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Lawyers, Lawmakers Disagree Over Stand On Unicameral Legislature

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L-R: British Foreign Affairs Secretary, Mr William Hague, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic, President Idris Deby of Republic of Chad, President Goodluck Jonathan, President Francois Hollande of France, President Paul Biya of Cameroon and President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic, at the Paris Summit for security in Nigeria at the Elysee Palace in Paris, last Saturday.

L-R: British Foreign Affairs Secretary, Mr William Hague, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic, President Idris Deby of Republic of Chad, President Goodluck Jonathan, President Francois Hollande of France, President Paul Biya of Cameroon and President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic, at the Paris Summit for security in Nigeria at the Elysee Palace in Paris, last Saturday.

Some prominent lawyers and lawmakers in Lagos yesterday endorsed the proposal by the ongoing National Conference for Nigeria to operate a part-time unicameral legislature.
They told newsmen that the suggestion, if approved, would reduce the cost of governance drastically and foster economic growth and development in the country.
A unicameral legislature is a representative form of government with a single legislative chamber.
Nigeria currently operates a bicameral legislature with the Senate and the House of Representatives which constitute the National Assembly.
A National Conference delegate, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN said the current system was a waste of funds and a duplication of efforts and roles.
Ozekhome said: “It is a waste of funds because the amount of expenditure incurred by Nigeria on recurrent matters as against capital expenditures is up to 75 per cent of Nigeria’s annual budget.
“No country in the world can ever grow or develop along that kind of primordial line. I totally believe that Nigeria should operate a unicameral legislature. We should just have 109 senators representing the various senatorial zones.”
He said those insisting on continuing with a bicameral legislature should concede to sitting on part-time basis with allowances only.
“Once our legislators stop receiving jumbo allowances, you will see genuine patriots who really want to work for Nigeria aspiring for elections to go and serve us at the National Assembly.’’
The Executive Director, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a rights advocacy group, Adetokunbo Mumuni also shared Ozekhome’s views.
“I will always support whatever will reduce the cost of governance because we are spending so much on that.
“As a matter of fact, I recommend part-time sitting for our lawmakers. This will put an end to political violence and electoral malpractice because only those who have the interest of Nigeria at heart will be attracted to the job of legislating for the country,’’ he also said.
On his part, a former Chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onyekachi Ubani said that ordinary Nigerians had not benefited from the current bicameral system.
Ubani noted that the huge resources being spent by the country for servicing members of the National Assembly could be used for the provision of infrastructure for the benefit of its citizenry.
“We are spending so much on this democracy,” he said, suggesting that the masses should benefit more from it.
However, some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) said yesterday that the present bicameral legislature operating at the Federal level was  strengthening political checks and balances in the system.
But a cross section of others have disagreed sharply, saying that the unicameral system would reduce the cost of governance and save scarce resources for investment into infrastructure and economic development initiatives.
The lawmakers, who spoke to newsmen said there was nothing wrong with the present system, adding that the bicameral system brought growth to the country’s democracy.
The Deputy Speaker, LAHA, Mr Taiwo Kolawole, told newsmen that there was nothing wrong with the system but urged the Senate to improve on its performance.
Kolawole said that the roles of the Senate in Nigeria’s democracy could not be overemphasised as the house had many functions as stipulated in the constitution.
“A bicameral legislature increases the standard of our democracy in the country because the senate plays constitutional roles in the nation’s democracy.
“It is when we change to a unicameral system that we will know the function and quality of the state representation.
“The only thing the upper house needs to work on is that of their performance,’’ he said.
Another lawmaker representing (APC-Alimosho I),  Bisi Yusuf also told newsmen that the problem Nigeria has was not that of a bicameral or unicameral system, but effective governance.
Yusuf, the chairman, Committee on Transportation, Commerce and Industry, said that if the country changed to the unicameral system, without good governance, it would not bring any change to the nation.
Another lawmaker, who represents (APC-Ojo I), Lanre Ogunyemi said that the current legislative structure suited the presidential system of government practised in the country.
Ogunyemi said that there was nothing wrong with the system as the current constitution could be amended to allow the senate operate on a part-time basis, in order to cut the costs of governance.
“I don’t support scrapping the senate because the two houses check the excesses of the executive, in other words they help to make our democracy stronger,’’ he said.
In his contribution, the Chairman, House Committee on House Services and Special Duties, Ahmed Omisoore said that the parliamentary system of government would be suitable for Nigeria’s democracy.
Omisoore (APC-Ifako-Ijaiye II), said that if the country could change to a parliamentary system, the problem of high cost of governance would be resolved.
The lawmaker said the problem the country was running an expensive presidential system, with a bicameral legislature.
“We should streamline with one legislature and go for a parliamentary system. I will be happy if the confab recommends such a system by going back to the parliamentary system of government,” Omisoore said.
It would be recalled that the National Conference Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government on May 13, recommended a unicameral legislature for the country.
The committee said that the current bicameral set up was unwieldy and had not made for effective legislative process in the country.

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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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