By Favour Bibaikefie

The Delta State House of Assembly has declared the seat of the member representing Udu State Constituency, Hon. Collins Egbetamah, vacant following his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The decision was taken during Tuesday’s plenary sitting after lawmakers unanimously adopted a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo.

Presiding over the session, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, ruled that the lawmaker’s change of political party contravened the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), thereby warranting the immediate declaration of his seat as vacant.

The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House to formally notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant authorities of the Assembly’s resolution.

He further urged the electoral commission to commence the constitutional process for conducting a by-election in Udu State Constituency in line with Section 116(2) of the Constitution to fill the vacant legislative seat.

While presenting the motion, Hon. Nwaobi informed the House that available documentary evidence confirmed that Egbetamah had resigned his membership of the APC and subsequently joined the NDC while still serving as a member of the State Assembly.

According to him, Section 109(1)(g) of the Constitution clearly stipulates that any legislator elected on the platform of a political party automatically loses his seat upon joining another political party before the expiration of his tenure, except in circumstances specifically recognised by the Constitution.

Earlier in the proceedings, Speaker Guwor read a letter from Egbetamah dated June 19, 2026, in which the lawmaker notified the House that he had resigned from the APC on April 30, 2026, citing the need to pursue his political aspirations.

In the letter, Egbetamah expressed appreciation to the APC and its stakeholders for the support they extended to him during his membership of the party.

The Assembly’s decision now paves the way for INEC to initiate the process of conducting a by-election to elect a new representative for the Udu State Constituency.

By Favour Bibaikefie

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered assets valued at approximately ₦38.66 billion as part of its investigation into the alleged mismanagement of funds allocated for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries.

The recovered assets include over ₦9.4 billion in cash, $21.2 million, and several landed properties. Based on the prevailing official exchange rate, the dollar recovery significantly increases the total value of the assets recovered.

The anti-graft agency is investigating allegations of financial misconduct involving former and serving officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), its subsidiaries, and contractors engaged in refinery rehabilitation projects. The probe covers suspected offences such as money laundering, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, criminal conspiracy, and contract irregularities.

Between 2021 and 2023, the Federal Government approved about $2.79 billion for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries. Despite the massive investment, investigators reportedly found little improvement in refinery operations, prompting concerns that substantial portions of the funds may have been misappropriated.

The investigation has involved extensive reviews of procurement records, contract execution, financial transactions, and company ownership documents. More than 30 senior NNPCL officials and over 50 representatives of contractors and subcontractors have reportedly been questioned during the ongoing probe.

According to findings, investigators uncovered alleged violations of procurement procedures, questionable payment approvals, and irregular contract execution. Some officials are accused of authorising payments outside approved contractual processes, while several properties and financial assets linked to key suspects have been placed under interim forfeiture pending further legal proceedings.

The EFCC has also disclosed that additional recoveries have been made through other government agencies, while separate investigations into suspected revenue fraud involving the Port Harcourt Refining Company remain ongoing. Authorities say further recoveries and criminal prosecutions are expected as the investigation progresses.

The development has renewed concerns over the effectiveness of Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar refinery rehabilitation programme, especially as the country’s state-owned refineries continue to struggle with operational challenges despite years of public investment.

By Favour Bibaikefie

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been acquitted of all bribery charges brought against her by British prosecutors, bringing to a close one of the most high-profile international corruption cases involving a former Nigerian public official.

A jury sitting at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, returned unanimous verdicts of not guilty on all six counts against the former minister after more than 46 hours of deliberation.

The verdict marks the end of a legal battle that spanned over a decade and attracted significant attention in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Alison-Madueke, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources between 2010 and 2015 under former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, faced five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

British prosecutors had alleged that the former minister received luxury benefits, accommodation, travel arrangements and other advantages from individuals connected to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry in exchange for influence over the award of lucrative petroleum contracts.

Throughout the proceedings, Alison-Madueke consistently denied all allegations.

Her legal team argued that she neither possessed sole authority over the award of petroleum contracts nor exercised unilateral control over decisions within Nigeria’s oil sector. The defence maintained that contract approvals involved several layers of government oversight and institutional procedures.

Lawyers further contended that expenditures cited by prosecutors were either official expenses reimbursed by the Nigerian government or personal expenses funded by Alison-Madueke herself.

During the trial, the former minister reportedly told the court that she never accepted bribes and had no direct power to award contracts. She portrayed herself as a strong advocate of due process during her tenure in office.

The trial, which commenced in January 2026, was regarded as one of the United Kingdom’s most significant foreign corruption prosecutions. British authorities, including the National Crime Agency, had investigated allegations against Alison-Madueke for more than ten years before bringing the matter to trial.

The acquittal was not limited to the former minister alone.

Oil industry executive Olatimbo Ayinde, who was accused of bribery-related offences connected to the case, was also cleared of all charges. Likewise, Alison-Madueke’s brother, Doye Agama, who faced allegations linked to conspiracy to commit bribery, was acquitted by the jury.

Following the verdict, reports from London indicated that Alison-Madueke expressed relief at the outcome, describing the decision as the end of an eleven-year ordeal that had separated her from normal family and public life. Her legal representatives stated that she was grateful to the jury and looked forward to rebuilding her life and reputation.

The former minister occupies a unique place in Nigeria’s energy history. She was the first woman to serve as Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources and also became the first female President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), representing Nigeria on the global energy stage.

The acquittal is expected to generate renewed debate across Nigeria regarding the long-running corruption allegations that have surrounded her name since leaving office in 2015.

Analysts note that while the London jury’s verdict has brought the UK criminal prosecution to an end, discussions concerning governance, transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s oil industry are likely to continue.

The outcome also raises broader questions about the challenges of prosecuting complex international corruption cases involving political elites and multinational business interests. Several observers in the United Kingdom described the verdict as a significant setback for investigators who had pursued the case for more than a decade.

For now, however, the legal position is clear: after a lengthy investigation, months of courtroom proceedings and extensive public scrutiny, a London jury has found Diezani Alison-Madueke not guilty on all charges brought against her.

The verdict closes a major chapter in one of the most closely watched legal cases involving a former senior Nigerian government official in recent years.