News

Judge Slams EFCC For Delays In Cases Disposal

Published

14 years ago

March 9, 2012

Justice Abubakar Umar of Abuja High Court, has blamed the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for the delays in the disposal of criminal cases it instituted against corrupt officials.

Umar, who expressed the view yesterday, said counsels handling various cases for the anti-graft agency were responsible for the slow disposal of the cases through their incessant requests for adjournments at the slightest instance.

The judge’s reaction, followed the request by the counsel to the EFCC, Sylvester Tahir to adjourn a case involving a Lebanese and his son, who were standing trial for alleged forgery of some Federal Government documents.

The accused, Jihad Ghraizi (57) and Mohammed Ghraizi (27) are standing trial on a 14-count charge of conspiring to forge four different documents, two of them belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria, between December 1999 and June 2008, while presenting same as original copies.

The offence is contrary to sections 97, 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.

The accused persons were also alleged to have forged documents of the Ministry of Interior to fraudulently secure 60 per cent shares of Madeni Construction Company Limited, contrary to sections 97, 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.

Counsel, to the EFCC, Sylvester Tahir, who was supposed to cross-examine a handwritting expert, DSP Ayodele Olufemi, sought for adjournment to enable him read the report of the expert and “prepare” himself.

When the judge asked Tahir to come back on Friday, March 9, to cross-examine the witness, the EFCC counsel told the court that he would be travelling to Jos for other cases.

Not happy with the request, Umar, wondered why the EFCC would be asking for special courts to try corruption cases, when it was essentially contributing to the slow dispensation of its cases in the regular courts.

“The EFCC will be the same to run to press and complain that the judiciary is responsible for the seeming delays in disposal of cases.

“I told you to come back tomorrow and cross-examine the witness. You are now telling me you will be travelling.

“Are you the only lawyer in the EFCC? Can’t the EFCC send another counsel to cross-examine a witness? the judge queried.

By the way, this is not your witness. It is the accused’s witness. “The public will not understand that EFCC is responsible for the slow disposal of corruption cases. It will blame the delay on the judiciary,” he said.

Earlier, the accused’s counsel, Suleiman Yakubu, had opposed the application for an adjournment as requeted by the EFCC, saying there was no reason for it.

Yakubu said the prosecution needed not to study the reports of the handwritting expert before cross-examining him.

Umar, who said that he was reluctantly adjourning the case to Monday, April 2, ordered the prosecution not to come with applications for adjournment again.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.