…seeks an order of mandamus to compel release of original certificates

The credentials of the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, appear to be under scrutiny, as three separate suits before the Federal High Court in Abuja seek to compel the release of his original certificates.

The legal actions are seeking orders of mandamus against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), compelling them to make available to an applicant copies of certificates issued to the NDC candidate.

The suits, filed by a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Abayomi Arabambi, were predicated on the alleged refusal of the affected federal institutions to release details of Mr. Obi’s academic record in their custody, in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.

While the suit against WAEC, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2064/2026, and the one against NYSC, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2063/2026, were filed on September 1, the action against UNN, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026, was filed on September 9.

The plaintiff, through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Anderson Asemota, said he is not asking the court to determine whether the certificates the NDC presidential flag-bearer attached to the Form EC 9 he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 presidential election were “genuine or forged,” but is only seeking disclosure of the respondents’ official records “from which the status and particulars of the certificates may be ascertained.”

Arabambi told the court that he had written separately to the institutions demanding information concerning the certificates he believed they had issued to Obi.

He said his requests were not attended to, nor was there any explanation from the respondents as to why the information he sought could not be released.

According to the plaintiff, the information he is seeking is in the public interest and serves “purposes of transparency and accountability concerning persons seeking public office.”

Specifically, he is praying the court to compel WAEC, through an order of mandamus, to release to him a Certified True Copy (CTC) of WAEC Certificate No. SC042560, issued to Obi Gregory Onwubuase in June 1978.
The plaintiff is also praying the court to compel UNN to release to him the university’s certificate register, academic records, graduation records, Senate/degree-award records, and other existing official records relevant to Certificate No. D000198, insofar as such records exist.

“The applicant is not asking this court, in this proceeding, to pronounce that Certificate No. D000198 is genuine or forged.

“Rather, to ascertain what the university’s own official records disclose concerning the certificate,” he added.

Likewise, he urged the court to order NYSC to grant him access to official records relating to “NYSC Certificate No. 203495, stated to have been issued to Obi, Gregory Peter-Onwubuase (Mr.), on May 1, 1986,”
as well as the release of “any official record, certificate, document, or other material upon which the said Certificate No. 203495 was predicated, based, or issued, insofar as the same is in the custody, possession, or control of the respondents.”

“The request further sought information concerning the manner in which the name ‘Peter-Onwubuase’ appears in the relevant NYSC records.”

Court processes revealed that while WAEC, on August 11, declined the plaintiff’s request, citing the provisions of Sections 14(1)(a) and 14(2)(a) and (b) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, both UNN and NYSC neither granted the request nor gave any reason for refusing the application.

Consequently, the plaintiff is asking the court to declare that “the refusal of the respondents to furnish the applicant with the requested information, as communicated in its letter dated 11th August 2026, and in reliance on Section 14(1)(a) and Section 14(2)(a) and (b) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, is erroneous.”

He wants the court to declare that the request he made pursuant to the provisions of the FOI Act, 2011, was valid and ought to have been granted by the affected institutions.

He applied for: “An order of mandamus compelling the respondents to communicate to the applicant the result of a verification of the particulars of Certificate No. D000198 from the university’s existing official records, including whether the said certificate and/or its particulars appear in those records.”

“An order of mandamus compelling the respondents to communicate to the applicant the result of their verification of Certificate No. 203495 as disclosed by their official records.”

“An order directing the respondents, if they contend that any part of the requested information is exempt from disclosure, to identify the particular information withheld and the precise statutory provision relied upon for the refusal, and to disclose all severable non-exempt portions.”

Also, “an order pursuant to Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act directing disclosure of the requested information where this Honourable Court finds that the respondents are not authorised to deny access, have no reasonable grounds for denying access, or that the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest served by withholding it.”

Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suits. (Vanguard)

…Developer’s representative in police custody

Rescue and emergency workers in Enugu, on Sunday, rescued four persons trapped in a partially collapsed uncompleted hotel construction site, while one person is feared dead.

The four-storey building situated at Independence Layout, Enugu, was said to have collapsed early on Sunday morning, a development residents, who rushed to the scene, said could have been worse but for the regulatory interventions of the state government in sealing the site.

Speaking to newsmen at the site, the Executive Chairman, Enugu Capital Territory Development Agency (ECTDA), Barr. Uche Anya, said it was a case of one of the recalcitrant developers who failed to comply with building codes.

Anya said ECTDA had taken regulatory action by sealing the site, which was approved in 2021.

“This property collapsed in the early hours of the morning. We arrived here around 6am. When we arrived, we met one of the securitymen, who said that six people slept in the uncompleted property, but one of them was not around when the incident occurred.

“So, the government emergency services arrived, and we started rescue operations. Four people, right now, are in the hospital receiving treatment as we speak. I believe there could be one more person in there, and that is why you see all this rescue effort ongoing.

