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Post Date : September 5, 2020

No going back on planned protest against fuel price hike – TUC

The Trade Union Congress on Saturday says it will not go back on its decision to embark on a protest on Tuesday against the increase in the prices of fuel and electricity tariff despite speculations about a court order stopping the proposed demonstration . TUC Deputy National President , Chika Onuegbu , who disclosed this to The PUNCH , said the union had begun to mobilise its members for the protest and strike. Explaining that the TUC was not aware of any court order to stop the planned protest , Onuegbu condemned the increase of fuel price , adding that the Federal Government ’ s action had become a burden on Nigerians. He said , “ I must say that we are mobilising our members for the planned protest on Tuesday. Some are talking about a court order ; but to the best of my knowledge , we are not aware of any court order stopping our planned protest . “ I am also not aware that our secretariat has received any court order ; our people have not been served. As a matter of fact , we are preoccupied with mobilising our members for the protest. “ The increase in fuel price is an extra burden on us and our families; the increase in electricity tariff is an extra burden on us and our families ; the increase in Value Added Tax is an extra burden on us and our families; and the general increase in food prices. “ While all these are happening , our members are being owed salaries, gratuities and pensions . Honestly speaking , we have a lot that we are bothered with this period . I think we have to really make a statement that Labour is united in the struggle for a better Nigeria . ” Onuegbu called on the Federal Government to immediately revert to the old prices of fuel before the recent increase to avert the protest . “ Again, the National Secretariat has not given any counter-order to say we should not proceed with the protest /strike . “ The last order I know is that we have to go ahead with the strike and it is that order we are working on . The government should immediately revert to the old price of petrol before these increases, ” he maintained .

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Post Date : September 5, 2020

Emeka Offor donates over N1.9bn medical equipment to 20 institutions

An NGO, Sir Emeka Offor Foundation has donated medical equipment, supplies and medicines valued more than five million dollars (N1.908 billion) to 20 health institutions across Nigeria. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that nine university teaching hospitals, six federal medical centres, four specialist hospitals and one police hospital are the benefiting organisations. Chief Chris Ezike, Chief of Staff to the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, made the presentation on behalf of his boss at the foundation’s headquarters in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra on Friday. Sir Emeka Offor foundation founded in 1996, has been involved in the donation of books, computers and other education materials in Nigeria and 18 other Africa countries in the past nine years. Ezike said the donation to the beneficiaries was the second phase of distribution of medical equipment, supplies and medicines, which began since March, 20. He said that each of the beneficiaries would take home items worth between N85 million and N100 million. Ezike said that the donation was to help cushion the challenges associated with healthcare services to Nigerians, adding that the items should not be sold to the people. HRH Igwe Dan Ugorji, traditional rulers of Oraifite community, who commended the humanitarian spirit of Offor, urged other privileged Nigerians to emulate the donor. He also advised the beneficiaries not to collect money from those the items would be used to treat, saying God will not pardon them if they betrayal the trust. Dr Ezejiofor Ogochukwu, the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Council, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, who responded on behalf of the benefitting institutions thanked the foundation for the gesture. He said the items would further boost the operations of the health bodies, especially in the treatment of critical cases. (NAN)

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Post Date : September 5, 2020

International flights resume after Five months

After a five -month closure of the Nigerian airspace to scheduled international flights due to lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic , foreign travel resumed in the country on Saturday when an aircraft operated by Middle East Airlines touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos . The plane which took off from Beirut, Lebanon , landed at the airport at exactly 02:27 pm. Two other airlines including Delta and British Airways are also expected to begin flight operations at the airport today . The Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja , is also expected to reopen for international flights . Earlier on Friday, an inspection team from the Lagos State Government visited the MMIA to ascertain its readiness to resume flight operations . The team included Lagos State Deputy Governor , Obafemi Hamzat; the state Transportation Commissioner , Frederic Oladeinde ; as well as the state Health Commissioner , Akin Abayomi, amongst others . They were led round the various facilities in the airport by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria , Capt Hamisu Yadudu and the airport manager , Victoria Shina -Aba , alongside other officials . The FAAN boss had disclosed Friday that Middle East Airlines would operate the first flight into the country today. The Minister of Aviation , Hadi Sirika, had said there would be sanctions for non -compliance with the guidelines on the part of the approved airlines and the passengers . He said passengers who fail to comply with the Covid- 19 protocol put in place to curb the importation of the virus would be suspended from travelling for six months while airlines that fail to comply would pay a fine of $3, 500 per passenger .

