By Our Reporter

Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has dismissed a N120 million fundamental rights suit instituted by a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai against the Department of the State Services, DSS, and three others.

Justice Oriji in a judgment on Monday threw away the suit for being without merit and substance.

The judge awarded N200,000 as cost to each of the respondents to be paid to them by the former governor.

The court held that the letters of invitation by two Federal Government agencies to El-Rufai to appear for investigation over allegations against him met constitutional requirement and did not in anyway constitute infringement on his fundamental rights.

Specifically, Justice Oriji said that both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, did not violate the applicant’s rights with the letters inviting him to shed light on issues raised against him.

On whether the attempt to arrest the applicant at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by the DSS (3rd respondent) violated his rights, the court upheld the security agency’s submission that it had statutory mandate to maintain watchlist action and arrest persons of interest.

The court further held that El-Rufai cannot use the court to stop the agencies from performing their duties.

Justice Oriji discountenanced El-Rufai’s argument that there was no warrant for his attempted arrest and ruled that the DSS had inherent powers of the police pursuant to SSS instrument and the NSA Act.

On whether the seizure of El-Rufai’s international passport by the DSS was a violation of his rights, the court held that it was satisfied that the seizure was lawful, and made pursuant to the powers of the DSS, and thus the applicant (El-Rufai) had failed to adduce evidence showing that the seizure was continuous, permanent and unlawful.

While dismissing the entire suit for lacking in merit, the court awarded N200,000 to each of the four respondents including the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice.

Our Reporter

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, has asked the President Bola Tinubu administration to explain how it disbursed the nearly $3 billion received as dividends from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) since 2023.

The governor was responding to the presidency’s rejection of his claim that the federal government was withholding NLNG dividends due to states and local governments, resulting in a shortfall of about N9 trillion.

NLNG produces and exports liquefied natural gas (LNG) and allied products.

The company is jointly owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Shell, TotalEnergies and Eni.

Speaking at the 2027 Budget Stakeholders’ Consultative Engagement in Ibadan on Friday, Makinde had alleged that each state “was supposed to get N250 billion”.

In a statement on Sunday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, described Makinde’s claim that the federal government is withholding the NLNG dividend windfall as false and urged the public to disregard it.

Onanuga said for the states’ share alone to reach N9 trillion, total NLNG dividends paid into the federation account would have to exceed N33.68 trillion (about $25 billion) in a single declaration.

He added that NLNG had never paid $25 billion in dividends into the federation account in one fell swoop.

According to Onanuga, NLNG paid approximately $21.5 billion in dividends to the federation over the last 25 years, with less than $3 billion realised since Tinubu assumed office.

In a statement on Sunday, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde’s special adviser on media, said the governor stands by his claim, adding that the presidency’s response failed to address the crux of the matter.

“The response sidestepped the central issue: the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), with the Federal Government’s support, engaged a consultant to reconcile NLNG dividend payments,” the statement reads.

“The exercise identified a shortfall of about ₦9 trillion due to states and local governments. The Federal Government accepted the findings.

“The report remains in the custody of both the Federal Government and the NGF. We trust the Presidency will not deny its existence.

“The Presidency stated that NLNG had paid $21.5 billion in dividends into the Federation Account since inception, including $3 billion received under the current administration. But it did not explain how these funds were disbursed.

“Have states and local governments received their shares? How much did they receive, and how were those amounts calculated? What happened to the $3 billion received under this administration?”

Olanrewaju said Makinde “conducts public discourse with decorum and does not make unfounded claims or quote figures without a basis”.

He added that the governor is ready to provide further clarification, while urging the presidency to address the substance of the matter.

By Our Reporter

Emmanuel Uduaghan, the former governor of Delta state, has died aged 71.

Uduaghan, a two-term governor of Delta between 2007 and 2015, has been sick for some time.

Information reaching DISCLOSURE News indicates that he passed away on Monday, October 19 — three days before his 72nd birthday.

His death was announced in a statement issued by his family and signed by Toju Anire Uduaghan.

“It is with hearts weighed down by immeasurable grief and profound sorrow that we announce the passing to glory of our beloved Father, Brother, Uncle, and Patriarch, His Excellency, Dr. Chief Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, former Governor of Delta State, who departed this world on the morning of 19th October 2026,” the statement reads.

“His passing has left us devastated. Words can hardly express the depth of our sorrow at the loss of a man who meant so much to our family and whose life and service touched countless others across Delta State and Nigeria.

“He was a source of strength, a father figure, a beloved brother and uncle, and a respected elder. We will deeply miss his presence and forever cherish the memories and legacy he leaves behind.”

Uduaghan, born on October 22, 1954, served as Delta health commissioner between 1999 and 2003.

He was subsequently appointed as the secretary to the state government from 2003 to 2007.