News
Alleged N1.4bn Fraud: Court Admits More Evidence Against Nadabo Energy Boss, Firm In Lagos
Alleged N1.4bn Fraud: Court Admits More Evidence Against Nadabo Energy Boss, Firm In Lagos
Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, admitted in evidence more documents tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the alleged N1.4 billion petroleum subsidy fraud involving the Managing Director of Nadabo Energy Limited, Abubakar Ali Peters, and his company.
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Peters alongside his company, Nadabo Energy Limited, was previously standing trial before Justice C.A. Balogun of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja. However, the matter was re-assigned to Justice Ijelu, following Justice Balogun’s retirement.
The defendants are being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 27-count charge bordering on the alleged use of forged documents to obtain the sum of N1,464,961,978.24 from the Federal Government as oil subsidy.
One of the counts reads: “Nadabo Energy Limited and Abubakar Ali Peters, on or about the 3rd day of April, 2012, at Lagos, within the Lagos Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, fraudulently obtained the sum of N978,401,732.09 (Nine Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million Four Hundred and One Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty-two Naira Nine Kobo) from the Federal Government of Nigeria by falsely claiming that the sum represented subsidy accrued to Nadabo Energy Limited under the Petroleum Support Fund for the importation of 19,488,992 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which Nadabo Energy Limited purported to have purchased from Ashland SA Geneva Switzerland, and transported the 19,488,992 litres of PMS through MT American Express (Mother Vessel) and MT St. Vanessa (Daughter Vessel) to Nigeria, whereas Nadabo Energy Limited only imported 6,505,140.04 litres of PMS to Nigeria through MT Evridiki (Mother Vessel) and MT St Vanessa (Daughter Vessel).”
Another count reads: “Nadabo Energy Limited and Abubakar Ali Peters, on or about the 25th day of October 2011, at Lagos, within the Lagos Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, and in order to facilitate your obtaining money by false pretence from the Federal Government of Nigeria under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF), forged a document titled: Certificate of Marine Insurance no. 0047851 and purported the Marine Insurance certificate to have been issued by Staco Insurance Plc to Nadabo Energy Limited.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.
At the resumed sitting on Monday, June 29, 2026, the prosecution counsel, S. K. Atteh, called the third prosecution witness, PW3, Adaobi Amanda Obiakor, an EFCC investigator, who narrated how the Commission investigated the alleged subsidy fraud.
Obiakor told the court that the investigation commenced after the EFCC received petitions dated January 5, 2012, from the Minister of Petroleum Resources and some civil society organisations alleging widespread fraud in the petroleum subsidy scheme.
She identified several letters written by the EFCC to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), requesting documents relating to marketers involved in the subsidy regime, including Nadabo Energy Limited.
The witness stated that the PPPRA supplied a bundle of documents that formed part of the Commission’s investigation.
The prosecution tendered the petitions, correspondence with the PPPRA, and the agency’s responses. The defence counsel, Paul Daodu, SAN, raised no objection, and Justice Ijelu admitted the documents in evidence.
Obiako further testified that analysis of the documents revealed an allocation granted to the defendant in August 2011 and subsequent import permits. She stated that the documents indicated that the transaction was financed by Enterprise Bank, prompting the EFCC to write to the bank on February 8, 2012.
According to the witness, Enterprise Bank, in its response dated February 18, 2013, informed the Commission that one of the documents attached to the EFCC’s inquiry did not emanate from the bank and supplied what it described as the authentic document.
The prosecution tendered the correspondence between the EFCC and Enterprise Bank, together with the bank’s certified true copies of relevant documents.
The defence did not object, and the court admitted them as exhibits.
The witness also told the court that the EFCC traced subsidy payments made by the PPPRA through Sky Bank Plc, now Polaris Bank.
She also identified letters written by the Commission to the bank on December 5, 2012, and February 8, 2013, as well as the bank’s responses dated February 4 and February 20, 2013.
The documents, together with related banking instruments, were tendered by the prosecution without objection from the defence and were admitted in evidence.
The Bank documents revealed the following, MT EVRIDIKI, 35, 291,069 Metric tone and 47,882,120 liters on 29 October, 2011. MT ST VANESSA, 4,850,962 Metric tone on 2 December, 2011.
The trader is Petrolcam Trading (PTY) Limited on SPG/DLC/11/003 dated 27 October, 2011 valued at $4,780,125 with drawing amount of $5,087, 203.85. The marketer is Nadabo Energy Limited.
Further documents admitted included correspondence between the EFCC and Petrocam, shipping documents supplied by the company, letters exchanged with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), certified true copies of company documents, and correspondence with the PPPRA.
The prosecution also tendered an email from one Afeni Awani to Abdulrasheed Bawa, the immediate past chairman of the EFCC, during the investigations accompanied by a certificate of identification.