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Post Date : September 4, 2020

Trade Dispute: Nigeria, Ghana To Establish Business Council

Nigeria and Ghana are considering the establishment of a business council, as well as a joint ministerial committee as part of efforts to address some of the disputes facing both countries. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Official Spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin O. Kalu on Friday. According to the statement, the President of Ghana, Professor Nana Akufo Addo assured the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, of the readiness of the Ghanaian government to consider the resolutions reached at the ‘Legislative Diplomacy Bilateral Meeting’ between senior legislators of both countries on September 2, 2020, at the Ghanaian Parliament House. The Ghanaian President gave the assurance when the Speaker of Ghana’s parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye, upon completion of the 2-day extensive dialogue, led his Nigerian counterpart on a courtesy visit to the President at the Jubilee House, Accra, Ghana on Thursday. The legislative diplomacy dialogue became imperative as the parliaments of the two countries sought modalities to resolve challenges and provide an enabling business environment for foreign traders including Nigerians doing business in Ghana. Several foreign businesses, many Nigerian-owned, in Ghana have been facing challenges in the demand for $1m capital base for foreign traders, as enshrined in the Ghana Investment Promotion Center GIPC Act (2013). Responding to a request by Gbajabiamila for a review of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act to make certain concessions, President Akufo-Addo said the request was in order as it “makes a lot of sense”. Channels Television PODCASTS Trade Dispute: Nigeria, Ghana To Establish Business Council Channels Television Updated September 4, 2020 Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (2nd left) and the Speaker of the Ghanaian parliament, Rt. Hon. Mike Oquaye (2nd right) on their way out after meeting with the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Ado towards the resolution of some issues involving Nigeria and Ghana in Accra on Thursday, 3 September, 2020. Photo: Speaker’s Media Unit. Nigeria and Ghana are considering the establishment of a business council, as well as a joint ministerial committee as part of efforts to address some of the disputes facing both countries. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Official Spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin O. Kalu on Friday. According to the statement, the President of Ghana, Professor Nana Akufo Addo assured the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, of the readiness of the Ghanaian government to consider the resolutions reached at the ‘Legislative Diplomacy Bilateral Meeting’ between senior legislators of both countries on September 2, 2020, at the Ghanaian Parliament House. The Ghanaian President gave the assurance when the Speaker of Ghana’s parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye, upon completion of the 2-day extensive dialogue, led his Nigerian counterpart on a courtesy visit to the President at the Jubilee House, Accra, Ghana on Thursday. The legislative diplomacy dialogue became imperative as the parliaments of the two countries sought modalities to resolve challenges and provide an enabling business environment for foreign traders including Nigerians doing business in Ghana. Several foreign businesses, many Nigerian-owned, in Ghana have been facing challenges in the demand for $1m capital base for foreign traders, as enshrined in the Ghana Investment Promotion Center GIPC Act (2013). Responding to a request by Gbajabiamila for a review of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act to make certain concessions, President Akufo-Addo said the request was in order as it “makes a lot of sense”. President of Ghana, Professor Nana Akufo Ado and Nigeria’;s Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila discuss at a meeting to resolve trade dispute between both countries. The Ghanaian President, who expressed satisfaction with Gbajabiamila’s visit, endorsed his proposal for the establishment of a ‘Nigeria-Ghana Business Council’ established by law in both countries, and he additionally suggested the setting up of a joint ministerial committee between the two countries that will “shepherd” issues between Ghana and Nigeria. He told Gbajabiamila he would also raise the issue with President Muhammadu Buhari when they meet at the ECOWAS Summit on Monday. Channels Television PODCASTS Trade Dispute: Nigeria, Ghana To Establish Business Council Channels Television Updated September 4, 2020 Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (2nd left) and the Speaker of the Ghanaian parliament, Rt. Hon. Mike Oquaye (2nd right) on their way out after meeting with the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Ado towards the resolution of some issues involving Nigeria and Ghana in Accra on Thursday, 3 September, 2020. Photo: Speaker’s Media Unit. Nigeria and Ghana are considering the establishment of a business council, as well as a joint ministerial committee as part of efforts to address some of the disputes facing both countries. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Official Spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin O. Kalu on Friday. According to the statement, the President of Ghana, Professor Nana Akufo Addo assured the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, of the readiness of the Ghanaian government to consider the resolutions reached at the ‘Legislative Diplomacy Bilateral Meeting’ between senior legislators of both countries on September 2, 2020, at the Ghanaian Parliament House. The Ghanaian President gave the assurance when the Speaker of Ghana’s parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye, upon completion of the 2-day extensive dialogue, led his Nigerian counterpart on a courtesy visit to the President at the Jubilee House, Accra, Ghana on Thursday. The legislative diplomacy dialogue became imperative as the parliaments of the two countries sought modalities to resolve challenges and provide an enabling business environment for foreign traders including Nigerians doing business in Ghana. Several foreign businesses, many Nigerian-owned, in Ghana have been facing challenges in the demand for $1m capital base for foreign traders, as enshrined in the Ghana Investment Promotion Center GIPC Act (2013). Responding to a request by Gbajabiamila for a review of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act to make certain concessions, President Akufo-Addo said the request

