The Reporters Gang

Nigeria's Minister of State for Defence, H.E Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has condemned former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for inciting violence and unrest among Nigerians.  Amaechi's remarks, made at a recent conference in Abuja, suggested that politicians must "steal, maim, and kill" to remain in power.  Dr. Matawalle described Amaechi's statement as "reckless and dangerous," emphasizing that such inflammatory remarks can radicalize the youth and destabilize national peace and security.  He cautioned against misleading young Nigerians with a warped narrative of violence and anarchy, reminding them that Nigeria is a sovereign nation governed by laws. The Minister warned that the security agencies are on high alert and will not tolerate any form of subversive rhetoric that seeks to undermine national unity or incite lawlessness.  He reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration remains committed to upholding peace, dem...

...Judge Says First Bank Suppressed Relevant Facts To Secure Order  In a landmark victory for General Hydrocarbons Limited,  the Federal High Court in Lagos has set aside an order of Mareva injunction freezing  the assets of the company and its directors. The court, while upholding the arguments of GHL’s counsel, Abiodun Layonu, SAN held that  the injunction violated an existing order from a court of concurrent jurisdiction.In his ruling, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, stated that when compared with an earlier order issued by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa in Suit No. 1953, the Mareva Injunction should be set aside. The court found that First Bank of Nigeria and FBNQUEST LTD, at whose instance the order was procured, failed to fully disclose Justice Lewis-Allagoa’s order, which made the Mareva Injunction incompatible with the earlier ruling. The court consequently agreed with GHL that First Bank deliberately "suppressed facts" to mislead the court into granting the order ag...

The Nigerian government has taken a significant step towards reforming its civil service, aligning it with global standards, and enhancing its efficiency and innovation.  A high-powered delegation, led by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, recently embarked on a four-day study tour to Singapore. The tour, which took place in January 2025, provided an opportunity for the delegation to understudy the Singaporean Civil Service, renowned for its transformative impact on national development.  The intensive program focused on key aspects of Singapore's public service delivery, uncovering critical insights that could redefine the operational framework of Nigeria's civil service. Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, Permanent Secretary (Perm Sec), Ministry of Defence, commended Mrs. Walson-Jack for her visionary leadership in facilitating this groundbreaking initiative.  He expressed confidence that the knowledge gained during the study to...

  Popular Nigerian movie producer and author, Duke of Shomolu, has praised Dr. Nduka Obaigbena, the Chairman of Thisday Newspaper, for inviting him to the upcoming Thisday Awards, which will mark the 30th anniversary celebration of the newspaper. In a statement shared on social media this morning, Duke expressed his excitement and gratitude for the invitation. He referred to Dr. Obaigbena as "a prince who refused to turn into a frog," highlighting his admiration for Obaigbena's understanding of Nigeria’s socio-political structure and his unwavering commitment to his values. Duke recounted his encounters with Dr. Obaigbena, noting that he had met him only three times in his life. “Twice in his expansive apartment in Ikoyi, and once at the Afrif event last December, where I had gone to meet the governor. Dr. Obaigbena was seated at the front, preparing to take the stage,” he shared. He further explained the significance of the invitation, especially given his past experienc...

ARISE News has dispatched its top teams to Washington DC and Davos to provide extensive coverage of two major global events. Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Nduka Obaigbena, leads the team in Washington DC, where they will cover the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. The ARISE News team in Washington DC includes seasoned journalists Ohi Odiai, Adefemi Akinsanya, and Opeyemi Adenihun. They will provide in-depth coverage of the inauguration, including behind-the-scenes insights and analysis. Simultaneously, ARISE News Anchors Rotus Oddiri, Adesuwa Omoruan, and Ivica Babic are in Davos, Switzerland, to cover the World Economic Forum annual gathering. The event brings together global leaders to discuss pressing economic issues and shape the global agenda. Vice President Kashim Shetima will lead Nigeria's economic team at the forum, which will focus on collaboration for the intelligent age. ARISE News' coverage of these events will provide its aud...

