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Trip To Idi Amin’s Uganda …Of Attacks On Unfriendly Judges

Published

9 years ago

October 10, 2016

Last Saturday morning, Nigerians woke up to the news that a detachment of heavily armed men of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) and the Police attempted to abduct a Federal High Court Judge resident in Port Harcourt. And that in a bid to defend the embattled Judge, Rivers State Executive Governor, Nyesom Wike was manhandled by the assailants.
Many considered the news unbelievable, because judges belong to the third arm of government, the Judiciary which has its own code of conduct and ethics. Corrupt and undisciplined judges are a responsibility of the National Judicial Council (NJC) which reserves the right to investigate and punish such erring judges.
In performance of that duty, the NJC recently retired and sacked some judges and opened investigation into the background of Judges who gave conflicting judgements on same issues, with a view to ascertaining their level of compromise.
This is why it came to many as a huge shock that the DSS and the Police, all part of the executive arm could launch such affront on a sitting judge without recourse to the NJC for proper trial.
This kind of Gestapo-stuff attack, many thought ended with the Idi Amin’s Uganda and should not be repeated, especially in a democratic Nigeria. Many think this may be an unfriendly judge, who the powers that be want to teach a lesson, same lesson daily thought opposition politicians in the name of fighting corruption.
Among victims are Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, (PDP), Ex-Minister Godsday Orubebe, (PDP), former Chief Security Adivser (CSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) PDP, among several others. Interestingly, none of the former State governors who jumped ship to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the PDP has been investigated, despite the many petitions against them.
What that translates to is that no matter how dark a governor’s sins may be, once we defects to the ruling APC his past is wiped clean. He is a new creature fit for eternal life. A life without probes and that of impunity.
Is this the democracy that ushered an opposition party in governance for the first time in the history of Nigeria? Or is it another Military rule, where perceived enemies are incarcerated at will by the powers that be?
Whither the civil society organizations? Whither the civil rights activists? Whither vocal Nigerians who badmouthed the former government to its grave?
On our last check, only the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has spoken against the arrest of two other judges after Saturday’s midnight invasion of their homes. The NBA declared a state of emergency in the Judiciary and asked President Muhammadu Buhari to order the immediate release of the affected judges or there would be consequences”.
Addressing newsmen alongside four former Presidents of the NBA, President Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) said two Supreme Court Justices Iyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta were “abducted”, with their families, adding that he had yet to have full details of other judges who could have been involved.
Mahmoud said NBA condemned what it termed the Gestapo-style operation of the DSS and announced the constitution of an emergency or crisis management team comprising past presidents to engage the government.
Mahmoud, according to the Vanguard said, it was not the responsibility of the DSS to arrest judges and described the DSS action as an unconstitutional means of intimidating the Judiciary and undermining its independence.
“I want to emphasise again that we are not under military rule and we cannot accept this unholy event and Gestapo-style operation”, Mahmoud warned.
According to him, “Any issues affecting the Judicial officers, there are established procedures of handling them and we demand that this constitutional process be obeyed”, and demanded the immediate release of the affected Judges.
“The release must be done immediately and without any conditions. Two, we demand that the Department of State Services (DSS) should limit itself to its statutory and constitutional responsibilities”, Mahmoud said, adding, “I’ll be meeting with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) tonight or tomorrow. There will be consequences should these demands are not met”.
But wait! Who ordered the arrest of the judges? Who tried and found them guilty? If they are yet to be tried, who would try them? The executive?
What are the consequences of this siege on an arm of government, as important as the Judiciary, believed to be the last hope of the common man?
An attack on the Judiciary is not merely an attack on Lawyers and Judges, it is indeed an attack against civilization, democracy and the rule of law. It is infact, a siege on the Nigerian people.
The immediate consequence of the action will be to intimidate incorrigible judges to join the bandwagon and do only the bidding of the ruling party, or be arrested and assaulted. The other is to use the clampdown to enlist friendly judges who would, at all times, offer favourable judgments to the power that be.
Otherwise, what is the rationale behind the attacks on judges? If the executive arm discovers an action it considers corrupt and wishes such Judge be punished there are laid out constitutional provisions and not assume the role of a judge in its own case.
The Buhari administration needs to be reminded for the umpteenth time that this is not a military rule where the Head of State is the maximum ruler, prosecutor and judge at the same time. The administration must therefore submit itself to the rule of law and invest on democratic growth, because the recent attack on judicial officers is not only undemocratic, it is unnecessary, vexatious and primitive.
First, it was the use of the Code of Conduct Bureau to effect leadership change in the Senate by trying Senate President Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), over questions bordering on party discipline but tied to false declaration of assets.
The protracted case at some point pitched the entire National Assembly against the Executive. Infact, it is not yet Uhuru, as both the Federal government and the Senate seem to find themselves in a marriage of convenience, with each waiting for when the other would strike first.
This makes the attack on the Judiciary one too many. Its marks of military adventurism and has no place in a democracy. Corruption is a crime which punishment is adequately provided for in our statute books. Therefore, any war against corruption must be fought according to the law and not transport Nigeria back into history, when, might was right.
Political might, it must be emphasized, belongs to the people and must not be used against its owners.
This is what the military siege against officers of the judicial arm translates into- an abuse of the people’s power. Such must be avoided, same way Governor Wike intervened in the foiled attempt to abduct another judge.
My Agony is against one of the most annoying fallacies of the kind of federalism Nigeria operates, and which makes the Governor, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of his State, while infact the power is exercised randomly and at will by many others, on the orders of a single individual, not the CSO. Methinks State Police remains the only answer to the trip back to military rule.

