News

Court declares AAP legally registered, directs INEC to issue certificate of registration

Published

3 weeks ago

June 11, 2026

Preport

The African Alliance Party, AAP, has said that the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division, has declared the party a legally registered political party in Nigeria.

National Chairman of the party, Rev. Peters Olusegun Iyaobaje, in a statement on Thursday, said the judgment was delivered in Appeal No. CA/MK/102/26, filed by the party against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, its Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, and the Secretary, Dr. Rose Oriarian-Anthony.

According to Iyaobaje, the appellate court held that AAP is deemed to be a duly registered political party by operation of law.

The statement explained, “The basis of the court’s decision was that INEC failed to challenge the party’s eligibility for registration within the constitutionally prescribed 90-day window available for the registration of political parties.

“The court found that INEC’s failure to act within that period foreclosed any objection to the party’s registration, thereby entitling AAP to be treated as a registered political party as a matter of constitutional right.

“Consequent upon its findings, the court directed INEC to issue and deliver a certificate of registration to the African Alliance Party without further delay. This order is binding on INEC and all its officers.

“This judgment reinforces the principle that constitutional timelines imposed on regulatory authorities are not merely directory but are mandatory in nature. INEC’s inaction within the prescribed period cannot be used as an instrument to deny eligible political associations their right to registration.”

The party said the decision is a significant affirmation of the rule of law and the integrity of Nigeria’s multiparty democratic framework ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The judgment is coming amid a suit seeking the deregistration of some Nigerian opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Business

Firm linked to Otudeko’s Honeywell Group buys 14% stake in Ikeja Hotel

Published

33 minutes ago

July 3, 2026

Preport

HGL Real Estate Limited, a company with no significant digital presence, linked to billionaire tycoon Oba Otudeko, has acquired a 14.1 per cent stake in Lagos-listed hospitality provider Ikeja Hotel.

Ikeja Hotel “received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares,” according to a regulatory filing on Thursday.

Based on Thursday’s closing share price, the firm’s holding in Ikeja Hotel is valued at over N13.2 billion.

The share purchase places HGL Real Estate among the top seven shareholders of the company, second only to Oma Investments Limited, which occupies the pinnacle of the pecking order with a 25.8 per cent interest.

HGL Real Estate does not own or run a known website, which is odd for a company financially enabled to own shares worth several billion naira in another firm.

Even on the Honeywell Group Limited (HGL)’s website, HGL Real Estate is not mentioned anywhere among the subsidiaries, including among the group’s real estate subsidiaries, which comprise Anchorage Leisures Limited and Uraga Real Estate.

PREMIUM TIMES’ checks with the Corporate Affairs Commission, as well as the commission’s beneficial ownership register, did not return any information related to the company.

In May 2023, Honeywell Group announced the appointment of Kemi Adeoye, its chief financial officer, to the board of Ikeja Hotel as a non-executive director.

“As a member of the board, Mrs Adeoye will play a crucial role in representing HGL’s interest in the company and ensuring continued value creation for stakeholders,” Honeywell Group said at the time.

“HGL’s investment in Ikeja Hotel Plc is in line with its mission to create, build, and invest in great businesses that create enduring value and improve lives,” it added.

In 2022, Honeywell Group consummated a deal to sell its 71.7 per cent shareholding in Honeywell Flour Mills to Nigeria’s largest flour-maker, Flour Mills.

READ ALSO: Group petitions EFCC over N117‎ billion rice importation fraud

The enterprise value of the transaction was N80 billion.

Mr Otudeko served as the chairman of FBN Holdings (now First HoldCo) from 2012 until 2021, when he was ousted during a board shake-up by the Central Bank of Nigeria for his role in what the regulator described as a breach of corporate governance.

News

Last chance to apply — Startup Battlefield Australia applications close July 6

Published

34 minutes ago

July 3, 2026

Preport

Every startup has a moment that changes everything.

For some, it’s landing their first customer. For others, it’s closing their first funding round.

For a select few, it starts with one pitch.

If you’re going to apply for Startup Battlefield Australia, now is the time. Applications close July 6, and once the deadline passes, the opportunity is gone.

Who should apply?

If you’re an early-stage startup in Australia or New Zealand, this opportunity was built for you.

We’re looking for founders who are:

Pre-seed to Series A.
Building a real product with early traction.
Solving meaningful problems with innovative technology.
Ready to introduce their company to investors, media, and the broader startup ecosystem.

You don’t need to be famous.

In fact, that’s the point.

Startup Battlefield exists to discover the next breakout company before everyone else does.

What’s at stake?

On August 19, 2026, eight selected startups will take the stage live at Stripe Tour Sydney in front of leading investors, global media, and Australia’s technology community.

The top three startups will receive up to $15,000 in Stripe fee credits.

The grand prize goes even further.

The winner receives automatic entry into Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 — one of the world’s most prestigious startup competitions — in San Francisco this October.