By Rukevwe Odeh

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed objections raised by the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against an application filed by party chieftain Nafiu Bala Gombe in the ongoing leadership dispute.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Peter Odo Lifu ruled that the objections submitted by the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, lacked merit. The court held that Gombe should be allowed to amend his originating summons, describing such amendments as a normal legal procedure aimed at ensuring justice is properly served.

The judge explained that the request for amendment became necessary following a change in the plaintiff’s legal representation and noted that the defendants had failed to demonstrate how the amendment would prejudice their case.

Justice Lifu further stated that Mark, Aregbesola and the other defendants remain free to respond by filing amended counter-affidavits if they consider it necessary.

After reviewing the arguments presented by both sides, the court concluded that granting the amendment would not place the defendants at any legal disadvantage or deny them a fair hearing. Consequently, the objections were dismissed, and the plaintiff’s application was approved.

The court also ordered Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola to each pay ₦500,000 in costs to Nafiu Bala Gombe.

The dispute stems from a suit filed by Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, who is challenging the emergence of the party’s current national leadership. Through his counsel, he argued that amending the originating summons would allow all relevant issues to be properly placed before the court for determination.

By  Favour Bibaikefie

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has surpassed the United States in supplying jet fuel to Europe, following a significant rise in exports during June, according to new market data.

Figures released by S&P Global Commodity Insights indicate that the Lagos-based refinery exported about 466,000 metric tonnes of aviation fuel to Europe in June, nearly double the 232,000 metric tonnes shipped in May. The latest export volume represents the highest level of Nigerian jet fuel deliveries to Europe since the country became a net exporter of the product in 2024.

The June shipments are estimated at roughly 582.5 million litres of jet fuel. Using a domestic reference price of ₦1,300 per litre, the cargo is valued at approximately ₦757 billion.

The increase in Nigerian exports comes as Europe’s aviation fuel market has shifted from supply shortages to oversupply. Earlier price spikes driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have eased following higher refinery output and increased shipments from several exporters, including the Dangote refinery.

Meanwhile, jet fuel exports from the United States to Europe have continued to decline. Data showed American shipments dropped from 818,000 metric tonnes in April to 560,000 metric tonnes in May before falling further to 399,000 metric tonnes in June, allowing Nigeria to overtake the U.S. as Europe’s larger supplier for the month.

Industry traders attribute the current market surplus to increased refinery production, noting that many operators postponed maintenance work to maximize output while prices remained high. They also pointed to substantial exports from both the United States and the Dangote refinery, alongside the gradual return of cargo movements through the Suez route from the United Arab Emirates, as factors contributing to the growing supply.

Market analysts expect Europe to continue receiving additional jet fuel supplies in the coming months as exporters from the Middle East and Asia take advantage of favourable trading opportunities into the European market, potentially keeping prices under pressure.

By Favour Bibaikefie

More than 125,000 barrels of crude oil have reportedly been discharged into the Niger Delta since 2022, raising fresh concerns over worsening environmental damage and the slow pace of cleanup efforts across Nigeria’s oil-producing communities.

Available records indicate that thousands of oil spill incidents have been recorded during the period, with environmental advocates warning that contaminated rivers, farmlands, and mangrove forests continue to threaten the livelihoods of residents who depend on farming and fishing.

Experts say the persistent pollution has also increased health risks for people living in affected communities, many of whom rely on local water sources that may have been contaminated by repeated oil leaks. Environmental groups argue that delayed remediation and weak enforcement of environmental regulations have allowed the crisis to worsen.

Campaigners are calling on oil companies and government agencies to accelerate cleanup operations, strengthen pipeline monitoring, and ensure that affected communities receive adequate compensation and support. They also stress the need for greater investment in environmental restoration to prevent further destruction of the fragile ecosystem.

The latest figures have renewed public debate over accountability in Nigeria’s petroleum sector, with stakeholders insisting that stronger oversight and prompt responses to oil spills are essential to protecting both the environment and the people of the Niger Delta.