Category: 📈Trends

The Kano State High Court, Kano, has sentenced a housewife to death for the murdering of her childhood friend’s 8-year-old daughter Aisha Sani.

According to reports from LIB, the accused, Fadila kidnapped her childhood friend’s daughter, Aisha Sani, and pushed her into a well.

The corpse of the little girl was later retrieved from the well at Gandu Albasa Quarters two weeks after she went missing.

Delivering judgment, trial judge Yusuf Muhammad-Ubale sentenced the accused to murder by hanging.

“I hereby sentence the defendant to death by hanging for kidnapping and throwing the victim into a well which caused her death,” he ruled.

Before the judgment, Judge Yusuf Muhammad disclosed that the accused also the housewife kidnapped her childhood friend’s daughter on 14 July 2019, at Tudun Wada Quarters, Kano AT 4:45 pm.

“The defendant told her sister that the deceased was the daughter of her friend, whose mother had traveled to Ghana, and asked her to keep the child until she returned.

“On 17 July 2019, at about 6:30 p.m., the defendant caused the death of the minor when she threw her into a deep well situated in the Tukuntawa Quarters, Kano,” he said.

Famous Nigerian gospel singer, Dr. Panam Percy Paul, has revealed that he turned down a staggering N7 billion (£24 million) record deal in 1995 because it required him to reduce the mention of Jesus in his songs.

In a now-viral interview from August 2024 with Pastor Emmanuel Iren, the 68-year-old gospel legend recalled receiving the offer at the height of his music ministry and industry success. However, he said the deal came with a critical condition—he had to limit his use of Jesus’ name in his lyrics.

Although Paul did not disclose the record label’s name, he explained that they suggested he use alternative references such as “Righteous One” or “Greatest Lover” instead of explicitly mentioning Jesus.

“The catch was, ‘Can you reduce the number of times you call the name Jesus in your songs?’ And there was more where this came from,” Paul recounted.

“One of them said to me, ‘You actually don’t need to mention the name Jesus. You can call Him other names like Righteous One or Greatest Lover.’”

The veteran musician immediately declined the offer, choosing his faith over financial gain.

“I was shocked, so I told them, ‘You can keep the money while I keep the name,’” he said.

Paul’s revelation has reignited conversations about the commercialization of gospel music and the pressures artists face from the industry. He criticized how record labels increasingly dictate how gospel music is created, often prioritizing commercial success over spiritual integrity.

“Today, the extreme is that the music ministry has now become a music industry. The industry now dictates to the ministers what to do, how to sing, and when to sing,” he lamented.

His stance has earned praise from many Christians and gospel enthusiasts, who see his decision as a testament to his unwavering devotion to his faith.

 

 

 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has visited the Soilless Farm Lab, owned by Nigerian farmer Samson Ogbole, who went viral for his innovative soil-free farming techniques.

During his visit, Obasanjo was seen uprooting fresh vegetables at the facility, showcasing his interest in modern agricultural advancements.

He was accompanied by traditional rulers, including the Olota of Ota, as well as other dignitaries.

The Soilless Farm Lab, led by Samson Ogbole, has gained recognition for its pioneering approach to sustainable farming, where crops grow without soil by using nutrient-rich water or air-based techniques.

This method not only maximizes efficiency but also ensures healthier and faster-growing plants.

The farm cultivates a variety of export-quality vegetables, including Ugu (pumpkin leaves), Shoko, Tete (green amaranth), Ewedu (jute leaves), Bitterleaf, and Habanero peppers.

Each crop is carefully grown to meet international standards, making them suitable for both local consumption and global export.

Hundreds of unclaimed estates reveal untold stories of African migration, wealth, and family ties left behind.

Thousands of people die every year in the United Kingdom without leaving a will or identifying next of kin, and among them are many Nigerians and other Africans whose estates—ranging from property to savings—remain unclaimed.

The UK government’s latest list of unclaimed estates, updated daily, includes over 170 entries connected to African-born individuals, with Nigerians making up a significant portion of the cases.

A Legacy Lost

For many migrants, the UK became a home away from home—a land of opportunity where they built wealth, purchased property, and created a life.