A Mareva injunction suit involving First Bank Nigeria, General Hydrocarbons Limited, and several others took a new turn on Friday, January 17, 2025, as Dr. Abiodun Layonu SAN moved to set aside the injunction and other punitive ex parte orders granted to the plaintiffs. According to Dr. Layonu, there was a clear case of suppression of facts by the plaintiffs, who failed to disclose material and fundamental facts.  Specifically, they withheld information on the judgment of Lewis-Allagoa J of the Federal High Court, which prohibited First Bank Nigeria from enforcing any security or assets of General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) related to its operation of OML 120. Dr. Layonu argued that the plaintiffs should not be allowed to extract a new cause of action when they are already subjudice on the same matter. He also pointed out that the plaintiffs misled the court into thinking that a judgment sum had already been awarded in their favor, when in fact, the case is still being contested in...

A recent statement by General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) has shed light on a disturbing incident involving First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) that put the lives of 93 people at risk on an oil rig. According to GHL, FBN's repeated failures to meet its financial obligations led to a critical situation on October 7, 2023. "As we said before and will repeat now, all GHL contracts and invoices were vetted and paid by FBN through their Credit and Risk teams directly to all service providers," GHL stated. "FBN's repeated failures to pay on time within the contractual framework of 5 days which became up to 70 days or not at all, in a clear breach of its Tripartite Agreement obligations... led to an international incident on October 7, 2023, when the drilling rig Blackford Dolphin, ran out of fuel, food, water and other critical supplies with 93 Souls onboard, and the Rig was on the verge of declaring MAYDAY." GHL claimed that FBN's Managing Director, Olusegun Alebiousu...

In a recent statement, General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) has vehemently denied allegations of owing First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) $225 million.  The statement, signed by Abdelmuizz Bello, Director of Strategy & Operations at GHL, provides a detailed breakdown of the issues in dispute between GHL and FBN. According to the statement, "We entered a legally binding, enforceable Subrogation Agreement with First Bank on May 29, 2021, with FBN agreeing to fund GHL's exploration, production and development of OML 120 in exchange for sharing profit from oil proceeds from the OML in a 50:50 ratio after statutory payments and taxes over 8 years." However, GHL alleges that FBN failed to meet its agreed-upon financial commitments, resulting in critical challenges for the development of OML 120. As stated in the release, "Essentially, GHL's grouse is FBN's failure to meet its agreed and executed financial commitments which GHL had believed would be made, when it signed ...

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has slammed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media, Sunday Dare, for what he described as “unprofessional, disrespectful, and divisive rhetoric.” In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado on Sunday, Bala Mohammed’s camp accused Dare of turning his role into a platform for political attacks rather than fostering unity and promoting constructive dialogue. The statement issued on Sunday, titled “Enough is Enough”, did not hold back in calling out the Presidency for its alleged intolerance to criticism.  Governor Mohammed’s team dragged Dare for releasing his remarks during Juma’at prayers and Armed Forces Remembrance Day, calling it “poor timing” and “a disgrace to the solemnity of the events.” “Instead of focusing on honouring Nigeria’s fallen heroes, Dare chose to prioritise political mudslinging. Is this what the Tinubu administration represents?” the statement questioned. The Bauchi gov...

A recent town hall meeting convened by the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) Gombe State Chapter, in collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and critical stakeholders, has unequivocally rejected the proposed Tax Reform Bills.  The meeting, held at Gombe State University on January 6, 2025 , brought together policymakers, academics, civil society actors, community leaders, youth groups, and concerned citizens to deliberate on the implications of the proposed tax reform bills. Comrade Muhammed Usman Deba, Gombe State Coordinator of the CNG, emphasized that the proposed tax reform bills would exacerbate existing economic challenges in Northern Nigeria. "The reforms are likely to deepen poverty, increase unemployment, and stifle local businesses already grappling with economic hardship," he noted. The participants also expressed concern over the provisions in the bills that propose the defunding of pivotal national institutions such as the Tertiary Education Trus...