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Sarah Jibril Backs EFCC List
The lone female presidential aspirant ion the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs Sarah Jibril says she is full support of the advisory list of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to checkmate people with criminal records from going into governance.
Jibril, who gave his backing to EFCC advisory list during an interview with newsmen in Abuja, said time has come for only people with clean records to be allowed into governance so that they will add values into the system.
“The female presidential aspirant however, expressed displeasure over what he called wrong definition of democracy and leadership; arguing that there is a lot of hypocrisy; a lot of double standard; a lot of controversies by the key political players.
“There is a battle of liberation versus stagnation; deliberate intention to keep Nigeria away from development.
“Successive governments are planning to intimidate me and destroy my inputs. It is a deliberate thing so that I will not have the resources to compete with them.
According to Jibril, leadership is not by money and putting big price tags on collection of forms that means they have zoned the presidency to the rich.
“Every time they come up with big money for forms; that means they have zoned the presidency of this country to only the rich that have money. “Leadership is not by money; it is by the consistency of the integrity and character of the person; rather than see me as an asset, I am seen as a threat.
“Why are good women of this country not seen as assets; they are not supported? It is a shame for men to be competing for positions with women in a frontline country in the democratisation of Africa.
She, however, said she was on a rescue mission and paying N1 million for it was not too much if the women really wanted to salvage the nation.
“We are all stakeholders; this time around, I am on a rescue mission by the right hand of God and I know that God will not put me and all his children to shame.
“However, asking to pay ten percent is not too much; I have paid my N1 million expression of interest fee. I have filled the form the nomination form and I have returned it.
“Let the women be told that if they are ready to nurture Nigeria back to sanity, it carries value. 1 million is much; but it surmountable for the sake of this nation,” she added.
Sarah Jibril had on August 26 declared her intention to run for president on the platform of the PDP. That will make it the fifth time the Kwara State born politician would be aspiring for the presidential ticket.
Meanwhile, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the judiciary to speed up the trial of corruption cases in the country.
The Chairman of the commission, Mrs Farida Waziri, made the appeal in Abuja when she received the President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr Joseph Dauda (SAN).
“It is my view that we should all come to a point where the judiciary should declare speedy trial of all corruption cases if the accused persons are not ready to prove their innocence.
“This is where I believe your intervention will forever be appreciated by posterity,” Waziri said.
According to her, it is the accused persons that approach the court to seek speedy trial on the ground of proving their innocence to the law court.
She said that she had instituted more than 55 cases within the last two years in office as the chairman, adding that most of the cases were stalled at the plea stage due to the numerous antics of the accused persons.
“I have approached your predecessors in the past to join hands with us so that we can collectively salvage our nation from the grip and weight of corruption.
“I am seizing this opportunity to renew the same call and I am sure you will do your best,’’ Waziri pleaded.
The anti graft chief said there was no other means to fight the course of justice other than the law court and insisted that was why she had remained committed to the rule of law since she assumed office.
She, however, urged the general public to snub an allegation that she was interfering in the judicial process.
On his part, Dauda congratulated her for putting more effort on the fight to free the country from corruption.
He said there was no way an anti-graft executive would not face challenges on that seat, and encouraged Waziri to be firm and resolute as well as continue with the good work of relieving the nation.
“You need to be praying that God should strength you the more and touch the heart of government to provide you with what you need to do this work.
“The battle of corruption is a continuous battle, we condemn it in NBA.
“I don’t want EFCC to be distracted in the performance of their duty and constitutional law. There are already separations of power in the constitution,’’ Dauda said.
He stated that some of the judges were not equipped with relevant materials to help them pronounce judgments on some of the cases.
“Some of the judges also lack the mentality and intellectual capacity to deal with corruption cases which amounts to the delay of judgments.
“Until we get the court structure right, we will continue to have blame from one angle or the other. Investigation and prosecution of persons is where the problem is,’’ Dauda said.
He pledged the readiness of NBA to partner with the commission and called on it to invest more on investigation
The NBA president was accompanied on the visit by other top officials of the association.
The Rumuokania 2 New layout Landlords Association in the Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State is seeking the intervention of the Rivers State Government in the desilting of the canal which transverses several communities including Mgbaraja,Ogbogoro,Egbule,Elioparanwo,Ozuoba and other communities in the area.
The Association which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also lauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline internal roads.
