Lagos State officials of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, have sealed off ShellPlux and TMDK terminals, situated in the Ijegun-Egba area of the state, over repeated violations of the International Ship and Port Facility Security, ISPS, Code.

The action, announced on Thursday by NIMASA’s Head of Public Relations, Osagie Edward, stems from the agency’s responsibility as Nigeria’s designated authority for enforcing the ISPS Code, which was developed under the International Maritime Organisation, IMO, as part of amendments to the SOLAS Convention.

The code is designed to strengthen security protocols for ships and port facilities engaged in international commerce.

Edward stated that the shutdown followed consistent failure by the two terminals to comply with ISPS Code requirements, despite multiple formal warnings issued over time.

“This enforcement action is in line with global maritime security standards and conforms with Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations, 2014, which permits the closure of non-compliant facilities that remain in breach for more than three consecutive months,” he stated.

Commenting on the enforcement, NIMASA Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, noted that the agency resorted to the measure only after exhausting all other options.

“Our intervention is not punitive but necessary to protect Nigeria’s maritime assets.

As we work closely with the United States Coast Guard to improve Nigeria’s compliance status and remove existing conditions of entry for vessels, lapses like these cannot be ignored,” Mobereola said.

He emphasized that both facilities play vital roles in trade facilitation and would be reopened once they demonstrate full compliance with ISPS standards.

Mobereola also reiterated the commitment of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to ensuring the growth of a secure, efficient, and sustainable maritime environment that supports international trade.

A special session of the Federal Executive Council in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari will be held on Thursday 17 July from 1pm.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lead the session of tributes for the departed leader, according to Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s spokesman.

The Federal High Court in Lagos has discharged former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose of money laundering and theft charges totaling ₦6.9 billion.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, who presided over the case, upheld a no-case submission filed by Fayose’s legal team, ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to establish a prima facie case or link him directly to the alleged offences.

Originally arraigned in 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, the case was later reassigned to Justice Aneke at the EFCC’s request.

The anti-graft agency had accused Fayose of receiving ₦1.2 billion for his 2014 governorship campaign and accepting $5 million in cash from then Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, without passing through a financial institution. He was also alleged to have laundered over ₦1.6 billion through companies such as De Privateer Ltd and Still Earth Ltd to acquire properties.

Fayose and his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, were re-arraigned on 11 counts of money laundering and theft, with the alleged crimes said to have been committed during his time in office, involving funds reportedly traced to the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Defending the former governor, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Kanu Agabi argued that the EFCC failed to substantiate its claims and noted that key figures allegedly involved, including Abiodun Agbele, were not charged.

“The predicate offences on which these charges are based do not hold water. Criminal breach of trust and conspiracy are distinct, and no co-conspirator was charged alongside the defendant,” Agabi stated.

Agreeing with the argument, Justice Aneke ruled in favour of the no-case submission and discharged Fayose.