News
Reps Kill Peace Corps Bill …As Court Nulifies Jubrin’s Suspension …Ekiti Assembly Impeaches Deputy Speaker, Chief Whip …Gombe Suspends Four APC Members Over Mace Theft
The controversial Nigerian Peace Corps Bill has finally been jettisoned as attempts by the House of Representatives to override President Muhammadu Buhari failed, yesterday.
The bill failed to pass the second reading at the House of Representatives, yesterday.
The House of Representatives, which boasted that it would override the veto of Buhari could not achieve its aim.
The bill seeks to turn the Peace Corps, currently a non-governmental organisation, into a government para-military agency.
The bill, which was passed by the National Assembly amidst controversy, was rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari, who refused to sign it into law.
Buhari, in February, refused to assent to the bill because it was a duplication of duty and could conflict with the functions of the existing security outfits – the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The bill was sponsored by Emmanuel Orker-Jev (APC, Benue) and passed by the National Assembly in 2017.
In separate letters to the Senate and House of Representatives, Mr Buhari also cited security concerns and financial implications amongst reasons for his decision.
The bill was transmitted to the president in December, 2017 by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Omolori.
The Nigerian police had remained opposed to the legalisation of the corps.
On February 17, 2017, it stormed the organisation’s headquarters in Abuja and arrested its head, Dickson Akoh, and about 49 other members.
The police accused Akoh of using the Peace Corps, registered as a non-governmental organisation, to swindle young job seekers and operate as a para-military agency.
Akoh, who denied the allegations, was later granted bail.
Meanwhile, an Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has nullified the suspension of a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin.
Mr Jibrin was suspended in September 2016 after he exposed alleged budget fraud by the speaker of the house, Yakubu Dogara, and other top members.
Mr Jibrin had accused the leadership of the house of padding the 2016 budget with fraudulent figures created for the benefit of Mr Dogara and his allies.
No anti graft agency probed the allegations. Mr Jibrin was later suspended for 180 legislative days based on the recommendation of the Nicholas Ossai’s House Committee on Ethics.
Although Mr Jibrin has since resumed sitting, he continued his legal battle against his suspension resulting in yesterday’s ruling.
Mr Jibrin had instituted a fundamental rights suit alleging an abuse of his rights to freedom of expression and demanding the nullification of his suspension.
Delivering a ruling on the motion on Thursday, the judge, John Tsoho, ruled that Mr Jibrin’s application was meritorious and that his suspension amounted to a nullity.
The judge said the actions of Mr Jibrin were in conformity with his constitutional responsibilities as a member of the house.
He condemned the house for suspending the lawmaker, describing the suspension as an “abuse of democracy”.
Mr Tsoho also ordered the immediate restoration of Mr Jibrin’s earnings during the period of his suspension.
“The suspension was an interruption of his earnings which will be automatically restored especially when it has been decided that the action was a nullity by virtue of granting prayers 1 and 3 of the originating summons,” he said.
“When an action is declared nullity it is deemed that it never happened.”
The Deputy Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adesegun Adewumi has been impeached.
The House, at its plenary, yesterday, also removed the Chief Whip, Hon. Akinniyi Sunday.
The member representing Ekiti West Constituency 11, Hon. Animasaun Adesina, was elected as deputy speaker to replace him.
The member representing Ekiti South-West Constituency 1, Hon. Onigiobi Olawale was also appointed as the new chief whip.
Adewumi was removed as deputy speaker after a motion moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Akinyele Olatunji and seconded by Hon. Olayanju Olanrewaju.
Akinyele alleged that Adewumi was found to have indulged in activities capable of bringing the dignity and integrity of the House to disrepute.
The impeached deputy speaker was accused of “gross misconduct, lack of leadership quality and acting in a way that could destabilize the state.”
The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon Kola Oluwawole announced that 18 members of the Assembly signed the notice of impeachment of the deputy speaker in accordance with Section 92 (2c) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Members present at the plenary unanimously agreed that Adewumi exhibited high level of disloyalty and lacked patriotic spirit, and as such, should be impeached.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon Samuel Omotoso nominated Adesina as the new deputy speaker and was seconded by Hon Afolabi Akanni.
The nomination was unanimously accepted by members while the Speaker announced Olawale as the replacement for the chief whip in accordance with the directive of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State.
In his acceptance speech, the new Deputy Speaker, Hon Animasaun Adesina said, he was honoured by the appointment, and promised to perform his duties according to the Constitution.
Adewumi hails from Erijiyan Ekiti.
Similarly, there was drama, yesterday, at the Gombe State House of Assembly during plenary when an All Progressives Congress (APC), member representing Akko West Constituency, Abdullahi Abubakar, took away the mace in an attempt to impeach the minority leader.
It was learnt that the Minority Leader, Mohammed Usman Haruna, was reported to have held a press conference on May 5, soon after the ward congress, where he condemned the processes of the ward congress of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
It was learnt that following this development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dominated assembly, felt aggrieved with the move by the minority leader and began the process of impeaching him.
However, during the process for the impeachment, it was gathered that five out of the eight members who signed for the impeachment, one signed for and against the impeachment, and when asked why he did so, he said he was forced to sign the motion for the impeachment under duress.
Following this development, which split the members equally, it was obvious that the impeachment would not hold.
This led one of the members, Abdullahi Abubakar, to take the mace, at about 1:12pm.
Abubakar was said to have been assisted by another member, Mohammed Bello, from Gombe South State Constituency to escape with the mace.
Bello was reported to have escaped through the door with the mace, while Bello held the door to keep the other members of the assembly from rescuing the mace from him.
The officials of the assembly were yet to address the press as at the time of filing this report.
Reponding to the situation, the Gombe State House of Assembly has suspended four All Progressives Congress members for four legislative days.
The sanction is over their alleged roles in unlawful removal of the mace by a member from the chamber at a plenary of the House yesterday.
The Assembly also asked a committee to investigate the incident and report back on Monday.
Majority Leader of the House, Fabulous Amos, who represents Shongom constituency, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the incident.
He said the suspended members took away the mace to an undisclosed place while plenary session was going on and without the authority of the House.
According to Mr Amos, APC members prayed to the House to change their principal officers but only four out of the members signed the notice for impeachment of the Minority Leader, Ahmed Haruna of Gombe North constituency.
Mr Amoss who is also the Chairman, Committee on Information, named the four suspended members as Abdullahi Abubakar, Mohammed Bello, Ibrahim Sadiq Abubakar and Walid Mohammed.
He said they were suspended for four legislatives days.
Mr Amos said the House also set a committee to investigate the matter and report its findings to the House on Monday.
The Minority Leader refused to respond when journalists sought his clarification.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
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.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
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
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
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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