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Dissolve LGSC Board, Others, RVHA Tells Wike
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday recommended the dissolution of the Local Government Service Commission and Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission even as the Local Government Service Commission shunned the lawmakers’ invitation to appear before it to defend allegations of abuse of due process in recruitment and promotion of staff.
The Assembly took the decision alleging that the two Commissions’ boards were not capable of administering the offices.
They alleged that the two commissions were involved in official misconduct, illegal employment and rapid promotion of some favoured staff.
The lawmakers had in their previous sitting hinted the Chairman and members of the Commission to appear before them yesterday, but were shocked to realise that the members of the Local Government Service Commission did not honour the invitation.
While deliberating on the issue, the Leader of the House, Hon. Martins Amaewhule said it was obvious that members of the Commission have shown serious act of negligence in their action.
He said their action in not honouring the invitation amounted to misconduct, adding that they conducted their activities contrary to the oath of office they swore to.
According to him, “a situation where the commission will begin to employ staff outside known law without following due process is unacceptable.
“The Commission employed and promoted the same person within two years to five grade levels. It is not acceptable and the House should do something about it”, he said.
He disclosed that the petition shows that the commission embarked on illegal transfer, employment, promotion and withholding of facts.
Amaewhule said it was clear that the board lacked the capacity to administer the commission and has become a tool of victimisation.
“Civil servants, local government staff were victimised, demoted and transferred illegally without following due process.
We will not fold our hands and refuse to take decisions because they were not here. If we do that, then we are not doing justice to the people we are representing”, he said.
Members who spoke on the issue include, Hon. Jones Ogbonda representing Port Harcourt 1 and Hon. Farah Dagogo. They suggested that the House should issue warrant of arrest to members of the Commission to appear before it.
Hon. Ogbonda, in his contribution, expressed sadness that the commission, which was set up by law and appeared on the floor of the chamber for confirmation could ignore the same House by choosing not to honour her invitation.
According to him, “It beats my imagination that members of a commission set up by law and that appeared before the floor for confirmation could slight the same House by choosing not to honour the invitation of the House”.
The lawmaker noted that the House has done what it ought to do by extending invitation to members of the commission, stressing that fair hearing does not mean that one must be heard, but that opportunity was given to be heard.
He, however, noted that under section 129 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the House has powers to issue warrant of arrest but will not plead for that now, as he urged other members to support the dissolution of the commission’s board.
On its part, the House said it was obvious that the Commission engaged in illegal recruitment of staff and irregular promotion of staff.
Hon. Awaewhule noted that a junior staff was promoted two times in a year ahead of his superiors.
“It is obvious that members of the commission conducted themselves in a manner that does not befit them to continue to remain in office”.
While giving his ruling, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Ibani said that it was obvious that the House’s view was that the commission be dissolved.
Meanwhile, the Rivers House of Assembly, on Wednesday, screened and approved nominees for the state’s Civil Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission and State Independent Electoral Commission.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Ikuinyi Ibani, made this known at the plenary of the House in Port Harcourt.
Ibani said that the names of the nominees, as submitted by Governor Nyesom Wike, were screened and found to be qualified and experienced to handle the affairs of the state.
“The candidates are experienced through their curriculum vitae and their past records of service. They should be approved as members of the commissions.
“We have heard from their answers to various questions asked them by this House and we believe that they will serve the interest of the state and not their own interest if appointed.’’
Hon. Martins Amaewhule (PDP- Obio/Akpor Constituency 1), supported the approval of the nominees, saying that those nominated for the Judicial Service Commission were qualified and experienced to serve.
Amaewhule said that the candidates screened to serve the state should know that they were nominated to stand for justice.
He also said that they would be removed if they derailed from their assignments.
Hon. Uwaji Nathaniel (PDP- Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Constituency 11), said that the nominees for the State Electoral Commission were not of questionable character and should be approved by the House to serve the state.
The House unanimously approved all the nominees for the various commissions.
The nominees for the State Judicial Service Commission are Prof. Nsirim Nduka, Mr Osima Ginah, Mrs Assa Nwinia and Mr Friday Abigo.
The nominees for the State Civil Service Commission are Chief Oris Onyiri, Chief Mike Elechi, Mr Godspower Nwogu, Mr Tony Philmore and Mrs Sotonye Fulton.