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Post Date : September 4, 2020

Trump called US Marines killed in WWI battle ‘losers’: report

US President Donald Trump referred to US Marines buried in a WWI cemetery in France as “losers” and “suckers” for getting killed in action, according to a report Thursday in the Atlantic magazine. The report, penned by the magazine’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, said Trump had refused to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018 because “he feared his hair would become dishevelled in the rain,” although the official explanation offered by aides was that the helicopter due to take him there could not fly due to weather. “In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, ‘Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers,’” the article said. “In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as ‘suckers’ for getting killed,” the Atlantic added, citing four unnamed people it said had firsthand knowledge of the discussions. Trump slammed the report late Thursday, after his aides earlier called the allegations “disgusting, grotesque, reprehensible lies.” “Somebody makes up this horrible story that I didn’t want to go,” he told reporters after returning from a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. “If they really exist, if people really exist that would have said that, they’re low lives and they’re liars. And I would be willing to swear on anything that I never said that about our fallen heroes,” he said. No animal, nobody, what animal would say such a thing?” Disgusting & jealous’ However, some critics pointed to Trump’s denigrating comments about late senator John McCain, who was captured in Vietnam and was widely regarded as a war hero. Trump said in the run-up to the 2016 election: “He’s not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.” The US president acknowledged on Twitter that he was “never a big fan” of McCain, but that lowering of flags after the senator’s death and his “first-class” funeral in Washington “had to be approved by me, as President, & I did so without hesitation or complaint. Quite the contrary, I felt it was well deserved.” Also, I never called John a loser and swear on whatever, or whoever, I was asked to swear on, that I never called our great fallen soldiers anything other than HEROES,” Trump added. “This is more made up Fake News given by disgusting & jealous failures in a disgraceful attempt to influence the 2020 Election!” Around 1,800 US Marines died in the battle at Belleau Wood, holding off a German advance toward Paris in 1918. According to the Atlantic, Trump asked aides on his trip to France, “Who were the good guys in this war?” and could not understand why the United States had come to the aid of the Allies. Joe Biden, Trump’s rival in the November 3 election, said in a statement that if the article’s allegations are true, “then they are yet another marker of how deeply President Trump and I disagree about the role of the President of the United States.” “If I have the honour of serving as the next commander in chief, I will ensure that our American heroes know that I will have their back and honour their sacrifice — always,” Biden said.

