Breaking News
Tinubu names new heads for NMDPRA, NUPRC following corruption allegations
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has moved to replace the leaders of two key petroleum regulatory bodies, including one embroiled in corruption allegations by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, Farouk Ahmed of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Gbenga Komolafe of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have stepped down from their respective roles.
“Mr Ahmed has been facing allegations of corruption by the industrialist Aliko Dangote, whose refinery is the largest in Africa,” the statement noted.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that the Presidency has nominated replacements for the departing executives.
Mr Onanuga’s full statement below:
President Tinubu has formally written to the Senate, seeking approval for the appointment of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of the NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA.
The request for expedited confirmation follows the resignations of Engineer Farouk Ahmed and Gbenga Komolafe, who were appointed in 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the agencies established by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Both nominees bring extensive experience in the oil and gas sector. Ms Eyesan, an Economics graduate of the University of Benin, spent nearly 33 years at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its subsidiaries. She retired as Executive Vice President, Upstream (2023–2024), and previously served as Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, from 2019 to 2023.
Mr Mohammed, born in 1957 in Gombe State, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1981). He was recently appointed an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy.
His career highlights include serving as Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Nigerian Gas Company, as well as chairing the boards of the West African Gas Pipeline Company, Nigeria LNG subsidiaries, and NNPC Retail.
Mr Mohammed also served as Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Gas & Power Directorate, where he provided leadership on major gas projects and policy frameworks, including the Gas Master Plan, Gas Network Code, and contributions to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
He was instrumental in delivering critical infrastructure projects such as the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, and Nigeria LNG Train projects.
Breaking News
Nollywood Actress, Doris Ogala Slams Pastor Chris Okafor With A N1bn Lawsuit Over Unfulfilled Marriage Promise
Nollywood actress Doris Ogala has escalated her long-standing dispute with popular clergyman Pastor Chris Okafor to the courts, filing a ₦1 billion lawsuit over what she claims was an unfulfilled promise of marriage. The actress instituted the suit at a high court, accusing the pastor of emotional distress, reputational damage, and breach of trust arising from their alleged relationship.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
Breaking News
Bishop Kukah Visits Nnamdi Kanu In Sokoto Custodial Centre
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has visited Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
Former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore disclosed the visit on Thursday, commending the cleric for his show of solidarity.
“Thank you so much, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for taking the time to visit Mazi Nnamdi Kanu today. As the distinguished Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, your visitation symbolizes your solidarity & that of Sokoto Diocese with #MNK in this time of distress,” Sowore said.
Kanu was convicted on terrorism charges by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 20, 2025, and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was subsequently transferred to the Sokoto Custodial Centre on November 21, 2025, in accordance with a court directive that excluded Kuje Prison, where he had been held.
The conviction followed prosecution on seven terrorism‑related counts, including incitement and unlawful broadcasts, brought by the Federal Government.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court delivered the ruling, convicting Kanu on all counts and imposing a life sentence.
Kanu’s detention in Sokoto has since sparked legal motions seeking his transfer back to Abuja to facilitate his appeal. His defence team insists that the distance hinders his ability to prepare appeals, access court records, and interact with his legal team.
They have also argued that Nigeria lacked jurisdiction to prosecute him for broadcasts made in the UK, describing the trial as rushed and flawed.
Under the judgment, Kanu was ordered to be detained in any correctional facility except Kuje Prison.
In late November, other notable figures, including Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti and Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu, also visited Kanu in the custodial centre.
Breaking News
Presidency Explains Why Tinubu Won’t Direct EFCC, ICPC on Farouk Ahmed Probe
The Presidency has stated that President Bola Tinubu will not interfere in the activities of anti-corruption agencies following allegations of corruption against Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
Ahmed resigned from his position amid claims of corruption levelled against him by Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Industries Limited.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, in a post on X on Thursday, emphasised that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are autonomous bodies and will act in line with their statutory mandates.
Onanuga’s remarks were made in response to public criticism over the absence of arrests or formal investigations following Ahmed’s resignation.
An X user, @OurFavOnlineDoc, had questioned the lack of accountability, writing:
“No prosecution. No arrest. No investigation. No proper accountability.
Just allegation of stealing public funds, followed by a quiet resignation, and everybody can move on.
This is not how to build a sane country with trust, integrity, and respect before the world. What a shame.”
However, Onanuga dismissed the criticism as uninformed, stressing that the President cannot dictate how the EFCC or ICPC handle such matters.
“This is how we get things wrong through uninformed criticism. ICPC and EFCC are autonomous institutions.
“The ball is now in their courts to carry out their mandates. Mr President will not tell them what to do,” he said.
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