Business
Supreme Court Overturns Appellate’s Ruling on $2bn Debt Recovery Battles Nestoil /Neconde Energy vs FBNQuest Merchant Bank
In the lead judgment read by Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, the five-member apex court panel held it was a “legal anomaly” to allow lawyers appointed by the Receiver/Manager to also represent the companies, citing a conflict of interest.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday ruled in favor of Nestoil and Neconde Energy, overturning a previous appellate court decision that disqualified their legal counsel, including Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Muiz Banire (SAN).
The court upheld the companies’ right to appoint their own lawyers to challenge the ongoing receivership.
The apex court ruled that despite the receivership initiated by a consortium of banks, Nestoil and Neconde retain the right to appoint their own legal counsel to challenge that very receivership.
Nestoil Limited (an oil services firm) and its affiliate Neconde Energy Limited (which holds interests in Oil Mining Lease 42) are embroiled in a multi billion-dollar debt recovery suit filed by lenders, primarily FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited and First Trustees Limited.
The lenders allege that Nestoil, Neconde, and their promoters (Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi and Nnenna Azudialu-Obiejesi) owe over $2 billion (plus N430 billion in related liabilities) under financing arrangements, including a Common Terms Agreement.
In the lead judgment read by Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, the five-member apex court panel held it was a “legal anomaly” to allow lawyers appointed by the Receiver/Manager to also represent the companies, citing a conflict of interest.
The judgment affirms that the boards of the companies retain the authority to act in defense of the companies’ interests.
A receiver/manager was appointed over the companies’ assets and interests, leading to disputes over who controls the companies and who can represent them in court.
In January 2026, the Supreme Court sent related appeals back to the Court of Appeal to resolve the preliminary issue of legal representation before proceeding on the merits.
On January 23, 2026, the Court of Appeal disqualified senior advocates Wole Olanipekun (SAN) (for Neconde) and Muiz Banire (SAN) (for Nestoil), ruling that the Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi-led boards lacked authority to appoint counsel once the receiver/manager was in place. It allowed counsel appointed by the receiver to represent the companies instead.
Nestoil/Neconde and their promoters appealed this disqualification to the Supreme Court (one key appeal being SC/CV/48B/2026 by Neconde).
The apex court had reserved judgment after hearing arguments from a five-member panel.
In Friday’s ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the appeal by Nestoil and Neconde (and their promoters).
It set aside the Court of Appeal’s judgment disqualifying the companies’ chosen counsel.
Their boards (led by Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi) retain the authority to appoint counsel of their choice to defend their interests, particularly since the validity of the receivership itself is being challenged.
Allowing the receiver/manager’s counsel (appointed by the lenders) to represent the companies would create a serious conflict of interest and undermine fairness and independence in legal representation.
The arrangement involving the lenders (FBNQuest and First Trustees) as appointors of the receiver was deemed fundamentally flawed.
The appointments of Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) (along with their teams) as counsel for Neconde and Nestoil are restored.
The companies are now free to proceed with their preferred lawyers in the ongoing debt recovery proceedings.
The ruling is procedural (focused solely on representation) and does not decide the merits of the underlying debt claims or receivership.
Those substantive issues will now continue in the lower courts with the restored counsel.
Business
FG Plans to Extend Lagos Rail Line to Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminals
Keyamo noted that Lagos accounts for 67 per mcent of passenger traffic through Nigeria’s airports.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced at the ongoing Invest in Lagos 3.0 summit, that the federal government has concluded arrangements to extend the existing Lagos rail network to the domestic and international terminals of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA).
The move is aimed at improving connectivity and strengthening Lagos’ position as an aviation hub in Africa.
He said discussions between his ministry and the state government are ongoing.
The extension will link the rail line that currently terminates at Ikeja Bus Stop to the airport.
According to Keyamo, the line will pass through the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), continue to the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), and end at the international terminal.
“That rail line is about to start. It is the extension of the rail line. So, Lagos is just ready for the next big step in terms of its aviation activities,” the minister said.
