News
Appeal Court Orders Bayelsa Dep Gov’s Reinstatement
The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt yesterday ordered the reinstatement of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Mr Peremobowei Ebebi.
Our correspondent reports that Ebebi was removed on June 24 by the state’s House of Assembly for alleged gross misconduct.
In its ruling , the court ordered that Ebebi be reinstated as deputy governor pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Ebebi had gone to court to challenge his removal as the state’s deputy governor and prayed the court to nullify it and stop the swearing in of a new deputy governor.
The presiding judge, Justice Suleiman Galadima said by the ruling, anybody parading himself as the deputy governor, would be in contempt of a court order.
Ebebi represented by his counsel, Mr Alex Eziyon had prayed the court to grant him accelerated hearing and restrain the swearing in of a new deputy governor and set aside his removal from office.
The Assembly was represented in the court by Mr Sebasten Hon, (SAN).
Galadima later fixed further hearing on the matter for Oct. 13
But yesterday, Rt. Hon. Werinipre Seibarugu, the Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly took an oath of office as deputy governor, promising to work harmoniously with the State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, in piloting the affairs of the state.
However, the swearing-in of Seibarugu might be another test case for Judiciary, following Court of Appeal ruling, yesterday.
The immediate past Deputy Governor, Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi had gone to the Court of Appeal to challenge the ruling of the lower court calling to question its competence to entertain an impeachment suit.
Also, lead counsel to Ebebi, Mr. Alex Iziyon, (SAN) at the lower Court challenged the composition of a 7man impeachment panel which had as its Chairman, Barrister Donald Denwigwe, as he argued that he was one of the counsels that defended Governor Timipre Sylva at the Election Petition Tribunal.
However, counsel to the claimant in a motion of notice, Barrister Wole Olanipekun prayed the court to strike out the suit, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the suit, noting that it is purely a legislative matter.
He submitted, entertaining the suit will amount to undue interference in the activities of the other arms of government contrary to the principle of separation of powers as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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