NEWS
Court Adjourns NDIC vs Benue Govt Case to June for Determination
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
A Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State capital has adjourned to June 19th, 2025, the matter between the Benue Investment Property Company, Ltd (BIPC) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC) over unauthorized sale of its shares.The suit, it was learnt is one of several litigations arising from transactions between the defunct AllStates Trust Bank Plc and Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, BIPC which was a customer of the Makurdi branch of the defunct bankFrom the Information obtained from the NDIC (which is a joined as defendant in the suit) made available to newsmen on Monday, the defunct bank granted BIPC various facilities, including: an advance of loan of N13,000,000.
00; a term loan of N550,000,000.00; an APG facility of N397,986,506.40; and an additional advance of N15,000,000.00.The document also stated that as at 16th January 2006, when the bank’s license was revoked, BIPC’s indebtedness stood at N230,599,919.93 (Two Hundred and Thirty Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and Nineteen Naira, Ninety-Three Kobo).Hence, to secure these facilities, BIPC deposited original share certificates in several blue-chip companies as collateral, including, Julius Berger Plc., Benue Cement Company Plc., UAC Nigeria Plc., First Bank of Nigeria Plc., NAL Bank Plc., Union Bank of Nigeria Plc., National Oil and Chemical Nigeria Plc. AshakaCem Plc. Conoil Plc. Afribank Nigeria Plc.The defunct bank also, forwarded some designated share certificates to its stockbrokers, Messrs Rolex Securities Ltd. (later renamed GMT Securities & Asset Management Limited), for verification and perfection of the bank’s interest.However, instead of complying with the bank’s instructions, the stockbrokers, on 11th March 2005, disposed of the shares through another company, Solid Rock Investment and Securities Ltd. They subsequently remitted to Zenith Bank Plc. Cheque for N4,000,000.00 to the defunct bank, purportedly as proceeds from the sale. GMT Securities Ltd. Conducted further unauthorized sales in 2010 and 2013.Justice Salisu Abubakar Mohammed adjourned the matter to the 19th June, 2025 for further hearing even as the defendants said though the court failed to sit, they came prepared with their witnesses to present their case.Foreign News
4 killed in South Korean Navy plane crash

A South Korean Navy patrol plane with four people on board crashed on a mountain in Pohang, a city in the south-eastern part of the country.
The Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday, citing authorities.
The crash happened at 1:50 pm (0450 GMT).
According to the report, witnesses said smoke was seen rising from the mountain.
The bodies of all four people aboard the plane have since been recovered, Yonhap reported.
The navy, in a short statement to reporters, said the crash occurred after the aircraft took off for a training exercise, but crashed due to unidentified reasons.
The navy said that it is investigating further details.
Fire workers were dispatched to the scene to extinguish the blaze.(dpa/NAN)
NEWS
NAFDAC Warns Water Producers on Compliance

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday warned producers to strictly follow hygiene standards and digital registration procedures. Mr Kenneth Azikiwe, Director of NAFDAC’s FCT directorate, said the warning followed inspections that revealed expired licences among several producers.
Azikiwe also educated members of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP), Mararaba-Karu branch, on the importance of compliance. The agency highlighted regulatory timelines and advised on improving water quality across the FCT and parts of Nasarawa State, including Mararaba, Nyanya, and Karu. He noted that producers were careless with water treatment, often misusing sterilisation equipment during production. Azikiwe cited cases where workers unplugged ultraviolet sterilisers to charge phones and turned hygiene areas into kitchens. He reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to public safety and urged compliance for the benefit of all Nigerians. Azikiwe encouraged producers to use the agency’s digital platform, the NAFDAC Automated Products and Nutritional Monitoring System (NAPAMS), for easier access to services. He added that laboratory samples are now processed weekly to speed up approvals and urged strict adherence to procedures. Mrs Gloria Wilberford, Head of the Greater FCT Office in Mararaba, said NAPAMS had greatly improved after its upgrade to version 3. She noted that laboratory submissions now occur every Wednesday, cutting delays that used to last over a month. Wilberford said the agency’s aim was to support compliant businesses, not to penalise them. She added that setting up offices in Mararaba and Suleja was meant to ease administrative hurdles in satellite towns. Mr Michael Ajagbonna, Nasarawa Coordinator for the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, explained SON certifies products while NAFDAC handles their registration. He stressed on mutual respect among regulators and the need to work within legal boundaries, despite overlapping duties. ATWAP National Financial Secretary, Amb. Usman Diggi, said members struggle with digital literacy but promised to help identify non-compliant producers. “As a union, we can’t sanction violators, but we will report them to NAFDAC,” he stated. Mr John Michael, an ATWAP member, found the session informative and called for more stakeholder engagement. He said the workshop clarified registration issues and gave members the tools and contacts needed to resolve them. (NAN)NEWS
NDA Commandant Seeks Emir of Zazzau’s Support in Training Officers

The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.-Gen. Abdul Ibrahim, has sought for the royal blessings and support from the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Bamalli.Report says that Ibrahim spoke when he paid a courtesy visit to the emir at his Palace in Zaria on Wednesday.
The commandant also solicited the emir’s cooperation in fulfilling the NDA’s primary mandate of training officers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and allied African nations. During the visit, the commandant formally informed the emir about his new positon, following the recent re-deployment of personnel in the Nigerian Army. Ibrahim highlighted that the NDA was established over six decades ago to cater to the growing demand for officers in post-independence Nigeria.He emphasised the importance of partnerships with traditional rulers and other stakeholders to enhance both economic development and security in the nation.The commandant invited the emir to deliver a keynote address at the upcoming ‘Leadership Seminar’ dedicated to the legacy of the famous Queen Amina of Zazzau.Ibrahim also informed the emir about the Passing Out Parade (POP) for the 72 Regular Course (RC) Cadets, scheduled for September 2025, and extended a formal invitation for him to attend as the Royal Father of the Day.The commandant also wished Bamalli a long reign, stability, and good health while reassuring him of the armed forces’ ongoing support for peace and stability in the Emirate and beyond.In response, the emir reminisced about his school days at the Government College Kaduna, reflecting on the military discipline instilled at the NDA, which also benefited the students in his college. “I recall those days; the standard of discipline in the NDA was being replicated in our college, making us the beneficiaries of good military traditions,” he stated.The emir expressed his best wishes for Ibrahim’s tenure, stating, “judging from your antecedents, the NDA is lucky to have you as Commandant.”Regarding the Leadership Seminar on Queen Amina, the emir revealed ongoing efforts at the palace to harmonise literature with unwritten facts about the legendary warrior queen, aiming to clarify conflicting accounts and present a well-rounded historical perspective.He assured his attendance at the POP of the 73 RC, reiterating his commitment to the NDA.Accompanying the NDA Commandant included Maj.- Gen. AB Mohammed, the Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army; Prof. Isa Garba, Academy’s Provost; Commodore ST Lengaya, Director of Coordination; Air Commodore SA Buhari, Director of Logistics and Col. MS Jafar, Chief Instructor, Army Wing, among othersThe visit was witnessed by the members of the Zazzau Emirate Council, District Heads, and palace staff. (NAN)