The project is expected to ease access to Nigeria’s busiest airport. It also supports the government’s ambition to position Lagos as a major aviation and logistics hub on the continent.
The proposed link will complement Lagos’ expanding rail network.
Last month, the Lagos State Government said the Blue Line carried about 3.5 million passengers in 2025, with daily ridership rising to 15,000 commuters. Work continues on its extension to Okokomaiko and expansion of services on the Red Line.
Keyamo noted that Lagos accounts for 67 percent of passenger traffic through Nigeria’s airports.
He argued that the state’s location gives it a natural advantage to compete with established aviation hubs.
“Just six hours across the Atlantic, you will get to South America from the Lagos airport. Six hours down, you will get to Southern Africa. Six hours to the Middle East, you will get to Dubai or Qatar. Six hours up, you will get to Europe, either France or London.
That is the equidistant advantage that Lagos provides as a hub for the whole of Africa. We will soon catch up with hubs like Addis Ababa and Lome,” he said.
The minister also highlighted ongoing investments in airport infrastructure under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He said about $500 million has been committed to reconstructing and modernising the international terminal at Lagos airport.
The investment will transform the ageing facility into a modern airport capable of handling growing passenger and cargo traffic.
Keyamo added that the federal government has expanded Nigeria’s international airport network. Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo and Maiduguri International Airport have been designated as international airports, bringing the total to seven.
He said the resolution of the long-running dispute between BASL and the federal government shows the administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for private sector participation in aviation.
He urged local and foreign investors to explore opportunities in the sector, including the proposed airport project in the Lekki-Epe corridor promoted by the Lagos State Government.If implemented, the airport rail extension will provide direct rail access to the country’s busiest aviation gateway.
It will complement ongoing investments in Lagos’ mass transit system and support broader efforts to improve mobility in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Business
Exchange Rates Today, Wednesday 10 June, 2026
Black Market Rates
US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,390 Sell ₦1,400
Great British Pound (GBP) Buy ₦1,855 Sell: ₦1, 875
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,000 Sell ₦1, 100
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US Dollar (USD) ₦1,360.55
Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,823. 00
EURO (EUR) ₦1,873.61
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,709. 02
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.49
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦200.92
West African CFA (XOF) ₦2.40
West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,856. 66
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦362. 38
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦82.71
Black Market Rates
US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,390 Sell ₦1,400
Great British Pound (GBP) Buy ₦1,855 Sell: ₦1, 875
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,000 Sell ₦1, 100
South African Rand (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE Dirham Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370
Chinese Yuan Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200
Ghana Cedi (GHS) Buy ₦100 Sell ₦115
West African CFA Buy ₦2,450 Sell ₦2,550
Central African CFA Buy ₦2,320 Sell 2400
Australian Dollar Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
Credit: CBN I Aboki Forex
Business
Invest in Lagos 3.0 Summit Attracts more than 600 delegates
Ohibaba.com reports that the summit, themed “Lagos: The Business Gateway to Africa,” featured presentations from representatives of the Presidency and the governors of Lagos, Imo, Abia, Plateau, Taraba and Nasarawa states.
• Representatives of government and private sector delegates at the summit
Invest in Lagos 3.0 Summit attracted more than 600 delegates—including global institutions, sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions and trade networks.
Ohibaba.com reports that the summit, themed “Lagos: The Business Gateway to Africa,” featured presentations from representatives of the Presidency and the governors of Lagos, Imo, Abia, Plateau, Taraba and Nasarawa states.
The host governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, called for increased private sector investment in rail transport, energy, agriculture, agro-processing and water infrastructure.
He said that addressing transportation challenges would unlock Lagos’ economic potential, reduce travel time, boost productivity and improve returns on investment.
Minister of Finance, Dr. Taiwo Oyedele, assured investors of the Federal Government’s commitment to creating a conducive business environment through ongoing fiscal reforms. He said the new tax law has eliminated multiple taxation, improved compliance and provided relief for small and medium enterprises.
Oyedele added that stamp duty collection has been transferred to state governments and commended states that have adopted harmonised tax systems.
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