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Supreme Court Bars EFCC From Prosecuting Govs For Corruption

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Supreme Court has described as illegal, the prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of state governors who allegedly engaged in corrupt practices while in office.
The court, which also held that the EFCC has no power to look into the finances of state governments, removed the powers of the agency to prosecute a governor who stole money from his state and also barred the anti-corruption agency from investigating state governments’ contractors or anybody that was complicit in stealing or embezzlement of state money.
The ruling delivered last week by the apex court in Abuja, has therefore, given a reprieve to former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha; and other state governors that are currently under prosecution by the anti-graft agency for allegedly stealing their states’ money while in office.
A former Governor of Nasarawa State and the current National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, is also being prosecuted by the EFCC over alleged illegal financial dealings and misappropriation of public funds.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration established the EFCC in 2003, in response to pressure from the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), which named Nigeria as one of 23 countries that were non-cooperative in the international community’s efforts to fight money laundering, fraudulent banking transactions, miscellaneous offences, advance fee fraud, and other criminal acts that were financial and economic in nature.
The agency also strives to put an end to any act that breaks the penal and criminal codes.
However, in the suit numbered SC/CR/161/2020 and filed by Joseph Nwobike, SAN, against the Federal Government, the Supreme Court held that the EFCC, being a creation of federal law, does not have the powers to prosecute offences that were not corruption cases, and that the only corruption cases it can investigate are cases involving the movement of cash from Nigeria to foreign countries and corruption cases involving federal finances.
The governors, according to the ruling, can only be prosecuted by the attorney general of the state or the Nigerian police, or any other agency that was covered by the Criminal Code, Penal Code, or any other law.
With this development, the EFCC can no longer cite Sections 12 to 18, and Section 46 of the EFCC Amended Act 2004 in the prosecution of all kinds of cases whether emanating from the state or Federal Government, as its powers are regulated by the global action against corruption as regulated by the United Nations conventions which Nigeria is a signatory to.
The ruling also forbids the Federal Government from using the EFCC to control the governors of a state, and also to persecute any politician that was not in its good book.
The ruling also gives states liberty to make their own laws to establish anti-corruption agencies to deal with corruption cases emanating in the states, though the Criminal Code and Penal Code have provisions that deal with corruption.
Also, the ruling voided the powers of the EFCC to prosecute some former governors who are placed on travel watch list and their children that are also being investigated for corruption.
By virtue of the Criminal Code Law of Abia State, the police or the attorney general of Abia State are now empowered to prosecute those former governors and their children for stealing Abia State money.
Also, in states like Imo State where the sitting governor believes that former Governor Rochas Okorocha stole from Imo State, the police can investigate Okorocha and prosecute him in the state High Court for stealing the state money, if the investigation reveals that he stole money.
However, the powers of nolleprosequi of the attorney general of the state under Section 179 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 and under the Criminal Code and Penal Code are still supervening and all-embracing.
EFCC, which Act was re-enacted in 2004, had docked a number of governors either at the end of their first term, the second term or were impeached over one corruption charge or the other.
By the time they completed their first and second tenures in office in 2003 and 2007, respectively, the anti-graft agency began to dock Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Jolly Nyame (Taraba), AbubakarAudu (Kogi), SaminuTuraki (Jigawa), Orji UzorKalu (Abia), AyodeleFayose (Ekiti), ChimarokeNnamani (Enugu), James Ibori (Delta), and Lucky Igbinedion (Edo), beginning with DiepreyeAlamieyeseigha (Bayelsa) in 2005.
Subsequently, BoniHaruna (Adamawa), RasheedLadoja (Oyo), and Michael Botmang (Plateau), AttahiruBafarawa (Sokoto), Ahmed Sani (Zamfara), Peter Odili (Rivers), AdamuAbdullahi (Nasarawa), Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), DanjumaGoje (Gombe), IkediOhakim (Imo), SuleLamido (Jigawa), Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa), MurtalaNyako (Adamawa), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Obong Victor Attah (AkwaIbom), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo) followed.
Former governors that were marked for prosecution by other anti-graft agencies like the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), include Senator BukolaSaraki, Senator Bola Tinubu, and ex-President Goodluck Jonathan (as the then governor of Bayelsa State).
This followed the resolve of the Joint Task Force empanelled by former President OlusegunObasanjo in June, 2006, comprising of ICPC, EFCC, CCB, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Police headed by Ribadu which named 15 former governors found to have breached the code of conduct for public officials and recommended them for prosecution in line with the Code of Conduct Bureau Act.
Those listed were James Ibori (Delta), Lucky Igbinedion (Edo), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), BoniHaruna (Adamawa) Olugbenga Justus Daniel (Ogun), OlagunsoyeOyinlola (Osun), AdamuAliero (Kebbi), AtahiruBafarawa (Sokoto), Ibrahim SaminuTuraki (Jigawa), Ahmad Makarfi (Kaduna), Goodluck Jonathan (Bayelsa), ChimarokeNnamani (Enugu), AchikeUdenwa (Imo), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), And Bola Tinubu (Lagos).

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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