Education
UBE Scam: Sokan, 3 Others Face Trial
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that former Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Prof. Bridget Omotunde Sokan and three directors facing trial on fraudulent inducement, criminal conspiracy and subversion of due processes in the award of contract among others, have a case to answer and should be ready to face trial.
Justice Adamu Bello who gave the ruling dismissed an application brought before him by the accused persons praying the court to quash the charges levelled against them.
The other accused persons are: Molkat Manasseh Mutfwang, Michael Mtonga Aule and Dr Andrew Ekpunobi.
Three other firms: Intermarkets USA ; Intermarkets Nigeria Limited and Alexander John Cozman, a foreign contractor who is also standing trial with them. Sokan and her co-accused had sought the quashing of all the charges preferred against them, saying that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
They also claimed that the proof of evidence did not establish a prima facie case against them. However, Justice Bello, in his ruling stated that as far as the proof of evidence before him was concerned there is sufficient evidence for the accused persons to face trial.
He, therefore, adjourned the case to November 29th and 30th, 2010 for continuation of trial.
The accused persons and the firms are being accused of defrauding the country the sum of N636.2 million.
Continue Reading
A professor of Property Investment and Valuation at Rivers State University(,RSu) Nkpolu Oroworukwu port Harcourt,Prof. Chukwuemeka Edmund Ekenta, has identified poor valuation and weak documentation as the major drivers of land grabbing and property disputes in the State.
Ekenta said if valuation processes were strengthened and property records properly kept, incidents of land grabbing would be reduced to the barest minimum.
He stated this on Wednesday while delivering her inaugural lecture at the 136th inaugural lecture of the university held at the Dr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Senate Building in Port Harcourt.
The lecture titled _”Valuation As Fulcrum of Property Investments And Systemic Governance: Inquests From Scholarship”_.
The professor told the audience that the lecture was intended to expand public understanding of property beyond physical assets.
“Property is not limited to real estate — things you can feel and touch,” he said
He noted that intellectual property also constitutes valuable assets.
“Intellectual property, which many of us have the potential to create, also matters. This includes creativity of the intellect such as scholarly articles and music. These are things that have great potential as major investments,” Ekenta said.
Focusing on Rivers, he said valuation gaps remain a critical challenge.
“One of the major challenges in Rivers State is lack of valuation,” he stated.
According to him, proper valuation and documentation would help curb land grabbing.
“If there is effective valuation and proper property documentation, it will bring land grabbing to a halt,” he said.
Ekenta disclosed that he is currently conducting research on land grabbing, adding that the findings, when released, would contribute to solving the problem.
He further explained that early involvement of estate surveyors and valuers is key.
“If there is proper documentation and estate surveyors and valuers are involved on time, I don’t think the issue of land grabbing will be something we will be dealing with,” he said.
The professor also attributed the high cost of leasing to inflation. He urged government to reduce costs and encourage local production of building materials to bring down the price of property across the country.
On professional regulation, Ekenta said the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers is working to incorporate real estate agents into a formal body.
“We are going to enlighten and train them so that the embarrassment they bring to our profession will be reduced to the barest minimum. Some of them who want to become professional estate surveyors and valuers can migrate from there and become colleagues,” he stated.
He recommended that stakeholders engage the services of estate surveyors and valuers before, during, and after property transactions.
He also called on RSU management to ensure regular valuation of university assets using the Department of Estate Management.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor of RSU, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, commended Ekenta for the lecture. He said the university was proud to have produced him as a professor and assured that management would act on his recommendations.
By: Akujobi Amadi
Education
Nigerian law school lauds Opobo/Nkoro LGA over N400,000 Call To Bar Support For Law Graduates
The Nigerian Law School Rivers State Students Association( RNW,), has commended the Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Hon. James A. James, Esq., for approving financial#400,000 support for Bar Aspirants and New Wigs from the Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the association said the council approved and disbursement of N400,000 to each qualified indigene preparing for Call to Bar. According to RNW, the intervention was designed to ease the cost of Call to Bar ceremonies, registration, accommodation in Abuja, and other related expenses.
