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Court stops FG from taking further actions on disputed e-Customs Concession Project

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Federal Government from enforcing or giving effect to the controversial Customs Modernisation Project, otherwise known as e-Custom, allegedly executed by its agents on May 30, 2022.

The agents, who allegedly executed the disputed concession project are the Nigerian Custom Service, Trade Modernisation Project limited, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria limited and African Finance Corporation.

The court also issued an order of interim injunction against the Federal government or its agents acting through the Federal Executive Council, FEC, from retrospectively ratifying the decisions to concession the Custom Modernisation Project also known as e-custom project to Trade Modernisation Project limited, Huawei Technologies Company limited and African Finance Corporation.

The restraining order issued by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja division of the court shall last till the hearing and the determination of a suit brought against the Federal Government by two aggrieved companies.

An enrol order issued by the court dated June 17, 2022, was signed by Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo and sighted by DAILY POST correspondent.

The two aggrieved companies are: E-Customs HC Project Limited and Bionica Technologies ( (West Africa) Limited, which jointly challenged the alleged unlawful and fraudulent concession of the e-custom project to African Finance Corporation

Counsel to the two aggrieved companies, Mr Anone Usman had on behalf of the two plaintiffs argued an ex-parte application, in which he prayed the Federal High Court for interim orders against the defendants to protect the interest of his clients.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, while ruling on the ex-parte application granted the prayers of the plaintiffs having placed sufficient evidence of interest in the concession project.

The Judge also granted permission to the aggrieved companies to serve a Writ of Summons and all other processes on the African Finance Corporation at its head office, located at Ikoyi, Lagos, through DHL courier services.

Defendants in the suit are the Federal government of Nigeria, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Finance Minister, Infrastructure Regulatory Concession Commission, (IRCC) Nigeria Custom Service, Trade Modernization Project limited, Huawei Technologies limited, African Finance Corporation and Bergman Security Consultant and Supply limited as 1st to 9th defendants, respectively.

Justice Ekwo subsequently fixed June 28 for hearing in the matter.

The two plaintiffs had in their statement of claims narrated how they proposed to carry out Custom Modernisation Project through several government officials for the benefits of the Nigerian Custom Service.

They claimed that after series of meetings and negotiations with some of the defendants, President Muhammudu Buhari granted anticipatory approval for the e-custom Project

They averred that on September 2 , 2020, the Minister of Finance presented a memo with number EC2020/153 to the Federal Executive Council, the highest decision making body of the federal government and secured approval for the two plaintiffs to be granted the award of the concession.

The Plaintiffs further claimed that trouble started when the Nigeria Custom Service unilaterally reviewed the Federal Executive Council approval and imposed other conditions, among which are shareholding formulae and governance structure on them.

They claimed that the power of the Nigeria Customs Service to unilaterally review FEC approval was protested and that the Comptroller General of the agency stood his ground.

The Plaintiff asserted that to their surprise, they read in the news that the Nigeria Custom Service had executed a concession agreement with the Trade Modernisation Project on May 30, 2022, with Huawei Technologies Company and African Finance Corporation in total breach of the Concession Agreement vetted by the AGF in conjunction with the Minister of Finance.

They averred that Tade Modernisation Project Limited was incorporated in April, 2022 at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with one Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu a close friend of the Comptroller General as the Chairman.

Plaintiff asserted that the new company, having been just incorporated in April 2022 could not have obtained and did not obtain the full business case compliance certificate from the Infrastructure Regulatory Concession Commission IRCC and the approval of the Federal Executive Council to carry out e- custom project.

They asked the court to make declaration that the decisions of the Federal Government and its agent to enter into concession agreement with Trade Modernisation Project Limited, Huaewai Technologies Company and African Finance Corporation in respect of the e-customs project is illegal, null and void, having been made in gross violation of Section 2 of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Act 2005.

They also asked the court to declare that e-Customs HC Project limited is the approved and rightful concessionaire for the e-customs project as approved by Federal Executive Council at its meeting of September 2, 2020 and in line with Section 2 of the Infrastructure Regulatory Concession Commission Act.

They also applied for an order of the court directing the Federal Government, through AGF, Finance Minister, IRCC and Customs to consulate the e-custom project with the 1st plaintiff, (E-Customs Project Limited) as approved by FEC in its September 2020 meeting.

Besides, the two plaintiffs asked the court to compel the defendants to pay them a sum of two hundred million naira (N200m) as cost of litigation.

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Oseni congratulates Ajimobi on Nigeria’s IAEA Board appointment

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Chief (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi

Hon. Aderemi Oseni, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, has congratulated Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Austria and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr. Florence Ajimobi, on her appointment as Nigeria’s Governor on the agency’s Board of Governors.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), described the appointment as a development worthy of celebration in Oyo State and across the country.

In a statement on Sunday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker also congratulated the Federal Government on Nigeria’s election to the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors for the 2026 -2028 term.

Nigeria was elected to the Board during the 70th Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Austria. Following the election, Ajimobi was appointed to represent Nigeria as Governor on the Board and will participate in its meetings and those of its committees.

The APC chieftain said Ajimobi’s new assignment would give Nigeria an opportunity to contribute to discussions around the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology, nuclear safety and security, safeguards and international cooperation.

He said the appointment was also a recognition of the diplomatic responsibilities the former Oyo first lady had undertaken on behalf of Nigeria.

“I congratulate Her Excellency, Ambassador Florence Ajimobi on her appointment as Nigeria’s Governor on the IAEA Board of Governors.

“This is a good development for her, for Oyo State and for Nigeria. She now has another important responsibility to represent the country, and I am confident that her experience will be useful in carrying out the assignment,” Oseni said.

The lawmaker said Nigeria’s participation in the IAEA Board could also help the country strengthen its cooperation with the agency and explore greater use of nuclear science and technology in sectors directly affecting the lives of its people.

According to him, such areas include healthcare, agriculture, food security, water-resource management and human-capacity development.

Oseni expressed confidence that Ajimobi would use the opportunity to advance Nigeria’s interests and promote initiatives that would further harness the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology for national development.

He added: “At a time when science and technology are becoming increasingly important to development, Nigeria must make the most of its membership of the Board.

“I wish Chief Ajimobi a successful tenure and pray that her service will bring further opportunities for Nigeria and strengthen our engagement with the IAEA.”

Oseni also commended the Federal Government for Nigeria’s election to the Board, saying the country’s representation would enable it to take part in decisions and discussions concerning the agency’s work.

He wished Ajimobi success in her new assignment, noting that her appointment was another opportunity for a Nigerian diplomat to contribute to issues with implications for the country’s development.

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Alli hails Ajimobi’s appointment to IAEA board

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Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, has congratulated Nigeria’s Ambassador to Austria, Dr Florence Ajimobi, on her appointment as Nigeria’s Governor on the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Ajimobi’s appointment is for the 2026–2028 term, following Nigeria’s election to the 35-member IAEA Board during the agency’s 70th General Conference in Vienna, Austria.

Alli, in a statement on Sunday, described the appointment as a significant diplomatic achievement for Ajimobi and a source of pride for Oyo State and Nigeria.

He said the appointment reflected the confidence placed in Ajimobi’s diplomatic experience and her capacity to represent Nigeria in discussions on the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology.

“This is not only a personal achievement for Ambassador Ajimobi but also a proud moment for Oyo State and Nigeria.

“Her appointment reflects the confidence reposed in her ability to contribute to critical global discussions on nuclear science and technology,” Alli said.

The APC candidate said Nigeria’s membership of the IAEA Board would give the country a stronger platform to participate in global discussions on nuclear governance and advance its interests in the peaceful application of nuclear technology.

According to him, nuclear science has important applications in sectors including healthcare, agriculture, energy, environmental protection and scientific research.

Alli urged Ajimobi to use her experience to promote initiatives that would support the development and responsible application of nuclear science and technology in Nigeria and other developing countries.

He specifically mentioned nuclear medicine, food security and clean energy as areas where greater international cooperation could benefit developing countries.

“Ambassador Ajimobi’s appointment comes at a time when the world is seeking safer, cleaner and more sustainable solutions to its energy and development challenges.

“I am confident that she will bring her expertise, integrity and commitment to the board and make Nigeria proud,” he said.

Alli also commended the Federal Government for supporting Nigeria’s representation on the IAEA Board, saying the development would further strengthen the country’s engagement in international diplomacy.

He wished Ajimobi a successful tenure and urged Oyo State stakeholders to celebrate the appointment as a reflection of the state’s contribution to national and international affairs.

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Oyo South: Oseni Supports Apete Widows With N10m, Promises More Interventions

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has supported widows from Apete, Awotan and neighbouring communities in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State with N10m, promising more interventions to improve their welfare and livelihoods.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and chairs the House Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, made the donation on Tuesday during an interaction with hundreds of widows at Awotan, Ibadan.

The meeting was part of his ongoing consultations across Oyo South ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the event, Oseni said his support for widows, market women and other vulnerable members of society was not driven solely by politics, but by his personal conviction and faith.

According to him, his own experience of growing up under difficult circumstances had strengthened his resolve to support people facing hardship.

He said, “The more I give, the more God blesses me. I pray every day that God should give me more so that I can give more to society. My joy is to see people happy.”

Oseni also assured the women that he would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving their welfare, while urging them to remain active in their communities and engage other residents on issues affecting their lives.

He encouraged the women to take the message to the grassroots through house-to-house and street-to-street engagement, including interactions with market women, artisans and youths.

The lawmaker also solicited support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Earlier, the coordinator of the widows, Mrs Comfort Adedeji, said widows should not be regarded as helpless, noting that many of them had continued to provide for their families despite the loss of their husbands.

Adedeji described the women as mothers, caregivers, traders, farmers and workers who had continued to shoulder the responsibilities of their households.

She commended Oseni for what she described as his support for the women and appealed to him and other stakeholders to pay greater attention to widows through empowerment programmes, skills acquisition, financial assistance and educational support for their children.

She said supporting widows was effectively an investment in entire families because of the responsibilities they carried.

“When you empower a widow, you are not helping only one woman; you are helping an entire family and securing the future of her children,” she said.

The women expressed appreciation for the intervention and urged the lawmaker to sustain support for them, particularly in areas of business development and livelihood assistance.

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