News
Scandal Unfolds Over Justice Dipeolu’s Orders in Nestoil Legal Dispute
A significant legal controversy has emerged surrounding the orders issued by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu on October 25, 2025, in the ongoing case between Nestoil and FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited under Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2127/2025. The case has drawn intense scrutiny as the First Charge Holders—Glencore Energy UK Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mauritius Commercial Bank, and African Finance Corporation—seek to have the Ex-parte orders granted to Nestoil overturned.
The First Charge Holders argue that the orders, which allow Nestoil to appoint a receiver/manager over the assets of the Defendants, were obtained under false pretenses. They claim that the orders unlawfully restrict their ability to manage their financial interests, particularly with regard to the 2nd Defendant, Neconde Energy Limited. In response, the Senior Lenders filed a motion on November 6, 2025, requesting to join the suit and have the Ex-parte orders of October 25 set aside.
In a detailed 335-page affidavit, the First Charge Holders contend that the orders were granted without full disclosure of critical facts. They accuse the Plaintiffs of misrepresenting the situation to the court and sought the removal of Mr. Abubakar Sulu-Gambari, the appointed receiver/manager, claiming the appointment was based on fraudulent information. The affidavit further highlights that Neconde’s interest in OML 42 had already been pledged as collateral to secure loans from the First Charge Holders, and therefore, the Plaintiffs should not have been allowed to include these assets in their motion without consent.
Despite these objections, Justice Dipeolu issued orders that impacted Neconde’s assets, including its interest in OML 42, even though the First Charge Holders did not authorize any additional charges. This has led to questions about the legal grounds for such far-reaching orders, particularly given that no formal debenture or charge document was presented by the Plaintiffs to justify their claims on the 2nd Defendant’s assets.
The situation has escalated further as the Plaintiffs, through their Ex-parte motion, sought approval for the involvement of the police, Navy, and DSS in the enforcement of the orders. These measures, which included the seizure of crude oil and Neconde’s assets in OML 42, have drawn widespread criticism for their excessive nature, with experts warning that they could severely harm the Defendants’ business operations.
Legal professionals have referenced previous Supreme Court rulings, such as in the ECOBANK vs. Honeywell Flour Mills case, which cautioned against granting Ex-parte orders without sufficient evidence. The Court had ruled that asset-freezing orders should only be granted when there is clear evidence that the defendant is likely to dissipate or hide assets.
As the controversy continues to unfold, there are increasing calls for the National Judicial Council to investigate Justice Dipeolu’s conduct in the case. Allegations of bias and judicial overreach have raised concerns about the fairness of the Ex-parte orders, with many questioning whether they were granted in accordance with proper legal procedures. This case is set to become a crucial point of reference for future discussions on judicial discretion and the use of Ex-parte orders in commercial litigation in Nigeria.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
Kwara: Security Team Kills Two Bandits, Rescues Two Kidnap Victims
Kwara: Police Launch Investigations Into Killing Of Farmer On Farmland
Kwara: Joint Security Team Arrests Alleged Cultist, Recovers Firearm
-
Uncategorized5 years agoFG, states urged to harness flooding for ranching, others with technology – Agbaje
-
Headlines10 years agoBreaking: EFCC seals Borno House of Assembly, as Hon members take to their heels
-
News12 years agoNigeria Security Operatives Stage Manhunt For Homosexual Perpetrator
-
News9 years agoHow 21-year-old Girl fled community over accusation of lesbianism
-
News10 years agoYobe Gov Moves Against Deputy
-
Opinion7 years ago7 signs she has friend zoned you
-
Technology5 years ago
Online job placement company headhunts women
-
Headlines10 years agoBorno Dep Gov Abducts Another Church Leader