Nation
Court Strikes Out Suit Against Imo Gov, NJC Over Appointment Of CJ
A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit instituted against the National Judicial Council (NJC) and Imo State Governor, Chief Hope Uzodinma, to challenge the suitability of Justice Ijeoma Agugua as the substantive Chief Judge of Imo State.
The court action instituted by one Hon Justin Brown Amadi, who claimed to be a taxpayer, was struck out by Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo on the ground that the plaintiff has no locus standi to file the suit.
Amadi had joined Imo State Judicial Commission, Imo State governor, Imo State attorney general, Imo State House of Assembly and Justice Ijeoma Agugua, as other defendants in the matter.
He asked the court to consider whether NJC can recommend a suitable person for appointment as chief judge for Imo State in view of the provision of Section 158 of the 1999 Constitution.
The Plaintiff also applied for court order to restrain the NJC from recommending the judge as the substantive chief judge for Imo State.
Amadi predicated his opposition to Justice Agugua to the fact that he had written a petition against her and that the petition had not been considered by the NJC.
He claimed that his fundamental right to fair hearing would be breached, if Justice Agugua was made the substantive chief judge without first hearing his petition.
Following the development, the defendants filed separate preliminary objections against the suit to query the legal right of the plaintiff in the chief judge appointment.
The defendants contended that being a mere taxpayer in Imo State cannot confer legal right to Amadi to hold Uzodinma and institutions to ransom in the discharge of their judicial and legitimate official functions.
Delivering judgment, Justice Ekwo, however, agreed that Amadi completely lacked legal right to maintain such a suit before a court of record.
Ekwo held that the plaintiff failed woefully to show how his legal right will be endangered or jeopardized, if the defendants are allowed to perform their duties.
“The plaintiff failed to show how his personal right override those of the entire people of Imo State as being a taxpayer is not enough to institute such an action.
“In a suit of this nature, plaintiff must establish that his personal interest and legal right are real and tangible in law and not personal aggrandizement as done in this matter.
“From the totality of the case of the plaintiff, he acted in bad faith with utter malice. He embarked on adventures without a cause. His case is simply mischievous.
“I disagree with the plaintiff that his right to fair hearing will be breached unless his petition against Justice Agugua is treated first by the NJC.
“To allow the plaintiff to go ahead with this kind of suit will amount to an individual holding a statutory body into ransom.
“This case is liable to be struck out and I hereby accordingly strike it out for lacking in merit and substance,” the judges held.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
-
Politics5 days agoPDP Vows Legal Action Against Rivers Lawmakers Over Defection
-
Sports5 days agoNigeria, Egypt friendly Hold Dec 16
-
Sports5 days agoNSC hails S’Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong
-
Politics5 days agoRIVERS PEOPLE REACT AS 17 PDP STATE LAWMAKERS MOVE TO APC
-
Politics5 days agoWithdraw Ambassadorial List, It Lacks Federal Character, Ndume Tells Tinubu
-
Sports5 days agoFRSC Wins 2025 Ardova Handball Premier League
-
Oil & Energy5 days agoNCDMB Unveils $100m Equity Investment Scheme, Says Nigerian Content Hits 61% In 2025 ………As Board Plans Technology Challenge, Research and Development Fair In 2026
-
Sports5 days agoMakinde becomes Nigeria’s youngest Karate black belt