Although the defence counsel, Daodu, objected to the admissibility of the email, arguing that it was sent to Bawa’s personal email address and did not comply with Section 84 of the Evidence Act governing electronically generated evidence, Justice Ijelu overruled the objection and admitted the email and accompanying certificate in evidence.
The court also admitted a summary of the transactions prepared by Bawa as well as the extra-judicial statements of the defendants.
Following the conclusion of the examination-in-chief, defence counsel informed the court that cross-examination of the witness would commence at the next sitting.
Justice Ijelu subsequently adjourned till Tuesday, June 30, 2026 for the defence to cross- examine the witness.
During the cross-examination at Tuesday’s sitting, the witness confirmed that she was one of the members of the investigative team that handled the case.
However, when shown the investigation report already admitted in evidence, she acknowledged that although it contained a summary of the team’s findings, her name did not appear on the document.
The witness also identified Exhibit P27, a letter dated January 20, 2012, addressed to the Managing Director of Nadabo Energy Limited.
She told the court that the letter was prepared and signed by Olaolu Adegbite.
On Exhibit P29(a), the extra-judicial statement of the second defendant, the witness admitted that there was no indication on the document showing it was recorded in his presence.
Court
She, however, maintained that the statement, obtained on January 28, 2012, and February 8, 2013, was made voluntarily. She further confirmed that no legal practitioner was present when the statement was taken.
The witness also told the court that she was not the maker of Exhibit P8, a letter dated June 21, 2012, and was not authorised to sign it. She equally stated that she did not prepare Exhibit P10.
When asked whether any of the documentary exhibits tendered before the court, apart from his oral testimony, showed that she was a member of the investigation team, the witness responded that her name did not appear on any of the documents.
Obiakor said she participated in the investigative visit to the Lagos depot, but did not take part in the team’s visit to the Port Harcourt depot.
Justice Ijelu subsequently adjourned the matter till October 12 and 13, 2026, for the continuation of trial.
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News
Civil Society, Journalists Commend Governor Eno On Arrival Of First Batch Of Brand-New CNG Buses, Inspect Fleet
Civil Society, Journalists Commend Governor Eno On Arrival Of First Batch Of Brand-New CNG Buses, Inspect Fleet
Journalists and civil society stakeholders have commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for the arrival of the first batch of brand-new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, describing the initiative as a bold step towards transforming the state’s public transportation system.
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The commendation came on Tuesday , July 1,2026 ,during an inspection of the newly delivered buses at the Government House parking facility in Uyo, where members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), civil society representatives inspected 20 of the 50 buses procured by the state government as part of its integrated mass transit programme.
Speaking during the inspection, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, lauded Governor Umo Eno for prioritising quality and investing in a transportation system that will benefit residents across the state.
“On behalf of my colleagues, I want to thank His Excellency for bringing this to our people. I must say the Governor loves standard, and this is standard,” he said.
The NUJ Chairman encouraged young people in the state to take advantage of opportunities that would emerge from the project by acquiring the technical skills required to operate and maintain the modern transport system.
He also appreciated the Commissioner for Information for granting journalists unrestricted access to inspect the buses, noting that firsthand inspection would enable the media to provide accurate information to members of the public.
Speaking during the inspection, the Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Barr. Clifford Thomas, commended Governor Umo Eno for the initiative, describing the acquisition of the CNG buses as a bold and forward-looking investment in the state’s transportation sector.
He noted that the integrated mass transit system would significantly ease transportation challenges, improve mobility for residents and reduce the cost of commuting across Akwa Ibom State.
Barr. Thomas, however, urged the state government to put in place a sustainable maintenance and management framework to ensure the buses are properly maintained and remain operational for many years.
Addressing journalists, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Aniekan Umanah, explained that the inspection was organised following a request by the NUJ Chairman to verify the arrival of the buses amid public speculation.
“We came here on the request of the Chairman of the NUJ to see for himself, and for all of us, the new CNG buses brought in by His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for the mass transportation system he is putting in place. This transport system will cover the 31 Local Government Areas and move our people seamlessly using these CNG buses.”
Dr. Umanah disclosed that Governor Umo Eno approved the procurement of 50 CNG buses, with 20 already delivered to the state while the remaining units are expected after the completion of production and shipping processes.
“Today, 20 of those brand new buses are on ground here in the Government House parking bay. Many people have been wondering whether these buses are real. Here are the buses, gentlemen of the press.
“They are brand-new manufactured buses. For those who have gone about claiming that these are refurbished buses, let me state clearly that they are marchants of falsehood. These are brand-new buses produced specifically for Akwa Ibom State.”
He further revealed that construction of the state’s central transport terminal at Ikot Akpe is progressing steadily and will serve as the operational hub of the integrated transport system.
According to him, the facility will include passenger terminals, a drivers’ academy, maintenance workshops, car wash facilities, CNG refuelling stations and other supporting infrastructure required for efficient operations.