“Meanwhile, this property was approved in 2021 before the advent of this administration. But usually, we have a habit of stocktaking, checking on every construction at every stage. When I personally led the team that inspected here, we found out that there were serious integrity issues and non-compliance with their 2021 approval.

“I personally issued the first ‘stop work order,’ which, due to the violation, resulted in our sealing the place over the last six months.

“So, I think within the last 30, 40 days, the representative of the owner, whom they say lives abroad, has been interfacing with us to remedy the situation. This is the process that we are still trying to interface on, and it came down.

“By the way, I have handed the representative to the police, not necessarily for detention, but to help with the investigation. But this is really a very unfortunate situation,” he explained.

Also speaking to reporters, the Director, Enugu State Fire Service, Engr. Okwudiri Oha, commended the swift response by the Red Cross, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), ECTDA, the Enugu State Ambulance Services, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the mobilisation of adequate rescue equipment such as bulldozers and excavators, which ensured the rescue of four persons.

“As a rescue officer, what we did was to ask the security man how many people are here. He said that there were supposed to be six. One person had left before it happened.

“So, we were able at that initial time to rescue four persons. Out of the four, two sustained minor injuries and they were all rushed to a health facility for proper checks.

“Then, as you have seen, we have been working. The last person we just recovered was the fifth person. It is when you get to a health facility that you know whether he is still alive,” he stated.

NEMA Information Officer in Enugu, Mr. Ezeani Nnanyelugo, who confirmed the numbers, noted that the situation could have been worse but for the earlier sealing of the site by the state government.

“When we came to the scene of the incident, we found out that there were a total of six persons that were supposed to be on the site. One person was not on the site as at the time of the incident, while the four others were rescued and taken to the hospital and have been stabilised.

“Just not quite long ago, one body was recovered and it was taken to the hospital to confirm whether he was dead or alive,” he said.

The Executive Secretary, SEMA, Chinasa Mbah, said whereas only five persons were said to be present at the time of the incident, the entire wreckage would be cut through and excavated to ensure that no one was left behind.

“We are going to excavate everything because you can see the machines that government brought. We will excavate everything to ensure no survivor or body is left,” she said.

• Dangote notifies customers of 6.7% increase

Nigerians are poised for fresh hardship as the increase in petrol and diesel prices threatens to trigger another wave of higher costs across the economy.

Specifically, Abuja and other northern cities are set to face prices as rising crude oil prices and transportation costs increase the cost of supplying petroleum products to inland markets.

This followed the decision of Dangote Petroleum Refinery to raise its Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, gantry price by 6.7 per cent to N1,350 per litre from N1,265, effective September 12, 2026.

In a memo to customers, the refinery said: “Dear valued customer, please find below the revised DPRP PMS gantry and coastal price, which is effective September 12th, 2026.”

It also directed customers with existing loading arrangements to return their Automated Truck Certificates, ATCs, for repricing.

It said: “You are advised to return all ATCs for repricing and a new volume contract will be issued for immediate loading resumption.”

The increase is expected to raise acquisition costs for marketers sourcing petrol from the refinery and could trigger further pump-price adjustments.

The latest Energy Bulletin by the Industry Competency Centre, Lagos, showed that the seven-day average Brent crude price stood at $98.74 per barrel, while Bonny Light averaged $104.65. The seven-day average exchange rate was N1,323.12/$.

The bulletin put the seven-day average domestic petrol price at N1,308.33 per litre and diesel at N1,855.97 per litre.

With coastal ex-depot petrol prices currently ranging from N1,265.50 to N1,285 per litre, inland markets are expected to record higher prices because of additional trucking and distribution costs.

Industry estimates indicate that petrol could sell for N1,400-N1,500 per litre in Abuja, with prices potentially exceeding N1,500 at some filling stations, depending on supply costs and marketers’ margins.

The impact could be greater in northern cities farther from coastal supply centres. Petrol prices in Kano, Kaduna, Jos and other inland markets could rise to between N1,450 and N1,600 per litre, depending on availability, transportation costs and supply routes.

Diesel prices are also expected to remain elevated. The bulletin showed Lagos diesel ex-depot prices ranging between N1,790 and N2,100 per litre, suggesting that inland prices could reach N2,100-N2,400 per litre or higher after transportation and other distribution costs.

The widening gap between coastal and inland prices highlights the impact of logistics on Nigeria’s deregulated downstream petroleum market.

While Lagos, Port Harcourt and Warri have relatively close access to refineries, terminals and other supply centres, Abuja and northern markets depend heavily on products transported over longer distances.

The pressure could intensify if crude oil remains above $100 per barrel, the naira weakens or transportation costs rise. Conversely, lower crude prices, a stronger naira and reduced logistics costs could ease pressure on consumers.

