Indications emerged that the allegations against the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, over a petition of involvement in an alleged $5 million bribery scheme aimed at overturning a court order restraining Nestoil Limited and its affiliates from tampering with their assets in a $1 billion debt recovery dispute is baseless and mere distractions.

Three petitions were written against Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, one by the fourth defendant in the matter and two by the defendant lawyer himself Mofesomo Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, to the Chief Judge of the Federal High, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, who directed the trial judge to respond within 14 days.

The allegations surfaced barely one week after Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos granted a Mareva injunction inSuit No. FHC/L/CS/2127/2025, empowering First Trustees Limited and FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited to take possession of Nestoil’s assets pending determination of the case.

Investigations by our judiciary correspondent revealed that the story flying on some online platforms is aimed at diverting attention on the issues raised in the matter.
The investigation has revealed that on 22nd day of October, 2025 in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2127/2025 between FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited & 1 Other vs Nestoil Limited and others, the Federal High Court made Ex-parte orders which:

1. Were the same in all respects to those contained in the Motion on Notice and in the Originating Summons. In such a situation, granting the orders ex-parte will amount to determining the substantive suit and courts are enjoined to hear both parties before making such orders.
2. Apart from directing the Nigerian Police to assist the Receiver in carrying out the functions as directed by the court, it went ahead to also direct the Navy and the DSS to equally assist as contained in Order 7 in the attached ruling of the Court.
3. Thirdly, while Order 5 of the Ruling empowered the receiver to take over the assets of Nestoil Limited under the Receivership, which he was duty bound to preserve, Order 8 thereof, contrary to the preservative order, empowered the Receiver to dispose of the assets of the defendants, including the sale of crude oil. These two orders are clearly conflicting and mutually exclusive but were granted ex-parte.
4. Fourthly, the life span of ex-parte orders is for 14 days. Courts of law have been admonished not to grant far-reaching orders without putting the adverse party on notice in accordance with the Constitutional right to fair hearing.

Faced with the weighty allegations contained in the said petitions, the Trial Judge, Hon. Justice D.I. Dipeolu was directed to respond within Seven days and to stay further proceedings within the period in order to preserve the sanctity of the judiciary.

Further findings revealed that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, never asked Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, to recuse himself from the matter but, excersing his constitutional duties only asked the trial judge to respond to the petitions written against him.

Further investigations by judiciary correspondents, further that the story over allegations bordering on bribery against the Chief Judge of the Federal High, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, is a pure case of blackmail and mischief.

See the attached Ruling of the Court

The leadership of the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association of Nigeria (BAVCCA), paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the Surveyor‑General of the Federation (OSGoF) at its headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, where discussions were held to strengthen collaboration for national development, public enlightenment, and enhanced digital visibility of government institutions.

Led by its President, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, the BAVCCA delegation—comprising six executive members—was personally received by the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Abdulganiyu Adeyemi Adebomehin, at his office.

In his opening address, Chukwunyere expressed the honour of BAVCCA visiting the office of the Surveyor-General and lauded the institution’s immense contribution to Nigeria’s infrastructural and territorial development. He explained that BAVCCA, as an umbrella body of over 5,000 professional digital creators, bloggers, vloggers and online journalists, is committed to promoting truthful, ethical and responsible online discourse in support of national growth.

He emphasised that the Office of the Surveyor-General remains one of the most critical yet undervalued government agencies, pointing to its pivotal role in land mapping, boundary demarcation, geospatial data management and infrastructural planning.

“Your office lays the foundation for Nigeria’s progress. Unfortunately, many citizens—especially the youth immersed in digital spaces—are unaware of how vital your work is to our national development,” he said.

Chukwunyere said that BAVCCA is ready to partner with OSGoF in the following areas:

• Joint public sensitisation campaigns to showcase OSGoF’s achievements and modernisation efforts.
• A bespoke media workshop to train content creators on accurate reporting of land, boundary and infrastructure topics.
• A co-hosted 2026 awareness event titled “Mapping the Future: The Role of Digital Media in Geospatial Development.”
• The establishment of formal communication channels between OSGoF’s media unit and BAVCCA’s Digital Relations Unit to guarantee reliable reporting of OSGoF’s activities.

