Connect with us

News

Court Case Stalls Reps Hearing On Takeover Of Benue, Zamfara Houses Of Assembly

Published

on

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has adjourned hearing a petition seeking the National Assembly to take over Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly to May 28.

The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Bitrus Laori (PDP-Adamawa), gave the ruling at the resumption of the hearing on Wednesday in Abuja.

Advertisement

He said that the adjournment became necessary as the committee had been served court documents, notifying it that the matter is currently in court.

Laori said that the details are Suit No. FHC/MKD/CS/146/2025, filed on May 5, 2025, at the Federal High Court, Makurdi Division, and had been adjourned to May 19.

READ ALSO:Reps Shoot Down Bill Seeking Rotational Presidency

Advertisement

The chairman also said that the leadership of the Benue State House of Assembly had also written a letter to the Senate and House of Representatives Benue Caucuses seeking an interaction over the matter.

In view of the court processes and the request of the Benue State House of Assembly leadership seeking to dialogue with Senate and House of Representatives Caucuses, the decision to continue sitting on the petition or not will be determined on the next adjourned date, May 28,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in Benue, the House of Assembly suspended 13 lawmakers for three months over their alleged opposition to the removal of the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.

Advertisement

The judge was accused of gross misconduct and corruption, sparking controversy and division within the assembly.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Three Katsina PDP Reps Defect To APC

While in Zamfara, the political crisis deepened in February 2024 when the Assembly suspended ten lawmakers.

Advertisement

Of the 10 suspended lawmakers for allegedly convening an illegal plenary session, four are from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and six from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

NAN also reports that the situation in Zamfara has since escalated into a leadership tussle, with two lawmakers, Mr Bilyaminu Moriki and Mr Bashar Gummi, both laying claim to the speakership.

The Gummi-led faction reportedly held a parallel sitting during which they purportedly impeached Moriki.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Bill To Establish Specialised Agric Institutions Passes Second Reading In House Of Reps

In response, the Moriki-led Assembly suspended 10 members aligned with Gummi, labelling the impeachment as invalid and accusing the group of conducting an illegal session.

These crises form the basis of the petitions currently before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions.

Advertisement

NAN observed that the governors and speakers of both State Houses of Assembly who were against it, invited last week, did not appear.

However, the petitioners, the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law represented by a lawyer, Mr Emmanuel Onwudiwe, as well as the suspended members of the Benue and Zamfara State Houses of Assembly, were present.
(NAN)

 

Advertisement

News

Police Disown Viral Recruitment Notice, Warn Against Fraud

Published

on

The Nigeria Police Force has disowned a recruitment notice circulating on social media, describing it as fake and warning Nigerians not to fall victim to fraudulent schemes.

The document, titled “Nigeria Police Force Recruitment Exercise 2025”, had invited applications from SSCE, OND, HND, and B.Sc. holders, listing requirements such as age limits, fitness standards, and academic qualifications. It also outlined an alleged application process through a supposed police recruitment portal scheduled to open on September 23, 2025.

Advertisement

The notice claimed that candidates were expected to be Nigerian citizens by birth, hold a valid National Identification Number, and meet minimum height and academic criteria. It also warned against membership of secret societies and directed applicants to submit various documents, including birth certificates and guarantor declarations.

READ ALSO:Police Vows To Arrest Killers of NSCDC Officers In Edo

In a post on its verified X handle on Thursday, the Nigeria Police Force dismissed the claims and stamped the document “FAKE” to alert the public.

Advertisement

The Police Service Commission (PSC) had earlier issued a similar warning. On August 30, PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani clarified that no recruitment exercise had been announced for 2025.

The advertorial currently in circulation is fictitious and diversionary,” Ani said. “The Commission has repeatedly urged young Nigerians eager to join the police to be patient and await the official process.”

READ ALSO:Police Vows To Arrest Killers of NSCDC Officers In Edo

Advertisement

He added that the forged documents being circulated bear no resemblance to the Commission’s official communication.