The landlords said the canal impede the free flow of water from the affected communities thereby causing severe flooding whenever it rains in the area.The Association also commended the governor for the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of road across the state, adding, the gesture has not only rekindled hope of Rivers people for a better tomorrow,but has bought prosperity across communities in the state.According to a Press release made available to news men during the briefing,”We are gathered here today to express immense appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State,Sir Fubara, GSSRS,for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline Internal roads.“We also wish to use this medium to request the desilting of the Canal transversing the area and the construction of adjoining roads to the area.“We acknowledge with profound gratitude the transformative governance going on in Rivers State under the purposely and impactful leadership of Governor Fubara.“The visible impact of his administration across all sectors, particularly the rehabilitation and construction of new roads,has rekindled hope among the people and brought prosperity to our communities”The Association said.The landlords particularly praised the Governor for the successful completion of the Rumuoke Road from Okilton junction off Ada George Road to Road 9-2nd & 3rd Avenue, Road 10-2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, and Pipeline Road upto the canal, expertly executed by Monier Construction Company (MCC).They noted that,prior to the intervention of the Governor,the road was in an extremely deplorable state, impassable, and prone to flash floods whenever it rains.“Most houses and business premises were often flooded as people could hardly leave or access the area,while economic activities were completely paralyzed.“The newly constructed internal roads have completely eased traffic in the area, boosted economic activities, and improved the quality of life of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”The release which was jointly signed by pastor Joel Gbandi, chairman of The Association and Lucky Ashley Atiegoba secretary,on behalf of the Landlords also expressed gratitude to the Governor for the construction of all internal roads in the area..It however drew the , attention of the Governor to an emerging issue which they said poses threat to the durability of this critical road infrastructure.According to the landlords,”at the terminus of the newly constructed pipeline road, the adjoining canal is severely blocked, impeding the free flow of water .“The canal serves as a vital waterway, traversing several communities, including Rumuokania, Mgbraja, Ogbogoro, Egbelu, Elioparanwo, Mini-Orlu, Rumue-vorlu, Rumuokwachi, Ozuoba, Iwofe, Rumuolumeni, Rumuepirikom, and Mini-kete, among other communities.“This obstruction has caused water to back up onto the surface of the newly constructed road, leading to accelerated erosion and hazardous conditions for surrounding buildings, motorists, and pedestrians alike within RumuokaniaRumuoke communities.“It is against this backdrop that we respectfully request the kind intervention of our dear Governor in this regard:” We humbly request the desilting of the canal to restore proper drainage and prevent water overflowonto the newly constructed internal roads and flooding within the communities.“. We also request the construction of adjoining roads to the area to provide alternative pathways and improve overall accessibility in the area.“Addressing these germane concerns will not only safeguard the investment of the state government in road infrastructure in the area but will also mitigate flooding, enhance safety, and further elevate the living standards of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”the landlords said.
Judges of the High Courts of Rivers State will proceed on this year’s Christmas and New Year vacations on Tuesday, 23rd December 2025.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar, State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, on behalf of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Chibuzor Amadi, and made available to newsmen over the weekend.
The statement stated that judges will commence the yuletide vacation from Tuesday, 23rd of December 2025, and resume on Monday, January 12, 2026.
According to the statement, the directive is in compliance with the provision of Order 49 Rule 4(C) of the High Court of Rivers State Civil Procedure Rule, 2023.
The statement added that during the period of the vacation, all judicial divisions of the High Court of the State shall remain closed, while a vacation judge shall be designated to entertain only urgent applications and matters filed during the vacation.
By: Akujobi Amadi
Land grabbing and crisis of fraudulent land sales may soon be a thing of the past as Rivers State begins experimenting the community land development committee system.
The experiment saw the light of day in Alesa Eleme where the Alesa Land Development Commiittee (ALDEC) was inaugurated last Friday by the paramount ruler of Alesa, Emperor J.D. Mkpe.
The Alesa community where the Port Harcourt refineries are situated has implemented the recommended formula with the strong support of the paramount ruler said to be a respected leader known for his commitment to peace, education, community development, and support for law enforcement, often advocating for better infrastructure and governance in his area.
Inaugurating the committee headed by a businessman, Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, the paramount ruler recounted the contributions of his community to economic development of the nation.
“Alesa is one of the 10 communities in Eleme and we are the first community in Nigeria that has refineries. The Port Harcourt Refinery (1&2) that has a lot of pipelines surrounding us. We have done a lot of contribution in making sure Nigeria stands great among all nations.
“We are made up of about 13 communities due to expansion. When I say 13 communities, Alesa is a community that has embraced other people. You can see here some people from the northern community. All the communities are here. That is why Alesa is known as a cosmopolitan community.
“Because we have got a lot of information about sale of land, and because we now have a situation whereby other persons will go into another person’s land and sell without the owner’s notice. We have also got information about minors who are not qualified to sell landed property, now selling land without letting their elders know.
“And that is why today, we are going to inaugurate a land development committee whose duty is to see into all these issues and bring up report about them. This will make both buyers and sellers feel very free in Alesa.
“We seize this opportunity to warn thus: if you sell any land to anybody without this committee’s knowledge or consent, you are doing it at your own risk. If you are buying any land from Alesa, this committee will know. By this, we will track those selling the land to you so that you don’t buy land from a wrong person. We also do not want you to buy land from an under-aged persons (children) who will sell land and run away.
According to him, we are also partnering with the Rivers State government on the project because those who buy land in Alesa with due process would be backed all the way to acquisition of certificate of occupancy (CofO).
“We are duly registered and we hereby show the world our certificate of registration and recognition. This is not a shabby arrangement. We have the registration and the authority which we have here as a body approved by the government to go into this development. This also is the registered constitution of the body.
“We will also make sure that whatever land you buy here, will be registered with the government of Rivers State through the office of the Surveyor-General and the Ministry of Land and that of Housing. This is to permanently stop land grabbers,
“We want you to buy and develop, not to keep for decades. Failure to develop your land after five years, the land will be forfeited to the government of Rivers State as a ‘waste land’ that you do not want to develop. So we are here not to maltreat any individual, we are not here to punish anyone, but to make sure your money is safe.
“We are optimistic that this strategy will work for us all. One of the greatest persons who has been able to identify with us is the Mayor of Housing. He has been friendly to us and to our aspirations.
Speaking immediately after the inauguration, the chairman of Alesa Land Development Committee, Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, vowed never to betray his community.
“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Alesa Council of Chiefs, the women, the youths, for nominating me to be the chairman of the Alesa Land Development Committee. I want to say this afternoon that I, Emmanuel Olaka, a bonafide son of Alaka, from Uwueke community, I will never disrespect this community. I will always do what is right, so that my God will always stand by me. I will not be biased.”
Also speaking, the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who is behind the Alesa Sustainable Green Smart City, commended the community for leading the way and the war against land grabbing and land fraud.
He said the development would augur well for the green city being initiated in the area and other projects coming to Alesa.
He urged other communities in Rivers State and beyond to move fast and inaugurate such committees to put an end to land grabbing.
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