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By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria and Venezuela have agreed to reschedule their long-anticipated Joint Commission meeting, signalling a renewed push to deepen diplomatic and economic ties while allowing more time to prepare for meaningful outcomes.

The decision followed a high-level meeting in Abuja between Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, and Venezuela’s Ambassador, Alberto Castellar Padilla, where both sides reviewed plans for the second session of the bilateral commission initially slated for June 2026.

Officials acknowledged that evolving administrative developments in both countries could affect the original timetable, prompting a mutual decision to shift the meeting rather than delay it indefinitely.

Speaking during the engagement, Ambassador Ahmed underscored Nigeria’s commitment to the partnership, and added that the decision to reschedule was deliberate and strategic.

He said: “Nigeria remains firmly committed to strengthening its longstanding diplomatic relations with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and to ensuring that the Joint Commission delivers concrete and mutually beneficial outcomes.

“Both sides have agreed, in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation, to move the meeting to a more suitable date to allow for comprehensive preparation, effective participation, and a successful engagement.”

The Permanent Secretary also expressed solidarity with Venezuela’s ongoing reforms and welcomed recent improvements in its economic outlook.

“We recognise and support Venezuela’s ongoing economic and institutional reforms, and we are encouraged by recent positive developments, including the easing of sanctions on key financial institutions, which hold significant potential for enhanced bilateral cooperation”, he noted.

On his part, Ambassador Padilla reaffirmed Venezuela’s readiness to deepen ties with Nigeria, describing the Joint Commission as a vital platform for collaboratio.

“The Joint Commission remains an essential mechanism for advancing cooperation between our two countries across critical sectors, and Venezuela is committed to working closely with Nigeria to ensure its success”, he said.

Both countries highlighted priority areas including agriculture, oil and gas, energy, mining, manufacturing, and information and communication technology as key pillars for expanded cooperation.

To support the process, the two sides agreed to establish a joint technical committee tasked with reviewing existing agreements, updating outdated frameworks, and coordinating documentation ahead of the rescheduled meeting.

A new date for the Joint Commission will be formally communicated once consultations are concluded.

The renewed engagement reflects over six decades of diplomatic relations between the two nations, anchored on shared interests in energy, development, and South–South cooperation, with both sides reiterating their commitment to tackling emerging global challenges through sustained dialogue.

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Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, fixed June 22, July 1 and 2, 2026 for definite hearing in the trial of the Chief Executive Officer of Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-concept Media Limited, Osabohein Alex Ologbose, and his wife Hope Onome Oghelemu for alleged investment fraud.

The duo are being prosecuted alongside two companies, on a seven-count charge, bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, conversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N740 million.

According to the EFCC, the offence is contrary to Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and punishment under Section 18(4) of the same Act.

The defendants were arraigned on February 16, 2026.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, the prosecuting EFCC lawyer, O.S Ujam, informed the court that the prosecution team was ready to proceed with the trials and to present three witnesses in court.

On his part, the defence lawyer , T.O. Ochayi, informed the court that he was unprepared for the commencement of the trial, having been briefed on the matter just a day before and taking over only today.

He said, “We are not ready, my lord. I am sorry my lord. I just came into this matter today, I was not the counsel before now. I am not ready for trial. I was briefed yesterday, I would like this matter to proceed only if I have the motion for bail.”

Responding, Ujam informed the court that the prosecution team was hearing such a response from the defence for the first time, frowning at the fact that the prosecution was not given any prior notice for the change in counsel. He further informed the court that the three prosecution witnesses present in court were elderly and have been in court since morning.

He said, “We are just hearing this, this morning. No notice was given to us. I am not opposed to the adjournment, however, we urge the court to slate the matter for definite hearing. We have three witnesses that came from afar and elderly. They have been in court since morning.”

Justice Akpan, thereafter, adjourned the matter till June 22, and July 1 and 2, 2026 for definite hearing.

Investigation by the EFCC revealed that the first and second defendants induced unsuspecting members of the public into paying money into Oghelemu’s account or that of Onome Global Market Resources Limited on the false pretence that it was for procurement and exportation of “bitter kola nuts” and “red kola nuts” to Hong Kong, China and Indonesia after which they would be paid a huge Return on Investment (RoI).

But it turned out that the investors neither got RoI, nor their investment sums back.

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Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Monday confronted former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a tense exchange that has since gone viral.

The incident, captured on video, showed Sowore addressing Malami over his ongoing legal challenges, drawing comparisons between the former minister’s current predicament and his role during the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Malami is currently facing charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), including allegations of money laundering, unlawful possession of firearms, and acquisition of assets. He is also challenging an interim forfeiture order on some of his properties, insisting they were legally obtained.

During the confrontation, Sowore remarked, “You see how it feels now to be persecuted. When you were with Buhari, you were bragging. We warned you that the justice system was failing, but you didn’t listen. Now the system is dealing with you.”

But Sowore described the claims as speculative, stressing that no documentation had been provided to prove the properties were purchased with illegal funds.

He also accused the EFCC of inflating the value of the assets to strengthen its case. According to him, properties bought for hundreds of millions of naira were wrongly valued in the billions.

He noted that independent assessments had placed more realistic values on the assets.

Explaining the sources of his wealth, Malami said they stem from over 30 years of legal practice, as well as investments in sectors such as hospitality, agriculture, and education.

He added that he also benefited from bank loans, asset sales, gifts, and proceeds from book launches, all of which he claimed were properly declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

Beyond disputing the financial allegations, Malami accused the EFCC of violating due process. He further alleged that officials seized properties without a final court order, evicted occupants, and confiscated documents, actions he described as unlawful and extrajudicial conduct.

The case, which is linked to an ongoing criminal matter involving the former AGF, is expected to test the scope of the EFCC’s powers in asset forfeiture and its compliance with legal procedures.

Malami is asking the court to overturn the interim forfeiture order, insisting the properties are legitimate.

The court will ultimately determine whether the assets should be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government or returned to him.