Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed his admiration for lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi, following a recent visit to him after his release from a correctional facility in Ekiti.

In a tweet on Friday, Obi shared his appreciation for Farotimi’s resilience, noting that despite the challenges he faced, Farotimi was in high spirits. Obi praised Farotimi as a symbol of courage, particularly in his unwavering commitment to the fight for a better Nigeria.

“Since his return from the correctional center in Ekiti, I was happy to meet with him and find him in good spirits. His steadfast dedication to our country’s progress remains deeply encouraging,” Obi said. “Dele Farotimi exemplifies courage in the face of adversity, always standing firm for good governance in our nation.”

The former governor also extended his best wishes for a fruitful and productive year to Farotimi, emphasizing their shared goal of national development.

Farotimi was arrested on December 3 by the Ekiti State Police Command, following allegations of defamation and cyberbullying made by respected legal figure and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aare Afe Babalola. Babalola accused Farotimi of defaming him in a 116-page book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. Farotimi was released shortly after his arrest.

In an unexpected turn of events, the State of the Nation Address (SONA) held by President Nana Akufo-Addo was momentarily overshadowed by a medical emergency. Earlier today, during the president’s speech in Parliament, his personal bodyguard, identified as Colonel Isaac Amponsah, collapsed, sparking immediate concern and a swift response from the security detail present.

The incident took place as President Akufo-Addo was detailing the government’s achievements and plans, focusing on digital services and democratic enhancements. Colonel Amponsah, who has served as the President’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC) since February 2023, began showing signs of distress before ultimately collapsing. Reports from various sources indicate that he was rubbing his face and appeared to struggle with his breathing and balance before falling to the ground.

The event was captured on video, showing the immediate reaction of other security members who rushed to aid him, ensuring he was quickly attended to by medical personnel and removed from the chamber. This interruption caused a brief pause in the proceedings, but the President continued his address thereafter.

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This incident has raised questions about the preparedness and efficiency of emergency response measures during state functions. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, criticized the lack of an immediate and effective response, highlighting it as indicative of broader flaws within Ghana’s emergency protocols. He also pointed out the President’s failure to acknowledge the incident or express concern for his aide during the speech.

The health and well-being of Colonel Amponsah remain a concern, with no official updates yet on his condition. This event serves as a stark reminder of the human element behind the pomp of state ceremonies, where even those tasked with protecting leaders are not immune to health crises.

The collapse of a presidential bodyguard during such a critical and high-profile event like the SONA not only brings attention to the individual’s health but also to the broader systems in place for handling emergencies. It prompts a necessary review of how these incidents are managed to ensure the safety and security of all involved, including the officials, staff, and the public present at such gatherings.

As Ghana continues to navigate through its political landscape, this incident underscores the importance of robust emergency response strategies to safeguard everyone during national events. The nation now awaits further details on Colonel Amponsah’s recovery and potential changes to security and health protocols for future state functions.

A group chaired by human rights lawyer Femi Falana has disclosed that the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, annulled the disputed sale of the Port Harcourt Refinery to a consortium led by Dangote Oil upon discovering that the deal was not in the best interest of the nation.

In a statement released on Friday, the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) highlighted that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had sold a 51 per cent stake in the Port Harcourt Refinery to Bluestar Oil for $561 million.

According to the ASCAB Chair, Falana, Bluestar Oil was a consortium made up of Dangote Oil, Zenon Oil, and Transcorp. On May 28, 2007, in a similar transaction, 51% of Kaduna Refinery was sold to Bluestar Oil for $160 million.

“Bluestar Oil was a consortium of three domestic companies, including Dangote Oil, Zenon Oil, and Transcorp. Prior to the deal, President Obasanjo had acquired significant shares in Transcorp through ‘blind trust’.

“Many interest groups in the country raised concerns about the legal validity and moral propriety of the sales, as they were concluded in the final days of the Obasanjo Administration,” Falana alleged, highlighting potential conflicts of interest.

The senior lawyer emphasized that under the Privatisation and Commercialisation Act, the Vice President serves as the chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), which oversees the sale of public enterprises.

Sidelined then-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and directly managed the privatisation process for several key national assets.

Falana said on May 17, 2007, President Obasanjo sold a 51 per cent stake in the Port Harcourt refinery to Bluestar Oil for US$561 million.

A group chaired by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has disclosed that the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua annulled the disputed sale of the Port Harcourt Refinery to a consortium led by Dangote Oil upon discovering that the deal was not in the best interest of the nation.

In a statement released on Friday, the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) highlighted that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had sold a 51% stake in the Port Harcourt Refinery to Bluestar Oil for $561 million.

According to the ASCAB Chair, Falana, Bluestar Oil was a consortium made up of Dangote Oil, Zenon Oil, and Transcorp. On May 28, 2007, in a similar transaction, 51% of Kaduna Refinery was sold to Bluestar Oil for $160 million.

“Bluestar Oil was a consortium of three domestic companies, including Dangote Oil, Zenon Oil, and Transcorp. Prior to the deal, President Obasanjo had acquired significant shares in Transcorp through ‘blind trust’.

Many interest groups in the country raised concerns about the legal validity and moral propriety of the sales, as they were concluded in the final days of the Obasanjo Administration,” Falana alleged, highlighting potential conflicts of interest.

The senior lawyer emphasized that under the Privatisation and Commercialisation Act, the Vice President serves as the chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), which oversees the sale of public enterprises.

sidelined then-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and directly managed the privatisation process for several key

He explained that in another transaction that took place on May 28, 2007, President Obasanjo sold 51% shares in Kaduna Refinery to Bluestar Oil for $160 million.

He noted that the two powerful trade unions in the oil industry —the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) kicked against the privatisation of the two refineries on grounds of conflict of interest and lack of due process.

“They also alleged that the nation had been shortchanged as the shares acquired in the Port Harcourt refinery for $516 million were worth US$5 billion.

“Convinced that the deals were not in the national interest, both unions proceeded on a 4-day strike that almost paralysed the Nigerian economy in June 2007. The strike was called off based on the assurance of the federal government to the effect that the deals would be fully investigated,” Falana stated.

He said upon the conclusion of the investigation by the federal government, the purported privatisation of the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries was cancelled by then President Umaru Yar’adua.

“It is on record that the cancellation of the privatisation was not challenged in any court as it was carried out contrary to the letter and spirit of the Privatisation and Commercialisation Act.

“The Alliance on Surviving Covid and Beyond (ASCAB) hereby calls on NUPENG and PENGASSAN to intensify their historical struggle aimed at as a counterpoise to the renewed campaign for the privatisation of the nation’s refineries.

“Those who are awaiting the privatisation of the refineries in a manner at variance with the national interest should be advised to set up their own refineries like the Dangote Group,” the statement added.

Former President Obasanjo had revealed how the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (now Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited) turned down a $750 million offer from Aliko Dangote to manage the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries in 2007, during his administration.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with Channels Television on Thursday, Obasanjo revealed that although the NNPC was aware of its inability to effectively manage the national refineries, it still rejected Dangote’s proposal.

Obasanjo said that Dangote made his offer after Shell turned down his (Obasanjo) offer to manage the three refineries because of corruption, poor maintenance, low production output and two other reasons.

The former President said, “It was after that, Aliko got a team together and they paid $750 million to take part in PPP (Public–Private Partnership) in running the refineries.

“My successor (Yar’Adua) refunded their money and I went to my successor and told him what transpired. He said NNPC said they wanted the refineries and they can run it. I said but you know they cannot run it.”