Publication Archives: Newsletter

After years of protracted disputes over interpretation of the fiscal terms of the production-sharing contracts, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its Production Sharing Contract (PSC) partners – Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPNG), Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL) and Nigerian Agip Exploration (NAE) – have executed agreements to renew Oil Mining Lease (OML) 118, the first deep-water block developed in Nigeria, for another 20 years.

By: Emmanuel Adefeso (Esq.)

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Monday 24^th day of May, 2021 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou), establishing the Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission for the socio-economic development of both states.

The Commission, according to the two governors is a common alliance between the two states to jointly tackle issues bordering on security, sanitation, traffic and transportation, waste management, water supply, land use planning, infrastructure development and maintenance, urban renewal, and slum upgrading, among others.

INTRODUCTION

The Supreme Court of Nigeria is the apex Court in Nigeria. Formerly, appeals from the then Federal Supreme Court went to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England,but in 1963 such practices were abolished,consequently, the Supreme Court of Nigeria became the highest court in Nigeria.

Although the Supreme Court of Nigeria is the highest court, nevertheless, the Court has both original and appellate jurisdictions as it has the sole authority and jurisdiction to entertain appeals from the Court of Appeal. Also, decisions delivered by the court are binding on all courts in Nigeria.

By: Emmanuel Adefeso (Esq.)

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the designation of four international airports as Special Free Economic Zones (hereinafter referred to as “SEZ”).

The announcement was made by the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who revealed this on his Twitter handle on Thursday 20^th day of May, 2021, as follows; “I am very glad to announce that Mr. President has approved our four international airports as Special Economic Zones. These are Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Our roadmap is working.”

By: Ronaldson Diete-Spiff, Esq

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and the Parliamentary Staff Union of Nigeria (PSUN) in conjunction with the State Governors have set up modalities for full financial autonomy to be granted to all arms of the government. The resolution followed a reconciliation meeting with the leaderships of the workers unions. The committee on implementation of financial autonomy led by the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige has stated that the agreement which have been signed is set to take effect upon the signing of the agreement. State Governors having studied and signed the agreement asserted that the respective accounts of each state’s judiciary and legislature is to be credited in line with the 2021 Appropriation Law of each state. The agreement was signed by the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who doubles as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum on behalf of all governors in Nigeria, while Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the Governor of Sokoto State witnessed the signing of the agreement.