News
Nyeche Fails To Stop Trial
A member of All Progressives Congress (APC) elected to represent Port Harcourt Constituency 11 in the Rivers State House of Assembly; Hon Victoria Wobo Nyeche has lost her bid to stop the court from hearing a case of impersonation brought against her by Mr. Livingstone Nweche, a member of Integrity Group before a State High Court, which had earlier stalled her swearing in as a member of the House through an ex-parte order.
The court presided over by Justice Adolphus Enebeli yesterday in Port Harcourt, while ruling on the application brought by the 1st defendant in the matter, Hon. Victoria Wobo Nyeche challenging the jurisdiction of the Court to hear the matter as well as the legal right of the claimant, Livingstone Nweche to institute the matter, said that the claimant has the locus standi to institute the matter against the defendant.
Justice Enebeli also ruled that the court had the jurisdiction to hear the matter as it bordered on the application of the Constitution.
According to him, the claimant has the legal right to be heard as a Nigerian, Rivers man who hails from the same Local Government Area with the defendant, adding that shutting the doors of the court on the claimant was to deprive and deny him justice.
He averred that the claimant must not approach the court on the matter only when he stands to suffer any injury on the matter but also has the right to be heard on the expression of his freedom of speech as stated in the country’s Constitution.
“Section 94 and 24 (a) of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides that a member of the State House of Assembly in order to be admitted to his/her office or duty must first before performing the function, take oath of office and of allegiance before the Speaker of the State House of Assembly”.
The Trial Judge disclosed that the matter before the court was not a criminal but a civil matter which bordered on the application of the 1999 Constitution as amended with regards to provisions of Sections 94 and 24 (a) respectively, adding that the ruling at the preliminary determines whether the claimant has the right to institute the case and not whether the defendant had contravened the various sections.
It would be recalled that the claimant, Mr. Livingstone Nweche had on May 14, 2016 approached a State High Court seeking for an interlocutory injunction to restrain the Speaker, Clerk of the State legislature from administering oath of office and membership allegiance on the defendant, Hon. Victoria Nyeche as a member of the House on the allegations that she purportedly wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) with a letter head of the State House of Assembly when she had not taken her oath of office and allegiance, describing such act as flagrant contravention to Section 94 and 24 (a) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
However, the defendant in her application for the dismissal of the suit through her Counsel, Aham Ekejelam (SAN) urged the court to dismiss the suit based on the ground that the claimant lack the locus Standi to file the suit as he was not the Speaker, the Clerk of the House or did he contested any election with the defendant even as he submitted that the Claimant would not suffer any injury on the alleged actions of the defender.
The defense Counsel also averred that the court lack the jurisdiction to hear the matter on the grounds that the claimant was a stranger and a busy body in the matter.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, defense Counsel in the matter, Aham Ekejelam (SAN) said that they will study the ruling and brief their client wheather to appeal or not.
He however, decried that the interlocutory order made by the court which has not been vacated has forstall the swearing-in of their client, adding that such order was wrong as it negates the Appeal Court tribunal that ordered that his client be sworn in immediately.
Also speaking, Counsel to Mr. Living Stone Nweche, the claimant in the matter, Mr. Kingseley Chukwu lauded the ruling and described as satisfactory ruling by the trial judge.
The State government and the State House of Assembly were all claimants in the matter and was represented by Emmanuel C. Aguma (SAN) and Zachius Adangor Esq.
Akujobi Amadi/Christiana Edem
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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