However, the absence of a will often results in their assets being classified as “bona vacantia” (ownerless goods), leaving them to the custody of the Crown.

Families back in Africa are frequently unaware of these estates, leading to a permanent loss of assets.

Cases like that of Adenike Adebiyi, who passed away in Hackney, London, in 2004, or Solomon Adekanmibi, who died in Colchester, Essex, in 2021, highlight the consequences of dying intestate.

With no identified next of kin or missing documentation, their estates remain unclaimed, and their legacies risk being forgotten.

Why It Matters

This phenomenon underscores a critical issue: many African families are unaware of their relatives’ financial situations abroad.

Migration often disrupts communication, and without clear documentation, the wealth built overseas remains beyond reach.

The loss isn’t just financial—it’s deeply cultural and emotional. Unclaimed estates represent untold family histories, connections, and the struggles of migrants who built their lives in the diaspora.

The Challenges

Lack of Awareness:
Most families in Nigeria and other African countries are unaware of their relatives’ estates abroad or how to access them.

Genealogical Gaps:
The information provided in official records is often incomplete. For example, many entries in the UK unclaimed estates list lack detailed family history or next-of-kin information.

Cultural Hesitations:
In many African cultures, discussing death and wills is considered taboo, leading to reluctance in planning for asset distribution.

A Call to Action

African governments, community organizations, and legal professionals need to raise awareness about this issue.

Here’s what can be done:

Encouraging Will Writing: Migrants in the diaspora should be educated about the importance of drafting wills to protect their assets.

Genealogical Support: Families in Africa can be assisted in tracing unclaimed estates through local or international partnerships.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Social and traditional media can highlight the importance of estate planning and share resources for families.

How to Check the List

The UK government maintains a public Unclaimed Estates List that is updated daily.

Families can search the list by name, place of birth, or other identifiers to check for potential claims.

What can be done?

This piece has highlighted the issue of unclaimed estates in the UK, particularly those linked to deceased Nigerians and Africans who passed away without a will.

These unclaimed estates risk being absorbed by the UK government if rightful heirs do not come forward within the stipulated time frame.

Advisory for Families of Deceased Individuals with UK Connections:

If you have a relative who:

• Passed away in the UK without leaving a will.​

• Lived in the UK but retired to Nigeria and subsequently died without a will.​

It’s crucial to investigate whether they left behind unclaimed assets. Here’s what you can do:​

1. Consult the Bona Vacantia List: The UK government maintains a list of unclaimed estates, known as the Bona Vacantia list. Review this list to check if your relative’s estate is listed. ​

2. Verify Eligibility: To claim an estate, you must be an entitled relative, such as a spouse, child, sibling, or other close family member. The UK government’s guidelines detail the hierarchy of entitled relatives. ​

3. Prepare Necessary Documentation: Gather essential documents, including:​

   • A detailed family tree illustrating your relationship to the deceased.​

   • Birth, marriage, and death certificates as evidence of lineage.​

   • Personal identification documents.​

4. Submit a Claim: Contact the UK Government Legal Department’s Bona Vacantia Division to initiate the claim process. Provide all required documentation to support your claim. ​

5. Be Mindful of Time Limits: Claims are typically accepted within 12 years from the date the estate administration was completed, with interest paid on the money held. In some cases, claims can be made up to 30 years after the death, though without interest.

Preventative Measures:

To prevent your assets from becoming unclaimed estates:

• Draft a Will: Clearly outline how you wish your assets to be distributed upon your death.​

• Maintain Updated Records: Keep personal and financial records current and accessible to trusted family members.​

• Inform Relatives: Ensure your family is aware of any assets held in the UK or elsewhere, facilitating easier claims if necessary.​

By taking these steps, you can safeguard your family’s inheritance and ensure that assets are rightfully claimed and distributed.

Final Thoughts

For many Nigerians and Africans in the UK, their unclaimed estates represent more than just wealth—it’s a story of migration, resilience, and identity.

By addressing this growing issue, families can reclaim their heritage, and the legacy of those who journeyed to the diaspora need not be forgotten.

