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Senate Flays Judges’ Arrest By DSS …Confirms 13 NDDC Board Members,Rejects Four
The Senate, yesterday, condemned the action of the Department of State Security (DSS) for the “invasion of the homes, arrest and detention” of some judges at the weekend.
The Senate also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call all security agencies to order and direct the full observance of the rule of law in the discharge of their duties.
The Senate reached its resolution following a motion by Senator Joshua Lidani, (Gombe South) calling for the condemnation of the action of the DSS.
Recall that in the early hours of Saturday, operatives of the DSS arrested senior judicial officers including John Okoro and Sylvester Nguta of the Supreme Court and a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Innocent Umezulike.
Others are Nnamdi Dimgba and Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja; Kabiru Auta, from Kano; Muazu Pindiga of Federal High Court in Gombe.
The judges were, however, released late Sunday.
The Senate, therefore, frowned at the action of the operatives of the DSS, stressing that it went against the rule of law.
It, therefore, mandated its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to review all existing laws that deal with the security agencies and bring them in line with the tenets of democracy.
The committee was charged to report to the Senate in four weeks.
The Senate also backed the Federal Government’s efforts to fight corruption and to sanitise all sectors including the Judiciary.
The Senate said that the action of the DSS was wrong as it did not confer with the NJC which is statutorily responsible for disciplining judges and other judicial workers.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said that the Senate was totally in support of the fight against corruption, especially in the judicial system.
“We must eradicate corruption in all spheres of our society and this is a matter that we must continue.
“I think the National Assembly has been playing its role to continue to support government in its fight against corruption.
“We must ensure that this fight against corruption is within the rule of law, any act of anti corruption action that goes against the rule of law does not help the corruption fight.
“That is why this action as has been seen in this manner is condemned by the Senate and all agencies of government must ensure that they act within the rule of law,” he said.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Ibn Na’Allah, said that Nigerians supported the change agenda because of the promise to fight corruption.
He said that the Assembly was committed to support the Federal Government to fight corruption but stressed that it must be done within the ambit of the rule of law.
He said that the NJC should have been left to do its job adding that the senate should be careful in condemning the DSS.
Similarly, the House of Representatives, yesterday, ruled to probe the arrest of the judges but equally backed the motion of the upper chambers in refusing to summon the director general of the State Security Service.
In a motion brought by Honourable member representing Rivers State, Chinda Ogundu, the House named a committee to investigate weekend’s raid by the Department of State Security Service (DSS), on some judges’ homes across the country.
Meanwhile, the Senate was yesterday, divided over the confirmation of nominees from President Muhammadu Buhari into the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
It would be recalled that the President communicated to the Senate on Wednesday, 28th September, 2016, wherein he requested that the Senate do confirm the nomination of former Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba as chairman, Nsima Udo Ekere as managing director and 17 others as executive directors and members of the NDDC Board.
Presenting the report on the floor of the Senate, the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Niger Delta, Peter Nwaoboshi, said his committee conducted an open screening for the nominees on Tuesday, 4th October and Wednesday, 5th October, and was guided by the Act establishing the NDDC and other relevant laws.
He, however, stated that the nominee from Imo State, Senator Osita Bonaventure Izunaso wrote a letter to the committee to decline his nomination.
According to the report, Osita submitted that he would not accept the offer of President Buhari as he was not from the oil-producing area, but from Orlu West LGA of Imo State.
The committee chairman also explained that the nominee from Abia State, Hon. Donatus Enyinnah and that of Ondo State, Olatokunbo Ayotunde Ajasin, could not scale through as the committee received litany of petitions from their respective states.
According to the chairman, the duo are not indigenes of oil-producing areas of their states and their nominations negate section 2, subsection 1(b) of the NDDC Act of 2000.
Another nominee, Mr. Igo Weli, was not screened as the committee could not be convinced over his constituency.
The letter from President Buhari had nominated Weli to represent Niger Delta in the commission but the committee argued that all states from the Niger Delta have been adequately represented and would amount to duplication of nomination.
Some senators, however, objected to the recommendations of the committee that the Senate do reject the nominees from Abia, Ondo and that of Niger Delta.
The Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano Central ) argued that the Senate should not disqualify the nominees on the basis of their local government of origin as the law did not specifically define what it means by ‘oil producing area’.
According to them, the law says ‘oil producing area’ and not oil producing local government area; therefore, anyone from the state where oil is produced, is qualified to be appointed into the NDDC Board.
Senator Eyinanya Abaribe (Abia South), Senator Hope Uzodima (Imo West) and Senator Paulker Emmanuel (Bayelsa Central), however, stood their grounds in firm support of the recommendations of the committee.
After a heated debate, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, threw the matter for voice vote, and the report of the Niger Delta Committee was adopted.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.