Those for the State Independent Electoral Commission are Dr Chimaroke Mgbah, Mr Kombo Johnson, Dr. Ebirien Fubara, Dr A. Nwaido and Retired Justice U.I Uriri.
City Crime
Ministry Raises Concern Over Rising Teenage Pregnancies, Begins Adolescent Sensitisation Campaign
The Department of Public Health in the Rivers State Ministry of Health has raised concern over the increasing cases of teenage pregnancies in society as it intensifies efforts to educate adolescents across the state.
Programme Manager for Adolescent Health and Development in the department, Mrs. Tammy Briggs, expressed the concern during a sensitisation programme held at Government Girls Secondary School Rumueme in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Briggs explained that the campaign was designed to educate adolescents on the dangers of teenage pregnancy and other health-related issues affecting young people.
According to her, teenage pregnancy is currently on the rise, making it necessary for the ministry to step up awareness programmes among students.
“This is something that is on the rise for now. We have observed that there are many cases of teenage pregnancies, so we are here to sensitise them on ways to prevent it entirely,” she said.
She disclosed that the sensitisation campaign is being carried out in selected schools across four local government areas of the state, namely Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area and Eleme Local Government Area.
Briggs noted that the programme focuses on several key issues affecting adolescents, including sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, emotional health and proper nutrition.
She added that the outreach programme also featured tuberculosis screening for students as well as the distribution of sanitary pads and mathematical sets to support their health and academic development.
The programme manager commended the management of Government Girls Secondary School Rumueme for their cooperation and support in hosting the sensitisation exercise. She also advised the students to avoid behaviours that could jeopardise their future.
Speaking during the session, Dr. Nwadike Chinonso urged the students to make informed decisions about their lives and remain focused on their education.
He cautioned them against engaging in early sexual activities, stressing that abstinence remains one of the most effective ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.
Some of the students who participated in the programme expressed appreciation to the team for the awareness campaign and pledged to apply the knowledge gained to make responsible life choices.
Disturbing allegations of extortion, intimidation and the smuggling of prohibited items have unsettled the Kwale Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Delta State, prompting calls for urgent intervention by the national authorities of the Nigeria Correctional Service amid fears of potential security breaches within the facility.
The development was disclosed by a senior officer at the Delta State custodial facility, who expressed concern over what was described as entrenched irregularities capable of undermining discipline and operational standards at the centre.
According to the source, detailed findings compiled between December 2025 and January 2026 highlighted patterns of misconduct and warned of possible security consequences should the allegations remain unchecked.
At the centre of the claims is a powerful corrections official serving as Officer in Charge of the Kwale facility, accused of presiding over persistent financial extortion, high-handedness and the victimisation of inmates under his supervision.
The document further indicated that the alleged practices may have originated during the tenure of a former General Provost, reportedly with the collaboration of another senior custodial official within the system.
Intelligence details suggested that inmates were allegedly compelled to contribute funds for projects and items considered outside the statutory framework of inmate welfare, raising questions about compliance with established correctional guidelines.
Among the financial demands reportedly imposed were ¦ 300,000 for the repair of a Hilux vehicle, ¦ 600,000 for the purchase of a freezer and ¦ 750,000 for a generator allegedly designated for the Officer in Charge’s residence.
The report also alleged that inmates were required to make payments before being conveyed to court, while Awaiting Trial Persons in Cells One to Nine were directed to raise ¦ 30,000 per cell, with Convict Cells One to Three, including a designated VIP cell, similarly mandated to pay ¦ 30,000 monthly.
Observers noted that if substantiated, such practices would amount to grave breaches of professional ethics and custodial administration standards, eroding principles of fairness, transparency and inmate welfare within correctional institutions.
Beyond the financial allegations, the intelligence brief raised concerns over the purported possession of unauthorised communication devices, alleging that a serving General Provost had two Android phones while another influential inmate was also reportedly found with a mobile device.
The document further alleged that prohibited items, including alcoholic beverages, Indian hemp and other hard substances, may have been smuggled into the custodial yard under the guise of routine supervision duties, with security sources warning that the cumulative effect of extortion, intimidation and contraband trafficking has heightened tension within the facility.
In view of the gravity of the allegations, they called for an immediate and discreet investigation by the minister of Interior for immediate action to safe the life of inmates.
