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Attack On Judiciary, Coup Against RSG -Wike …Buhari Has Destroyed NASS, Judiciary -Fayose …NBA Flays APC’s Attempt To Prevent Justice
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had declared that the devastating attack on Rivers State Judiciary, last Friday, was an attempt by the police and the APC to overthrow the Rivers State Government.
The governor spoke, last Friday, after he inspected the Rivers State High Court Complex destroyed by the police and supporters of the APC from the faction loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
It would be recalled that the APC thugs and police damaged several courtrooms, ransacked the court library, destroyed vehicles and looted nearby shops, while hundreds of expended bullets littered the premises of the state High Court Complex.
Wike said it was unfortunate that the Nigeria Police connived with leaders of the APC to close the courts and stop it from dispensing justice to Rivers people.
In a state-wide broadcast, last Friday, Wike commended Rivers youth for resisting the police and the All Progressives Congress (APC) faction loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, who planned to shut down the State High Court over a suit filed by a rival faction.
Wike said: “We have said in many clear terms that never again will unscrupulous politicians shut our courts for business as they did three years ago, and the youth have reaffirmed that this commitment can never be in vain.
“However, while we revel in today’s victory over evil, we must not lower our guards. We should be prepared for more political battles in the days and months ahead, even as I urge our people to be law-abiding and avoid the temptation of taking the laws into your hands.”
The governor warned those whose stock in trade was to continually cause trouble, endanger the peace of the state and task the patience of the people, that there was limit to everything.
He said: “I wish to reassure Rivers people, once again, of our commitment to protect our democratic institutions from those who do not mean well for the progress of our state.
“As we continue to take our state on a path to sustainable peace and irreversible progress, may God protect us from our enemies and crown our efforts with success.”
He blamed the invasion of the Rivers State Judiciary on the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and a faction of the All Progressives Congress, loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi.
“Today, 11th May, 2018, operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) invaded the State High Court Complex, Port Harcourt, blocked all entrances, and for hours, prevented judicial workers, judges, litigants and lawyers from gaining access into their offices and courtrooms to carry out their judicial duties and businesses.
“While the siege lasted, organised hoodlums from a faction of the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi freely harassed innocent persons, including lawyers and destroyed public property, including private vehicles packed in the court premises.
“The brazen assault on the state’s Judiciary was carried out by the police on the direct instructions from the said faction of the APC, which feared that the rival faction might obtain an injunction against the continuation of their highly disputed and rancorous party congresses”, the governor said.
He said there was a clear evidence of conspiracy by the police officers with some known political rascals to wilfully overwhelm the judiciary and thwart the course of justice.
The governor said that the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) continues to lend its men and instruments to the services of opposition elements to sabotage Rivers security architecture, undermine state institutions and abuse the human rights of the people.
Wike said: “All these are in furtherance of actualizing the ignominious political template of the APC to rig the 2019 general elections in the state and unlawfully wrest power from the people by all means.
“We, therefore, call on the Federal Government to investigate the circumstances that led to the invasion and assault on the state’s judiciary and bring all the culprits to justice in order to stop a reoccurrence and avert a chaos orchestrated by those who seek power at all cost using the police.
“Where this is not done, the Federal Government should be ready to be accountable for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State, given the readiness of the people to resist the police and defend their democratic rights to live in peace and freely elect their leaders,” the governor stated.
The governor said: “This is very unfortunate. Do not trivialize this invasion by saying it is just an attack by the APC on the judiciary. This is a complete coup by the Nigeria Police and the APC to overthrow the Rivers State Government.
“We have said it before, and we have been vindicated by this callous joint invasion of the Rivers State Judiciary”, Wike asserted.
He regretted that the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Zaki Ahmed decided to copy the Inspector General of Police in the exhibition of recklessness and lawlessness against an arm of government carrying out its lawful duty.
“We cannot continue to rely on the police to defend us. We must all stand up to defend democracy. What has happened is a sign of what APC and the police have planned.
“APC-led Federal Government is not prepared for election. Therefore, they want to truncate the nation’s democracy. They are fomenting trouble to create an avenue for the military to take over.
“The APC Federal Government sponsored Senator Omo-Agege at the Federal High Court. Nobody invaded the court. This action by the police and APC is not acceptable”, he said.
Wike noted that it was the immediate past Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who plotted the attack on the Judiciary, last Friday, on behalf of the Federal Government, pointing out that the plot was executed by a former local government chairman already standing trial for murder.
“We must defend ourselves and the nation’s democracy. We cannot continue to rely on the police. Remember, it was the police that kidnapped a sitting governor.
“Nigerians have rejected the APC, and there is nothing anybody can do about it. Since they are unpopular, they want to truncate the nation’s democracy”, he stressed.
He commended Rivers youth for rising in defence of their mandate by mobilising to open the courts, despite the shootings by the Nigeria Police.
It would be recalled that the APC and policemen, last Friday, locked the gates of the Rivers State Judiciary in an attempt to stop the court from hearing a suit filed against the party by some aggrieved members.
The governor was guided during the inspection tour of the High Court Complex by Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Inyie Iyayi-Lamikanra.
Reacting to the attack, the eight branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Rivers State, strongly condemned, in totality, the flagrant act of locking up the Port Harcourt High Court premises by some perceived aggrieved youth faction of a political party in the state.
The NBA, in a statement signed for chairmen of all the branches of NBA in Rivers State by Omubo Victor Frank-Briggs Esq, in Port Harcourt, last Friday, indicated that the action was designed “to thwart the wheel of judicial proceedings, rule of law and pervert justice over suspicion of anticipated outcome of a judicial proceeding”.
