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
FG collected N6.9 billion mining fees across Nigeria in Q1 2025 – Dele Alake
Alake disclosed this via his official X page on Monday.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has announced that in Q1 2025, the federal government collected N6,957,826,200 in mining fees across Nigeria.
Alake disclosed this via his official X page on Monday.
“I am pleased to share some exciting developments in the mining sector; in the first quarter of this year, the Federal Government collected an impressive N6,957,826,200 in mining fees and registered 118 new private mineral buying centers,” he stated.
Source: Nairametrics.
Business
The Untapped Wealth in Inherited Family Lands: Turning Ancestral Property into Profitable Real Estate Investments in Nigeria by Dennis Isong

In Nigeria, we often hear things like: “That land in the village belongs to my grandfather.”
“Our family land has been there since I was a child.” “We just leave it there. Nobody touches it.
“What if I told you that the land you inherited from your father, grandfather, or even great-grandmother might just be sitting on gold — not literal gold, but real estate potential that could start making you money today?
Let’s break it down.
1. The Emotional vs Economic Value of Inherited Land
Many families in Nigeria attach deep emotional and cultural value to ancestral land.
It’s a symbol of roots, heritage, and continuity. But while emotions are valid, leaving valuable property to gather bush and termites does not honor the legacy — it stagnates it.
Ancestral land should not just be a memory bank; it should be a financial engine.
2. Common Myths That Keep Family Lands Idle
Let’s address the biggest myths: “It’s just bush, what can I do with it?” That bush is someone’s dream site for a school, farm, event center, or warehouse.
“We don’t want to sell our heritage.” Who says you must sell it? You can lease, rent, or build and still retain ownership.
“There’s a land dispute in the family.”
Then resolve it. Land conflict delays wealth. Engage a legal mediator and document ownership properly.
“It’s in the village, nobody will rent there.” These days, villages are turning into towns. Many urban workers are relocating to semi-rural areas because of cost and quiet.
People now work in the city and sleep in the village.
3. Real Possibilities:
What You Can Do With Inherited Land
Let’s talk about how to transform that “useless” land into profit:a) Agribusiness Lease
If you don’t have money to farm it yourself, lease the land to an agro-entrepreneur. Nigeria’s food needs are rising, and farmland is gold.b)
Event Center or Open Space Rental
Got family land with space? Flatten it, clear it, fence it, and start renting it out for weddings, parties, and church crusades.
Rural areas love open-air events.c)
Build Low-Cost Housing for Rent
Build a few 1-bedroom bungalows or mini-flats.
People are moving to outskirts like Ikorodu, Mowe, and Ifo. Affordable housing is in demand. d )
Warehouse or Storage Facilities
Urban traders need warehouse space in cheaper locations. Rural lands close to main roads are perfect for this.e)
Instead of leaving the land idle and arguing over it during Christmas family meetings, why not take charge and begin something that creates cash flow?
Partner with Developers
You bring the land, they bring the money. A good joint venture agreement can turn idle land into profit-yielding property while you still retain your rights.
4. Legal Steps You Must Not Ignore Before you do anything, please make sure of the following:
Proper Documentation: Make sure the land has a Deed of Assignment, survey plan, and preferably a Certificate of Occupancy or Governor’s Consent if within a government-acquired zone.
Family Agreement:
If it’s a family land, gather everyone and get a written agreement to avoid “wahala” later.
Registered Company (Optional): Consider registering a business to manage the land, especially if you’re building rentals or leasing. Get a Lawyer: Never cut corners.
A good property lawyer will save you stress, especially for joint ventures or leasing contracts.
5. True-Life Example: From Bush to Blessing.
Mr Tunde inherited a 2-acre land in Ilaro, Ogun State. For 10 years, it was just a yam farm.
In 2022, he cleared it, fenced it with blocks, built a borehole, and put plastic chairs under canopies. He started renting it out as an event ground. Today, every Owambe weekend earns him 100k-200k. All from “just family land.” Imagine that.
6. From Liability to Legacy
Family lands can move from being a burden to being a blessing.
Instead of leaving the land idle and arguing over it during Christmas family meetings, why not take charge and begin something that creates cash flow?
Think of it this way: Instead of telling your children, “This land belongs to your grandfather,”
You can say: “This property feeds our family today, and will feed yours tomorrow.”
7. Final Thoughts
It’s time to change our mindset. Not all real estate investment starts with buying new land. Sometimes, the land has already been given to you — free of charge.
The true investment is in your vision.Don’t wait till that land becomes an illegal dump site or is taken over by “omo onile” drama.
Begin today. Inspect it. Clear it. Value it. Use it. Your next real estate breakthrough might be hiding in your father’s backyard.
And if you ever need someone to help you inspect, plan, or connect you to builders, surveyors, or developers… you know who to call — Me, the real estate preacher with a sprinkle of bush-to-business miracles!
Business
CBN warns BDCs, banks to tighten compliance on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism regulations

The Central Bank of Nigeria has warned licenced Bureau De Change Operators and financial institutions in the country against violating its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework.
The apex bank issued this warning in a circular signed by its director of compliance department, Amonia Opusunju on Thursday.
CBN vowed to impose sanctions on BDC operators who failed to adhere to its regulatory framework.
“BDC operators are reminded that they are required to fully comply with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; and the Regulatory and Supervisory Guidelines for Bureau de Change Operators in Nigeria, 2024,” CBN said.
“Any other relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines issued by the CBN and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
“All BDCs are advised to ensure that their operations, staff training, transaction monitoring, and customer onboarding procedures are always fully compliant with applicable requirements,” the apex bank said.
Similarly, CBN also urged all financial institutions in Nigeria to tighten compliance with both domestic and international sanction lists, including the United Nations Consolidated Sanctions List and the Nigerian Sanctions List, in line with the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and others.
“Financial institutions are required to maintain a robust and dynamic sanctions compliance framework that enables them to identify and respond promptly to updates or changes across all applicable sanctions lists; prevent the use of their systems and platforms for transactions involving designated individuals or entities; conduct real-time screening of customers, transactions, and beneficial owners; and file appropriate reports with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and notify the CBN, where necessary,” the circular partly reads.
Recall that on February 27, 2024, the financial regulator approved the sale of foreign exchange (FX) to BDC operators, reversing its decision to halt FX sales to the BDCs in 2021.
Meanwhile, on February 6, 2025, the apex bank introduced new regulations limiting BDC operators to purchasing a maximum of $25,000 per week from a single bank.
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