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Unlawful Dismissal: Reps Direct PPPRA Staff’s Reinstatement
The House of Repre
sentatives may be forced to issue a Bench Warrant on the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) over what it called “unlawful dismissal and or disengagement of one Nwachukwu Loretta and four other officers without fair hearing, saying that the decision violates section 36 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and as such cannot stand.
The Rep Uzoma Nkem-Abonta-led House Committee on Public Petitions also recommend that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources direct the PPPRA to immediately re-instate the disengaged officers, and pay all outstanding entitlements accruing from the date of their termination of services till date.
The five dismissed officers include: Nwachukwu Loretta Chinwe, Nkechi Obiefuna-Ewoh, Pauline Peter Omali, Oyekanmi Isaac Ayodele and Blessing Osagie had approached the House with a petition through their legal representative, Okolocha, Ufua & Co, September 29, 2015, wherein they prayed the House to intervene with a view to reversing their disengagement which they said was done without due process.
The committee, in its report signed by the Chairman, Rep Uzoma Nkem Abonta (PDP, Ukwa East/West Fed Constituency, Abia), said that “the petitioners in their complaints, had expressed shock at their disengagement having been in the services of the agency following their employment at various times between 2004 and 2006, during which time they had performed their duties satisfactorily thereby meriting confirmation and gaining commendation and promotions for jobs well done.
“Surprisingly, sometime in 2014, their appointments were respectively purported to have been terminated in a most capricious manner via a letter dated December 30, 2014, captioned ‘Letter of Disengagement from the Service of The Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency’.
“That by dint of hard work and diligence, they were at various times promoted, and variously expressly commended for satisfactory services, and in some cases sponsored for further training abroad, or appointed to special positions meant for the most competent and dedicated staff, that throughout their service, they were not found wanting in the performance of their duties whether on moral, physical or intellectual grounds”, the petition read.
However, in its submission before the committee, the PPPRA via a letter with reference number: A.3/8/916/C.363/Vol.I/59, dated 12th April, 2016, and addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly, told the committee that it was constrained to reinstate the petitioners due to the gravity of their offences.
It said: “I wish to refer to your letter No.: NASS/CAN/105/Vol.21/163 dated 10th March, 2016, on the above subject, and to most respectfully state that the agency is constrained to reinstate Nwachukwu Loretta Chinwe and four other disengaged staff as they were found culpable of falsification of age, among others, in contravention of the Public Service Rule (PSR) Article 030402(a) for which they were liable for dismissal under Article 030401 of the PSR.
“I will also like to state that the agency was magnanimous to have commuted their dismissal to disengagement to enable them enjoy full benefits”, the PPPRA said in its reply.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene