News

Apo Killings: NHRC Rejects Order Against N135m Judgement

Published

11 years ago

July 21, 2014

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to set aside its order of stay of execution of the commission’s investigation report which awarded N135million to relatives and victims of the attack and killing of some squatters in Apo, Abuja.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole had on June 27, 2014, in his ruling on the ex parte application filed by the State Security Services (SSS), ordered a stay of execution of the report.
The judge had equally granted leave to the SSS to apply for an order of certiorari to quash the decisions and awards contained in the NHRC’s report on complaint No: C/2013/7908/HQ.
The court also granted leave to the SSS to serve the commission with the originating motion, which is the main suit.
The NHRC had in its report released in April 2014, blamed the SSS and the Nigerian Army for the killing of eight and injuring of 11 of the squatters in an uncompleted building in September, 2014.
The security forces had attacked the squatters on the allegation that they were suspected members of Boko Haram sect.
The NHRC, through its counsel, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), rejected the order of a stay of execution of its investigation report on the incident, arguing among others, that the manner of commencing the suit did not comply with the law.
The commission is praying for “an order setting aside the enrolled order of this court dated June 27, 2014 which was served on the 1st to 4th respondents/applicants on July 1, 2014.
“An order setting aside the service of the originating motion on notice dated June 30, 2014 which was served on the 1st to 4th respondents/applicants on July 1, 2014 doe non-compliance with the provisions of Order 3 Rule 12(1) and (3) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009.”
It also faulted the orders made by the court on the grounds that it and its officials were erroneously listed as plaintiffs in the suit when actually they did not institute the suit.
The first to the fourth respondents to the suit which was instituted by the SSS for the review of the NHRC’s report of investigation are the commission’s Chairman, Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, its Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, another official, Saudatu Mahdi, and the NHRC itself.
Other respondents are, Global Rights, Human Rights Law Service, National Association of Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief of Army Staff and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The commission’s grounds for the application reads in part, “The applicant failed, refused, and or neglected to give the 1st to 4th respondents/applicants the notice prescribed by section 18(3) and (4) of the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act 2010 before instituting the action in court.
“The enrolled order served on the 1st to 4th respondents/applicants described them (1st to 4th applicants /respondents) as plaintiffs in this case when this suit was not instituted by them.
“The enrolled order served on the 1st to 4th respondents/applicants is nullity.
“The condition precedent for the commencement of this proceeding has not been fulfilled.”
The commission added that the originating motion served on it and its officials were nullity as they were not certified and verified by the court registrar in line with Order 3 Rule 12(3) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules.
It also argued that the suit amounted to nullity on the grounds that it was not entered for hearing within 14 days of which the court granted leave for the suit to be instituted, as stated in Order 34 Rule 5(4) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules.
The NHRC had in the case tagged, Global Rights and 3 others vs. Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 others, ordered the Federal Government to, among others, pay a total of N135million as compensation to the victims.
The SSS was expected to pay N10million for each of those killed and N5million to each of the 11 injured survivors.
But the SSS said it was never invited or interrogated during the preliminary investigations conducted by the NHRC in respect to the incident.
It added that it was not given a copy of the petitions lodged by the Global Rights, Human rights Law Office and National Association of Commercial tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association.
The SSS, through its suit, is seeking to quash the report of the NHRC on the grounds that the commission was biased against it throughout the proceedings of the public inquiry as it was not given any fair hearing during the preliminary investigation.
The applicant also argued that the NHRC, not being a regular court, lacked the jurisdiction to determine the nature of the incident relating to criminal offences under sections 317, 318 and 319 of the Criminal Code and section 220 of the Panel Code.

News

Group Doles out N13m To Market Women In Isiama

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The peaceful Town of Isiama in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was at the weekend agog with activities following the donation of over N13million to market women by Engr. Justus Ngerebara in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiatives, a non-governmental organization, as part of its first phase empowerment programme.

According to Justus Ngerebara, who is also the Executive Director of the organization, the women, numbering 108, will receive various sums based on their business proposal.

He stated that the organization will carry out an annual review of the performances of the beneficiaries, with a view to rewarding those who put the money into good use.

According to him, the initiative was a collaborative effort between himself and his wife, Dr. Unyime Ngerebara, in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiative (FDI), an organization committed to youth capacity building and community development.

He said the family believe deeply in the transformative power of women’s empowerment as a catalyst for economic growth, especially in rural communities.

“As the saying goes, when you empower a woman, you empower a community. This truth resonate strongly with us, knowing that empowered women uplift households and inspire generational change”, he stated.

Ngerebara described the programme as the beginning of more things to come and urged the beneficiaries to view the gesture “as a reflection of our deep love for the community and our commitment to easing the burdens of economic hardship.

“We encourage you to invest wisely, channel these resources into your business not frivolities.

“We will continue to follow up with each participant to monitor progress and Offer guidance.

“It is our goal to see thriving business, creative solutions to households hunger and a ripple effect of prosperity through Isiama.

“We also call on the men to stand beside their spouses, offering support and encouragement to ensure these resources are maximized for growth”, he said.

In an interview, Ngerebara said the second phase of the empowerment programme will start very soon, stressing that since inception the organization has done so much for the community.

He listed some of the programmes carried out by the group in the community to include the installation of solar powered lights, and solar powered water.

While declaring the event open, a former coymmissioner for Works in Rivers State, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, described the event as the first of its kind in the community.

Engr. Ngerebara said the programme will go a long way to improve the conditions of not only the beneficiaries, but also the entire Isiama Community.

He also charged them against wasting the resources on frivolities, adding that their success will attract more of such empowerment programme to Isiama community

Giving a brief talk on women empowerment, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr. Awajimogobo Felix MacLean, warned the beneficiaries to justify the effort of the donor by avoiding wastages.

Dr. MacLean also urged them to be consistent in their line of business as well as avoid unnecessary competition.

She also stressed the need for them to network among themselves, while working out ways of helping the community to develop.

Guest of Honour at the occasion, Professor Uriah Oboada Alafonye, said Engr Justus Ngerebara, the initiator of the programme, has set a standard for present and future generations of leaders both in the community and the rest of Andoni to follow.

Prof Alafonye who is of the department of Arts Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, also appealed to the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity provided by the programme to reduce poverty in the community.

Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Hebron Mercy Fyneface, a crayfish seller and an interior designer, said it was the first time she was receiving such gesture from any organization or government.

She thanked Engr Justus Ngerebara for remembering the women of Isiama and urged others to emulate him.

By: John Bibor

News

Fubara’s Return Excites NCSU … As Hope Rises For Civil Servants

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The umbrella body of civil servants in Rivers State, the Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the lifting of emergency rule in the State and the return to office of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly, saying, the development portends good omen for workers, the people and the State.

The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the return of the Governor to office portends good omen and better days for civil servants in particular, stressing that the union heartily welcomes the Governor back to office, to resume his good works in the State, after six months of the emergency rule, as well as his deputy and members of the House of Assembly.

He noted that civil servants in the State are not only elated over the development but are also full of hope that the Governor would start from where he stopped in attending to their welfare needs.

He contended that the political crisis that recently engulfed the State and the six-month emergency rule had for over one year pulled the State backwards, but expressed delight that a permanent solution has been found to stem further political upheavals in the State, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making this possible; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leader of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor Fubara; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule; members of the House; and other stakeholders for agreeing to amicably resolve all contending issues.

The labour leader said this is the right time for all political gladiators in the State to bury the hatchet, work together and embrace peace and genuine reconciliation in the overall interest of the State.

He described as too hasty the resolution of the House, mandating the Governor to present a supplementary budget to it, and pleaded with members of the House to be calm, to tread with caution, and harmoniously work with the Governor.

He said the return of democratic governance in the State would fast-track progress and development in the State, and enjoined the people of the State, particularly civil servants to continue to give their support and cooperation to the Fubara administration.

Osumah expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would give prompt attention to challenges facing civil servants in the State, being a former civil servant himself, stressing that the workers truly have hope, now that the Governor has returned to office, and knowing the kind of Governor he is.

According to him, he is going to look into the controversial and contentious contributory pension scheme; rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex; recruitment into the state civil service; extension of service and retirement years for civil servants; provision of vehicles to industrial unions; as well as provision of befitting staff quarters for civil servants; among others.

News

NDDC Organizes ADR Capacity Building for Staff

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organized a one-day sensitization program for its personnel on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches to promote workplace compliance on transparency and due process.

The workshop, themed “Promoting Transparency and Due Process in the Workplace using ADR Approaches in Building a Culture of Accountability and Integrity,” aimed to equip staff with the skills to resolve disputes effectively.

Declaring the event open on thursday in port Harcourt,The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the importance of using ADR mechanisms to resolve conflicts in the workplace.

Dr. Ogbuku represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo,noted that ADR approaches can encourage a culture of honesty, fairness, transparency, trust, and reduce conflicts among staff, ultimately promoting efficiency and productivity.

He averred that those disputes and quarrels if not proper resolved can derail the vision and objectives of the commission to the people, noting that the commission must as a team and unity as service provider in order to render a profitable service delivery to the people.

“ADR approach will encourage culture of honesty,fairness, transparency ,trust and reduce back bitting and the workforce, noting that such tendency would in turns promote efficiency and increase results in workplace.

when integrity and honesty becomes the operandi of an organisation and employees begins to trust that their matters will be handled with fairness it will breed team work and increase in productivity.”he stated

He commended the department of DCR for organising the workshop and urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity and imbibe the culture of tolerance, integrity and teamwork in workplace.

Also speaking,the NDDC acting director of DCR ,Mr Godwin Ayewumi Ogedegbe noted that the theme of the captures the core of what the commission seeks to achieve a workplace where every action is expected to be guided by openness, fairness, and a steadfastness commitment to due process, where conflicts are not merely resolved, but prevented through structured,principled processes , and where accountability and integrity are not aspirational ideals but every day practice.

In his keynote presentation on the theme “workplace Ethics and alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation,

Prof. Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, delivered a keynote presentation on “Workplace Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation.” He stressed the importance of due process, transparency, integrity, and accountability in the workplace, noting that these values are essential for productivity and organizational goals.

The workshop aimed to promote a culture of accountability and integrity in the NDDC workplace. By equipping staff with ADR skills and promoting transparency and due process, the commission can build a more efficient and productive work environment.

By: Akujobi Amadi