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Omehia Cannot Challenge Judgement He Benefitted From – Fagbemi
Counsel to Governor Chibuike Amaechi at the Supreme Court, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) says governorship candidate of the All Progressives grand Alliance in 2011 general elections (APGA), Sir Celestine Omehia was shooting himself on the foot by seeking to appeal against an election he participated.
Fagbemi made the assertion in a chat yesterday after the Supreme Court in Abuja struck out Omehia’s appeal to be a joinder to the suit on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, “Apart from being a candidate in that election there are other injuries he would suffer and in any event, there are certain benefits under that judgement, were it not for that judgement which he had chosen to appeal against he would have not participated in the elections that took place in 2011. Having taken benefit of the elections he has decided to shoot at it”.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) submitted that Sir, Omehia lacks the prejudicial rights to challenge the decision of the federal High Court that mandated INEC to conduct the Rivers state governorship election by April 2011.
He also argued that Omehia was a beneficiary of the judgement of the lower court and cannot at the same time challenge the judgement he benefitted from.
Fagbemi had earlier argued in the Supreme Court that the appellate court was wrong to have joined Omehia as a party, arguing that the governor’s applications for joinder was not properly field.
He maintained that Omehia’s application before the court of Appeal did not comply with the law.
In Fagbemi’s words, “there is a distinction between an appeal under section 241 of the constitution and that under section 243 of the same constitution. Under section 243, if you are not a part to a proceeding, you can only launch an appeal with leave of the court.
“Under section 241, you can appeal as of right if you are already a party. But once the time within which to appeal has expired, the position is that in addition to a relief of leave to appeal as an interested party, there must be the trinity prayers”, Faghemi stressed.
The current legal battle between Amaechi and Omehia commenced in 2010 when a PDP member, Cyprian Chukwu headed for an Abuja Federal High Court to challenge the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable for the 2011 general elections, which had fixed Rivers state governorship poll for August 2011.
Chukwu had argued that since the Supreme court had in the judgement, which removed Omehia and installed Amaechi held that it was the PDP that won the April 2007 governorship election in Rivers State and not the candidate, Amaechi’s tenure ought to start counting from May 29, 2007, when Omehia was inaugurated, and not October 27, 2007 when he took the oath of office after the sack of Omehia.
Meanwhile, Publicity Secretary of the new Peoples Democratic party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemka Eze has hailed the Supreme Court dismissing Omehia’s prayers.
Chief Eze called on Wike and Omehia to give peace a chance in Rivers State, “while we congratulate Governor Amaechi on his latest victory we at the same time wish to appeal to Omehia and Wike and their co-travellers in this futile macabre dance to correctly read the handwriting on the wall and give peace a chance. There is limit to every plot”.
It saluted Amaechi for remaining focused despite huge distractions, saying the governor has continued to prove his mettle as a good leader of the people and have attracted all manner of awards and recognition.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi