* Insists 50% Resource Derivation will entrench fairness and equitable distribution of revenue

**By Favour Bibaikefie**

Former Nigerian diplomat and National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Ambassador Godknows Igali, has advocated a 50 per cent derivation formula for resource-producing communities, arguing that they should retain half of the revenue generated from natural resources extracted from their territories.

Igali made the proposal during an interview on *Conversations with Prof. Jideofor Adibe*, a podcast where he discussed issues surrounding resource control, fiscal federalism and equitable distribution of national wealth.

He maintained that communities from which natural resources are extracted deserve a substantially greater share of the proceeds, considering the environmental degradation, social challenges and other consequences associated with resource exploitation.

According to him, ensuring that host communities retain 50 per cent of the revenue derived from resources within their territories would promote fairness and address longstanding concerns over the distribution of natural resource wealth.

“It is important that the community that has the resources keep 50% of the derived resources,” Igali said.

The proposal draws attention to Nigeria’s historical revenue allocation framework, particularly the fiscal arrangements that operated before and during the First Republic, when regions retained 50 per cent of revenues derived from certain natural resources within their territories.

However, successive changes to the country’s revenue allocation system have altered the proportion of resource revenues accruing to producing areas, sustaining debates over resource ownership, derivation and fiscal justice.

Igali’s position adds to ongoing calls by stakeholders in the Niger Delta and other resource-producing regions for a review of Nigeria’s revenue-sharing structure to ensure that communities directly affected by extraction activities receive greater economic benefits.

The debate also highlights broader concerns about environmental restoration, infrastructure development and the need to improve the living conditions of communities whose natural resources contribute significantly to the national economy.

The proposed 50 per cent retention formula, if adopted, would represent a significant shift in the distribution of resource-derived revenue and could reshape discussions on fiscal federalism and community development in Nigeria.

**Watch the full podcast:** https://www.youtube.com/live/MuhOfSkGMj8?si=ipqivzaC_nJZf_5V

By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

The Delta State Police Command has arrested five suspected cult members over the gruesome murder of a young man in Issele-Asagba, Aniocha North Local Government Area, following the circulation of a disturbing video of the incident on social media.

The victim was reportedly attacked and macheted to death during the suspected cult-related incident on October 27, 2026.

The arrests followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale, who ordered operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit (SAKU), Asaba, to track down and apprehend those responsible.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of four suspected members of the Black Axe confraternity on November 3, 2026.

The suspects were identified as Ifechukwudi Okafor, 26; Michael Okoro, 26; Freedom Iloh, 28; and Chinasa Akwuo, 29.

They were apprehended during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout along Ugbolu-Amachai Road, where operatives recovered a pump-action gun, a dagger and substances suspected to be illicit drugs.

The police disclosed that further investigations led to the arrest of another suspect, 27-year-old Infione Solomon Omefe, on November 4.

Omefe reportedly confessed to participating in the killing captured in the viral video, while investigations are ongoing to apprehend other individuals allegedly connected with the crime.

Reacting to the development, Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale condemned the killing and assured residents that all those found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

He also warned individuals involved in cultism and other violent criminal activities to desist, reaffirming the command’s commitment to sustained operations against criminal groups across the state.

The police further urged residents to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in tackling criminal activities, assuring informants that their identities would remain confidential.

Meanwhile, the police said efforts were ongoing to track down other suspects believed to have participated in the killing.

By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to overturn an order directing its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to produce President Bola Tinubu’s electoral records from the 1999 Lagos State governorship election and the 2023 presidential election.

Amupitan, through his legal representatives, filed a Motion on Notice dated November 10, 2026, challenging the subpoena issued by the court on October 26 in the ongoing criminal trial of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

The case, marked FHC/CR/484/2025, is before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar and involves the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant and Sowore as the defendant.

The subpoena directed the INEC chairman to produce two sets of electoral documents submitted by Tinubu to the commission. They include his Form CF001 for the 1999 Lagos State governorship election, alongside an affidavit relating to lost certificates, and the corresponding nomination document submitted for the 2023 presidential election.

The court also directed Amupitan to appear as a defence witness and remain in attendance until the determination of the case.

However, INEC is challenging the directive on four grounds, describing the subpoena as legally defective, improperly served and inconsistent with the relevant legal requirements.

The commission argued that Amupitan was not personally served with the subpoena, insisting that service on INEC’s headquarters did not satisfy the required legal procedure.

INEC also maintained that the documents described in the subpoena were not in its custody, arguing that there were no forms known as INEC CF01 for either the 1999 Lagos governorship election or the 2023 presidential election.

Furthermore, the electoral body accused the defence of bringing the application in bad faith, describing the request as irrelevant, speculative and potentially intended to embarrass the commission.

INEC is consequently asking the court to set aside the subpoena issued on October 26, which was reportedly served at its headquarters on November 6.

The development comes amid the ongoing prosecution of Sowore by the Department of State Services (DSS) over his social media description of President Tinubu as a criminal, an allegation that triggered the legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court is expected to consider INEC’s application as the case continues, with the commission seeking to prevent its chairman from being compelled to produce the requested documents and testify.

The court’s decision will determine whether the subpoena remains valid and whether Amupitan will be required to appear as a witness in the proceedings.