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High-Stakes Showdown: Ex-NBA President Resists AGF’s Attempt to Drop $8.4M Oil Scam Case
A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu (SAN), has urged the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja to reject the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN)’s attempt to withdraw a major oil theft case involving multinational oil traders Trafigura Beheer BV and Trafigura PTE Limited.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Appearing before Justice Mojisola Dada on Thursday, Daudu, who represents the nominal complainant Nadabo Energy Limited, argued that the case was filed under the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State (Cap. C17, 2003) and, therefore, cannot be discontinued by the federal authorities.
He described the AGF’s notice of discontinuance—filed through the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)—as unconstitutional, stressing that it violates Section 211(1) of the 1999 Constitution. According to Daudu, only the Lagos State Attorney General has the legal standing to withdraw such a case, given its state-level origin.
The application by the AGF followed a petition from Trafigura’s legal counsel, requesting the Federal Government to take over the matter. Daudu, however, labeled the move “ultra vires, null, void, and constitutionally defective.”
“This notice is legally incompetent and should be struck out,” he argued.
The matter—ID/7980c/2018—revolves around allegations by the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) that Trafigura and five co-defendants stole Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) worth $8.4 million from Nadabo Energy.
The other defendants include Yusuf Kwande, Mettle Energy and Gas, Rembrandt Ltd, Osahon Asemota, and Jil Engineering and Oil Services Ltd—all of whom have pleaded not guilty.
The trial had reached an advanced stage, with 17 witnesses called by the prosecution. A no-case submission filed by the defence was dismissed, with the court ordering them to present their defence.
Instead, Trafigura’s legal team petitioned the AGF to halt the proceedings. The court later discharged the defendants after the notice of discontinuance was adopted by the prosecution.
Lead defence counsel Bode Olanipekun (SAN) argued the charges constituted double jeopardy, citing a previous case involving the same parties heard by Justice Sedotan Ogunsanya.
Former NBA President Joseph Daudu (SAN) has opposed a move by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to halt an $8.4 million oil theft trial involving Trafigura Beheer BV and Trafigura PTE Limited at the Lagos State High Court.
Appearing before Justice Mojisola Dada, Daudu insisted the trial was based on state law—Lagos Criminal Code (Cap. C17, 2003)—and can only be discontinued by the Lagos State Attorney General, not the federal government. He labelled the AGF’s notice of discontinuance, filed after a petition from Trafigura’s lawyers, as unconstitutional and “grossly incompetent.”
The case involves allegations by the Special Fraud Unit that Trafigura and five others stole Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) valued at $8.44 million from Nadabo Energy Ltd. All accused parties had pleaded not guilty, and 17 witnesses had already been called before the defence’s no-case submission was dismissed.
Despite the court’s directive to begin their defence, Trafigura appealed to the AGF for a case withdrawal, which was controversially granted, leading to the discharge of all defendants. Trafigura’s counsel, Bode Olanipekun (SAN), argued the charges duplicated earlier proceedings, constituting double jeopardy.
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“MY DAD WAS BABANGIDA’S ENEMY #1!” — TV Host Morayo Brown Exposes Dark Military Era Rivalry!.
Speaking during a recent interview on Jay On Air TV, the broadcaster recounted her father’s fearless pro-democracy activism, detailing how his defiance against military dictatorship led to state intimidation, imprisonment, and eventual exile.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking during a recent interview on Jay On Air TV, the broadcaster recounted her father’s fearless pro-democracy activism, detailing how his defiance against military dictatorship led to state intimidation, imprisonment, and eventual exile.
Imprisoned Alongside Beko Ransome-Kuti
According to Morayo, her father’s relentless public criticism of the Babangida regime made him a prime target for state security forces, leading to frequent harassment and detentions.
Key details shared during the interview include:
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Relentless Persecution: Her father faced constant surveillance and intimidation due to his vocal stance against harmful government policies.
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Shared Prison Cells: He was detained multiple times, sharing cell blocks with prominent human rights crusaders, including the late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti.
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Forced Into Exile: As threats from the military government intensified, remaining in Nigeria became untenable, forcing him to flee the country to escape state-sponsored retaliation.
A Legacy of Courage and Conviction
Reflecting on how her father’s political battles shaped her personal outlook, Morayo highlighted his refusal to be silenced in the face of tyranny as her main inspiration.
“My father was an activist; I grew up knowing he was one of Babangida’s top enemies. Babangida deeply despised him and hated him with passion.
My father shared prison cells with Beko Ransome-Kuti and others. He had to go into exile because Babangida was chasing him.”
She added that witnessing his bravery firsthand instilled in her a lifelong commitment to speaking truth to power and standing firmly for her beliefs.
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ACF SLAMS PETER OBI: “Nobody Appointed Him As A Mediator Between North And South!”
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the apex socio-cultural group of Northern Nigeria, has outrightly dismissed the reported one-term presidential agreement between Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The ACF labeled the secret arrangement illegal, unconstitutional, and a product of pure political desperation.
“Nobody Sent Them to Negotiate for North or South”
Speaking in an interview with Leadership, the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad Baba, emphasized that neither Obi nor Kwankwaso possesses the authority to negotiate power rotation between the regions:
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No Mandate: Nobody commissioned either candidate to broker a presidential deal between the North and the South.
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Self-Interest: The pact is driven strictly by personal political ambitions rather than public service.
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Unconstitutional Concept: Leadership rotation is strictly an internal political party affair, not a constitutional requirement, and cannot be forced onto the nation.
Why ACF Wants Voters to Reject the NDC Ticket
Baba argued that rather than convincing Northern voters to support their campaign, the one-term agreement is a strong reason for Nigerians to reject both candidates at the 2027 polls.
“Suppose Peter Obi wins by chance and performs exceptionally well; would it make sense to force him out after just four years for an unproven candidate? It simply makes no sense,” Baba stated.
“Nigerian politicians should not act as if attaining power is all that matters. The fact that they signed such an agreement shows they do not wish this country well.”
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NATIONAL OUTRAGE! Kwankwaso Drops Shocking Bombshell: “We Will Negotiate With Terrorists And Criminals!”.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), outlined the party’s strategy for addressing insecurity ahead of the 2027 elections. He stated that an NDC administration would engage with everyone, including criminals and terrorists, to help deter their actions. Kwankwaso noted that local residents in affected areas are well-aware of the identities and locations of these outlaws, but they often withhold information from security forces out of fear due to negative past experiences when reporting them.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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