue accruing to the Federation Account directly from natural resources, in line with the principle of derivation.

However, the allocation has remained a source of debate, with stakeholders in the oil-producing region arguing that the revenue does not adequately address the environmental damage, infrastructure challenges and economic difficulties associated with petroleum exploration.

Diri also criticised the existing arrangement, insisting that communities where crude oil is extracted should have a greater say in how the resources are managed and how the resulting wealth is distributed.

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The governor argued that the region had endured years of agitation over what residents perceive as an imbalance between the resources extracted from their communities and the benefits they receive.

He also faulted the Land Use Act, arguing that the distinction between state control of surface resources and Federal Government control of resources beneath the ground places oil-producing communities at a disadvantage.

Diri maintained that the Niger Delta was not demanding exclusive ownership of the proceeds from petroleum production but wanted to become a more active participant in decisions affecting the industry.

“We do not want to take all to ourselves. We just want to be co-players in determining how it is done. Thirteen per cent is not enough for the states,” he said.

The governor urged young people in Bayelsa to acquire relevant technical and professional skills to benefit from industrial investments, including the refinery project.

He warned that the presence of major oil and gas facilities would have limited benefits for local communities if residents lacked the expertise needed to secure employment and participate in their operations.

The refinery project, owned by Azikel Petroleum under the Azikel Group, is expected by its promoters to produce about 2.5 million litres of petrol and two million litres of diesel daily, alongside other petroleum products, when completed.

The installation of the crude distillation unit marks a significant stage in the development of the facility, whose foundation was laid by Obasanjo about eight years ago.

The former president commended Azikel Group President, Azibapu Eruani, for sustaining the project and urged him to complete the refinery within the next 12 months.

Obasanjo also acknowledged the contributions of the African Finance Corporation and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), calling for continued support to bring the investment to completion.

He praised Diri for supporting the project and commended the Bayelsa government for what he described as the productive use of the state’s available revenue.

Eruani said the refinery was conceived to position Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta as active participants in the petroleum industry rather than merely suppliers of crude oil.

He expressed confidence that the project would support industrialisation, create economic opportunities and strengthen local participation in the oil and gas value chain.

The refinery initiative comes amid continuing debates over resource control, revenue allocation and development in the Niger Delta, with calls for oil-producing communities to receive greater economic benefits from the natural resources extracted from their territories.