Here is the latest daily update as of March 24, 2025. Check the list HERE.

 

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and some modular refineries in Nigeria may spend about $8.56bn to import an estimated 122,400,000 barrels of crude oil to achieve full operational capacity in six months, The PUNCH reports.

This means the refiners may spend about $1.43bn monthly on the importation of crude oil into Nigeria.

The plants may spend this much amid the uncertainty surrounding the sustainability of the naira-for-crude policy between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the Dangote refinery, coupled with concerns about the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation of the Federal Government.

This came as it was discovered that the meeting that was earlier scheduled on Monday between the Technical Sub-Committee on the Naira-for-Crude Policy, Dangote refinery, and other government officials did not hold as planned.

Insiders familiar with the workings of the committee said the meeting was rescheduled and may be held before the Sallah break.

“The NUPRC (Nigerian Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Commission) is not done with the assignment given to it by the committee. Hence, the meeting could not be held today.

“They are asking for more time. Hopefully, the committee can reconvene before the Sallah holiday,” a senior government official who works with the committee told our correspondent in confidence due to the lack of authorisation to speak on the matter.

The Dangote refinery has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, and the plant had repeatedly made it known that it was importing and would continue to import crude. With the latest uncertainty in the naira-for-crude deal, the plant would rely heavily on imported crude.

Another domestic refinery that is also making efforts to import crude from the US is the Edo Refinery, with a capacity of 30,000 barrels per day. The plant has sought product offtake from a US-based crude supplier, according to information from modular refiners on Monday.

It was further gathered that while other modular refineries were making alternative plans to get the commodity, the Dangote and Edo refineries would require about 680,000bpd crude daily.

This translates to about 20.4 million barrels in 30 days (one month), and 122.4 million barrels in six months. At the average cost of $70/barrel for Brent crude, it means the two plants may spend about $8.56bn to import the commodity in six months.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Crude Oil Refinery-owners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, in an exclusive interview on Monday, stated that sourcing raw materials from alternative suppliers remains their sole viable option for refiners.

He said domestic refiners now find themselves effectively stranded due to the government’s failure to ensure product offtake under the domestic supply obligation or the naira-based agreement.

He revealed that the situation has forced the 30,000 Edo refinery to deepen discussions with a crude supplier from the United States of America to secure an offtake deal.

He said other refineries that don’t have the financial muscle are no longer operational.

Idoko said, “Edo refinery, which is trying to expand its plant to 30,000 barrels per day, is in talks with crude suppliers from the United States. Others, apart from Walter Smith refinery and Aradel, who are momentarily relying on crude produced from their fields, are more or less stranded. Other modular refineries have not been able to refine a litre in the last six to eight months.”

Currently, modular refineries operating in the country include the Walter Smith modular refinery, Aradel, the Omsa Pillar Astex Company refinery, the Edo refinery and the Duport modular refinery. Clairgold and Azikel refineries are at an advanced stage in their construction.

Idoko emphasised that the government’s failure to allocate sufficient feedstock represents a major setback to its efforts to stabilise the sector and carries significant political consequences.

The national officer added, “Let it be clear that the news of Dangote or any local refinery procuring crude offshore through import as a result of failure or inability to source locally is a major dent in the efforts of this government to stabilise the sector.

“Whoever is frustrating the supply of crude to the local refinery is an enemy of this government and arming opposition with weapons ahead of the 2027 elections because the manner investors in local refining, including the Dangote refinery, have been treated would definitely be a factor to consider in the coming elections.”

The local refiners decried the difficult situation that had confronted them since last week after the abrupt alleged cancellation of the first phase of the naira-for-crude arrangement.

The refiners said they had anticipated being included in the second phase of the naira-for-crude deal after a successful pilot phase with the 650,000 barrels per day capacity Dangote refinery.

Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to a lack of authorization to discuss the matter, revealed that talks broke down because of issues related to crude availability from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Insiders familiar with the development said the national oil firm had allocated large volumes of crude to its foreign creditors to settle the loans acquired by the firm, making it difficult to sustain the naira-for-crude deal between NNPCL and Dangote refinery.

