By David Torough, Abuja

Dangote Group is considering expanding its industrial investments into Egypt as part of its broader pan-African growth strategy, opening new opportunities for economic cooperation between Nigeria and Egypt.

The development followed a visit by a high-level Egyptian delegation led by the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Dr.

Mohamed Saleh, to the Dangote Industries complex in Lagos. The visit focused on identifying opportunities for industrial collaboration, investment partnerships and capacity development across key sectors.

The delegation, which included officials from Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and executives from its oil and petrochemical industries, explored potential partnerships between Nigerian and Egyptian businesses, particularly in refining, petrochemicals, fertiliser production and manufacturing.

President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, described the engagement as a significant step towards strengthening African economic integration and accelerating industrial development across the continent.

He said the visit reflected the Group’s commitment to expanding African businesses beyond national borders and creating industries that generate value, employment and sustainable economic growth.

Dangote noted that the engagement also provided an opportunity to showcase the Group’s industrial capabilities while identifying areas where both countries could combine their expertise to strengthen production capacity.

Speaking during the visit, Saleh said Egypt was keen to translate existing diplomatic and business relations with Nigeria into practical investment opportunities and long-term industrial partnerships.

He explained that the visit followed previous engagements involving Dangote Group at the Alamein Economic Conference and other international investment forums hosted by Egypt.

According to the minister, Egypt was particularly interested in studying Dangote Group’s achievements in refining, petrochemicals, fertiliser production and related manufacturing operations to identify opportunities for cooperation.

Saleh emphasised that stronger private-sector partnerships would play a crucial role in deepening economic relations between both countries, attracting investment and expanding industrial production.

He added that combining the strengths and experiences of Nigerian and Egyptian businesses could unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

The potential expansion into Egypt aligns with Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 agenda and reinforces its ambition to become a leading driver of industrialisation and economic development across Africa.

By David Torough, Abuja

The National Assembly has crossed a major constitutional hurdle in its bid to establish State Police Services across Nigeria, following the approval of the proposed constitutional amendment by 28 State Houses of Assembly.

The development, which exceeds the constitutionally required two-thirds threshold of 24 states, clears a major obstacle in the legislative process and brings the country closer to introducing state-controlled policing.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, declaring that the approval process had satisfied the requirements for altering the 1999 Constitution.

According to Ogunlana, the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to provide for the establishment of State Police Services was transmitted to all 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16 for consideration and approval within the stipulated 30-day period.

He explained that the deadline elapsed on October 15, adding that 28 state legislatures had formally endorsed the proposed amendment, comfortably surpassing the minimum requirement under Section 9 of the Constitution.

Ogunlana, however, noted that his office would continue to receive reports from state assemblies until the bill is formally transmitted for presidential assent in accordance with existing regulations.

He said the Office of the Clerk had undertaken administrative verification of the reports and accompanying votes and proceedings submitted by the state legislatures to establish their authenticity and ensure that the decisions accurately reflected the positions of the respective assemblies.

The National Assembly Clerk also clarified that Section 9 of the Constitution does not expressly require a third reading for a constitutional alteration bill, unlike the legislative procedure applicable to ordinary bills before the National Assembly.

He disclosed that the necessary administrative procedures were underway to facilitate the transmission of the bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent under the Authentication Act, CAP A2, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Describing the development as a significant milestone, Ogunlana said the approval would strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and deepen federalism within the country’s evolving democratic system.

He commended the State Houses of Assembly for their cooperation and timely responses throughout the constitutional amendment process.

The Clerk assured Nigerians that his office would continue to provide timely and accurate updates on the process until presidential assent is secured and formally communicated to the public.

With 28 states already giving their approval, attention has now shifted to the final administrative and presidential stages of the process, which could pave the way for a major transformation of policing and internal security management in Nigeria.

By David Torough, Abuja

Nigeria has recorded 2,512 convictions in 11 phases of terrorism-related trials, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to prosecute not only terrorists but also individuals and organisations providing financial, logistical and other forms of support to insurgent groups.

The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.

-Gen. Adamu Laka, disclosed this on Tuesday, in Abuja while briefing journalists on the outcome of the 11th phase of terrorism trials.

Laka said the latest exercise, conducted at the Federal High Court, Abuja, between October 15 and 24, resulted in 791 convictions from 1,069 cases handled across 10 courts.

He listed other outcomes as seven acquittals, 41 discharges, four cases struck out and three withdrawn, while 211 cases were adjourned and 11 remained pending.

The latest figures bring the total number of convictions recorded in the first 11 phases to 2,512, following the 1,721 convictions secured during the preceding 10 phases.

According to Laka, the results reflect the government’s determination to ensure accountability for terrorism-related offences while strengthening the administration of criminal justice.

Among the notable outcomes of the latest phase was the conviction and death sentence imposed on Suleiman Abu for membership of Boko Haram and involvement in attacks on military installations and civilians.

Laka said the attacks resulted in deaths and serious injuries, adding that the judgment underscored the principle that those found guilty of terrorism must be held accountable in accordance with the law.

He, however, emphasised that the prosecution of terrorism suspects must respect judicial independence, constitutional guarantees and due process.

Beyond direct involvement in attacks, the NCTC coordinator disclosed that 201 terrorism financing cases were also handled during the latest phase, describing the disruption of financial networks as a critical component of the country’s counter-terrorism strategy.

He explained that terrorist organisations depended on financial resources to acquire weapons, recruit members, facilitate movement and sustain their operations.

Laka said the government would strengthen collaboration among investigative agencies, prosecutors, financial intelligence institutions and other relevant bodies to identify and dismantle the networks sustaining terrorism.

He stressed that the objective of the trials was not to secure convictions at all costs but to ensure that every case was determined fairly, based on credible evidence and in accordance with the law.

He noted that acquittals, discharges and other judicial decisions were equally important in demonstrating the credibility of the justice system.

The NCTC coordinator also called for sustained support for victims and survivors of terrorism, including psychological assistance, rehabilitation, access to justice and the restoration of communities affected by insurgency.

He urged relevant institutions to strengthen witness protection mechanisms to shield victims and witnesses from intimidation, threats and reprisals during investigations and prosecutions.

Laka attributed the outcomes of the trials to improved institutional cooperation, evidence management, effective case preparation and the timely presentation of defendants and witnesses before the courts.

He commended the Federal High Court, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, prosecuting and defence counsel, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and security agencies for their contributions.

He also acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, towards the country’s counter-terrorism efforts.

Meanwhile, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has warned that individuals and organisations that knowingly provide support to terrorists could face prosecution, even when their actions do not directly result in attacks.

The Director of Legal Services, ONSA, Zakari Mijinyawa, said the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, criminalised a broad range of activities, including financing, facilitating, preparing for and providing support to terrorist organisations.

He explained that the law extended criminal liability beyond individuals who physically participate in terrorist attacks to those who knowingly assist or sustain terrorist activities.

Mijinyawa cited provisions prohibiting support for terrorism, which attract a minimum prison sentence of 20 years, as well as offences relating to the provision of property to terrorists, including renting accommodation to them.

He further disclosed that companies found to have received terrorist financing could face a fine of N200 million, irrespective of whether the funds were eventually deployed to carry out terrorist acts.

He urged Nigerians, particularly journalists and other stakeholders, to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the law to understand the full scope of the government’s counter-terrorism prosecution strategy.

Also speaking, the Director of Public Prosecution at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, said the government would not prosecute anyone without sufficient evidence establishing a case to answer.

Oyedepo said the prosecution process involved cooperation among investigative agencies, arresting authorities, prosecutors, security institutions and the judiciary.

He disclosed that about 1,047 charges were filed during the latest phase, describing the exercise as an indication of the capacity of relevant institutions to manage complex terrorism-related prosecutions.

He explained that cases lacking sufficient evidence were subjected to legal review, with appropriate recommendations forwarded to investigative agencies.

According to him, individuals not indicted after investigations could be recommended for release, rehabilitation and safe reintegration into society.

He added that such individuals might require psychological support and community-based rehabilitation to address trauma and reduce their vulnerability to further security threats.

On the rights of defendants, Oyedepo said suspects were not brought before the courts without legal representation, explaining that relevant information was transmitted to the Legal Aid Council to facilitate access to legal services.

He said defendants were also free to engage private legal practitioners, while international organisations, non-governmental organisations and diplomatic missions were invited to observe the proceedings.

Oyedepo maintained that the judiciary independently assessed evidence presented by the prosecution and determined whether it met the required legal threshold.

He also noted that the Constitution provided remedies, including damages and apologies ordered by competent courts, for individuals whose rights were violated or who were wrongly accused.

Similarly, the Technical Assistant to the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Hassan Dauda, said defendants were given opportunities to consult their lawyers before trial.

Dauda disclosed that legal teams visited detention facilities in Kainji and Maiduguri to interview defendants and assess their cases in an appropriate environment.

He said the arrangement was part of efforts by government institutions to guarantee the constitutional right to legal representation, particularly for defendants facing capital charges.

He added that defendants who wished to engage private lawyers were also permitted to do so through the appropriate procedures.