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Court Rules On Speaker, Police Suit, July 29
A Rivers State High Court presided over by Justice Adolphus Enebeli yesterday fixed July 29, 2013 to delver judgement on a suit between Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Otelemaba Amachree and the state Police command.
The suit, filed by counsel to the Speaker, Mr Emenike Ebete, is seeking the court order restraining the police from arresting and interrogating the Speaker over his concerns on alleged plots to assassinate the governor and cause instability and disorder in the state.
Justice Enebeli fixed the date for the judgement after listening to submissions by counsels to the parties when the matter came up for hearing, yesterday.
In his submission, Mr Ebete urged the court to sustain his application, while also quashing the counter affidavit filed by counsels to the defendants for lack of evidence.
Ebete argued that the open letter to the President, on which the defendants based their counter-affidavit was not signed by any person, and enhance could not be used to investigate the Speaker.
He emphasised that as much as the police had constitutional right to investigate anybody, there must be a provable allegation against a person.
The Speaker’s counsel, who also filed a further and better affidavit to buttress his facts, submitted that the police were already biased on the matter, and therefore should not be the ones to investigate the matter.
He further submitted that the police command was working with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the state led by Mr Felix Obuah following the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, emphasising that the Speaker cannot be made to face the law based on the action of the Assembly.
He alleged that the Obuah-led PDP was using the state police to compel the Assembly to reverse its suspension of the Obio/Akpor chairman and councillors, noting that the matter bordered on abuse of their fundamental human rights.
In his defence, Mr D.C Denwingwe objected to the submissions of the applicants, saying that the application was an invitation of the court to stop the police from performing their constitutional duties.
While emphasising that nobody under the constitution was immuned from police investigation, Denwingwe submitted that the case of bias cited by the counsel to the applicant was not before the court and should not be granted.
He further submitted that the suit was a misconception of the police invitation of the Speaker, adding that the burden of proof that the police command was sponsored lay on the applicants to prove.
He thus urged the court to strike out the suit, saying that it was premature in nature. It would be recalled that the Speaker had in two different suits sought the court to prevent the Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6 on one hand and Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police and the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Obio/ Akpor on the other hand from breaching his fundamental human rights.
This was sequel to a press briefing in Port Harcourt by the police in which the state police commissioner indicated his readiness to interrogate the Speaker on allegations of alleged planned assassination of the state Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi and some other state government functionaries in the wake of the PDP and Obio/Akpor Local Government Council crisis in the state.
Meanwhile, the court presided over by Justice A. Enebeli has also granted leave on counsel to Chief of Staff, Chief Tony Okocha to serve the President of Port Harcourt Club, Mr Sylvester Eliomo through pasting at the office of the Club at Forces Avenue.
Counsel to Okocha, Mr Vincent Uchendu had through a motion experte sought the leave of court to serve Eliomo through pasting, saying that the latter had been evading service.
The judge later adjourned the matter to August 5 for hearing.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.
