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Impeachment: Ebebi Drags Assembly, CJ To Court

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15 years ago

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The embattled Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Peremobowei Ebebi, yesterday, opted for the court in the battle to survive the impeachment plot against him by 17 out of the 24 members of the State House of Assembly, having failed to use influential Nigerians to save his job. According to reliable sources, he has sought an order from the court to declare illegal and unconstitutional the notice of impeachment and order directing the Chief Judge to set up a 7-man probe panel to investigate alleged misconduct.

The Presiding Judge of the State High Court, Justice Naiye Aganaba, however, granted an order for substituted service until the process is done to the defendants and ensure that all the legislators are served.

The Deputy Governor, through his counsel, Barr. Kemasuode Wodu, is seeking a declaration of the court, in the Suit YHC/201/2010, that without the presentation of a Valid Notice of Allegation(s) against him, signed by not less than 1/3(one third) of the members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly pursuant to section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and service to same on him and all the members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, the defendants cannot lawfully and validly remove him from office as the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state.

Ebebi is also seeking a declaration that the purported notice of impeachment dated 1st day of June, 2010, purportedly presented to the 1st defendant by the 6th -22nd defendants, is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and of no effect whatever.

He is also seeking an order setting aside the purported notice of impeachment; an order setting aside the purported proceedings of the State Assembly, which was held on the 8th of June, including the resolution that the purported allegations of gross misconduct against the claimant contained in the notice of impeachment or any notice of allegations against the claimant be investigated, and requesting the 5th defendant(the Chief Judge) to appoint or constitute a panel of seven persons to investigate the Claimant.

The Deputy Governor also asked the court to “issue an order setting aside any purported appointment and or constitution of a panel of seven persons by the Chief Judge to investigate purported allegations of gross misconduct against the Claimant contained in the aforesaid purposed notice of impeachment or as may be contained in any purported notice of allegations against the Claimant,’’

Speaking with newsmen after the court’s sitting in Yenagoa, yesterday, lead counsel to the Deputy Governor, Barr. Kemasuode Wodu explained that, though the court has not stopped the impeachment process, “the law states that when you are seeking an order of injunction, nothing should be done during that period .We believe that all parties will await the determination of the court”.

In a separate letter to the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Kate Abiri, the Counsel to the Deputy Governor described as fundamentally defective the Assembly’s directive on the Chief Judge to set up a seven person panel, saying that same was commenced by way of impeachment, which is alien and unknown to section 188 of the 1999 constitution.

He said the Supreme Court has also confirmed that the entire concept of impeachment is unknown to the said section 188 of the Constitution in the case of “Inakuoju Vs Adeleke(2007) 4 NWLR Part 1025 page 427 at 578.

The Weekend Tide’s investigation revealed that after many Ijaw leaders, including Edwin Clark had failed to persuade the Governor Chief Timipre Sylva to soft pedal on the issue, Ebebi decided to seek refuge in the court, having refused suggestions that he should resign to save his political career.

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198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.
Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.
He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper,  7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.
He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin.  This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.
“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education.   We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”
Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic,  “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.
The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.
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Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council  trains tra 1,000 teachers

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.
This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies
The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.
He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.
Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.
“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.
“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.
On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.
Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.
He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.
 Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo
Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.
He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.
He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.
According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.
Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.
She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa
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RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.

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