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Consultant Files Contempt Charge Against Cardoso Over ‘Failure’ To Return N220m: Paris Club Refund

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CBN

Consultant Files Contempt Charge Against Cardoso Over ‘Failure’ To Return N220m: Paris Club Refund

Consultant files contempt charge against Cardoso over ‘failure’ to return N220m: Paris Club refund. Olayemi Cardoso, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Kofo Salam-Alada, the apex bank’s director of legal services, are facing contempt proceedings for allegedly failing to fully comply with a supreme court judgment that ordered the release of funds previously forfeited in a case involving Melrose General Services Limited.

Inyang Ekwo, judge of a federal high court in Abuja, has fixed June 4 to hear the application filed by Melrose General Services Limited, a firm involved in the Paris Club refund.

Melrose General Services is one of the firms linked to the controversial Paris Club refund– a settlement involving payments to consultants engaged by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to help secure reimbursements from the federal government.

SUPREME COURT RULING

In June 2024, the supreme court overturned the interim forfeiture of N1.22 billion and N220 million, which had been frozen following an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The apex court ruled in favour of Melrose, stating that the EFCC failed to prove the funds were proceeds of fraud.

The court ordered the release of the N1,222,384,857.84 in Melrose’s bank account and the N220 million paid by the company to Wasp Networks and Thebe Wellness as a loan and investment.

In the application brought before the federal high court, Melrose claims that despite the ruling of the supreme court, only the N1.22 billion has been refunded, while the outstanding N220 million remains unpaid.

Consequently, the company, through its counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, filed a contempt suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/532/2025 against Cardoso, Salam-Alada, the EFCC, and the minister of finance.

Ojukwu argued that the defendants’ failure to fully comply with the judgment amounts to contempt of court.

On March 27, 2025, Ekwo granted Melrose permission to serve contempt notices (Forms 48 and 49) on Cardoso and Salam-Alada and gave all parties seven days to respond.

At the hearing on April 10, Segun Fiki, who represented Melrose, confirmed that all parties — except the ministry of finance—had responded.

CBN

Cardoso

Abdulfatai Oyedele, counsel to the CBN, filed a preliminary objection and a counter-affidavit. He argued that the supreme court did not order the N220 million to be paid to Melrose but rather to the original recipients — Wasp Network Limited and Thebe Wellness Services.

Oyedele said solicitors for Wasp Network had requested payment of N200 million, while Thebe Wellness had yet to lay claim to their N20 million share. He insisted that the CBN had complied with the judgment and committed no wrongdoing.

M.A. Babatunde, counsel to the EFCC, filed a motion for misjoinder, arguing that the agency should not be a party to the contempt suit.

Crime

Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers

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Troops Destroy 56 Illegal Refining Sites

Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy, through FOB BONNY, has dismantled an illegal refining site discovered in Promise Land Community along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, further denying criminal operators the infrastructure required to process stolen crude oil.
Eereporter.com

The site was discovered on 30 September 2026 following credible intelligence and comprised one large cooking pot and 3 large storage tanks intended for illegal refining activities. On 2 October 2026, the Commanding Officer, FOB BONNY, Captain SMC Umeh, led a team to the location, where the illegal refining site and associated equipment were destroyed in accordance with established regulations.

The intervention represents a further disruption of illegal refining capacity within the Bonny area, particularly by removing infrastructure that could be used to process and store stolen crude oil. It also follows recent operations by FOB BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL that uncovered substantial volumes of suspected stolen crude oil and associated illegal refining infrastructure within its Area of Operations

Troops Destroy 56 Illegal Refining Sites

Oil

The Nigerian Navy has continued to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the area to prevent the establishment or reactivation of illegal refining sites and deny criminal operators the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities.

ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO

Navy Captain

Director Naval Information

Nigerian Navy
Eereporter.com

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Crime

Nigerian Police Foil Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Recover Rocket Launchers

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Police

Nigerian Police Foil Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Recover Rocket Launchers

The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled an attempted bandit attack on Tsabre community in Isa Local Government Area, recovering two rocket launchers and other items abandoned by the fleeing attackers.
Eereporter.com

The incident occurred around 1am on Friday when the armed men reportedly invaded the village and opened sporadic gunfire, causing panic among residents.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

He said the Divisional Police Officer in Isa, upon receiving a distress call, immediately mobilised tactical teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Violent Crime Response Unit, to confront the attackers.

According to him, the police engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into a nearby forest.

“The tactical teams engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel that lasted for some time. Due to the superior firepower and tactical positioning of the police operatives, the bandits were overpowered and forced to escape into the nearby forest with their casualties,” Rufa’i said.

He added that the police subsequently combed the surrounding bushes and recovered two rocket launchers and two empty AK-47 magazines.

Other items recovered included a Techno keypad phone without a battery, a touch light, an Army jungle hat, a sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket.

The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shaffa, commended the officers for their swift response and courage during the operation.

Shaffa reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

Police

Police

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the police.

The CP further appealed to residents to report anyone with suspected gunshot wounds seeking medical attention to the nearest police station, as efforts continue to track the fleeing attackers.
Eereporter.com

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Crime

Navy Rescues 2 Kidnapped Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines in Akwa Ibom

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Navy

Navy Rescues 2 Kidnapped Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines in Akwa Ibom

The Nigerian Navy has rescued 2 kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation against sea robbery and kidnapping in the Ibeno general area of Akwa Ibom State on 30 September 2026.
Eereporter.com

The operation followed credible information on the activities of suspected sea robbers and kidnappers targeting fishermen and forcibly taking away fishing boats and outboard engines. In response, the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE Maritime Quick Response Team, Ibeno, swiftly mobilised to the area to counter the threat.

During the operation, the naval team encountered 2 boats suspected to be operated by the criminals, prompting the occupants to flee into adjoining creeks. In the ensuing pursuit, the suspects abandoned one of the boats containing several stolen outboard engines and the 2 kidnapped victims, who were immediately rescued by the naval team and escorted to safety. The recovered outboard engines were secured for verification and further necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The successful operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to Search and Rescue (SAR), the protection of lives and the security of legitimate maritime activities across Nigeria’s waters. Through its network of ships, bases, surveillance systems, maritime quick response teams and other operational elements, the Nigerian Navy continues to maintain a presence across the maritime domain, enabling timely responses to distress situations and emerging security threats.

Navy

Navy

The operation also demonstrates the importance of credible intelligence and community support in enhancing maritime security. The Nigerian Navy therefore encourages coastal communities, fishermen and other maritime stakeholders to continue providing timely information that could assist in preventing criminal activities and responding rapidly to persons in distress.

The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and will continue to sustain proactive patrols, Search and Rescue operations, and intelligence-driven interventions aimed at protecting lives and property while denying criminal elements freedom of action in the nation’s waterways.
Eereporter.com

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