Business
Court Restrains First Bank Over GHL, Otedola, Others Face Arrest
However, it was gathered that FBN went ahead by obtaining a court injunction purportedly freezing GHL’s funds in all commercial banks in the country to the tune of $225.8 million, in violation of the earlier court order.

Image credit: Arise News
More facts have emerged concerning the alleged failure of the First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) to fulfil its part of a deal to fund the exploration and development of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 120, contrary to the agreement it had with the management of General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL).
Also, the Chairman of First Bank Holdings, may face arrest for contempt of a Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division and for flouting an order restraining the bank from taking any steps to enforce any security, receivables, instruments or finance documents or assets of GHL.
An order is granted, restraining the Respond either by itself or acting through its servants, agents assigns, privies affiliates howsoever described, including any person claiming under its authority from making any calls or demands or taking any steps whatsoever to enforce any security receivables, instrument, finance documents or assets of the Applicant which have been charged as security for the facility agreements in respect of the Applicant’s operation of OML 120.
“(This) include, but not limited to the said letter, and the amended and restatement agreements between the Applicant and the Respondent pending the hearing and determination of the arbitration proceedings between the Applicant and the Respondent brought pursuant to Clause 12 (c) of the Agreement between the Applicant and the Respondent dated 29th May, 2021,” the court document showed.
However, it was gathered that FBN went ahead by obtaining a court injunction purportedly freezing GHL’s funds in all commercial banks in the country to the tune of $225.8 million, in violation of the earlier court order.
As a result, GHL has initiated contempt proceeding against the bank and its directors.
Aside Otedola, who is facing arrest for going ahead to get a mareva order without disclosing to the court that the case had already been argued and determined, also facing contempt charges are the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, and other directors.
GHL had dragged FBN Holdings to court as the holding company was seeking to frustrate and take over the oil and gas company’s bona fide assets after signing the memorandum of understanding (MOU).
More importantly, FBN is putting at risk the repayment of the outstanding exposure to AMCON and the repayment of its new facilities under the MOU and seeking to create Atlantic Energy 2 by trying to orchestrate another non-performing loan situation.
“GHL will resist this with all the powers of the law and will not allow any non-performing loan in its name as we remain committed to meeting all our obligations.
In addition, FBN’s non-payment for the TotalEnergies farm-out of the Noble Rig (drill ship), has exposed GHL to over $15M default penalty by 14 November 2024 which FBN is fully aware of.
These costs are in addition to further millions of dollars in costs and exposures to global service providers like Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, Century FPSO and Marine Platforms, Halliburton, etc.
For over three years, despite demands from GHL and in line with all the signed agreements, FBN has refused, failed and neglected to pay salaries and operating expenses of GHL staff, offices and operations.
“If they cannot pay for GHL personnel and operations, how do they plan to pay for an additional independent asset manager, when GHL has already appointed ab initio Schlumberger and Baker Hughes as joint technical operators and advisers,” the oil company queried.
THISDAY reported on Thursday, that a group of shareholders at First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc., with 10 percent of the company’s shares had formally requested the company to call an Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) under section 215 (1) of CAMA in which case they have 21 days to call the EGM.
Top on the agenda of the proposed meeting is the removal of Otedola and a Non-executive/Deputy Chief Executive of Geregu Power Plc, Omodayo-Owotuga.
Business
BPE to list 2 DisCos, 1 GenCo on NGX
Gbeleyi, however, declined to reveal the identities of the companies set to be listed, stressing that such information was bound by corporate confidentiality.

•Director-General of BPE, Ayodeji Gbeleyi
The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) says it has concluded plans to list two electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) and one Generation Company on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) through an Initial Public Offering.
The Director-General of BPE, Ayodeji Gbeleyi, disclosed this in a statement, explained that the move is part of the federal government’s broader strategy to deepen private sector participation in the power sector and attract long-term investment that would boost efficiency and service delivery.
He said that the federal government has 40% shares in the DisCOs which were recently transferred to the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
The DisCos are Abuja, Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ibadan, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Yola electricity distribution companies.
They have been recently burdened by huge debts owed to the federal government.
Gbeleyi, however, declined to reveal the identities of the companies set to be listed, stressing that such information was bound by corporate confidentiality
Business
Aviation Fraud: NCAA Calls for EFCC Intervention

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to escalate its fight against fraud and economic crimes plaguing the aviation industry.
NCAA Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, at the commission’s Abuja headquarters on Tuesday, according to a statement released on the EFCC’s official X handle.
Najomo highlighted how fraudulent activities are severely undermining safety oversight and operational transparency within the sector. He specifically pointed to high-value transactions like aircraft purchases, leasing arrangements, foreign maintenance contracts, and safety infrastructure procurement as areas particularly vulnerable to abuse.
“Non-remittance weakens the NCAA’s ability to fund safety oversight and operational efficiency, and may require EFCC’s intervention to investigate cases where deliberate withholding, diversion, or misappropriation of these funds is suspected,” Najomo stated.
He further alleged that some aviation operators deliberately under-report revenues, manipulate ticketing systems, or divert funds, actions that cripple the NCAA’s regulatory capacity.
Najomo also raised concerns about illegal charter operations disguised as private flights, which involve unregulated financial flows, emphasizing the critical need for the EFCC’s financial intelligence expertise to uncover such practices.
To address these challenges, Najomo proposed collaborative initiatives, including training NCAA personnel to identify financial red flags, organizing joint sensitization workshops, and establishing robust intelligence-sharing mechanisms to enhance regulatory oversight.
Responding, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede welcomed the partnership and announced that senior EFCC officers would collaborate with the NCAA to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agreement will focus on joint investigations, intelligence exchange, and compliance monitoring. “With the kind of work you do, when people see us beside you, they will take you seriously. Aviation is an area where we have seen money laundering, particularly through chartered services.
That is why we have been reaching out to you, and we will continue until we achieve the desired results,” Olukoyede affirmed.
Business
CBN approves Union Bank, Titan merger
The bank has assured customers that there will be no disruption to existing services, account details will remain unchanged, and customers will continue to access a full suite of products and services seamlessly.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has approved the merger of Union Bank of Nigeria with Titan Trust Bank Limited,.
This is disclosed in a statement from the bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Olufunmilayo Aluko.
Under the terms of the merger, Union Bank has fully absorbed Titan Trust Bank’s operations and assets.
The new institution will continue to operate under the Union Bank brand, while Titan Trust Bank ceases to exist as a separate entity.
With an expanded footprint of over 293 service centres and 937 ATMs nationwide, supported by strengthened digital channels, Union Bank is poised to deliver enhanced value across retail, SME and corporate segments.
Union Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Yetunde Oni, described the development as “a pivotal moment in our 108-year journey and a launchpad for delivering greater value to our customers.
By blending stability with innovation, we are better positioned to meet the evolving needs of Nigerians and to be their most trusted financial partner.”
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bayo Adeleke, added: “This is a new era of growth, collaboration, and shared prosperity. By bringing together the strengths of both institutions, we are committed to creating lasting value for our customers, shareholders, and communities while advancing Nigeria’s financial inclusion agenda.”
The bank has assured customers that there will be no disruption to existing services, account details will remain unchanged, and customers will continue to access a full suite of products and services seamlessly, with an accelerated push towards enhanced digital solutions.
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CBN approves Union Bank, Titan merger