Oil price, freight rate spikes challenge refineries — Expert

Reacting in an interview with Sunday Vanguard, Olatide Jeremiah, Chief Executive Officer, Petroleumprice.ng, said the increase reflected developments in the international oil market.

He said: “Oil price and freight rate spikes are universal challenges for refineries, except where the Federal Government intervenes. Gantry and pump prices will ultimately be determined by the impact of the Middle East crisis.

“The upward review of petrol prices to N1,350 per litre by the Dangote Refinery is expected as oil prices approach $110 per barrel.

“Pump prices could hit N1,500 per litre in major cities across Nigeria if the crisis persists.”

High fuel prices mean hardship for Nigerians — OGSPAN

Also speaking, Lawal Kamaldeen, Vice President, Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria, OGSPAN, said the latest increase would further pressure households and businesses.

He said: “The ¦ 85 increase represents approximately 6.7 per cent, while the refinery’s cumulative increase since August 21 has reached ¦ 185 per litre, representing about 15.9 per cent. The latest adjustment comes at a particularly difficult time for Nigerian households and businesses, which are already facing significant increases in the cost of living and doing business.

“We recognise that Dangote Refinery is operating in a market increasingly affected by international crude oil prices, product replacement costs and geopolitical disruptions arising from the conflict involving Iran and the United States. Recent developments in the international oil market have created genuine cost pressures for refiners and petroleum marketers.

“However, from the perspective of the domestic economy, we are concerned about the likely consequences of another increase in the cost of petrol.”

Kamaldeen said higher petrol prices would affect transportation, distribution, agriculture, small businesses and other economic activities.

“Petrol remains a major input for transportation, distribution, agriculture, small businesses and general economic activity in Nigeria. An increase in the wholesale price will inevitably create pressure across the downstream petroleum value chain,” he said.

According to him, the impact could include higher transportation and logistics costs, food and agricultural distribution costs, prices of essential goods and services, operating costs for small and medium-sized businesses, school transportation expenses and broader inflationary pressure.

He said OGSPAN was proposing a targeted, production-based support mechanism for locally refined petroleum products rather than a return to broad, import-based fuel subsidy.

“Such an intervention could include increasing the allocation of crude oil to qualified domestic refineries at competitive terms, particularly during periods of exceptional international price volatility,” he said.

He also called for a review of applicable taxes, levies and government charges on locally refined petroleum products, where necessary, as well as a transparent and time-bound domestic refining support framework linked to actual production and supply.

Kamaldeen added that any government intervention should be independently monitored and subject to clear performance benchmarks.

FG urged to tackle rising transport, food costs — S4C, Economist

Also, Executive Director, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Spaces for Change, warned that sustained increases in fuel prices could deepen pressure on households and businesses.

She said: “For households, the most immediate concern is likely to be higher transportation and food costs. Higher fuel and logistics costs can raise the cost of moving people and goods, while households and businesses that rely on petrol- or diesel-powered generators may face additional energy expenses.

“These pressures could further reduce purchasing power, particularly for low- and middle-income households. Nigeria’s headline inflation rate currently stands at 15.43%, while food inflation is 20.31%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

“Businesses across manufacturing, agriculture, construction, retail and logistics are similarly exposed to higher energy, transportation and input costs.

If the shock persists, firms may pass additional costs on to consumers, absorb lower profit margins, postpone investment or reduce employment. Consequently, a prolonged oil-price shock could constrain the recovery of the non-oil economy even as the oil sector benefits from higher crude prices.

“In the coming weeks, volatility is likely to remain the central concern. Continued conflict and disruption to major shipping routes could keep crude and refined petroleum prices elevated. Recent disruptions have already reduced oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz and contributed to higher shipping and fuel costs.”

She added: “Nigeria should therefore avoid treating the current price increase simply as a revenue windfall. First, government should preserve part of any additional oil revenue as fiscal and external buffers rather than immediately expanding recurrent expenditure.

“Second, support should be targeted at households and sectors most exposed to the shock. This could include temporary expansion of well-targeted cash transfers, transport support and measures that reduce the cost of moving food from farms to markets. Support for agricultural production, storage, irrigation and affordable financing should also be prioritised to reduce the risk that higher energy and transport costs translate into further food-price increases.

“Third, government should accelerate measures that reduce Nigeria’s exposure to petroleum-price volatility. Greater domestic gas utilisation, more reliable electricity, renewable energy, efficient transport systems and improved logistics can reduce the cost of energy across the wider economy.”

Earlier, an economist and communications expert, Clifford Egbomeade, said the immediate effect of higher crude prices would be a cost shock across the economy.

“The immediate effect on Nigeria is a cost shock. Higher crude prices will raise the cost of diesel, transport, freight and other energy-intensive inputs, putting pressure on business margins and household incomes,” he said. (Vanguard)