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Supreme Court Condemns “Blatant Abuse Of Court Process” In Nestoil Case Ruling.
The recent Supreme Court ruling in the Nestoil dispute has generated wide discussion within Nigeria’s legal and business communities, not just for settling a procedural issue on legal representation, but also for defining the limits of receivership authority and reinforcing the constitutional guarantee of fair hearing.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Central to the case was the question of whether a court-appointed receiver, engaged by creditors to recover debts, can control or impose legal representation on a debtor company involved in litigation initiated against it. The Supreme Court firmly ruled in the negative.
In a decisive judgment delivered on April 10, 2026, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim made it clear that the court strongly opposed any attempt to undermine a party’s right to independent legal representation.
The court went further to describe the application in question as “a scandalous and despicable engagement in the gross abuse of the process of court,” signalling its zero tolerance for such procedural strategies.
This unusually strong language reflects the seriousness with which the apex court viewed the matter, as such expressions are typically reserved for actions that threaten the integrity of judicial proceedings.
Rather than treating it as a simple procedural error, the court elevated the issue to a broader concern about justice administration and fairness in litigation.
By rejecting the idea that a receiver could dictate counsel for a company in a case tied to creditor interests, the court reaffirmed the principle that no party should effectively control both sides of a legal dispute.
The ruling also clarifies that while receivers may manage specific assets of a company, their authority does not extend to stripping the company of its legal identity or preventing its directors from acting, especially where the legality of the receivership is under challenge.
In effect, the court confirmed that companies under receivership still retain the right to defend themselves through their directors in appropriate circumstances, an important clarification in Nigeria’s insolvency framework.
The Supreme Court also faulted the Court of Appeal for its handling of the matter, stating that it “abdicated its judicial responsibility” by granting the application that removed the companies’ counsel.
This criticism highlights the duty of lower courts to guard against procedural abuse that could compromise fairness in legal proceedings.
In the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Baba Idris further emphasized that where the validity or scope of a receivership is being questioned, the company must retain the ability to act through its directors to protect its interests.
Reactions to the decision have been mixed. While some legal practitioners believe the court simply reaffirmed existing legal principles on fair hearing and counsel choice, others see it as a landmark decision that more clearly defines the boundaries of receivership powers in Nigeria.
Beyond the immediate dispute involving Nestoil Limited and Neconde Energy Limited, the judgment is expected to influence future insolvency and corporate governance practices by strengthening the right of companies to choose their own legal representation and limiting overreach by receivers.
Overall, the ruling does not introduce new legal doctrine but reinforces established principles with greater clarity, ultimately strengthening fairness and integrity within Nigeria’s judicial system.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has scheduled May 26 for its primaries across all elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The positions to be contested include the House of Assembly, governorship seats, National Assembly, and the presidency. In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, said the NNPP would adopt a consensus approach for selecting candidates in all wards nationwide. He noted that the date for the primaries has already been communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Johnson also revealed that INEC had successfully completed a verification exercise of the party’s administrative and operational structures at its national secretariat in Abuja on April 23. According to him, the smooth conduct of the exercise confirms the legitimacy of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Hon. Bala Mohammed. He added that this development dismisses claims by expelled members and reinforces the NWC as the party’s recognised leadership. Johnson further rejected challenges to the committee’s authority by expelled members, describing their reliance on court rulings as futile. He pointed out that an existing judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja had already affirmed that the individuals are no longer members of the NNPP. He accused them of withholding key facts from courts to mislead the judiciary in ongoing legal disputes. Describing the actions of the dissenting members as deceptive attempts to revive a failed political agenda, Johnson expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would ultimately settle the leadership dispute in favour of the current NWC. He also encouraged Nigerians, especially young people and professionals, to take part in the party’s ongoing membership registration across its 8,809 wards and 774 local government areas nationwide.
The Osun State Police Command has called on the public to assist in locating the family of a 70-year-old woman who was found wandering within the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi. According to the statement, the woman, identified as Shifawu Alabi, was discovered on April 24, 2026, and brought to the police by a concerned resident. “A Good Samaritan from Tiwadayo Street, Ofatedo, brought an elderly woman found roaming the area to the police on 24/04/2026,” the statement noted. It added that during questioning, she identified herself as Shifawu Alabi, a 70-year-old from the Oja-Oba area of Ibadan, but was unable to clearly explain where she was coming from or heading to. The police have therefore appealed to members of the public to assist in tracing her relatives.
A leading governorship aspirant in Nasarawa State, Faisal Shuaib, has formally stepped down from the 2027 governorship contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Shuaib made the announcement on Monday during a press briefing in Lafia, coming just days after a major rally in the state capital that drew a large crowd of supporters despite heavy rainfall. His withdrawal comes shortly after Governor Abdullahi Sule endorsed Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as his preferred successor. Speaking to journalists, Shuaib said his decision followed wide consultations with supporters and stakeholders across the state, adding that it was based on integrity and his promise to stand by his word. He explained that he had committed to support whoever the governor selects as his preferred candidate, stressing that the pledge was not conditional on convenience. According to him, “Painful as it is, I must honour it,” adding that public service demands consistency, discipline, and responsibility, even in difficult moments. The former Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) noted that leadership is not always about prominence, but about staying committed to duty. Shuaib further announced his full support for Senator Wadada, saying he would mobilise his political structure in backing the governor’s choice. He described his withdrawal as a difficult but necessary step, while assuring that his support base remains intact and committed to the party’s direction. He also thanked his supporters across Nasarawa State for their loyalty and urged them to remain united and work towards the success of the APC. Additionally, he expressed confidence in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the ongoing reforms would eventually yield positive results. The announcement reportedly left many supporters and stakeholders visibly emotional, with some expressing disappointment over his sudden exit from the race.
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