Hon. James, himself a lawyer, signed off on the support following months of engagement with RNW leadership. The association described the move as a direct response to the financial burden many law graduates face at the final stage of their training.
Beneficiaries from Opobo/Nkoro said the funds arrived ahead of the Call to Bar and made a significant difference. Some said it covered hostel balances in Bwari, others said it paid for revision materials, wigs, gowns, and travel for family members.
RNW President, Omano Kelechi, Esq., LLB (Hons), BL (PH), said the association appreciates the chairman’s gesture. “We thank Hon. James A. James, Esq., for approving Call to Bar support for Opobo/Nkoro Bar Aspirants and for the subsequent disbursement of N400,000 each,” he stated. “We also congratulate the Bar Aspirants from Opobo/Nkoro LGA.”
The association further extended appreciation to stakeholders in Opobo/Nkoro who supported the initiative. RNW noted that council officials, traditional rulers, and community leaders helped with verification and outreach to ensure support got to the right recipients.
In its statement, RNW called on other LGA Chairmen and government functionaries across Rivers State to emulate the model. The group urged them to assist their indigenes in line with their educational mandate and to prioritize human capital development at the local government level.
The association said it looks forward to a Rivers State where investment in education and professional training becomes standard practice. “We look forward to a better Rivers State where education and human capital development will be the order of the day,” Kelechi added.
The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has appointed the Paramount Ruler of Barako Community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, HRH Mene Kadilo Barina Kabari, to chair a high-powered task force established to drive revenue reforms, reorganize the institution’s business interests and tackle illegal structures across its campuses.Maritime Transport
The appointment was announced on Monday, July 27, 2026, when the University’s 10th Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chike Princewill, inaugurated the Council Task Force on Review of Revenue, Business Concerns, Illegal Structures and Reorganization of Uniport Investments Limited (UIL) at the Governing Council Chamber, barely two weeks after assuming office.
The committee is expected to undertake a comprehensive review of the University’s revenue generation framework, assess its business concerns, recommend measures for the removal of illegal structures, and reposition Uniport Investments Limited for greater operational efficiency and profitability.
Members of the task force include the Deputy Vice Chancellors, the University Bursar, the Directors of Physical Planning and Works, the Head of Legal, the Chairman of the Board of Uniport Press, while a representative of the Registrar will serve as Secretary.Geographic Reference
Speaking during the inauguration, Prof. Princewill described the assignment as critical to the University’s future, charging the committee to provide practical and sustainable solutions that would strengthen the institution’s financial base, restore order across its campuses and improve the management of its investments.
He expressed confidence in the calibre of the committee members, noting that their wealth of experience would help reposition the University to meet emerging challenges and enhance institutional growth. Chairman of the task force, HRH Mene Kadilo Barina Kabari, is an external member of the University’s Governing Council and the Paramount Ruler of Barako Community in Gokana Local Government Area. His appointment reflects the University’s commitment to drawing on experienced professionals and respected leaders to support reforms aimed at improving governance, financial sustainability and administrative efficiency.
By: Akujobi Amadi
-
Sports5 days agoFifa Scraps Controversial World Cup in Plan
-
Business5 days agoVet Doctors Vow Support To Check Rabies Spread In Rivers
-
Business5 days agoJonathan Applauds NCDMB, China’s Model for Shaping Nigeria’s Local Content Policy
-
Education5 days agoUniport Set To Review Varsity’s Revenue Generation Framework
-
Business5 days agoEntrepreneur Fetes Indigenous Patronage …Tasks Govt, NDDC, Others On Procurement
-
Sports5 days agoFIFA Mulls World Cup Expansion To 64-Teams
-
Sports5 days agoBroos Retires As S’Africa Coach
-
Sports5 days agoNigeria’s Oba Defeats Lesnar At WWE SummerSlam