News
Court Voids APC Congresses In Rivers …Says It’s Fraudulent
Justice Chiwendu Nworgu of a High Court in Port Harcourt has set aside the Ward, Local Government and State Congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that led to the emergence of Ojukaye Flag-Amachree as chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the party.
Nworgu, in an elaborate ruling, last Wednesday, directed the state APC to return to status quo of May 11, 2018.
The court, in the ruling, also restrained officers, agents and leaders of APC from conducting any congress in Rivers State pending the determination of the main suit.
Nworgu condemned the action of leaders of APC for flouting the order of court by conducting the congresses, adding that holding the congresses was a calculated attempt by the APC to disgrace, ridicule and portray the court as a dog that barks and not bite.
The judge also said the High Court does not have the records of stay of proceedings pending at the Court of Appeal just as he emphasized that a stay of proceedings was not automatic.
He further ruled that the APC in Rivers State was properly served, adding that there was no record before the court that shows that the legal adviser of the party, who received the motion on notice, was not a member of APC.
“What you have done is a calculated attempt to ridicule the judiciary. The act of Tuduru Edeh, lawyer to the respondent was unprofessional. He tried to force the hand of the court with the claim of an appeal. There’s no official record of appeal before the court.
“No party has the right to take the matter into his own hands of a matter before the court. Persons must obey the order of court no matter how it is presented as long as it was lawfully made. It is the obligation for parties to obey a court order until it is discharged.
“The precedent of action of the respondents by conducting the congress in the pendency of the suit is an attempt to frustrate the matter. It is a design to ridicule the court, which the court will resist and tackle head-on to protect the integrity of Nigeria,” Nworgu said.
The matter was adjourned to June 26, 2018, for hearing of originating summons.
It would be recalled that after weeks of controversy, the APC rescheduled its Ward, Local Government and State Congresses which held on May 19, 20 and 21, and produced Ojukaye Flag-Amachree as chairman of the party in Rivers State.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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