News

I’m Committed To Defence Of Justice- Gov Fubara

Published

2 years ago

October 21, 2024

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has restated his avowed determination to defend the course of justice in the State, no matter what it will cost.
Governor Fubara spoke at the opening of the 2024/2025 Legal Year and Re-Dedication Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s, Anglican Communion, Diobu at Garrison Junction in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Governor said, unarguably, the Judiciary is sacred temple of justice and should always hold up such assurances for everybody that approached it, and not the other way.
Governor Fubara took a swipe at some legal luminaries, who smeared their conscience to canvass what is professionally an aberration, doing so to please their pay masters.
He said, “Some of you, you say you are legal luminaries. You know the truth, but you will go on air just to pacify your pay masters to turn the law upside down.
“We all know the law when it comes to issues that have to do with the administration of governance in the State; it is within the jurisdiction of the State High Court.
“It doesn’t matter whether you joined INEC, or Police. It is a State’s matter! I am not a lawyer, but I know that one. And you stand and say you are doing the right thing? God will judge you.”
Governor Fubara stated that within the temple of justice, judges are seen to represent God, who must not be afraid to look at those who come to equity, and dispense justice rightly without fear or favour.
The Governor warned that, because court judgments have far-reaching implications, great care needed to be taken in making judicial pronouncements.
He said, “Let me say it here so that you will understand: Judges, you are the God that we are seeing. Your position is to stand and defend us. Your position is to look at whoever and tell the person the truth.
“Because if you don’t do it here, you will have a big question to answer. The preacher said it, every evil done in the course of administering justice, you will pay for it dearly.”
Governor Fubara applauded the Rivers State Judiciary, particularly, the High Court Divisions for their sundry support that have contributed to keeping his administration going despite calculated antagonisms.
The State Governor alluded to the fact that some judicial officers in the State have been either threatened, physically assaulted or slammed with frivolous petitions raised against them to coerce them to submit.
Governor Fubara urged them to remain resolute in their commitment to stand on the side of truth, and never compromise justice.
He added, “I want to thank the Rivers State Judiciary, more especially, the High Court of Rivers State, for your support, for keeping this administration afloat up untill this hour.
“We know quite alright that a good number of you have been threatened by way of phone calls and even physical assaults. We are also aware that some of you have been threatened professionally through petitions that are fake and frivolous.
“But one thing that you need to understand is that you must be persecuted when you are doing the right thing. And those of you who are doing the right thing that are being fought from all sides, be courageous. Very soon, this whole thing will be over. Nothing lasts forever.”
Governor Fubara assured that the leadership of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, will record more successes under his administration.
The Governor, who promised to ensure that such is possible, also said that he will never call him or any other judge to do anything that is wrong.
Governor Fubara insisted that should there be such call, the chief judge should not hesitate to disgrace him publicly, and do same boldly to any other person who will call the CJ to do the wrong thing against the law.
He also harped on the importance of having strong institutions thrive to entrench democracy and good governance so as to engender a healthy and prosperous society.
The Governor said when institutions are deliberately weakened, it is the entire society that suffers eventually.
He explained, “What we are praying for in this country is institutional strength and not individual strength. Institutional strength is the only thing that will bring development in this country.
“If I am a businessman, and I am coming into Nigeria to invest, why will I invest when what I am seeing today is that institutions are weak and individuals are stronger than institutions?”
The Governor further said: “This State belongs to all of us. It is not about Fubara today. If this institution is destroyed, when another person comes in tomorrow, it is the same thing that will happen.
“We need to stand and defend it, and you are the right people to do it. I am here today to assure you that even if I have my last breath, I will defend the cause of justice in this State.”
Governor Fubara acknowledged the support so far that he had received from some persons who have remained resolute despite the several attacks they have received because they are refusing to allow detractors to sink the State.
He said the journey has not been easy for him and all Rivers people following the happenings, but assured that his administration has remained focused, regardless.
Governor Fubara insisted: “A lot of the good works that we are doing, the enemy is overshadowing it with bad news.
“But very soon, we are going to go into areas and programmes to showcase what we have been doing, not just for the Judiciary, but other aspects of governance in our dear State.
“I want to thank and assure you that I will continue to support you (Judiciary). And my prayers, as you start your new legal year, is that God will be with you, God will support you.”
Governor Fubara recalled that October, 2023, the story was different, but today, one year after, everybody is smiling because of the grace of God.
He emphasised that when God is in every business affairs, no matter the level of gang up, it will be difficult to be defeated, adding that because his administration has continued to trust in God, He will lead him and his team to glorious end.
In his sermon, the Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, preaching on the topic, “Called To Uphold Justice”, said Nigeria is collapsing, owing partly to the conflicting judgments always emanating from courts of coordinate jurisdiction, which have deepened the festering crisis.
Such deliberate incoherence from the Judiciary, Bishop Ihunwo, noted, skews leadership, jeopardises unity of the country, and affects smooth governance, making Nigerians direct or indirect needless victims of such brute justice system.
He warned that those who engage in such merchandise will be punished by God no matter how long it takes.
Bishop Ihunwo also exhorted on the eternal blessings associated with submission to constituted authority, regardless of the age and education of the occupants of such positions, asserting that all authority is ordained by God, warning that rebels will always be treated as rebels.
The State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, read the only Lesson of the Service.
There were prayers said for the continual help, strength, wisdom and boldness of the judicial officers to discharge their responsibilities, peace of Nigeria and Rivers State.

News

NDLEA Intercepts 1.63m Tramadol Pills, Arrests 80-Year-Old Suspect

Published

2 days ago

July 20, 2026

The Tide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.

The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.

According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.

Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”

He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.

Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”

He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.

“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.

According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.

He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”

The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”

He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.

News

FG Alerts Nigerians Of N50,000 Allowance Registration Scam

Published

2 days ago

July 20, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.

The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.

It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.

“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.

It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”

The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.

The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.

The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.

Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.

News

Minimum Wage Review: We’re Battle Ready For Major National Struggle -NLC

Published

2 days ago

July 20, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.

NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.

Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.

He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.

According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.

“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.

“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.

“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”

Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.

“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.

He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”

The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”

He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.

“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.

Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.

“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”