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Post Date : September 4, 2020

Court remands man over alleged defilement of 3 girls

A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Kano on Friday, remanded a 45-year-old driver, Usman Aliyu, at a correctional centre for allegedly defiling his three niece. The defendant, who resides at Tumfafi Village in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, is facing a two-count charge of rape and incest. The Prosecutor, Insp.Pogu Lale, told the court that one Aisha Usman of Hotoro Quarters Kano,reported the case at Hotoro Police Division on Aug.5 He said that on Aug.3, the complainant discovered that her three daughters aged between six and 10 were defiled by their uncle. “The victims earlier told their stepmother about the incident, but was not taken serious concern,” he said. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Lale said the offence contravene sections 283 and 390 of the penal code. The Chief Magistrate, Muhammad Jibril, ordered the remand of the defendant and case file be sent to the state Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) for advice. Jibril adjourned the case till Sept.14 for mention. (NAN)

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Post Date : September 4, 2020

FG receives Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine

The Federal Government on Friday received samples of Russia ’ s COVID – 19 vaccine. Russia ’ s Ambassador to Nigeria , Alexey Shebarshin, delivered the samples to the Minister of Health , Osagie Ehanire , during a visit to the ministry in Abuja . Also present at the event were the Minister of State for Health , Olorunnimbe Mamora; top management of the Health Ministry and other Nigerian Scientists. This was contained in a statement signed by the ministry ’ s Director of Information , Media, and Public Relations, Olujimi Oyetomi . The statement was titled , ‘ Russian Federation Ambassador to Nigeria , H. E . Alexey L . Shebarshin on courtesy visit to Nigeria ’ s Health Ministers, Russian -made COVID -19 Vaccine finally here . The PUNCH had earlier reported that Russia ’ s President , Vladimir Putin, said his country approved a vaccine offering “ sustainable immunity ” against the lethal coronavirus The World Health Organisation had subsequently said it would review the effectiveness of the vaccine. Ehanire on Friday also said the vaccine would be “ quickly referred ” to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control as well as the Nigeria Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, amongst other agencies, for review and possible validation. The minister had said Nigeria was working with the WHO for the allocation of 2 billion vaccine doses as soon as they are available . The need for a vaccine has become more urgent globally and nationally with Nigeria recording over 50, 000 COVID -19 infections and over 1, 000 associated fatalities , according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. Oyetomi , in the statement , said the Russian envoy said he was at the Health Ministry “ to formally hand over the Russian- made Vaccine against COVID -19 to Nigeria with an aide memoir which explains the details for Nigerian teams to study and get ready for further researches, patronage and application . ” The spokesperson also quoted the minister of health as saying , “ Nigeria has been participating in series of knowledge exchange and contacts with different research bodies and countries to find solutions to the COVID -19 challenge and had contacted the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria for right of access immediately the Russian COVID – 19 Vaccine was announced. ” “ The consensus of decision reached was to quickly refer the vaccine to the necessary professional institutes and agencies of the Federal Ministry of Health beginning with NAFDAC, NIPRD, and for a team of scientists and advisors to the ministry to get to work on possible patronage of the Russian vaccine to alleviate the plight of Nigerians amid the COVID -19 pandemic . “ A Ministerial Team is also expected to be raised to continue further engagement with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria on the vaccine as well as other areas of interests highlighted at the meeting , ” the statement concluded.

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Post Date : September 4, 2020