Soye Wilson Jamabo

Featured

PANDEF Hails Tinubu For Lifting Emergency Rule In Rivers

Published

2 weeks ago

September 19, 2025

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has hailed the lifting of the State of Emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

In a statement signed by Board members and National Executive Committee members, yesterday, PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu for rectifying what they described as an anomaly.

The statement was co-signed by Co-Chairmen, PANDEF Board of Trustees, Alfred Diette-Spiff and Obong Victor Attah, National Chairman Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, and National Secretary, Beks Dagogo-Jack.

Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in Rivers State on the 18th of March, 2025, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, and members of the state House of Assembly for six months in the first instance.

In place of the governor, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as Sole Administrator.

However, Tinubu announced the suspension of the Emergency Rule on Wednesday, stating, “It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”

The Forum commended Fubara’s unwavering perseverance and “faith in the divine will of Almighty God,” while also commending the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, the Speaker, and members of the House of Assembly, who were equally affected by the suspension.

“The Board and National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, the apex socio-political organisation representing the South-South geopolitical zone, joins millions of Nigerians in welcoming the lifting of the state of emergency in Rivers State, effective midnight, Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

“While PANDEF had expressed strong reservations regarding the erstwhile emergency rule, we commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for taking this bold step to rectify the anomaly.

“We welcome Governor Siminalayi Fubara back to his elected office and salute his unwavering perseverance and faith in the divine will of Almighty God. We extend similar commendations to the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Oduah, the Speaker, and members of the House of Assembly, who were equally affected by the suspension,” the statement read.

Addressing Rivers people, the forum declared, “Light has returned to the state and a new glorious dawn has come. A moment in which the bitter pains of the past months will inspire all to rededicate themselves to true mutual forbearance, new alignments and forward movement.”

They urged political leaders and citizens to put the past behind them and work towards the collective good of the State, while pledging to support Rivers’ developmental trajectory under Fubara.

“All hearts and hands must therefore be joined together to put the past behind us and work towards the collective good of the state.

“We look forward to the State’s return to normalcy and the resumption of its developmental trajectory under the leadership of Governor Fubara and his team. PANDEF reiterates its commitment to supporting the government and people of Rivers State in their pursuit of progress and development,” the statement added.

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RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans

Published

3 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.

Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.

He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”

The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.

Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.

He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.

“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.

“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.

The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.

He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.

The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“

“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.

She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.

Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,

expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.

“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”

He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.

The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.

The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State

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Rivers LG Poll: APC Wins 20 chairmanship seats, PDP Clears Three

Published

4 weeks ago

September 1, 2025

The Tide

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.

According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.

APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.

The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.

Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.

Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.

Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.

Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.

Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.

The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.

Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas

Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.

National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.

John Bibor & King Onunwor