News
Court to rule on Emefiele’s Enforcement of Right July 13
The Federal Capital Territory High Court has on Tuesday fixed July 13 for the ruling on the enforcement of a fundamental rights suit filed by the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Hamza Muazu fixed the date after listening to submissions made by parties in the case.
Listed as 1st to 3rd respondents in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, the Director General of the State Security Service, and the State Security Service.
During the proceedings, counsel for the AGF, Tijjani Ghazali SAN, informed the court that the first respondent is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case brought before it by the applicant.
He said Emefiele’s arrest and detention by the DSS is an administrative decision of an arm of the executive and that the jurisdiction is determined by the relief sought by an applicant.
Besides, he contended that the allegation of unlawful detention is unfounded as the embattled CBN boss is being detained on the order of an FCT Chief Magistrate Court.
Consequently, he urged the court to dismiss the application.
On his part, the second and third respondents, represented by counsel I. Awo, informed the court that there was a subsisting order to detain the applicant and therefore urged the court to dismiss the application with costs.
However, counsel for Emefiele, Joseph Daudu, SAN, argued that the offences listed against Emefiele are state offences that could be entertained by the FCT High Court.
He contended that, contrary to the preliminary objection raised against the originating summons on notice by the respondents, the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
Earlier on June 16, the court ordered the DG of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, to grant the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, access to his lawyers and family.
Emefiele was arrested by the DSS on Saturday, hours after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court made the order on Friday, even as he emphasised that access is a constitutional right of Emefiele.
The enrolled order dated June 16, 2023, read, “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately. And regularly at a reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.”
In his submission
The court order followed an application filed by Emefiele’s counsel, J.B. Saudi, SAN, who told the court that the DSS had failed to respond to previous letters requesting access to his client.
Both the counsel to the DSS and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation requested an extension of time to file their responses to the originating motion.
The court granted the request and further adjourned the suit to Tuesday, June 20, 2023, for a hearing.
News
President Tinubu Designates Joseph Tegbe New Minister of Power
Mr Tegbe’s experience includes significant engagements within the power sector, particularly in regulatory and institutional reform involving agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Minister of Power, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
The nomination has been transmitted to the Senate for screening and confirmation in accordance with the Constitution.
The nomination follows the resignation of the former Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped down from office to pursue elective office.
Mr Tegbe, from Oyo State, is a fiscal and economic reform expert with over 35 years of experience spanning the public and private sectors.
He is a former Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led wide-ranging initiatives in fiscal policy reform, institutional transformation, and governance.
He has also advised key government institutions and private sector organisations on strategic reforms, regulatory frameworks, and investment structuring.
He is at present the Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), where he is responsible for strengthening bilateral development cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.
The NCSP also coordinates engagements with public sector stakeholders to advance economic and social development in line with FOCAC objectives.
Mr Tegbe’s experience includes significant engagements within the power sector, particularly in regulatory and institutional reform involving agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).
His nomination is expected to strengthen further ongoing efforts to reform the power sector, enhance grid stability, and attract sustainable investment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The President expects the Minister-Designate, upon confirmation, to bring his extensive expertise to bear to advance critical reforms and deliver improved outcomes for Nigerians in the power sector.
News
Egbin Shutdown Throws Lagos Into Darkness, says NISO
Egbin Power Station, which is the largest electricity-generating plant on the national grid and a major contributor to daily power supply in Nigeria, experienced a major operational disturbance.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) said on Thursday power supply to the Lagos region is currently restricted due to a sudden shutdown of the Egbin Power Station and the forced outage of the Osogbo–Ikeja West 330kV transmission line, thereby limiting the evacuation of available generation into the Lagos load centre.
NISO said that the dual disruptions has created a significant supply gap, forcing authorities to ration electricity to prevent a total system collapse.
NISO explained that at approximately 8:21 p.m. on April 28, 2026, Egbin Power Station recorded a total loss of generation, dropping from about 641MW to zero output.
This incident was caused by the failure of the plant’s central compressor, in addition to a malfunction of the circulating water pump system, which necessitated an immediate shutdown of all generating units to safeguard the facility.
Egbin Power Station, which is the largest electricity-generating plant on the national grid and a major contributor to daily power supply in Nigeria, experienced a major operational disturbance.
News
Tinubu designates Rabiu Umar new CEO of NMDPRA
Umar is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors, and a proven track record in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery..
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the removal of Mr Saidu Mohammed as the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
In a State House statement issued on Wednesday signed by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President also approved the nomination of Rabiu Abdullahi Umar as the new Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, with the appointment subject to Senate confirmation.
The decision, according to the statement, was made pursuant to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and is aimed at strengthening regulatory effectiveness in the midstream and downstream petroleum sector in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Umar is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience across the energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors, and a proven track record in strategic leadership, operational transformation, and large-scale project delivery.
He is a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University and an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
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