Forensic Audit: NDDC will emerge stronger ― Akpabio

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, would emerge stronger and well-focused to deliver its mandate at the end of the ongoing forensic audit. Senator Akpabio, who stated this while inaugurating the Field Forensic Auditors at his office in Abuja, added further that a new NDDC will emerge after the exercise. He noted that the Presidential directive on the holistic examination of activities of the Commission from its inception in 2001 to August 2019, is not just in furtherance of the present administration’s policy agenda to check corruption but determined efforts to reposition the NDDC to change the narrative of the region. Akpabio, who expressed concerns over the magnitude of rots at the Commission, recalled that previous intervention agencies including the Niger Delta Development Board, NDDB, created in 1958 and Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, OMPADEC, in 1992 all failed because, “their operations were marred by lack of focus, excessive corruption, political interference and high overhead cost, which are still prominent in the present NDDC.” According to Sen. Akpabio, the Eight Forensic Auditors were cleared by the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, based on individual Firms Technical competencies and financial compliance. The Minister recalled that Government’s effort at repositioning the Niger Delta region led to the formation of NDDC in 2000 by an Act of Law mainly to address the issues of Ecological and Socio-economic development problems at the region after many failed attempts. He further stated that it is pertinent to have a forensic audit considering the amount of resources poured into the Commission over the years compared with the level of development recorded over the same period of time. According to him, “The forensic audit of the Commission is supposed to examine and provide answers, as well as creating a framework for reversing the failures recorded in the past in order to recover those resources recoverable, plug the gaps and stop the waste that is keeping the region underdeveloped.” “Therefore, the forensic audit should be seen as an opportunity and not a witch-hunt, it is considered as an important project by President Muhammadu Buhari Administration. It will also provide a strong base upon which a new NDDC will emerge”, he said. In his remarks, the Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Omotayo Alasoadura while appealing to the Auditors to do a thorough job assured them that the Ministry would put everything in place to ensure that the goals of the forensic audit are realised. He also stated that States not covered by this initial audit would be brought on board. The Permanent Secretary, Dr Babayo Ardo, earlier in his address noted the approval, appointment and inauguration of the Field Auditors signal the commencement of the auditing process. “This is the most extensive audit ever ordered by any Administration in the country to undertake a complete forensic exercise of projects, to establish statutory and non-statutory funds paid to contractors, identify names of beneficiaries of contracts and ways which leakages can be blocked so that funds can be appropriately channelled. In a speech delivered by the Principal Lead Consultant, Olumuyiwa Basiru & Co, Kabiru Ahmed, “the Forensic Audit Exercise should be seen as a serious effort by Government to save the Commission from destruction, as well as to stop the rot and chart a new course for serious repositioning of the Agency, to enable it efficiently channel the massive resources at its disposal for effective development of the region”. He added that in order to successfully execute the Forensic Audit Exercise, “Mr President has directed the following Terms of Reference for compliance and guidance for all Forensic Auditors involved to undertake a complete Forensic exercise of the NDDC activities in their respective states of assignment; examine and establish whether due process was followed in allocating projects to various NDDC states. “To properly examine the regulatory framework guiding the Commission for the award of contracts and to establish due compliance or non- compliance with such guidelines for the award of contracts during the period under review amongst others.”

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Post Date : September 4, 2020