“The Bar shall vehemently oppose any attempt by anybody and or political party to disrupt the administration of justice in Rivers State,” the NBA stated.
“We call on the relevant authorities to see that the courts remain open, the perpetrators of this act of impunity fished out, prosecuted and justice served,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the APC in Rivers State, and leader of a faction of the party in the state, Senator Magnus Abe, has commended the Judiciary in Rivers State for resisting the brazen attack and intimidation unleashed on it, last Friday, and coming out of the messy situation stronger than ever before.
The senator said the Judiciary showed so much “courage to stand boldly as the last hope of the common man by granting the request of some members of APC who approached the courts in order to seek a peaceful resolution to the crises that rocked the party after the ward congresses where members who have paid for forms were wilfully excluded”.
Abe, in a statement in Port Harcourt by his spokesperson, Parry Saroh Benson, last Friday, regretted that APC leaders could descend so low by attempting to obstruct the functions of the Judiciary and disrupt the courts from sitting through violent intimidation.
“We commend some members of the party who approached the courts in order to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis that rocked the party after the ward congresses and for insisting that justice must prevail for those who were disenfranchised,” the statement noted.
“They have done well because the absence of law is the presence of anarchy, and as Rivers people, we cannot fold our arms and allow anarchy to envelope the state,” it added.
Similarly, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has lamented the alleged destruction of the Legislative and Judicial arms by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress Federal Government, raising the alarm that “democracy in Nigeria is under serious threat, with the constitution appearing to have been suspended”.
The governor said; “The once respected National Assembly and Judiciary have been so badly blackmailed such that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, functionaries of the executive arm of government now hold the two arms of government with contempt, treating them as if they do not exist. Even those who invaded the senate and took away the Mace are being protected by President Buhari and his men.”
Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose, who described the Legislative and Judicial arms as the pillar of democracy, said; “Even when Nigeria was under military rule, our judiciary was not this ridiculed, with the government choosing which court judgment to obey and which one to ignore.”
The governor pointed out that; “President Buhari’s persistent refusal to obey court orders, refusal of the his men to obey summons by the National Assembly and most importantly the withdrawal of $496million from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) without approval of the National Assembly and in spite of pending court case are indications that the constitution has been suspended and Nigeria returned to full-fledged dictatorship.”
Fayose described the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki as the most subdued National Assembly leader in the history of Nigeria, saying; “Should President Buhari succeeds with his second term bid, no one should bother going to the National Assembly because he will rule like a feudal lord, with general authority over other Nigerians.
“Democracy is endangered when the executive arm of government goes about demonizing the Judiciary as being corrupt and the National Assembly tagged as a gathering of rascals who are contributing nothing to governance. Unfortunately, that is what the Legislative and Judicial arms have suffered under this government.
“In disobedience to court order that they should be released, the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat, have been detained for more than two years without trial.
“Also, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) has been in detention for over two years even when many courts in Nigeria and the ECOWAS Court have ordered for his release.
“Several resolutions made by the National Assembly have been ignored, including ones bothering on the welfare of Nigerians. Statutory appointments that require Senate confirmation are now being made unilaterally. Even those whose nominations were rejected by the Senate are still holding the same offices for which their nominations were rejected.
“Lovers of democracy in Nigeria should therefore be worried and the international community must intervene and prevail on the President to allow democratic institutions to function in the country,” the governor said.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.
The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.
The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.
The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.
The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.
“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.
Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.
Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”
Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”
He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.
“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.
According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”
He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.
The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.
However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.
At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.
They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.
After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.
By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.
In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.
“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.
“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.
The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.
“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”
The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.
Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.
However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.
Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.
A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.
It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.
The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.
“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.
“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”
But lawmakers rejected the request.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.
“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.
“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.
Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.
The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”
Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.
The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.
Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.
The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.
The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) said over 17 million Nigerians travelled out between 2023 and 2024.
This is as the association announced that it would be organising a maiden edition of Eastern Travel Market 2025 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital from 27th to 30th August, 2025.
Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone, Hope Ehiogie, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.
Ehiogie explained that the event aims to bring together over 1,000 travel professionals to discuss the future of the industry in the nation and give visibility to airlines, hospitality firms, hospitals and institutions in the South-South and South-East, tagged Eastern Zone.
He stated that the 17 million number marks a significant increase in overseas travel and tours.
According to him, “Nigerian travel industry has seen significant growth, with 17 million people traveling out of the country in 2023”.
Ehiogie further said the potential of tourism and travel would bring in over $12 million into the nation’s economy by 2026, saying it would be a major spike in the sector, as 2024 recorded about $4 million.
“The potential of tourism and travel is that it can generate about $12 million for the nation’s economy by 2026. Last year it was $4 million.
“In the area of travels, over 17 million Nigerians traveled out of the country two years ago for different purposes. This included, health, religious purposes, visit, education and others,” Ehiogie said.
While highlighting the potential of Nigeria’s tourism, he said the hospitality industry in Nigeria has come of age, saying it is now second to none.
The Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone further said, “We are not creating an enabling environment for business to thrive. We need to support the industry and provide the necessary infrastructure for growth.”
He said the country has a lot of tourism potential, especially as the government is now showing interest in and supporting the sector.
Ehiogie emphasized that NANTA has been working to support the industry with initiatives such as training schools and platforms for airlines and hotels to sell their products.
He added, “We now have about four to five training schools in the region, and within two years, the first set of students will graduate. We are helping airlines sell tickets and hotels sell their rooms.”
Also speaking, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTA, Stephen Isokariari of Dial Travels, called for more support from the industry.
Isokariari stated, “We need to work together to grow the industry and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
“With the right support and infrastructure, the Nigerian travel industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.”