The BAVCCA President also applauded the Federal Government’s decision to extend the tenure of the Surveyor-General for two years from January 5, 2026, calling it a strong affirmation of his transformative reforms in geospatial data infrastructure and national mapping. He also welcomed the strategic repositioning of OSGoF directly under the Presidency, saying the move would streamline decision-making and strengthen the institution’s role in mapping, planning, land governance and security.

On broader national issues, Chukwunyere reaffirmed BAVCCA’s commitment to unity, transparency and responsible reporting amid global scrutiny of Nigeria’s human rights record. He urged the newly appointed security chiefs to redouble their efforts in protecting all Nigerians, regardless of religious, ethnic or regional background. He pledged that BAVCCA will leverage its platforms to promote narratives of resilience, reconciliation and collective progress.

In his response, Surveyor-General Adebomehin expressed delight at the visit from BAVCCA and described it as timely and impactful. He reiterated the indispensable role of OSGoF in national planning and governance, and emphasised that Nigeria’s last comprehensive mapping was done over five decades ago — highlighting the urgent need for a new national remapping exercise in line with international standards.

“Whatever you cannot map, you cannot manage,” he said, while showcasing a modern digital railway map linking Lagos to Calabar—an example of what geospatial technology can do for infrastructure.

He encouraged professionals in the surveying and geospatial fields to consider stepping into politics, saying that effective national development requires technically skilled individuals in leadership positions.

“Until we start thinking beyond self, we will remain under-developed as a nation,” he added.

Adebomehin assured BAVCCA of his office’s readiness to collaborate in public education, digital storytelling and national advocacy initiatives that promote the work of OSGoF.

The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to establish a partnership framework between BAVCCA and OSGoF, aimed at strengthening public awareness, advancing geospatial innovation, and enhancing Nigeria’s digital governance ecosystem.

From Abel Zwanke, Lafia

A coalition of youth organizations under the umbrella of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Nasarawa State Chapter, has passed a vote of confidence on Governor Abdullahi A. Sule and the Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim, for their commitment to youth development and inclusive governance.

The resolution was made during a Youth Stakeholders’ Engagement organized in commemoration of the 2025 National Youth Day Celebration in Lafia. The event, chaired by Prof. Abdulkareem Kana, SAN, National Deputy Secretary General of the All Progressives Congress (APC), brought together youth leaders, government officials, and policymakers to deliberate on the role of young people in nation-building.

Speaking during the event yesterday , the Chairman of NYCN, Nasarawa State Chapter, Comrade Ja’afar Muhammad Loko, said the engagement provided an opportunity to strengthen the partnership between the state government and youths towards achieving sustainable development.

“Governor Sule has demonstrated genuine commitment to youth empowerment through policies that promote education, entrepreneurship, and innovation. We are proud of his leadership and the example he sets for others,” Loko stated.

He added that the recognition also extended to Hon. Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim for her outstanding performance as Minister of Women Affairs, describing her as “a beacon of hope and an inspiration to young women in Nasarawa and across the nation.”

“As the first young female Minister from Nasarawa State, Hon. Imaan has continued to raise the bar in public service, particularly in advancing gender inclusion and youth participation in governance,” he added.

Delivering a paper titled “Youth Empowerment for Nation Building,” the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Students Affairs, Rt. Hon. Shuaibu Sani, urged young people to take advantage of opportunities created by government initiatives to contribute meaningfully to national development.

“The future of this country rests on the shoulders of its youths. We must equip ourselves with the skills, discipline, and mindset needed to drive innovation and good governance,” Sani emphasized.

However, Executive Secretary of Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Usman Iskilu Saleh who was one of the panelists spoke extensively on access to healthcare as well as employment of thousands of youth the agency while commending the efforts of governor Abdullahi sule on his resolve to ensure health care services to the people of Nasarawa state.

The event also featured goodwill messages from dignitaries including the Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Muhammad Oyanki; Director-General of NASIDA, Barr. Ibrahim Abdullahi; and the Director-General of the Market Bureau, Prince Ahmed Ubangari, who all commended the initiative as timely and impactful.

At the end of the interactive session, the coalition of youth leaders representing over 28 organizations reaffirmed their confidence in the leadership of Governor Sule and Minister Imaan, pledging continued collaboration with government towards building a more prosperous and inclusive Nasarawa State.t