News
Ex- AGF Aondoakaa, SAN Denies testifying against FG in Arbitration at ICC
** describe report as fake news
The former minister of justice and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN has denied the report making round that he has agreed to testify against Nigeria in the ongoing arbitration at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris, France.
The former chief law officer of the Federation also, described the report as not only been a fake news but an outright mischief .
His words “I have denied testifying against Nigeria in sunrise arbitration against Nigeria. I filed an independent statement denying the unfounded allegations against me in certain paragraphs 165 and 166 in the FRN statement of defence and counterclaim.
Chief Aondoakaa contended that since the offensive averments against him in FRN statement of defence and counter claim were not supported by any of the FRN witness statements, the Arbitral Tribunal should expunged them from its records.
Aondoakaa stated further that apart from his official action as directed to him by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua GCFR concerning Mambilla hydropower project ,he is not for or against any party in the on going Sunrise Arbitration against FRN.All his actions concerning the said project were documented as official public documents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The said public documents of his actions concerning Mambila Hydropower power project in Tabara State can be obtained at the Federal Ministry of Justice ,the Presidency and EFCC .His said independent statement filed at ICC paris can be obtained at the Arbitration Centre paris or any of the parties to the Arbitration
Sunrise Power, a company promoted by Leno Adesanya, had, on October 10, 2017, started arbitration against Nigeria at the ICC seeking a $2.354 billion award for “breach of contract” in relation to a 2003 agreement to construct the 3,050MW plant in Mambilla, Taraba state, on a “build, operate and transfer” (BOT) basis.
The Nigerian government has maintained that Olu Agunloye, then minister of power, acted outside of his powers when he awarded his contract.
Nigeria is also alleging fraud and corruption in the award and in the subsequent settlement agreements reached in an attempt to settle the dispute.
Agunloye is currently on trial in Nigeria for his alleged role in the contract saga. He denies all allegations.
Contrary to the report that Adesanya was represented by Mohammed Seidu Diri, a Senior lawyer who served as special assistant to Aondoakaa when he was AGF.
Investigations reveals that Mr. Diri, been a career civil servant, served as Senior Assistant to Chief Bayo Ojo SAN, before Aondoakaa even became AGF.
He was also a Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the federal ministry of justice after Aondoakaa left the office as HAGF and retired as the Director of legal services at the Federal Ministry of Petroleum and Director legal Services Federal Ministry of Health barely two years ago, he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.
Presently Mohammed Saidu Diri SAN is practising as a lawyer with his lawfirm M S Diri (SAN)& CO in Abuja.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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