NANS Backs NMDPRA Chief as Dangote Petitions ICPC Over Alleged Corruption – Newstrends
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NANS Backs NMDPRA Chief as Dangote Petitions ICPC Over Alleged Corruption

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Aliko Dangote and Ahmed Farouk

NANS Backs NMDPRA Chief as Dangote Petitions ICPC Over Alleged Corruption

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned what it described as a coordinated media smear campaign against Ahmed Farouk, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), warning that statutory regulators must not be intimidated or blackmailed to serve private interests.

In a statement jointly signed by Samson Ajasa and Humphrey Jonathan, NANS stressed that the NMDPRA is a legally established regulatory body whose leadership must be allowed to operate independently, without pressure from individuals or corporate entities.

While reaffirming its earlier support for the Dangote Refinery during its operational challenges, NANS said it drew a clear line against character assassination, insisting that reputational attacks on public officials undermine national institutions.

“The recent actions and allegations directed at Farouk Ahmed, a man of proven integrity and professionalism, are unacceptable to Nigerian students and civil society,” the statement said, urging investors to engage regulators through legal and administrative channels, rather than public campaigns capable of eroding confidence in governance.

NANS commended the NMDPRA for publishing regulatory reports transparently and called for constructive collaboration between regulators and investors to advance national development.

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The reaction followed a petition filed by Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, against Farouk before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The petition, dated December 16, and submitted through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, requested the ICPC to investigate, detain and prosecute the NMDPRA boss over alleged corrupt enrichment.

Dangote alleged that Farouk spent over $7 million on the education of his four children in Switzerland, claiming the expenditure could not be justified by his legitimate earnings as a public servant. The petition accused Farouk of abuse of office, embezzlement of public funds, and violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, offences punishable under Section 19 of the ICPC Act.

According to Dangote, the alleged misuse of public funds contributed to public discontent and protests, insisting that the ICPC’s intervention would safeguard accountability and the credibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

However, the NMDPRA has denied all allegations, describing them as misinformation-driven attacks aimed at discrediting its leadership. The authority maintained that the claims were part of a broader attempt to undermine regulatory oversight in the downstream oil sector.

NANS warned that politicising regulatory disputes could weaken public institutions and called on all parties to respect due process, noting that the stability of Nigeria’s energy sector depends on the independence and credibility of its regulators.

NANS Backs NMDPRA Chief as Dangote Petitions ICPC Over Alleged Corruption

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Social Media Star Peller Arrested in Lagos for Live-Streamed Car Crash

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Nigerian TikTok star Peller

Social Media Star Peller Arrested in Lagos for Live-Streamed Car Crash

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested popular social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, following a viral video showing him driving recklessly and crashing his vehicle during a live-stream.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the arrest comes after public outrage over the dangerous road crash, which occurred on Sunday, December 14, 2025. The police described Peller’s actions as life-threatening, endangering both himself and other road users.

“The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and detained Habeeb Hamzat aka ‘PELLER’ for further investigation, following the viral video in which he was seen driving recklessly, resulting in a dangerous accident while live-streaming,” the statement partly read.

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The incident is now under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), with the outcome to be made public. The suspect is expected to face charges in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Olohundare Jimoh, warned social media influencers and members of the public against using online platforms to engage in reckless or unlawful behaviour. “Such lawlessness will not be tolerated, and the full weight of the law will be applied on any offender,” he stated.

The crash has reignited debate over the rising trend of risky stunts by content creators, with many Nigerians calling for stricter enforcement to curb similar incidents.

Authorities continue to emphasize road safety, urging all drivers to comply with traffic regulations and warning that anyone endangering lives on the state’s roads, regardless of social status or online influence, will face prosecution.

This latest incident highlights the urgent need for responsible social media usage, public safety awareness, and stronger law enforcement against dangerous behaviour on Nigerian roads.

Social Media Star Peller Arrested in Lagos for Live-Streamed Car Crash

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Femi Falana Demands Arrest of Soldiers, 400 Terror Financiers Shielded Under Previous Administration

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Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana

Femi Falana Demands Arrest of Soldiers, 400 Terror Financiers Shielded Under Previous Administration

LAGOS — Prominent human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, has petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of 10 soldiers accused of killing three police officers in Taraba State, as well as 400 alleged terrorism financiers whose cases were reportedly abandoned under the previous administration.

In his petition, Falana accused former AGF Abubakar Malami, SAN, of deliberately shielding the suspects from justice despite “overwhelming evidence.” Copies of the petition were also sent to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

“The withdrawal of terrorism charges against these soldiers and the failure to prosecute hundreds of terror financiers amount to a grave abuse of prosecutorial powers and a betrayal of public trust,” Falana said.

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Falana recalled that in August 2019, 10 soldiers led by an Army Captain ambushed and killed three police officers in Jalingo, Taraba State, after they had arrested notorious kidnapper Bala Hamisu, also known as Wadume. Although the soldiers were initially charged with terrorism offences at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the case was abruptly terminated after Malami entered a nolle prosequi, which Falana described as unconstitutional.

He noted that while the United Arab Emirates convicted six Nigerians for financing Boko Haram—two sentenced to life imprisonment and four jailed for 10 years—Nigerian authorities failed to bring a single financier to justice.

Falana accused Malami of failing to prosecute the 400 suspected terrorism financiers arrested after investigations by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and Department of State Services (DSS), despite assurances that trials would commence after a judicial workers’ strike.

“The case files of these suspected financiers are reportedly still in the Office of the Attorney-General, while many of the suspects have regained their freedom. Nigeria cannot win the war against terrorism while protecting those who finance and execute it. The era of impunity must end,” Falana added.

Femi Falana Demands Arrest of Soldiers, 400 Terror Financiers Shielded Under Previous Administration

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Updated: Nationwide Electricity faces threat as Gas Companies Cut Supplies

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Updated: Nationwide Electricity faces threat as Gas Companies Cut Supplies

Nigerians may experience power shortages this Yuletide as gas-to-power debt issues disrupt electricity generation across the country.

Gas companies have begun cutting supplies to thermal power plants over unpaid debts, forcing electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to reduce daily power supply.

On Tuesday, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) informed customers across the South-East that low system frequency, caused by gas supply constraints, had necessitated load shedding by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). EEDC subsidiaries affected include MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra, and EastLand.

Similarly, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that poor generation and allocation from generation companies (GenCos) were causing load shedding in its franchise areas.

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The Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) confirmed that gas producers had started cutting supply due to outstanding debts owed by the government, despite a recent approval of N185 billion by the Federal Government for payment of arrears to gas suppliers, announced on December 4, 2025, by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) further disclosed that gas pipeline vandalism in the upstream network has worsened the situation, causing reduced output from gas-fired power plants and a decline in national grid generation capacity. Emergency measures, including increased hydroelectric dispatch and voltage control interventions, have been activated to maintain system stability.

With over 80 per cent of grid-connected power plants relying on natural gas, the sector remains highly vulnerable to gas supply disruptions, raising fears of sustained power outages during the festive season unless liquidity issues and infrastructure vulnerabilities are urgently addressed.

The current development signals a critical need for government intervention, stakeholder coordination, and investment in gas infrastructure to prevent widespread electricity shortages across Nigeria.

Nationwide Electricity faces threat as Gas Companies Cut Supplies

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