Featured

Vacate Rivers Shopping Mall, Court Orders NAF

Published

9 years ago

June 28, 2017

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital has ordered men of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to vacate the premises of Blue Boulevard Limited, a multi-shopping complex on Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway by Rumuomasi Market Junction.
The presiding Judge, Justice Hillary Oshomah, who gave the order in an application filed by Peter Osunde (1st Applicant), and Blue Boulevard Limited (2nd Applicant) against Nigerian Air Force Properties Limited, said the continued stay of men of the Air Force at the business premises was ultra vires and beyond her statutory responsibilities.
While delivering the judgment, Oshomah said, “It is hereby declared by the order of this Honourable Court that the continuous stay of armed men of 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force, Port Harcourt, at the main entrance of the 2nd Applicant’s gate, and within its premises on the orders of the respondents is ultra vires, null and void, and beyond the statutory duties of the respondents.”
The judge further ruled “that the continuous stay of the armed men of the respondent is wrongful, unlawful and unconstitutional as it violates the applicants’ fundamental right of freedom of movement, right to own property, and right to personal liberty guaranteed by Section 34,35 and 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended”.
Oshomah also said that “the respondent is hereby directed to immediately withdraw its men stationed at the main gate and within the premises of the 2nd applicant at NAF Base, Market Junction, Rumoumasi, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The judge granted “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondent by itself, through its agents, officers and privies from further barricading the gate and within the premises of the 2nd Applicant at the aforestated place.
“By way of consequential order of this Honourable Court, the respondent, its agents , servants, privies and or anybody of whatsoever either acting on its behalf or stead is by order of this Honourable Court restrained from indulging in any act or conduct which is likely or capable of undermining, frustrating, stifling or calculated or capable of rendering nugatory the attainment and /or benefits of prayers granted the applicants by this Honourable Court”, he added.
Oshomah further lashed out at the respondent, describing their action as shameful and condemnable.
“The conduct of the respondent and its handlers is not only shameful, it is most reprehensible and condemnable and same is deprecated in the strongest terms by this Honourable Court”, he said.
It would be recalled that men of the Nigerian Air Force shut down activities at the business premises since April 11 this year.
Explaining their plight to newsmen, Managing Director of the firm, Mr Sam Orzo, said they were building about 2,000 lock-up shops with some of them already occupied before the development.
“Some of the shops have been paid for. As I talk to you, we are incurring losses running into billions of naira from the actions of the security operatives”, he said.
The Group Managing Director of Blue Boulevard Limited, Mr Peter Osunde, had in suit No FHC/PH/FHR/71/2017, sought the court’s order declaring, among other things, that the continuous stay of the armed men of 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force, Port Harcourt at the main entrance of the 2nd applicant’s gate and within its premises on the orders of the respondent was ultra vires, null and void and beyond the statutory duties of the respondent.
Osunde also sought a declaration that the continued stay of the armed men of the respondent on issues bothering on contractual agreement was wrongful, unlawful and unconstitutional as it violates the applicants’ fundamental rights of freedom of movement, right to own property and right to personal liberty guaranteed by sections 34,35 and 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
The applicants further sought an order directing the respondent to immediately withdraw its men stationed at the main gate and within the premises of the 2nd applicant at NAF Base, Market Junction, Rumuomasi, Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
The GMD, therefore, asked for “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondent by itself , through its agents, officers and privies from further barricading the gate and within the premises of the 2nd applicant at the aforesaid place”.

Featured

RSG Floats MNET Culture Content Promo

Published

5 days ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.

He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.

He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.

“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.

Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.

The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.

On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.

Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.

With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.

He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.

Kevin Nengia

Featured

APC Presidential Campaign Storms PH, ‘Morrow

Published

5 days ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

Barring last minute changes, the presidential campaign train of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will storm Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, tomorrow.

This is according to a campaign timetable released by the APC Campaign Council last month.

The Tide reports that the APC presidential campaign kicked off in Kaduna on October 24 with President Bola Tinubu in attendance.

The campaign train later moved to Cross River, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Ekiti on November 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima representing the President at the rallies.

President Tinubu is personally scheduled to attend 12 states including Rivers, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos.

The Rivers State rally, scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, is expected to witness a large crowd of party supporters drawn from a coalition of political parties in the State.

The party is expected to round off its presidential campaign in Lagos State on January 9, 2027.

The Tide reports that Tinubu has not visited Rivers State as President since he assumed office in May 2023. His last physical visit to the State was before his inauguration on Wednesday, May 3 – Thursday, May 4, 2023, when he was hosted by then Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the Magistrates’ Court Complex.

Tomorrow’s visit will be his first to the State since assuming office.

Featured

2027: Be Politically Neutral, Fubara Tasks Traditional Rulers

Published

2 weeks ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged traditional rulers in the State to maintain neutrality, ensure fairness and uphold peace in their domains as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Fubara gave the charge on Wednesday while declaring open the 126th, 127th and 128th Combined Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, in Port Harcourt.

The governor said the primary function of traditional rulers is to administer justice and ensure fairness, saying their conduct must not lead to division and unmanageable crises.

“Let me therefore, request, if that is the right word to use, that please, as we are entering into this political season actively, everyone should ensure that your conduct promoted peace in your place. Your actions should not be what would lead to the division and multiple crisis that we cannot manage as a government.

“I think with that, we can all live as one and we can also continue to make this progress that we are trying with all our mind, our body and our soul, to ensure that we deliver to our dear State,” he said.

Fubara urged the royal fathers to abide by the oath and constitution they swore to before ascending their respective stools, in the interest of stability and progress of the State.

He also enjoined them to set aside individual sentiments and place the interest of Rivers State above personal considerations, noting that this principle has guided his own day-to-day governance of the State.

“I want to enjoin everyone to keep aside issues of individual sentiments and ensure that the interest of our state supersedes whatever thing that we have in our mind. This is not just what I’m saying here, it is what I’ve also practiced and displayed in my day-to-day life in the governance of our dear State,” he said.

On the appeal for improved welfare for traditional rulers, the governor clarified that the delay in actualising some of the requests they made in the past was not from the government but from the inability of the Council to put its house in order.

Fubara explained that the issue of stipends paid to the traditional rulers by the local government councils, was a statutory benefit provided for in the constitution and not what a state governor can change by mere verbal pronouncements.

He assured that he remains a man of his word and will fulfill his promises to the traditional rulers before leaving office, next year.

He reaffirmed his respect for the traditional institution as custodians of culture and the closest link to the people, thanking them for their prayers and support.

The governor urged the royal fathers to ensure that the combined quarterly meeting featured fruitful deliberations that will strengthen peace and development in the State.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, expressed profound gratitude to the State Government for its efforts in maintaining a cordial relationship with the traditional institution.

Wodo highlighted the importance of traditional rulers in conflict resolution, noting that their closeness to the people places them in a strategic position to mediate in disputes involving chieftaincy matters, family disputes and land ownership in their respective communities.

The royal father drew the attention of the State Government to some challenges affecting the performance of the traditional institution, particularly the lack of official utility vehicles and logistical support needed to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

He also appealed for improved monthly stipends and better welfare provisions to reflect prevailing economic realities.