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PHALGA Seals FG’s Marriage Registry Over Court Judgement
The authorities of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Rivers State have sealed up the Ministry of Interior’s Marriage Registry in Port Harcourt to enforce the 2021 judgement of a Federal High Court in Lagos State.
The court, presided over by Justice D.E. Osiagor, had in August, 2021, in a civil suit No/FHC/L/CS/816/2018 brought by four local government councils, Etiosa in Lagos State, Egor in Edo State, Owerre Municipal, Imo State, and Port Harcourt City, Rivers State, on behalf the 774 LGAs in the country and against the Ministry of Interior, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, and Achor Dataware Solutions Limited, in a landmark judgement, ruled in favour of the plaintiffs by granting a perpetual injunction stopping the three defendants from conducting and contracting marriages forthwith under the Marriage Act.
The trial judge further granted perpetual injunction against the defendants from issuing marriage certificates under the Marriage Act as well as an order for the plaintiffs to seal up the Marriage Registry offices of the defendants across the local government areas of the plaintiffs, except the Ikoyi office in Lagos State and Abuja, respectively.
The second defendants in the matter, the Federal Ministry of Interior contracted the Marriage Registry office to the third defendant, Achor Dataware Solutions Limited to be conducting, registering marriages as well as issuing marriage certificates across the 774 local government areas of the country, a situation which the local government councils viewed as contraction of their constitutional responsibility, and thereafter, approached a Federal High Court in Lagos State in 2018 and secured judgement against the defenders in 2021.
Leading the team of Inter-Governmental Agency on Marriage Committee, Bailiffs of Federal High Courts and members of marriage registries of local government areas in the state to seal up the Federal Ministry of Interior marriage office in D/Line axis in Port Harcourt, last Monday, the Secretary of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council,Barrister Chilee-Kay Owuru, said one of the cardinal responsibilities and function of the local government council as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution was the sole right to conduct marriages,issue marriage certificates and death certificates.
According to him,the local government councils in the country secured a court judgement to seal up the premises,adding that the court bailiffs and other critical stakeholders have enforced the court judgement and the marriage office sealed up.
He advised prospective couples to approach local government councils within their areas and conduct and register their marriages legally and avoid patronising unregistered and unrecognised marriage registry offices,adding that any marriage conducted outside the approved marriage registries would be declared null and void.
Also speaking,the lead counsel to the plaintiffs,Barrister Roger Michael Ademoji, said the court ruled that only the local government councils have the right to register and conduct marriages as well as issue marriage certificates.
On her part,the Marriage Registrar,Port Harcourt City Local Government Council,Mrs Angela Ovie, said every efforts made by her office to stop the Ministry of Interior’sMarriage Registry office to stop holding marriages and issuing certificates were not successful,adding that sealing up the premises had sent strong signal to vulnerable members of the society who were ignorant of the Marriage Act.
She warned to institute contempt charges against the operators of the illegal marriageregistries,should they ignore the action and unseal the premises.
By: Amadi Akujobi
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene