news
Update : Henry Ajagbawa, Akuma refuse court bailiff service, illegally break into BEDC premises …risk jail term for court contempt
Henry Ajagbawa and K.C. Akuma, in company of three other persons (Adeola Ijose, Charles Onwera and Yomi Adeyemi) PURPORTEDLY RECENTLY appointed to the
Board of BEDC Electricity Plc (BEDC), on Wednesday proceeded to illegally and forcefully break into the premises of the company in Benin, the Edo State capital, DESPITE THE SUBSISTING COURT ORDER GRANTED IN FAVOUR OF VIGEO POWER, AND RESTRAINING THE NAMED INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES FROM ANY UNLAWFUL OCCUPATION.
Henry Ajagbawa and others who had refused to ACCEPT SERVICE OF THE court ORDER served by ON THEM by court bailiffs on the premises of BEDC, in the presence of the press, also forcefully broke into the office of the Managing Director and the Board room of the company bragging of government protection.
Journalists who arrived at the scene were also refused entry into the 4th floor where all was happening, even after the journalists had identified themselves.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) had recently announced A PUTATIVE restructuring of the boards of five DisCos which the Discos were alleged to have been done without inviting any of them to a meeting prior to the announcement which was widely circulated in the media.
The duo had explained that the announcement followed Fidelity Bank’s activation of the call on the collateralised shares of Kano Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company and
BEDC Electricity Plc (the DisCos) in a bid to take over the respective Boards of the DisCos over the alleged inability to repay loans obtained to acquire majority stakes in the DisCos in furtherance of the 2013
privatisation exercise.
Consequently, the management of BEDC had responded by issuing a press statement explaining that there was no contractual, statutory or regulatory basis for the takeover and appointments.
The company stated that, “For the avoidance of doubt, the shares of BEDC have not been given as security to Fidelity Bank or to any other party.”
According to the management of BEDC, it was “Vigeo Holdings Limited (VHL – a non-shareholder of BEDC)” that “obtained credit facilities from Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc, and Keystone Bank Plc (the
VHL Lenders).” It noted further that the said credit facilities (and any enforcement action in relation thereto) have in the meantime become subject of litigation in a Court action instituted by VHL and other plaintiffs (the
VHL Action) with Suit No: FHC/L/CS/239/22 – Vigeo Holdings Limited and 4 Ors v. Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited, and therefore, subjudiced.”
Worried by the development, Vigeo Power Limited, the majority shareholder of BEDC had filed a suit and obtained injunctive orders at the Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain Fidelity Bank Plc, HENRY AJAGBAWA,
and THE other co-defendants from taking over BEDC pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated July 8, 2022.
The other defendants are Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), K.C. Akuma, Adeola Ijose, Charles Onwera, Henry Ajagbawa and Yomi Adeyemi.
news
BREAKING: Tinubu, Starmer Meet as £746m Port Investment Deal Set for Signing
![]()
President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a high-level bilateral engagement aimed at strengthening ties between Nigeria and Britain.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, said the meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The statement said the meeting reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations, attracting foreign investment, and modernising key infrastructure to support economic growth.
It added that a major highlight of the visit was the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Morning Recap: Nigeria, Britain set for fresh security alliances, Saudi Arabia declares Friday Eid-el-Fitr, other top stories
The statement said the deal will fund the refurbishment of two key maritime infrastructures — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President and the First Lady had earlier been the guests of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
Tinubu was accompanied by a high-profile delegation, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
Other members of the delegation include Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
news
Breaking: Senegal Lose AFCON Crown as CAF Declares Morocco Winners
![]()
Morocco have been officially crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the CAF Appeal Board overturned the result of the final against Senegal. The decision comes after extraordinary scenes in Rabat where the Lions of Teranga walked off the pitch in protest, leading to a retrospective 3-0 forfeit victory for the host nation.
In a detailed statement, the CAF Appeal Board confirmed that the appeal lodged by the FRMF was “declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.” This landmark ruling effectively strips Senegal of what would have been their second continental crown, rewarding the hosts for a match that descended into chaos during extra time.
The roots of the controversy lie in a heated moment deep into stoppage time when Morocco’s Brahim Diaz went down in the box. While the referee initially waved play away, a VAR review resulted in a spot-kick for the hosts. This sparked a furious reaction from the Senegalese bench, with head coach Pape Thiaw instructing his players to return to the dressing room in a protest that lasted several minutes.
The CAF Appeal Board found that “the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.” By leaving the field of play, Senegal was deemed to have infringed on the regulations, leading to the administrative 3-0 defeat. The ruling sets aside the previous CAF Disciplinary Board decision and confirms that the protest lodged by Morocco has been fully upheld
news
NRC Confirms 26 Injured in Mid-Route Train Incident, Says Opeifa
Mo
No fewer than 26 passengers and onboard personnel sustained varying degrees of injuries following a train incident along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor on Monday.
The incident, which occurred at about 9:16 a.m. near Asham Station, involved the KA-2 service travelling from Rigasa to Idu. According to an interim report released by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), a loud bang was heard as the power car and a trailing locomotive collided with one of the coaches.
Preliminary findings indicate that the incident may have been caused by a fault in one or more couplers, leading to a possible disconnection within the train formation. However, authorities confirmed that none of the coaches derailed.
The train had earlier departed Rigasa Station at 7:15 a.m., arriving at Jere slightly ahead of schedule before departing a few minutes later after an additional locomotive was coupled to improve operational resilience.
Following the incident, affected components—including a locomotive, power car, and one passenger coach—were detached from the train to allow the journey to continue safely.
A total of 481 people were onboard at the time, including passengers, crew members, security personnel, vendors, cleaners, and other service providers. Of the 459 passengers booked for the trip, 429 were confirmed to have boarded.
Despite the disruption, the train resumed movement at about 9:42 a.m., arriving in Kubwa at 10:10 a.m. and terminating at Idu Station at 10:39 a.m., with an overall delay of approximately 38 minutes.
The NRC stated that injured persons included passengers, staff, and security personnel, although details of the severity of injuries were not fully disclosed.
Train services on the route were later restored the same day, with subsequent trips resuming operations, albeit with delays. The Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, was onboard one of the recovery services to monitor the situation.
The corporation assured the public that a full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident and to prevent future occurrences.
-
news5 years agoUPDATE: #ENDSARS: CCTV footage of Lekki shootings intact – Says Sanwo – Olu
-
lifestyle6 years agoFormer Miss World: Mixed reactions trail Agbani Darego’s looks
-
health5 years agoChairman Agege LG, Ganiyu Egunjobi Receives Covid-19 Vaccines
-
lifestyle4 years agoObateru: Celebrating a Quintessential PR Man at 60
-
health6 years agoUPDATE : Nigeria Records 790 new cases of COVID-19
-
health6 years agoBREAKING: Nigeria confirms 663 new cases of COVID-19
-
entertainment1 year agoAshny Set for Valentine Special and new Album ‘ Femme Fatale’
-
news10 months agoBREAKING: Tinubu swears in new NNPCL Board