Business

Alleged Criminal Conversion: EFCC Recovers N4.4bn Worth of AGO in Lagos

Published

3 weeks ago

August 18, 2026

Preport

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, August 17, 2026 recovered 2.3 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, valued at N4.485 billion from Mamemo Ibru of Ibafon Oil and Gas, during an investigation into an alleged case of stealing and criminal conversion.

The recovery followed a petition submitted by Prudent Energy and Services Limited, alleging that petroleum products entrusted to Ibafon Oil and Gas for storage had been unlawfully converted, resulting in a significant shortfall in the company’s stock.

The petitioner also alleged that periodic withdrawals were made from the stored products until the outstanding balance stood at 2,574,031 litres.

However, during a subsequent physical measurement and reconciliation exercise, only 206,761 litres remained in the storage tanks, leaving a deficit of 2,367,270 litres.

Investigation revealed that Ibafon Oil and Gas is involved in the purchase and sale of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and also stores its petroleum products at the same depot alongside products belonging to its customers.

It was further revealed that Ibru allegedly used his position as the owner of Ibafon Oil and Gas to truck out petroleum products in excess of the quantity owned by the company, thereby converting the petitioner’s products for his own use.

Following the Commission’s intervention, the suspect handed over the recovered products to the petitioner, Prudent Energy and Services Limited.

The post Alleged Criminal Conversion: EFCC Recovers N4.4bn Worth of AGO in Lagos appeared first on Business Today NG.

Related Topics:alleged conversion Criminal EFCC Lagos N4.4bn recovers Worth

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Post-Recapitalisation, Mutual Benefits Pledges Deeper Investment in Tech, Customer Experience

Published

2 hours ago

September 10, 2026

Preport

For more than 30 years, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc has built its reputation on a simple promise: being there for Nigerians when protection matters most.

From safeguarding families and businesses to protecting assets and supporting long-term financial goals, the company has earned the trust of millions of Nigerians and established itself as a recognised player in Nigeria’s insurance industry.

That legacy of trust now provides the foundation for Mutual Benefits’ next chapter.

Following the successful completion of its recapitalisation,Mutual Benefits is positioning for sustainable growth while strengthening its role as a trusted protection partner to Nigerians.

Commenting on the development, Managing Director/CEO, Femi Asenuga said: “For over three decades, Nigerians have entrusted Mutual Benefits with what matters most to them. This includes their families,

businesses, assets and financial futures.

That trust is both our greatest privilege and our greatest responsibility. Our recapitalisation strengthens the foundation from which we can serve our customers better, innovate more meaningfully and build sustainably for the future.”

For Mutual Benefits, the significance of recapitalisation goes beyond meeting a regulatory requirement. It provides a stronger platform to deepen investment in products, technology, customer experience and service capabilities, while responding to the evolving financial protection needs of Nigerians.

The company’s portfolio spans Non-Life and Life Assurance solutions covering key areas including Motor, Home, Marine, Fire & Special Perils, Travel and Group Life Insurance, among others, as well as a suite of solutions supporting children’s education, retirement, savings and investment.

As customers increasingly expect greater convenience and accessibility, Mutual Benefits is also accelerating its digital transformation, strengthening its online platforms and customer journeys to make insurance easier to access and interact with.

The company is equally placing renewed emphasis on customer experience, with a focus on improving engagement and service delivery across the customer journey.

Asenuga added: “Our ambition is not simply to grow bigger, but to become better for our customers. Every investment we make in technology, people, products and service must ultimately translate into greater convenience, stronger value and greater confidence for the people and businesses we serve.”

As Nigerians navigate changing economic realities and increasing financial responsibilities, Mutual Benefits believes insurance has an increasingly important role to play in helping individuals and businesses build resilience and protect what they have worked hard to create.

The company’s post-recapitalisation strategy, therefore, focuseson sustainable growth, innovation, operational effectiveness and deeper customer engagement, while expanding access to relevant protection and financial solutions.

With three decades of experience behind it and a stronger foundation for the future, Mutual Benefits remains committed to earning and reinforcing the trust of its customers, helping them protect what matters, prepare for uncertainty and pursue their financial aspirations with greater confidence.

“We are proud of the journey Mutual Benefits has taken over the past 30 years, but we are even more focused on what lies ahead. Our stronger foundation gives us the opportunity to serve more Nigerians, create greater value and deepen the trust that has sustained our business. We are committed to being a protection partner our customers can depend on today, tomorrow and for generations to come,” Asenuga concluded.

The post Post-Recapitalisation, Mutual Benefits Pledges Deeper Investment in Tech, Customer Experience appeared first on Business Today NG.

Business

NUPRC threatens to revoke gas flare site awards over non-utilisation

Published

10 hours ago

September 10, 2026

Preport

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The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has warned that it may revoke permits awarded to investors under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) if they fail to demonstrate significant progress in utilising the sites.

The Commission Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this during a working visit to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mrs Eyesan, according to a statement issued by the commission on Wednesday, presented an update on the implementation of the NGFCP during the meeting.

“One year after an award has been granted, the Commission conducts an evaluation to determine whether there has been considerable progress,” she said.

“Where there is insufficient progress, the Commission will take appropriate regulatory action, including revocation of the award where necessary.”

27 flare sites awarded

Mrs Eyesan said the NGFCP had continued to make significant progress despite initial resistance from some oil and gas operators.

She said 43 flare gas sites were originally identified for award; 27 have been successfully awarded so far, and implementation efforts are ongoing.

The Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme was launched by the Federal Government in 2016 to end routine gas flaring at oil fields by enabling third-party investors to commercialise gas that would otherwise be flared.

The latest warning comes amid growing concerns over the continued gas flaring by oil companies and its impact on oil-producing communities.

PREMIUM TIMES investigations have documented the environmental and livelihood impacts of persistent gas leaks and flaring in oil-producing communities, as well as cases of oil companies allegedly violating gas-flaring regulations without facing effective sanctions.

Nigeria has over 215 TCF of proven gas reserves
Mrs Eyesan also said Nigeria currently has more than 215 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven natural gas reserves, with an estimated total reserve base of about 600 TCF.

READ ALSO: Nigeria’s crude oil production down 4% in July — NUPRC

“These resources provide a strong foundation for power generation, industrialisation, exports and broader economic development,” she said.

She said the effective commercialisation of the country’s gas resources would help Nigeria derive greater economic value while reducing environmental pollution associated with gas flaring.

On host community development, the NUPRC chief said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) introduced the Host Community Development Trust framework to address longstanding concerns in petroleum-producing communities and promote sustainable development.

She said available data indicated that the implementation of the trusts had contributed to reductions in oil theft and oil spills while improving relationships between operators and host communities.

“Today, 173 Host Community Development Trusts have been incorporated, 147 have been funded, over 1,001 projects are currently ongoing, while more than 200 projects have been successfully commissioned across host communities,” she said.

On his part, Mr Ekpo called for deliberate and aggressive implementation of Nigeria’s gas commercialisation programme to enable the country to meet its 2030 target of eliminating routine gas flaring.

“The core objective is to add value to our gas resources by converting them into critical products and services. We must move away from environmental pollution and toward productive resource utilisation,” the minister said.