Metro
Allegations of Fraud Against Us is False, Says GIC Oil and Gas
The GIC Oil and Gas Services Limited has denied claims made by some online publications (not PointBlank.ng) that the company and its CEO, Godwin Ebolo, defrauded a Nigerian bank.
A statement made available to journalists on by the Group General Manager, GIC Oil and Gas Services Limited, Rotimi Olarewaju, stated as follows:
“Our attention has been drawn to some online publications wherein certain facts about our organisation and Managing Director, Gowin Ebolo, were misstated. Owing to this development, it has become consequent upon us to set the record straight for the general public.
“We are calling on all responsible Nigerians to refrain from making untrue assertions about GIC Oil and Gas Services Limited and its Managing Director, Gowin Ebolo, as the facts of this issue is a matter of public record and any and everyone is welcome to it.
“We have resolved that this press release will be our last action on explaining the matter, but we shall not hesitate to prosecute further libellous statements on this issue as it damages the companys reputation and its good standing with its various partners foreign and local.
“In 2013, GIC Oil and Gas Services Limited approached Heritage Bank Plc for a loan totalling US $13.5 million divided into $3.5 million working capital and $10 million bank guarantee to facilitate a waste management contract for Allied Energy Plc.
“We also approached Enterprise Bank in the same year for a thermal desorption plant and waste management equipment in the amount of UD$8 Million for a Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) contract.
“Both facilities were approved and disbursed with GIC Oil and Gas Services Limited contributing ten per cent (10%) in equity for the equipment purchase. The items were bought and paid for pending the commencement of the SPDC job.”
According to Olanrewaju, “It is worthy of note that Enterprise Bank later merged with Heritage Bank and the loans were consolidated.
“With extended delays in the commencement of the project, the bank grew increasingly anxious and thus the issues on the loan availed began.
“As the commencement date of the SPDC project was not yet ascertained at that time due to circumstances beyond our control, the bank took possession of the equipment purchased with the loan facility.”
The statement further noted that “Once the bank realised that these equipment, being project specific, were of no use to both them and GIC Oil and Gas Services Limited without the project, they immediately recalled their loan facility and requested for immediate full payment.
“On the Allied Energy Project, a change in management led to the cancellation of the project completely. Sadly, an occupational risk in our industry.
“Since our finances are always tied to individual projects, the bank was made aware that repaying the loan facility without project commencement would be extremely difficult, but we were willing to agree to a scheduled repayment structure.
“During this period, GIC Oil and Gas Services sought to negotiate a settlement with the bank and while this was ongoing, Godwin Ebolo left the country because of a medical emergency.
“It was at this point we became aware that the loan facility had been reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the bank and Ebolo was immediately declared wanted without invitation or notice.
“On finding out that Ebolo was declared wanted by the EFCC, he immediately returned to the country and presented himself to the EFCC wherein the unfortunate mug-shot was taken.”
“Olanrewaju said that Several court proceedings later, the fraud case was dismissed by the Justice A.I. Iyayi-Lamikanra of the Rivers State High Court (attached is a copy of the judgment Suit No.: PHC2631/2016).
“Ebolo was subsequently cleared by the EFCC vide their letter Ref: CR:3000/EFCC/LS/PFS/C/VOL3/033 dated October 6, 2016 and communicated to the various security agencies accordingly.
“Finally, we would like to state that a repayment structure of the outstanding facilities has been mutually agreed by GIC Oil and Gas Services Limited and Heritage Bank Plc. The repayment which has since commenced is being made from contract proceeds from the SPDC job.”
Adron Homes & Properties Limited has congratulated Muslim faithful across Nigeria and around the world on the occasion of Eid, urging them to continue embracing the virtues of peace, sacrifice, love, and unity that the season symbolizes.
In a statement issued by the management of Adron Homes & Properties, the company described Eid as a sacred period that promotes spiritual renewal, compassion, gratitude, and harmonious coexistence among people irrespective of tribe, religion, or social status.
The foremost real estate company noted that the values of selflessness, obedience, and generosity demonstrated during the holy season remain essential ingredients for national growth and societal development.
According to the statement, Nigerians should use the festive period as an opportunity to strengthen bonds of brotherhood, extend love to the less privileged, and pray for enduring peace and economic prosperity in the country.