The administrative review of implicated officers, even as officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service had yet to issue an official statement, with stakeholders insisting that a transparent probe and decisive action are essential to restoring confidence and safeguarding institutional integrity at the Kwale Medium Security Custodial Centre.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the government of President Bola Tinubu at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice over the government’s alleged failure to withdraw “unlawful mass phone-tapping rules” known as the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019.
LICR 2019 is a regulation that authorises telecom licensees to install technology for security agencies to monitor communications, including voice, data, text, email, and browsing, for national security and to combat crime.
SERAP, in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, yesterday, said the suit followed allegations by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, that the phone conversation of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was intercepted.
El-Rufai reportedly claimed, “The NSA’s call was tapped. They do that to our calls too, and we heard him saying they should arrest me.”
In the suit numbered ECW/CCJ/APP/11/26, filed last Friday at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, SERAP is seeking “a declaration that the failure of the government to withdraw the Interception of Communications Regulations is unlawful and a violation of Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”
The organisation is also asking the court to declare that the government’s failure to withdraw the regulations “constitutes an official endorsement of unlawful mass phone-tapping rules, as the Regulations are patently unlawful, and violate the rule of law, democratic principles, and the right to privacy.”
It is further seeking “an order directing and compelling the Nigerian government to immediately withdraw the Interception of Communications Regulations, and to commence a legislative process to ensure that any interception regulations are in conformity with Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”
The suit, filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Oluwakemi Oni, Valentina Adegoke and Maryam Mumuni, argued that “the Regulations establish a sweeping mass phone-tapping regime that violates Nigerians’ constitutionally and internationally guaranteed human rights, including to privacy and freedom of expression.”
“Where powers affecting fundamental human rights are exercised in secrecy and concentrated in political authorities without independent supervision, the risks of arbitrariness are substantial.
“Surveillance measures that lack strict necessity, proportionality and independent judicial oversight can easily be weaponised against political opponents, journalists, civil society actors and election observers,” it added.
SERAP also warned that the regulations raise concerns as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, noting that broad interception powers could be abused during politically sensitive periods.
“In an electoral climate, even the perception that private communications are being monitored can chill political organising, investigative reporting and voter mobilisation.
“Free and fair elections depend on confidential communications, protected journalistic sources and open democratic debate. Any misuse of intercepted data for intimidation, political advantage or disinformation would fundamentally undermine Nigerians’ right to political participation and electoral integrity.
“As 2027 approaches, interception powers must be narrowly defined, subject to prior independent judicial authorisation and backed by effective remedies. Without robust safeguards, these Regulations risk threatening privacy rights, freedom of expression and the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process,” the suit stated.
SERAP maintained that any restriction on the right to privacy must comply with the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, arguing that the regulations fail to meet these requirements.
SERAP also cited the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights as stating that mass surveillance programmes based on indiscriminate and blanket collection of personal data are arbitrary and cannot satisfy the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality.
The group said the Nigerian government has a duty to adopt clear laws, safeguards, independent oversight mechanisms and accessible remedies to prevent abuse by state agencies and private actors, including telecommunications providers and technology companies.
According to SERAP, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) adopted the Lawful Interception of Communications Regulations, 2019 while exercising its powers under Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The organisation argued that Regulation 4 grants broad discretionary interception powers to the National Security Adviser and the State Security Services, with little clarity on the scope or limits of such authority.
SERAP also pointed to inconsistencies within the regulations, noting that while Regulation 4 and Regulation 12 restrict interception powers to the NSA and SSS, Regulation 23 expands the category of authorised agencies to include bodies such as the Nigeria Police Force, National Intelligence Agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and any other agency the commission may designate.
The organisation said this ambiguity undermines legal certainty and creates the risk of arbitrary application and abuse.
It also criticised provisions allowing interception without a warrant in certain circumstances, arguing that such powers are overly broad and susceptible to misuse.
SERAP further expressed concern that the regulations do not require authorities to notify individuals who have been subjected to surveillance, which it said weakens the ability of citizens to challenge unlawful monitoring.
The organisation warned that requirements compelling telecommunications licensees to install interception equipment and disclose encryption keys could undermine cybersecurity and discourage privacy-enhancing technologies.
SERAP acknowledged the government’s responsibility to address national security and organised crime but argued that such measures must remain within constitutional and international human rights limits.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.