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Vacate Rivers Shopping Mall, Court Orders NAF
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital has ordered men of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to vacate the premises of Blue Boulevard Limited, a multi-shopping complex on Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway by Rumuomasi Market Junction.
The presiding Judge, Justice Hillary Oshomah, who gave the order in an application filed by Peter Osunde (1st Applicant), and Blue Boulevard Limited (2nd Applicant) against Nigerian Air Force Properties Limited, said the continued stay of men of the Air Force at the business premises was ultra vires and beyond her statutory responsibilities.
While delivering the judgment, Oshomah said, “It is hereby declared by the order of this Honourable Court that the continuous stay of armed men of 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force, Port Harcourt, at the main entrance of the 2nd Applicant’s gate, and within its premises on the orders of the respondents is ultra vires, null and void, and beyond the statutory duties of the respondents.”
The judge further ruled “that the continuous stay of the armed men of the respondent is wrongful, unlawful and unconstitutional as it violates the applicants’ fundamental right of freedom of movement, right to own property, and right to personal liberty guaranteed by Section 34,35 and 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended”.
Oshomah also said that “the respondent is hereby directed to immediately withdraw its men stationed at the main gate and within the premises of the 2nd applicant at NAF Base, Market Junction, Rumoumasi, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The judge granted “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondent by itself, through its agents, officers and privies from further barricading the gate and within the premises of the 2nd Applicant at the aforestated place.
“By way of consequential order of this Honourable Court, the respondent, its agents , servants, privies and or anybody of whatsoever either acting on its behalf or stead is by order of this Honourable Court restrained from indulging in any act or conduct which is likely or capable of undermining, frustrating, stifling or calculated or capable of rendering nugatory the attainment and /or benefits of prayers granted the applicants by this Honourable Court”, he added.
Oshomah further lashed out at the respondent, describing their action as shameful and condemnable.
“The conduct of the respondent and its handlers is not only shameful, it is most reprehensible and condemnable and same is deprecated in the strongest terms by this Honourable Court”, he said.
It would be recalled that men of the Nigerian Air Force shut down activities at the business premises since April 11 this year.
Explaining their plight to newsmen, Managing Director of the firm, Mr Sam Orzo, said they were building about 2,000 lock-up shops with some of them already occupied before the development.
“Some of the shops have been paid for. As I talk to you, we are incurring losses running into billions of naira from the actions of the security operatives”, he said.
The Group Managing Director of Blue Boulevard Limited, Mr Peter Osunde, had in suit No FHC/PH/FHR/71/2017, sought the court’s order declaring, among other things, that the continuous stay of the armed men of 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force, Port Harcourt at the main entrance of the 2nd applicant’s gate and within its premises on the orders of the respondent was ultra vires, null and void and beyond the statutory duties of the respondent.
Osunde also sought a declaration that the continued stay of the armed men of the respondent on issues bothering on contractual agreement was wrongful, unlawful and unconstitutional as it violates the applicants’ fundamental rights of freedom of movement, right to own property and right to personal liberty guaranteed by sections 34,35 and 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
The applicants further sought an order directing the respondent to immediately withdraw its men stationed at the main gate and within the premises of the 2nd applicant at NAF Base, Market Junction, Rumuomasi, Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
The GMD, therefore, asked for “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondent by itself , through its agents, officers and privies from further barricading the gate and within the premises of the 2nd applicant at the aforesaid place”.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has now received a total of 129 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties.
The update was provided during the commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja, yesterday.
According to a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, seven new applications were submitted within the past week, adding to the previous number.
“At its regular weekly meeting held today, Thursday 10th July 2025, the commission received a further update on additional requests from associations seeking registration as political parties.
“Since last week, seven more applications have been received, bringing the total number so far to 129. All the requests are being processed,” the commission stated.
The commission revealed the introduction of a new digital platform for political party registration. The platform is part of the Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System and aims to streamline the registration process.
Olumekun disclosed that final testing of the portal would be completed within the next week.
“INEC also plans to release comprehensive guidelines to help associations file their applications using the new system.
“Unlike the manual method used in previous registration, the Commission is introducing a political party registration portal, which is a module in our Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System.
“This will make the process faster and seamless. In the next week, the commission will conclude the final testing of the portal before deployment.
“Thereafter, the next step for associations that meet the requirements to proceed to the application stage will be announced. The commission will also issue guidelines to facilitate the filing of applications using the PFRAS,” the statement added.
In the meantime, the list of new associations that have submitted applications has been made available to the public on INEC’s website and other official platforms.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.
The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.
The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.
The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.
The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.
“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.
Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.
Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”
Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”
He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.
“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.
According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”
He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.
The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.
However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.
At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.
They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.
After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.
By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.
In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.
“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.
“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.
The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.
“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”
The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.
Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.
However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.
Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.
A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.
It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.
The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.
“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.
“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”
But lawmakers rejected the request.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.
“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.
“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.
Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.
The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”
Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.
The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.
Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.
The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.
