News

NBA Confab: Group Protests Salami’s Removal

Published

14 years ago

August 24, 2011

A group of coalition societies in Nigeria under the umbrella of campaign against corruption in the judiciary, lawyers of conscience, social action & civil society coalition have protested against the removal of the President, Court of Appeal Justice, Isa Ayo Salami, by President Goodluck Jonathan, over allegation of misconduct by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The Executive Chairman of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Mr. Debo Adeniran, led the protest march at the venue of the opening ceremony of the Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at the main bowl of the Civic Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Monday.

The protesters, numbering about one hundred, carried placards with various inscriptions like, “All lawyers should boycott court proceedings until the corrupt Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is removed. “CJN wants to kill democracy”, we don’t want justice to be murdered in this country” and NJC not fair to Salami and Nigerians say no to Judicial Rascalism”, among others.

Mr. Adeniran stated that President Jonathan erred by appointing an acting President of the Court of Appeal, noting that he has no power under the1999 constitution to make such appointment.

According to him, it is only the National Assembly that is vested with the power for such appointment adding that Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) did not give fair hearing to Justice Salami before recommending for his retirement.

He stated that the national judicial council should have been the vanguard for rule of law, judicial integrity and sanctity in the country but regretted that it has rather turned itself into a motor park strategist adopting a method of self help in order to redress its grievance in modern times.

His words: “it is rather disappointing to find that judicial officers who are supposed to protect the integrity of the law are engaging in judicial recklessness and lawlessness. They became power drunk simply because they are in a position of authority to determine the fate of others”.

The NJC has exhibited bias from the beginning when it set up the Abdullahi committee to conduct fact- finding into the allegations of undue interference by Justice Kastina-Alu in the Sokoto State Governorship Appeal Tribunal.

Justice Kastina-Alu, he opined arrogated to himself a power he did not possess to halt judicial proceedings before another court in a matter in which his court had no jurisdiction.”

Mr Adeniran averred that the country’s judiciary system has become an embarrassment adding that a situation where courageous judge cannot be allowed to deliver sound judgment is unfair.

The CACOL executive chairman commended the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on its decision to withdraw its members from the NJC activities and urged the association to also boycott the valedictory court session whenever Katsina-Alu would leave office.

Ekweme Marylin

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.