Rivers
Andoni Militant Leader Knows Fate June 17
The fate of a militant leader in the Andoni axis of Rivers State, George Adumu is still hanging in the balance as a High Court in Port Harcourt has set next month (June) for ruling on his matter.
The court presided by Justice Boma Diepiri on Monday, heard fresh plea from Adumu’s attorney, Alhaji A. Oso, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who urged the court to quash the matter following the amnesty declared by the federal government last year.
Alhaji Oso argued that section 36, subsection 10 of the Nigerian Constitution provides a coverage for the militant leader coupled with the peculiar circumstances in which he was arraigned.
The learned counsel argued that the pardon granted by the federal authorities last year was enough to grant Adumu freedom adding that, “amnesty is interchangeable with pardon”, hence the need to strike out the matter.
But state counsel, Barrister Emmanuel Aguma (Jnr), pleaded the court to look into the matter thoroughly as Adumu’s purported crime was not against the state but on ordinary citizens.
Barrister Aguma told the court that it would be wrong to free the militant leader whose alleged activities posed great danger to society, as he committed series of criminal activities.
After hearing pleas of both lawyers Justice Diepiri adjourned the matter for ruling on 17th June.
It would be recalled that Adumu was arrested last year by the Joint Military Taskforce (JTF) following public outcry.
He was arraigned in court with others at large on suit no PHC/337/2010 for conspiracy, murder, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms between 17th day of April 2008 at Oyorokoto, a fishing port in Andoni Local Government Area of the state.
In another related matter, suit no PHC/348/2010, Justice Diepiri has reduced the number of charges against the militant leader from 21 to 18.
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Rivers Judiciary Denies Issuing Court Order Stopping SOLAD from Swearing in RSCSC Members
The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).
In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.
The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.
Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.
The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.