A Lagos State High Court has granted interim preservative orders, including a Mareva injunction, in favour of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc in a dispute involving the alleged diversion of petroleum products valued at $242 million.

The orders, granted last Thursday by Justice K. A. Jose, followed allegations by UBA that Vitol SA, a Switzerland-based energy trading company, wrongfully released cargoes of petroleum products consigned to the bank in the bills of lading.

UBA’s lead counsel, Bode Olanipekun, SAN, urged the court to grant the interim orders to preserve assets and prevent the dissipation of funds pending the determination of the substantive dispute.

In her ruling, Justice Jose granted three of the prayers sought by the bank, including requests to restrain dealings with assets and funds up to the disputed amount.

“Prayers 1–3 are granted as prayed against the 2nd Respondent only,” the judge ruled.

The application was brought pursuant to Order 43 Rule 1 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and the Lagos State High Court Practice Direction No. 2 of 2019.

In the substantive proceedings, UBA is seeking to establish the liability of Vitol SA and the owners of the vessels over alleged conversion, misrepresentation and negligence arising from the non-delivery of the petroleum products.

The bank also cited 34 financial institutions and public agencies, including commercial banks, merchant banks, microfinance banks, the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigeria Customs Service, in connection with the application.

In an affidavit supporting the application, UBA’s Group Head of Recoveries and Remedial Management, Anthony Chilaka, stated that the bank had issued a letter of credit in favour of Vitol SA to facilitate petroleum products transactions.

According to the affidavit, the cargoes were transported to Nigeria, and the masters of the vessels issued several bills of lading.

UBA alleged that Vitol subsequently endorsed the bills of lading “to the order of” the bank and handed over the original documents to it.

The bank maintained that the endorsement entitled it to take possession of the cargoes upon completion of the voyages.

However, Chilaka stated that UBA had not received the gasoil despite the completion of the voyages.

“The applicant has not been given possession of the gasoil despite completion of the voyage,” the affidavit stated.

UBA alleged that the cargoes were instead diverted for the use of another party, arguing that the failure to deliver the products amounted to conversion and negligence.

The bank further contended that the respondents had obligations arising from the transactions and the endorsement of the shipping documents but failed to fulfil them.

UBA also alleged that cargoes linked to the transactions were diverted to other parties after the completion of their voyages rather than delivered to the bank as stipulated in the shipping documents.

The allegations are expected to be determined in the substantive proceedings.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mamman Giwa, has warned police officers against degrading treatment of citizens, extortion and other forms of unprofessional conduct.

Giwa gave the warning on Wednesday during an emergency conference with senior officers at the Senior Police Officers’ Mess, Agbani Road, Enugu.

He also directed senior and supervisory officers to strengthen oversight of personnel and improve security management for political and election-related activities ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

The commissioner said the conference followed directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, during a virtual strategic meeting with senior officers on October 20.

According to him, the I-G emphasised professionalism, compliance with the Nigeria Police Force’s social media policies, adapting policing to contemporary realities, respectful treatment of citizens, and effective management of political activities and election security.

“It is clear that officers cannot effectively discharge their policing responsibilities without treating citizens with respect and conducting their duties in accordance with extant laws and established professional standards,” Giwa said.

He charged senior officers to take responsibility for the conduct of personnel under their supervision, warning that any officer found engaging in misconduct would face the consequences.

The conference also featured a health talk on the Ebola virus, focusing on its symptoms and preventive measures.

Those in attendance included Deputy and Assistant Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, heads of formations, tactical and operational units, and heads of various sections of the Enugu State Police Command.

The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the death of Nnaji Izuchukwu, who sustained gunshot injuries during a police operation at Bull Hotel, Asata, Enugu.

The directive followed an intelligence-led raid by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), during which 10 suspects were arrested.

Enugu CP, Mamman Bitrus Giwa

In a statement issued on Friday, October 23, 2026, the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the commissioner had directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID) to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The investigation is expected to determine whether the operation, particularly the use of firearms, complied with established police operational standards and applicable laws.

According to the police, the operation was carried out based on what the command described as credible intelligence concerning criminal activities at the hotel.

The statement identified one of the suspects as Nworie Chidera Kelvin, popularly known as “Akidi,” whom the police alleged was a notorious drug dealer and member of the Vikings Confraternity.

The command further alleged that Akidi had been linked to several cases involving unlawful possession of firearms and cult-related activities, including a case in which he was reportedly charged in absentia. He was also suspected of keeping firearms and other criminal items for the gang.

The police said the operation resulted in the arrest of Akidi and nine other suspects, both male and female, aged between 17 and 28.

Items allegedly recovered from the scene included quantities of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis, popularly known as “loud,” a weighing scale suspected to have been used for measuring illicit drugs, and ₦43,400 in various denominations.

The statement said that during the operation, Izuchukwu and another suspect allegedly jumped through a window in an attempt to escape.

It added that an operative pursuing the two men was reportedly confronted by them, with both suspects allegedly attempting to disarm the officer.

The ensuing struggle allegedly led to the officer’s firearm discharging, hitting Izuchukwu and leaving him with gunshot injuries, while the other suspect escaped.

Izuchukwu was subsequently rushed to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead. His remains have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy, according to the police.

Reacting to the incident, CP Giwa appealed to the deceased’s family, associates and other concerned persons to remain calm, assuring them that the investigation would establish the facts surrounding his death.

He also pledged that any police officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary action.

The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to professionalism, ethical conduct and strict compliance with operational procedures, stressing that established rules governing the use of firearms must be observed during police operations.