The police authorities reiterated that any official recruitment exercise would be publicly announced through verified government platforms.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Okpebholo Warns Companies Against Fuelling Edo–Delta Boundary Dispute

Published

on

Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to companies attempting to exploit the lingering boundary dispute between Edo and Delta states.

Okpebholo cautioned the companies to desist from encroaching on Edo territory while the matter remains before the National Boundary Commission (NBC), for adjudication and adjustment.

Advertisement

The governor’s stance follows a recent reports of encroachment on Edo territory by the Delta State Government and companies allegedly attempting to establish operations on disputed lands.

Okpehbolo, accompanied by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 5, Salman-Dogo Garba, and other top security officials, spoke when he paid a fact-finding visit to the disputed areas.

READ ALSO:Textile, Garment And Tailoring Workers Assault Journalists In Edo

Advertisement

The disputed territory lies between Urhonigbe Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, and Umutu community in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.

Represented by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Okpebholo, while addressing residents of Urhonigbe community, assured them of his administration’s commitment to safeguarding their interests, but urged restraint.

He further urged the affected communities to remain peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that the dispute was being handled at the highest level of national authority.

Advertisement

“We are here at the boundary to see the disputed area and the actual demarcation. We are appealing to the Federal Government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the NBC steps in and expedites action so that this dispute is resolved once and for all.

READ ALSO:NDLEA Destroys Over 18,000 KG Of Cannabis In Edo Forest

“This River Ethiope is a natural boundary. We don’t want any crisis in the South-South or between Edo and Delta states. We are brothers, having once been Bendel State before Delta was created. We want peace, and we want the right thing done quickly.”

Advertisement

“Please don’t take laws into your hands. As a government, we will protect the territorial integrity of Edo State. But we must maintain peace and harmony with our neighbors while this matter is before the NBC,” he pleaded.

Okpebholo emphasised that while his administration was committed to defending Edo territorial claims, it would do so with fairness, peace, and respect for due process.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure justice, preserve harmony, and protect the integrity of our people and our State,” he affirmed.

Advertisement

In his remarks, AIG Salman-Dogo Garba urged restraint, describing both Edo and Delta as inseparable partners in peace and development despite the dispute.

“I appeal to the communities, Edo and Delta are still brothers despite this land dispute. Be peaceful, avoid violence, don’t take up arms over this matter as it is already before the NBC,” he advised.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Release Nnamdi Kanu For Medical Treatment, Ohanaeze President Begs FG

Published

on

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, has called on the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to enable him to seek proper medical attention.

This is as Azuta-Mbata called on Igbos across the country to ensure they register in the ongoing voters’ registration exercise and obtain their voter cards.

Advertisement

Azuta-Mbata said this in a short video message of himself speaking, which he sent to The PUNCH on Thursday.

READ ALSO:FG Makes History Compulsory Subject In Primary, Secondary Schools

Kanu’s detention has remained one of Nigeria’s most contentious political and security issues in recent years. Kanu, who was first arrested in 2015 on charges bordering on treasonable felony, jumped bail in 2017 and fled the country.

Advertisement

He was rearrested in Kenya in June 2021 in a controversial operation by Nigerian security operatives and has since been held in the custody of the Department of State Services.

He also urged the government to explore a political solution in handling the issue of the detained IPOB leader, saying the apex government does not have any advantage in the continuous detention of the IPOB leader.

READ ALSO:IPOB Faults Soludo For Linking Igbo Youths To Kidnapping

Advertisement

Azuta-Mbata stated, “I’m calling upon Ndigbo-nine (Igbos in general) wherever you are in Nigeria to quickly go and take advantage of the voter registration exercise that is going on right now. Go and get your cards as quickly as possible.

“Secondly, I would like to call upon the federal government of Nigeria to quickly release Nnamdi Kanu. The Government has no serious advantage in keeping him. It is important that the government ensures his safety and his welfare, and that the Government must allow him to go and get medical treatment as quickly as possible.

“The Government must adopt a political solution to this situation. I do not believe that the Government has any serious advantage in keeping him any further.”

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending