The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has officially relocated its headquarters to a new facility in Jahi, Abuja, marking a significant step in its transformation into a modern and result-oriented anti-narcotics organization.

The first phase of the new headquarters project was unveiled on Wednesday during an interdenominational service held at the complex. The event highlighted the progress made in the development of the facility, which is expected to be completed with the 2025 budgetary provisions.

Speaking at the ceremony, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the move as a milestone in the agency’s modernization efforts that began in January 2021.

“I’m glad we have finally moved in to occupy this facility after initial budgetary constraints. Even though this is the first phase of the new headquarters project, we are hopeful that we will complete the process with next year’s budget,” Marwa said.

He acknowledged that while the new headquarters is not yet 100% complete, it is sufficiently functional to host critical operations.

“I was determined to move in before the end of 2024. With the expansion of the agency, the old headquarters could no longer accommodate our growing workforce. This relocation allows us to consolidate our operations for greater efficiency, effectiveness, and seamless coordination.”

Marwa added that the old office in Gimbiya, Garki, will now serve as the headquarters annex. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support of the agency’s mission to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

“The support from international partners, local stakeholders, and especially President Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the Judiciary, motivates us to do more. I believe this new work environment will inspire the team to surpass past achievements,” Marwa stated.

He also commended his predecessor for initiating the headquarters project.

In his remarks, NDLEA Secretary Shadrach Haruna praised Marwa’s transformative leadership, noting that the agency had achieved significant milestones over the past three years.

“The commissioning of our headquarters today is part of the well-laid agenda for repositioning the NDLEA. Under the chairman’s leadership, the agency has increased its staff strength from 5,000 to 15,000, addressed outstanding promotions and allowances, supported widows of fallen officers, and witnessed the recent amendment of the NDLEA Act by the National Assembly,” Haruna said.

Christian and Islamic prayers were offered for President Tinubu and Nigeria, while a commemorative plaque was unveiled to mark the occasion.

The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd in Rivers State has officially commenced crude oil processing, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector.

This development was announced on Tuesday by Femi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

“Today marks a monumental achievement for Nigeria as the Port Harcourt Refinery officially commences crude oil processing. This groundbreaking milestone signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation,” Soneye stated.

He lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NNPC Board, and the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mele Kyari for their dedication to the project.

“Hearty congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NNPC Board, and the exceptional leadership of GCEO Mele Kyari for their unwavering commitment to this transformative project. Together, we are reshaping Nigeria’s energy future!”

Truck loading operations at the refinery are also set to begin immediately, Soneye added, while affirming that the NNPCL is working diligently to restore operations at the Warri Refinery in the near future.

End of a Series of Delays

This marks the end of a long series of missed deadlines for the refinery, located in Nigeria’s oil-rich Rivers State. Upon assuming office in August 2023, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, promised that the refinery would begin operations by September 2023.

However, this deadline was postponed to December 2023 and subsequently to April 2024.

Earlier this year, GCEO Mele Kyari reiterated NNPCL’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s refining capacity.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and his entourage during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation work progress at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd. plant, in Port Harcourt on Friday.

During an inspection of the PHRC in August 2024, Kyari stated, “We are focused on delivering this rehabilitation project, our two other refineries, and all other investments towards revamping the nation’s refining capacity. We are hopeful that in 2024, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.”

The Federal Government had approved $1.5 billion for the refinery’s rehabilitation in 2021. The facility, one of Nigeria’s largest, had been out of operation since 2019.

Boosting Domestic Refining Capacity

Nigeria, one of the world’s largest producers of crude oil, has long struggled with limited refining capacity, relying heavily on imports to meet domestic demand. This reliance has led to costly crude-for-fuel swaps and subsidies that drained foreign reserves.

The launch of the Port Harcourt Refinery follows the commissioning of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery earlier in 2024. The privately-owned refinery began producing petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel, providing a significant boost to Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity.

“These milestones,” Soneye said, “are expected to cushion the impacts of the removal of fuel subsidies, which had driven the price of petrol from N200 to over N1,000 per litre.”

Nigerians are hopeful that with both the Port Harcourt and Dangote refineries now operational, the nation’s energy sector will achieve greater stability, reduce dependency on imports, and lower the cost of petroleum products.

Moriah Trust Limited and its alter ego, Mr. David Nwedu, have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate alleged fraudulent activities by Ecobank Nigeria Plc involving a $285,006 Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) Bond.

The petition also seeks accountability for bank officials allegedly complicit in these transactions.

The petition, titled “Criminal Complaint Against Ecobank Nigeria Plc on an Attempt to Defraud Moriah Trust Limited of an Advance Payment Guarantee Bond No G 00613 for $285,006,” was dated November 13, 2023, and filed with the EFCC on January 26, 2024. It was signed by Olabanji A. Eniola Esq. of Umar, Gimba & Associates, solicitors to the petitioner.

The document sighted by TheNiche, reveals that Moriah Trust Limited, a customer of Ecobank Nigeria Plc, operates a domiciliary account (No. 2230509622). In 2005, while executing the “Abidjan Lagos Transport Corridor” project, Mr. Nwedu, on behalf of Moriah Trust, requested a 20% APG of the contract sum of $1,425,032.70. Ecobank approved the request, crediting $285,006 to the account.

Ex- Bankers Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Deceased Customer’s Funds

However, the petition states that the International Development Association (IDA), the project’s awarding body, had earlier advanced $70,000 to the petitioner. As a result, only $215,006 of the APG remained payable. On November 14, 2005, the IDA transferred $214,996 to Ecobank on behalf of Moriah Trust Limited, deducting $10 as bank transfer charges. This amount was purportedly warehoused by Ecobank pending the discharge of the APG.

On January 5, 2006, Mr. Nwedu fulfilled his contractual obligations and returned the APG document to Ecobank for discharge.

Surprisingly, instead of crediting the warehoused $214,996, Ecobank allegedly credited the domiciliary account with $20,060,118 on January 18, 2006, an amount grossly in excess of the expected sum.

The petition claims that Mr. Nwedu immediately notified Ecobank of the error. The bank reportedly responded that it had erroneously credited the naira equivalent of the warehoused funds to the domiciliary account. Following this, Ecobank allegedly deactivated the account without informing or obtaining the consent of Moriah Trust Limited, leaving the erroneous credit balance intact.

EFCC freezes N10billion linked to ex-Lagos gov Ambode

Efforts to resolve the issue proved futile. In 2008, Mr. Nwedu deposited $17,000 to reactivate the account and reconcile the statements, but the bank allegedly failed to act. A further deposit of $3,000 in 2009 also did not yield any results, as Ecobank reportedly continued to deny the petitioner access to the account.

The situation has caused significant challenges for Mr. Nwedu. Since 2019, the IDA has demanded a project closure report, which he has been unable to provide due to his restricted access to the account. This has reportedly led to allegations of fiduciary breaches against him, causing irreparable damage to his reputation.

The petition accuses Ecobank Nigeria Plc of deliberately withholding access to the account, raising suspicions of fraudulent activity involving the APG funds. It urges the EFCC to investigate the matter thoroughly, identify any officials involved, and ensure justice is served.

“The actions of Ecobank Nigeria Plc constitute an attempt to defraud Moriah Trust Limited of its hard-earned funds,” the petition reads, adding that the EFCC chairman should intervene to uncover any illegal transactions and protect the petitioner’s financial interests.