“We are about entering an era of efficient and effective mass transportation for the people of Akwa Ibom State,” he declared.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Luke, commended Governor Umo Eno for his visionary leadership and commitment to providing a transportation system that meets global standards while improving mobility and reducing transportation costs for residents.
Providing further insight into the procurement process, Mr. Ime Uwah said Governor Umo Eno insisted on quality throughout the acquisition process, leading government officials to travel to Turkey to inspect the buses before payment was made.
“For me, His Excellency Governor Umo Eno stands for quality and standard because these Isuzu buses, he made sure we went for this particular brand. We travelled to Turkey to inspect them before payment was made, ensuring that they met exactly what we wanted.”
Mr. Uwah added that Alpha Dias Project Limited has been engaged to manage the transport system for the first two years to ensure professional and efficient operations.
“His Excellency wants experienced hands and experts to operate these buses before they are eventually handed over for broader local management. The first two years will therefore be managed under contract by Alpha Dias.”
Speaking on the technical features of the fleet, the Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Dias Project Limited, Mr. Alex , dismissed claims that the buses were converted diesel vehicles.
He explained that the buses are original factory-built CNG vehicles powered by Cummins CNG engines and specifically designed for natural gas operations.
“Many CNG buses operating in Nigeria and across West Africa are diesel buses converted to run on gas. These buses are different. They were designed and manufactured from the factory specifically as CNG buses, making the Akwa Ibom fleet one of the most advanced public transport fleets on the African continent.”
Akwa Ibom CNG Buses
He disclosed that the integrated transport network will connect all 31 Local Government Areas through carefully planned routes linking major commercial centers
He added that transport terminals under construction will feature modern passenger facilities, maintenance centres, driver training schools and CNG refuelling stations to support efficient and sustainable operations.
Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and representatives of civil society organisations were later taken on a demonstration ride aboard the new CNG buses, where they experienced firsthand the comfort, spacious interiors, modern safety features and smooth, quiet operation of the factory-built vehicles.
The inspection reinforced confidence in the state’s integrated transport initiative and underscored the government’s commitment to delivering a safe, affordable, environmentally friendly and world-class mass transportation system that will serve residents across all 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.
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ICPC Arrests Former Minister Over Certificate Forgery Allegations
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji (M), following the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
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The arrest was effected on Wednesday, 1st July 2026 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon Mr. Nnaji’s arrival. He was apprehended with the assistance of the Department of State Services (DSS) and subsequently handed over to the ICPC for further investigation.
The Commission had earlier extended formal invitations to the former minister through a letter referenced ICPC/HC/CSTF/GUN/GBT/T.1/VOLV16, dated 15 May 2026. The invitation notices were duly served to his known addresses in Abuja and Enugu, as well as via his electronic mail address. Despite service through multiple channels, Mr. Nnaji failed to appear for investigative interviews on the scheduled dates, necessitating further legal action.
The legal action followed a court order granted by the Federal High Court in the Abuja Judicial Division (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1160/2026). The order, issued on 11 June 2026, directed the ICPC to arrest the former minister to enable investigation into allegations bordering on:
1. Forgery of academic credentials, specifically concerning a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); and
2. False National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate, which was submitted during his ministerial screening process in 2023.
ICPC
Following the arrest, Mr. Nnaji has been taken into custody at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, where investigations are expected to continue. The Commission assures the public that the matter will be pursued diligently in accordance with the law.
J. Okor Odey
Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC
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NAFOWA Honours Fallen Heroes’ Widows, Advances Welfare For Enhancement
The Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the welfare and empowerment of the widows of fallen Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel through a special dinner and empowerment lecture held to commemorate the 2026 International Widows’ Day.
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Speaking at the event in Abuja, the President of NAFOWA, Mrs Ngozi Aneke, paid glowing tribute to the courage, resilience and enduring strength of the widows, describing them as living symbols of hope whose sacrifices continue to inspire the NAF community. She emphasised that beyond offering sympathy, NAFOWA remains committed to restoring confidence, promoting dignity and creating sustainable opportunities that enable widows to rebuild their lives with hope and self-reliance.
Guided by NAFOWA’s vision of “Strengthening Compassion, Empowering Communities,” the programme featured an empowerment lecture, interactive engagements and recreational activities designed to foster emotional healing, economic empowerment and stronger social support among participants. The event also provided an open platform for widows to engage directly with the NAFOWA leadership on welfare-related matters, reaffirming the Association’s commitment to ensuring that the families of fallen heroes remain valued, supported and closely connected to the Nigerian Air Force family.
The initiative reflects the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke’s vision of “Welfare for Enhanced Warfare,” which recognises that the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Air Force is strengthened when personnel are assured that their families will continue to receive care and support, even in the face of the ultimate sacrifice.
NAFOWA
By sustaining comprehensive welfare initiatives for the families of fallen personnel, the NAF continues to reinforce morale, strengthen fighting spirit and preserve the confidence of its personnel serving across all theatres of operation in defence of Nigeria.
Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association
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