Adron Homes further reaffirmed its commitment to providing affordable luxury homes and building sustainable communities that promote comfort, security, and family values for Nigerians at home and abroad.
The company prayed for divine blessings, joy, and fulfillment for all Muslim faithful celebrating Eid and wished them a peaceful and memorable celebration.
Metro
Ikorodu Security: CP Tijani Launches ‘Command Sweepers Squad’, Deploys Three LSSTF Refurbished APCs
In swift response to the recent security concerns emerging out of Ikorodu and its environs over the nefarious activities of some criminal elements that are tormenting places such as Ijede, Ginti, among others, the Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani personally led a major show of Force across different part of Ikorodu to assert the dominance of the Police and other security agencies to thwart any crimes in the areas. This show of Force was also accompanied by the Inauguration of a special tactical security outfit codenamed ‘Command Sweepers’ Squad,’ which is a temporary intervention security outfit created to address the growing incidents of crimes and criminality within Ikorodu and adjoining areas, comprising of Command Tactical Teams, RRS, Lagos Taskforce, Eko Strike Force, 2 PMF, 22 PMF, and 63 PMF of the Lagos Police Command, alongside personnel from other sister security agencies and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), all working collaboratively to combat and stamped out criminality within Ikorodu and its environs. The Squad has been strategically deployed to identify black spots and criminal hideouts to carry out intelligence-led operations, raids, stop-and-search duties, and confidence-building patrols aimed at flushing out criminal elements and ensuring the safety of lives and property.
Top among the security equipment deployed for the show of force and the temporary Inaugurated ‘Command Sweepers’ Squad’ are the three (3) newly refurbished Armoured Personnel Carriers which were just handed over to the Lagos State Police Command by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF as well as Patrol vehicles.
While Inaugurating the ‘Command Sweepers’ Squad’, the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani assured residents that the operation will be conducted professionally and in line with the rule of law, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant. He warned all criminally minded persons in Ikorodu and its environs to immediately pack their bags because his Command will not hesitate to decisively deal with them. Noting that the Command wasn’t resting on its oars, he revealed that the Squad will continue to patrol all nooks and corners in its bid to flush out all crimes and vices from the area.
Tijani assured law-abiding residents to continue supporting the Command with timely and credible information, through any of the emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, and 09168630929.
He noted that this valuable information will enable the Police to effectively tackle crime and restore public confidence within the area. He also thanked the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr Ayo Ogunsan for the logistics support including the 3 APCs which have enjoyed immediate deployment.
The Squad is strategically situated in Ijede to ensure swift deployment and easy access to all parts of Ikorodu and adjoining communities for effective crime prevention and rapid response operations.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to set aside the judgment that voided the timelines it issued for the 2027 general elections.
The Commission also applied for the stay of execution of the judgment, pending the determination of its appeal.
In the notice of appeal dated May 25, which INEC filed through its team of lawyers led by Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, the Commission nine grounds it urged the appellate court to consider and vacate the judgment the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered on May 20.
Aside from its contention that the high court erred in law when it failed to determine a jurisdictional issue it raised, INEC maintained that the legal action the Youth Party (YP) initiated against it was not only hypothetical but academic.
It argued that failure of the trial court to make pronouncements on the issues, resulted in the denial of fair hearing to the Appellant.
More so, INEC insisted that the high court erred in law when it held that: “It is clear from the wordings of Sections 29(1), 82 and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the following can be understood. Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 mandates Political Parties to submit the names of candidates in prescribed forms of the candidates who emerged from its valid primaries which such a political party intends to sponsor at the elections, not later than 120 days before the date of the General Election.
“What is required of Political Parties to do under the Electoral Act, 2026 is to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 21 days before the holding of its primaries, congresses or conventions, days before the holding of its primaries, congresses or conventions, or any conference or meeting convened for the election of its executive committees, other governing bodies for nominating candidates.
“The Defendant is not mandated to impose a timeframe for political parties to conduct their primaries provided that it will be done and submitted not later than the 120 days provided by the Electoral Act, 2026. See Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.”
INEC argued that the verdict of the trial court was against the weight of evidence placed before it by the parties.
Consequently, it prayed the appellate court for an order allowing the appeal and setting aside the judgment
The electoral body further urged the Court of Appeal to strike out YP’s case on the ground that it lacked the locus standi (legal right) to institute and maintain the action it said was merely academic.