Resident Doctors to embark on indefinite nationwide strike from Monday

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced that it will embark on an indefinite nationwide strike from Monday. The National Executive Council of the resident doctors said this was part of its resolutions at a virtual meeting held on Wednesday. The meeting which was attended by over 200 doctors – NOC, NEC, past presidents, caucus leaders, committee chairmen, and observers, was held to review the 21-day ultimatum issued to government which elapsed on August 17. The NEC noted that in spite of the inclusion of the residency funding in the revised 2020 budget, the government has not made plans to implement the payment after several promises by stakeholders. It also noted the failure of the Federal Government to procure group life insurance and death in service benefits for all health workers. Another observation the council made was that though an agreement has been reached between the government and stakeholders in the health sector to pay COVID-19 inducement allowance for 6 months (April – September), payment was only made for April, May and June in some institutions and the process was, thereafter, abandoned. “NEC observed the insincerity of the government in determining the revised hazard allowance for all health workers which was supposed to commence in September 2020,” the council said. Channels Television PODCASTS Resident Doctors To Embark On Indefinite Nationwide Strike From Monday Channels Television Updated September 4, 2020 750 The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced that it will embark on an indefinite nationwide strike from Monday. The National Executive Council of the resident doctors said this was part of its resolutions at a virtual meeting held on Wednesday. The meeting which was attended by over 200 doctors – NOC, NEC, past presidents, caucus leaders, committee chairmen, and observers, was held to review the 21-day ultimatum issued to government which elapsed on August 17. The NEC noted that in spite of the inclusion of the residency funding in the revised 2020 budget, the government has not made plans to implement the payment after several promises by stakeholders. It also noted the failure of the Federal Government to procure group life insurance and death in service benefits for all health workers. Another observation the council made was that though an agreement has been reached between the government and stakeholders in the health sector to pay COVID-19 inducement allowance for 6 months (April – September), payment was only made for April, May and June in some institutions and the process was, thereafter, abandoned. Read Also: Nigeria Secures Landmark Victory In Bid To Overturn P&ID Judgement Ganduje Approves N257 Million Tuition Fees For Kano Students In Egypt “NEC observed the insincerity of the government in determining the revised hazard allowance for all health workers which was supposed to commence in September 2020,” the council said. “NEC noted nonpayment of the outstanding salary shortfall of 2014, 2015, 2016 under the guise of the so called appeal of the National industrial Court decision that granted the judgment in favor of the payment in the first place by Federal Ministry of health. “NEC observed the plight of her members in state tertiary hospitals such as the nondomestication and non-implementation of Medical Residency Training Act at the state level, the non-implementation of appropriate salary structure, and the nonpayment of owed salaries.” They, thereafter, resolved, among other things, to proceed on an indefinite nationwide strike action from 8:00 am on Monday until some conditions are met. One of the conditions includes the immediate payment of the Medical Residency Training funding to all her members as approved in the revised 2020 budget. Another condition stated by the NEC, is the provision of genuine group life insurance and death in service benefits for all health workers, as well as, the payment of the outstanding April/May and June COVID-19 inducement allowance to all health workers. Other conditions to be met include: “Determination of the revised hazard allowance for all health workers as agreed in previous meetings with relevant stakeholders. “Immediate payment of the salary shortfalls of 2014, 2015 and 2016. “Doctors working under the various tertiary health institutions to be placed on appropriate salary grade level and universal implementation of the Medical Residency Training Act of 2017 in all State tertiary health institutions. “Payment of all arrears owed our members in Federal and States tertiary health institutions, arising from the consequential adjustment of the National minimum wage”. They also appealed to Nigerians to “bear with us during this period of industrial disharmony”, while calling on relevant stakeholders to intervene in the issue to ensure speedy resolution.

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Post Date : September 4, 2020

P&ID: British court grants Nigeria more time to appeal $9.6bn judgment

A London court on Friday gave Nigeria ’ s government more time to appeal in a long -running multi- billion – dollar arbitration case over a failed gas deal . Process & Industrial Developments ( P & ID ) secured a High Court ruling last August to begin seizing $9. 6 billion in assets – about one- fifth of the country’ s foreign reserves. FG appealed the decision in September , despite having missed a deadline to do so , and was given a stay of execution provided it made a $200 million security payment . In a ruling handed to the parties Friday, Commercial Court judge Ross Cranston granted Nigeria more time to prepare its challenge with new evidence . “ I grant Nigeria ’ s applications for an extension of time and relief from sanctions , ” he said in a written judgment . Nigeria ’ s attorney general ’ s office said the decision was a “ major victory in our ongoing fight… to overturn the injustice of the multi-billion dollar arbitral award” . It added : “ FG will now proceed to a full trial of the issues , where the FRN’ s substantive application to finally set aside the award will be heard . ” Attorney General spokesman Umar Jibrilu Gwandu said the government had unearthed new evidence that the deal was “ designed to fail from the start and that its subsequent arbitral award was based on fraud and corruption” . It added , “ We are firmly committed to overturning the award — no matter how long it takes — to ensure that this money goes towards Nigeria ’ s future. ” The dispute centres around a 2010 deal between Nigeria and P& ID Ltd for a plant to turn natural gas burned off during oil production into electricity. But the deal fell through , sparking the protracted legal wrangle that saw the firm claim vast sums in lost revenues. President Muhammadu Buhari’ s administration , which inherited the case when he came to power in 2015, alleges “ massive fraud in procuring the award” . P& ID was awarded $6. 6 billion in arbitration in 2017 as compensation for losses and the sum has since risen to nearly $10 billion with interest. Nigeria countered last year by opening its own corruption investigation into the deal, and in October charged two British nationals with fraud and money laundering . Two local representatives of P& ID were convicted of tax evasion and fraud , and the company’ s assets were ordered to be forfeited to the government.

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