Analysed reports from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and the 2023 NNPC financial statements, had shown that 8.17 million barrels of crude had been pledged for different loan deals by the national oil firm monthly, with an additional $9.5bn forward oil sales deal in the offing.

In response to failed talks, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a temporary halt in the sale of petroleum products in naira, citing an imbalance between its sales proceeds and crude oil purchase obligations, which are denominated in US dollars.

The company explained that its naira-denominated sales had exceeded the value of naira-priced crude it had received so far. As a result, it decided to temporarily align its sales currency with its crude procurement obligations.

“Dear valued customers, we wish to inform you that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in naira. This decision is necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in US dollars.

“To date, our sales of petroleum products in naira have exceeded the value of naira-denominated crude we have received. As a result, we must temporarily adjust our sales currency to align with our crude procurement currency,” the firm announced last week.

The development means that domestic refiners have to turn to crude oil importation as an alternative strategy to ensure their continued operations. Dangote refinery imported 654,766 metric tonnes of crude oil in three days after the announcement.

The situation, which has drawn widespread condemnation and backlash from stakeholders and Nigerians alike due to the looming threat of a petrol price increase, has also led to severe business consequences, significantly impacting production costs.

Dealing a further blow to optimism around the reconsideration of the naira-for-crude deal, The PUNCH exclusively gathered that the much-awaited meeting between both parties didn’t hold on Monday.

A source close to the committee revealed that the meeting didn’t hold because the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission was unable to present the options required by the committee on Monday.

The committee had mandated the NUPRC  to come up with possible options that would be reviewed by the panel.

“The meeting didn’t hold today as scheduled because the NUPRC hasn’t completed its findings as directed,” the official who sought anonymity disclosed.

The official was also silent on a likely date to reconvene but noted that the committee would meet soon.

As a result of this fallout, private depot owners in Lagos State have continued to consistently implement hikes in the loading costs of petrol and other refined petroleum products at their facilities.

Also, retail petrol stations in the Federal Capital Territory raised their pump prices by N42 or 4.67 per cent to N940 per litre on Monday.

A visit by our correspondent across various stations revealed that Conoil, located along Airport Road, increased its price to N940.

AYM Shafa raised its price by N20 to N920; Matrix effected a similar change to N920. Salbas, located along the same route, increased its price to N930 per litre.

However, the NNPCL and MRS filling stations sold their products at N880 per litre, which caused a long queue.

Similarly, an analysis of data obtained by our correspondent revealing petrol price movements at loading depots on Monday showed that Rainoil Depot increased its price from N860 to N870 per litre, and WOSBAB depot effected an increase to N870 per litre.

Pinnacle Depot made a similar price change from N860 to N870 per litre, while Aiteo and Nipco changed their prices from N856 and N860 per litre, respectively, to N870.

 

 

 

 

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has pleaded not guilty to fresh charges of terrorism brought against him by the federal government before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

During his re-arraignment on Friday, Kanu faced allegations of:

• Terrorism-related activities
• Operating an illegal radio station
• Calling for Nigeria’s breakup

The federal government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), announced his readiness to prosecute the case and requested an adjournment to assemble witnesses and ensure an accelerated hearing.

Kanu’s new defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), did not object, prompting Justice James Omotosho to adjourn the trial to April 29, May 2, and May 6, 2025.

Kanu apologizes for the previous courtroom outburst

Unlike his February 10 appearance, where he lashed out against his trial, Kanu appeared calmer and issued an apology to:

• Justice Binta Nyako, who previously handled his case.
• Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), the federal government’s counsel.
• His former defence lawyers, including Aloy Ejimakor Esq.

Kanu’s lawyer, Agabi (SAN), read his apology in court, stating:

“I hereby apologise to Justice Binta Nyako; she did not deserve the unjust attack. I also apologise to Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN); he deserves the highest respect.”

Rejection of Justice Nyako and legal background

Kanu rejected his continued trial before Justice Nyako, who was earlier removed from the case on September 24, 2024, before being reinstated. Following his objection, Chief Judge John Tsoho reassigned the case to Justice Omotosho on March 4.