Access Bank Plc last week welcomed the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, during his first official visit to Nigeria, underscoring the growing importance of German-Nigerian economic ties. Accompanied by a delegation of German business leaders and representatives, President Steinmeier’s visit highlights Access Bank’s pivotal role in strengthening bilateral trade relations and supporting German businesses operating in Nigeria and across Africa.

President Steinmeier’s visit – which included key discussions with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja and ECOWAS Chairman Omar Touray – showcased Germany’s commitment to fostering economic partnerships in the region. His Lagos agenda featured a landmark visit to Access Bank, as well as engagements with Nigerian startup founders and German-Nigerian business representatives to explore opportunities for trade and investment.

A central feature of the engagement at Access Bank was a business roundtable hosted by Access Bank’s leadership team and its German Desk. The roundtable brought together German and Nigerian stakeholders, with discussions focused on two key areas: finance and energy, both of which are crucial to bolstering economic growth and innovation in the region.

Addressing stakeholders at the Roundtable, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, highlighted that, “Nigeria’s position as Germany’s second-largest trading partner in Africa reflects the mutual benefits of this relationship.”

“By leveraging our deep expertise in cross-border banking and market integration, Access Bank is committed to building partnerships that drive sustainable growth, innovation, and economic advancement across the continent,” he added.

President Steinmeier also received remarks from Roland Siller, CEO of DEG (German Development Bank), who elaborated on the financial synergies and products DEG provides to German and Nigerian businesses alike.

Access Bank’s German Desk, led by Sebastian Barroso da Fonseca, marked its sixth anniversary this year and has become a cornerstone for German and European businesses operating in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Desk has provided critical support to over 100 clients, offering end-to-end financial solutions, including local funding facilitation, cash management, and seamless repatriation of funds to corporate headquarters. With operations spanning Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, South Africa, and beyond, the Desk has played an instrumental role in enabling businesses to navigate complex financial landscapes in Africa.

The engagement concluded with a Networking Reception at Access Bank’s headquarters, where delegates and stakeholders had the opportunity to engage and strengthen ties further.

President Steinmeier’s visit comes at a time of notable economic progress in Africa. Despite global challenges, Africa remains the fastest-growing economic region, with its GDP rising by 30% over the past decade and average annual growth rates exceeding 5%. As a key player in the continent’s economic outlook, Nigeria continues to attract interest from global investors, and Germany has emerged as a critical economic partner in this regard. Access Bank has strategically positioned itself as a gateway for trade and investment, leveraging its growing international footprint across 24 countries in Africa, Europe, and Asia to facilitate cross-border collaboration.

By Chuks Eke

Human rights lawyer and council to Biafran agitators, Sir Ifeanyi-Okite Ejiofor Esq, has lauded what he described as a tremendous ruling that incorporated the essence of justice and the rule of law carried out by the Abia State High Court in Umuahia when it discharged and acquitted five Biafran agitators who had been detained since their arrest on July 20, 2022.

He expressed satisfaction that the accused persons who faced charges of conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, and membership of an unlawful society under Charge No: HU/61C/2022, were cleared of all allegations by the court.

The presiding judge of the court, Justice A.O. Chijioke had while delivering a judgment, discharged and acquitted the accused persons for lack concrete evidence from the prosecution and conquest of fairness and the rule of law.

The ruling followed the prosecution’s presentation of three witnesses, whose arguments were systematically dismantled by the defense team’s meticulous legal strategy and expertise.

According to Ejiofor, *the of the acquittal of the accused persons serves as a colossal exemplification of the steadfast dedication, professionalism, and strength of my character and my formidable legal team comprising Dennison Agu, Esq., and Head of Chambers Chinwe Umeche, Esq.”.

The defense team demonstrated unique precision and commitment to ensuring justice for their clients. Their collaborative efforts have once again shone a heliograph of hope for the pursuit of justice for the wrongfully accused”.

The case reinforces a universal principle: “True freedom requires the rule of law and justice and a judicial system in which the rights of some are not secured by the denial of rights to others”.

“Through their success in securing the acquittal of these innocent individuals, the defense team has not only protected the rights of their clients but has also upheld the core values of justice and human rights advocacy”.

“This is an incredible victory and a heliograph of hope for justice and fairness in the fight for the freedom of innocent detainees,” remarked Sir Ejiofor in a heartfelt statement following the ruling.

He reassured the public of his team’s continued dedication to ensuring the release of all innocent Biafrans detained across Nigeria.

“We deeply appreciate the hard work and dexterity of our legal team,” Ejiofor stated, adding, We will not rest on our oars in ensuring that justice prevails for all innocent detainees. We urge all Biafrans to remain peaceful and law-abiding as they pursue their legitimate and constitutional quest for self-determination”.

“This significant legal victory plus ultra the crucial role of advocacy in defending human rights and ensuring that justice is not denied. It stands as a powerful signal of the importance of a fair judicial system rooted in the principles of truth and accountability”.

As we celebrate this victory, it is clear that the ruling is not just a triumph for the acquitted but a sign of hope for countless others still fighting for justice. It reinforces the sturdiness of the legal system when guided by fairness and truth”.

Kudos to the entire legal team, whose bouncebackability and unyielding commitment to justice inspire confidence in the legal profession. Their courage and professionalism continue to set a high standard for advocates across the country”.

“This turning point serves as a reminder that while the fight for justice is far from over, the triumph of truth and the rule of law is inevitable when pursued with steadfast dedication. Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor and his team have once again proven that with diligence and integrity, the cause of justice will prevail”.

“As we extend compliments of the season to these tireless advocates, we hope this ruling inspires renewed faith in the pursuit of justice and the defense of human rights”.

Soldiers reportedly acting on the orders of an army general on Wednesday attacked development control officials who were in Sabon Lugbe, Abuja, to remove some illegal structures in the area.

The officials were in the area to remove the fence of a building on Plot 416 said to belong to one Major General.

An official of the department narrated their ordeal this way; “During this operation, there was an incident that happened at Plot 416 Sabon Lugbe that belongs a Major General.

“When the removal was going on, the Major General got information of the removal. He sent two soldiers to his house to ascertain the situation.

On getting to the scene, the soldiers who drove the covered number plate vehicle blocked the way out of the house to prevent the enforcement team from coming out of the premises; threatening that somebody must die today.

“Private Jamilu (surname unknown) went straight to the caterpillar operator, cocked his rifle and pointed straight to him to come down or risk being shot immediately.

“He politely came down but was grabbed by the two soldiers who squeezed his neck with his clothes, beat him mercilessly and tore his shirt.

“Private Jamilu pulled his rifle and fired the four tyres of the caterpillar flat. He then called the Major General to come along with more soldiers for re-enforcement, and he came with them in numbers.

“He ordered his men to take Sector Sodangi and his site officer to his house, beat them even right from outside alongside six enforcement officials who where also taken hostage for hours.

“Three Hilux vehicles were taken to the Major General’s house while the remaining vehicles that they could not lay hands on had their tyres flattened with gun shots.

“On receiving the information, the DPO Trademore came to the scene but the Major General refused to take compliments nor listen to her. She left and said she would come back.

Source: Politics Nigeria