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Court Rules On Speaker, Police Suit, July 29
A Rivers State High Court presided over by Justice Adolphus Enebeli yesterday fixed July 29, 2013 to delver judgement on a suit between Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Otelemaba Amachree and the state Police command.
The suit, filed by counsel to the Speaker, Mr Emenike Ebete, is seeking the court order restraining the police from arresting and interrogating the Speaker over his concerns on alleged plots to assassinate the governor and cause instability and disorder in the state.
Justice Enebeli fixed the date for the judgement after listening to submissions by counsels to the parties when the matter came up for hearing, yesterday.
In his submission, Mr Ebete urged the court to sustain his application, while also quashing the counter affidavit filed by counsels to the defendants for lack of evidence.
Ebete argued that the open letter to the President, on which the defendants based their counter-affidavit was not signed by any person, and enhance could not be used to investigate the Speaker.
He emphasised that as much as the police had constitutional right to investigate anybody, there must be a provable allegation against a person.
The Speaker’s counsel, who also filed a further and better affidavit to buttress his facts, submitted that the police were already biased on the matter, and therefore should not be the ones to investigate the matter.
He further submitted that the police command was working with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the state led by Mr Felix Obuah following the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, emphasising that the Speaker cannot be made to face the law based on the action of the Assembly.
He alleged that the Obuah-led PDP was using the state police to compel the Assembly to reverse its suspension of the Obio/Akpor chairman and councillors, noting that the matter bordered on abuse of their fundamental human rights.
In his defence, Mr D.C Denwingwe objected to the submissions of the applicants, saying that the application was an invitation of the court to stop the police from performing their constitutional duties.
While emphasising that nobody under the constitution was immuned from police investigation, Denwingwe submitted that the case of bias cited by the counsel to the applicant was not before the court and should not be granted.
He further submitted that the suit was a misconception of the police invitation of the Speaker, adding that the burden of proof that the police command was sponsored lay on the applicants to prove.
He thus urged the court to strike out the suit, saying that it was premature in nature. It would be recalled that the Speaker had in two different suits sought the court to prevent the Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6 on one hand and Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police and the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Obio/ Akpor on the other hand from breaching his fundamental human rights.
This was sequel to a press briefing in Port Harcourt by the police in which the state police commissioner indicated his readiness to interrogate the Speaker on allegations of alleged planned assassination of the state Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi and some other state government functionaries in the wake of the PDP and Obio/Akpor Local Government Council crisis in the state.
Meanwhile, the court presided over by Justice A. Enebeli has also granted leave on counsel to Chief of Staff, Chief Tony Okocha to serve the President of Port Harcourt Club, Mr Sylvester Eliomo through pasting at the office of the Club at Forces Avenue.
Counsel to Okocha, Mr Vincent Uchendu had through a motion experte sought the leave of court to serve Eliomo through pasting, saying that the latter had been evading service.
The judge later adjourned the matter to August 5 for hearing.
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.