News
Court Bars Police On Speaker, COS’ Petitions
A Port Harcourt High Court presided over by Justice A Enebeli has granted an interim order restraining the Rivers State Commissioner of Police and the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal Investigation Department from taking any or further step or staying further or all actions against the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Otelemaba Amachree and Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Tony Okocha in connection with their allegation of plots to assassinate several government functionaries, including the state Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi.
The court has also restrained the aforementioned officers, their agents or privies from taking any further steps against the applicants in connection with the prison custody and instigate violence and total breakdown of law and order in Rivers State pending the determination of the substantive application for the enforcement of their fundamental rights.
The order of the state High Court, which was made available to The Tide, yesterday stated that the Speaker of the state House of Assembly had gone to court in suit NO: PHC/1086/2013, to enforce his fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement.
The document stated that in a motion exparte, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly prayed for two reliefs: an order to restrain the respondents from arresting and or detaining and prosecuting the applicants in respect of a spurious report of plot to assassinate government functionaries or in the alternative, an order restraining the respondents from taking any or further steps or staying further or all actions in connection with the matter, pending the determination of the application.
However, the court granted the alternate relief while refusing the first prayers.
The court ordered that the motion on notice be served on the respondents.
Justice A Enebeli has also made an interim order restraining the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, and the Deputy Commissioners in charge of state Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Sam Okuala, from taking any further steps against the Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Tony Okocha pending the determination of the application.
Hon Tony Okocha had gone to court in suit No PHC/1071/2013 to enforce his fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement. Through a motion exparte, the applicant had asked for the following relief’s; an order of this honourable court restraining the respondents, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, the Deputy Commissioner of police in charge of state Criminal Department (SCID) and Sylvester Ileoma from arresting and or detaining the applicant in respect of the spurious report of threat to life of the 3rd respondent and to the security and safety of Port Harcourt Club.
However, the above prayer was refused but the alternative prayer (prayer II) was granted in which the police were restrained from taking further steps in the matter pending the determination of the suit.
According to Justice Enebeli, the court made the interim order after reading the 27-paragraph supporting affidavit with exhibits and affidavit of urgency both sworn to by Hon Anthony Okocha as well as the written address and oral submission of his counsel.
He directed that the enrolled order and the motion on notice be served on the respondents. Both cases were adjourned to Monday, June 3, 2013 for hearing of the motion on notice.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.