Ibori: Court Adjourns Ruling To May 31

Published

16 years ago

May 11, 2010

The Federal High Court in Asaba on Monday struck out Chief James Ibori’s application asking the court to restrain the EFCC from arresting him before hearing substantive suit on May 10.

Ibori had on April 28 through his Counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu, filed the application for enforcement of his fundamental human rights over alleged fraud involving the shares of some companies.

The suit number FHC/ASB/CS/34/2010 was filed after Justice Ibrahim Buba had refused to grant Ibori’s oral application to restrain the EFCC from arresting him.

But at the hearing of the main application on Monday, Buba struck out the matter after all the counsel to the parties said they would not object to its being struck out.

Respondents in the suit are the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the EFCC, the Inspector General of Police (I-G) and the Director, State Security Service (SSS).

At Monday’s hearing, the court also adjourned ruling in the main case to May 31 after listening to Abubakar Mahmoud, Counsel to A-G, I-G and SSS.

Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Chile Okoroma and Daudu (Ibori) also advanced their arguments at the resumed hearing on Monday.

Last month, Buba had ordered that if counsel to Ibori wanted his application to restrain respondents be taken, he should apply in writing instead of an oral application.

When the case came up on Monday, Daudu argued that the EFCC and its agent were infringing on the fundamental human rights of his client.

Daudu said that EFCC had failed to state in its invitation of March 22, which was delivered on April 17 the reason for the interview.

He therefore, urged the court to enforce his client’s fundamental human rights and to step in and save the applicant from prolonged embarrassment.

However, the counsel to respondents argued that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the matter and that the application be struck out.

They argued that the court was not competent to handle the case before it and urged it not to grant the applicant’s request.

In his submission, Counsel to the AGF, Mr Abubakar Mahmoud, argued that the nation’s criminal justice system was based on separation of powers.

He said that the powers of adjudication and investigation were clearly spelt out in the Nigerian Constitution.

Mahmoud also said that there was no legal requirement that a suspect must be given reasons before being invited for investigation.

He further said that the powers vested on the police were powers vested by an Act of the National Assembly.

The counsel argued that there was nothing like exhaustive investigation or full investigation so long as the crime remains.

Mahmoud also said that there was difference between discharge and acquittal, “ where a suspect plea has not taken, it is preposterous to claim discharge”.

He therefore, asked the court to dismiss the application for lacking in merit.

Mr Chile Okoroma, counsel to the EFCC said that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the case since he had been asked to report to the EFCC office in Lagos or Abuja.

Okoroma also asked the court to dismiss Ibori’s application.

The judge adjourned the matter to May 31 for ruling on the application.

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.