News

Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Refund Of Rivers’ Monies Expended By Ibas

Published

12 months ago

October 3, 2025

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a suit seeking a refund of all Rivers’ monies in the Consolidated Revenue Fund released, appropriated and expended by the Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling, held that the Federal High Court (FHC) has no jurisdiction to determine the subject matter, having stemmed from the presidential proclamation of the state of emergency.

The judge upheld the objection raised by lawyers to the defendants, including Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, who represented Ibas in the case.

Justice Omotosho held that it is only the Supreme Court that had the exclusive and original jurisdiction to determine the validity of the declaration of an emergency rule by the president.

“I must not fail to say here that counsel to the claimant ought to make proper research regarding his case before filing same.

“He must make diligent research as to which court has jurisdiction and the necessary parties in the suit before filing his action.

“Counsel has the duty to be professional in making such research rather than spending time spreading misinformation or painting the wrong picture on social media and other broadcast media.

“This court is saddled with a lot of cases, including commercial, civil and criminal matters which makes its time very precious.

“Filing suits which are void abinitio is inimical to the course of justice and the court can suo motu nullify such void suit in order to save its time.

“I therefore hold that a void process cannot activate the jurisdiction of this court.

“In final analysis, the subject matter of this suit is outside the jurisdiction of this court and this court will decline jurisdiction over same,” he said

The judge also declined to transfer the case to Port Harcourt judicial division as part of the reliefs sought by the plaintiff.

He held that the application for transfer of the suit back to Rivers was ungrantable.

He said that a look at the provision of the law revealed that the court can only transfer a matter to another judicial division, either a high court of a state or the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“This court having held that only the Supreme Court can hear and determine matters relating to Proclamation of State of Emergency, it would be totally worthless to then transfer the matter to another judicial division which equally lacks subject matter jurisdiction.

“Since this court has no power to transfer this matter to the Supreme Court, the proper course of action is to refrain from making any other transfer and to strike out the entire processes for lack of jurisdiction.

“Consequently, issue two is resolved against the claimant,” he said.

The judge equally resolved issue three which challenged the discretionary power of chief judge of FHC to have transferred the matter to Abuja for adjudication.

“Consequently, this court hereby declines jurisdiction over this suit and the originating process filed is hereby declared void as same ought not to have been filed before this court,” he ruled.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Incorporated Trustees of Rivsbridge Peace Initiative had, in the suit marked: FHC/PH/CS/43/2025, sued President Bola Tinubu as 1st defendant.

The group also named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation (AG-F), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Ibas as 2nd to 6th defendants.

The group had queried Ibas’ appointment.

It also sought an order of mandatory injunction, directing the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th defendants to, forthwith, return, refund and or pay back any monies in the Consolidated Revenue Fund belonging to Rivers State released, appropriated and or expended after March 18 when the president declared the state of emergency, among others.

It argued that the action was without compliance with the express provision of Section 120,121,287(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and subsisting Order(s) of the Supreme Court in Rivers State House of Assembly vs Govt of Rivers State (2025).

Justice Omotosho, in another ruling on the second suit, marked: FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, which challenged the power of Ibas to appoint sole administrators for the state’s 23 local government areas of Rivers, was also dismissed.

NAN reports that the suit, filed by the plaintiffs, had Ibas as sole defendant.

Delivering the ruling, the judge upheld the preliminary objection of lawyer to Ibas, Ogunwumiju, that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi (legal right) to file the suit.

He said that the plaintiffs were neither one of the suspended LGA chairmen nor could they have filed the suit against the Federal Government or Ibas on a dispute that purportedly affects the general public in Rivers.

“The applicants are mere individuals who happen to be residents of Rivers State.

“Unless and until the consent of the Sole Administrator is obtained and filed with the originating process, this suit is totally void and has no legs upon which to stand.

“The lack of locus standi on the part of the applicants will lead to a dismissal of this action and referral to a higher court for determination of the suit does not arise as this court has no such power,” he said.

He restated that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case.

“In final analysis, the suit of the applicants is bound to fail as this court cannot assume jurisdiction over this matter in view of lack of subject matter jurisdiction and lack of locus standi on the part of the applicants.

“Consequently, this action is hereby dismissed for being void,” Justice Omotosho declared.

NAN had earlier reported that the judge dismissed a suit seeking an order declaring President Tinubu’s suspension of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers as illegal.

The suit, marked: FHC/PH/CS/51/2025, was filed by Belema Briggs, Princess Wai-Ogosu, I. Acho, Emmanuel Mark and Hadassa Ada, who claimed to have sued for themselves and residents of Rivers State.

They had listed the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, Ibas and the Nigerian Navy as defendants.

The plaintiffs had queried the emergency declaration, the suspension of elected officials, including Gov. Fubara, the appointment of a sole administrator and, among others, prayed the court to void the president’s action.

News

Ex—Edo Deputy Gov Escapes Jail Term In Philip Shaibu’s Contempt Case

Published

11 minutes ago

September 25, 2026

Editor

Former Edo State deputy governor, Marvellous Omobayo, on Friday escaped a three-month imprisonment for contempt of court after the intervention of his counsel, Ken Mozia, SAN, his apology and an agreement reached with former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu to resolve the matter out of court.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja disclosed during Friday’s proceedings that, his ruling in the matter was ready and that, he had been prepared to commit Omobayo to the Kuje Correctional Centre for three months without an option of fine.

The judge, however, took into consideration the apology and remorse expressed by Omobayo and the steps taken by both parties to resolve the dispute.

Justice Omotosho said the proposed jail term was intended to serve as a warning to public officials, particularly members of the executive and legislative arms of government, against disobeying court orders.

According to the judge, “Let me just tell you, I would have sent you to three months imprisonment with no option of fine. I wanted to use you as an example for others, especially the executive and legislature, who are always in the habit of disobeying court rulings.”

Justice Omotosho said, judgement of the court must be obeyed and that, the sanctity of the temple of Justice must also be protected and warned Omodayo not to make any attempt to disobey a valid order of court.

The judge consequently vacated the delivery of the ruling in the contempt proceedings which arose from a judgment he delivered on July 17, 2024, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024, in which the court voided Shaibu’s impeachment as Deputy Governor of Edo State and ordered his reinstatement.

The court had held that the Edo State House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in impeaching Shaibu and that the allegation of gross misconduct relied upon by the lawmakers was untenable in law.

Omobayo, who was sworn in as deputy governor on April 8, 2024, following Shaibu’s impeachment, was subsequently accused of refusing to vacate the office despite the court’s judgment and
Shaibu consequently commenced contempt proceedings against Omobayo.

During Friday’s proceedings, Omobayo expressed regret over his actions and apologised to the court and Shaibu.
In an affidavit he deposed to, which he read before the court, Omobayo described himself as the alleged contemnor and said he regretted the actions that led to the contempt proceedings.

He apologised for any inconvenience caused to the court and the judgment creditor, insisting that he did not intend to disrespect the court or disregard its July 17, 2024 judgment.

Omobayo further undertook not to engage in any conduct that would violate or disobey the judgment and also undertook not to present or describe himself as the Deputy Governor of Edo State in official or private correspondence, public functions, publications, social media communications or otherwise.

He similarly undertook not to exercise or purport to exercise any powers, functions, privileges or responsibilities attached to the office of Deputy Governor of Edo State, in accordance with the judgment and subsisting orders of the court.

The development followed an earlier request by Mozia, SAN on September 23 for more time to enable the parties to complete negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute.

Mozia told the court that his team had met with Shaibu’s lead counsel, Ayotunde Ogunleye, SAN, and that extensive discussions had taken place and had agreed on what to do.

The lawyer appealed to the court for additional time for the parties to reconcile their positions.

Shaibu’s counsel, Kunle Lawal, confirmed that reconciliation efforts were ongoing and did not oppose the request for a short adjournment, a request the judge granted and subsequently adjourned the matter to Friday for ruling.

The judge noted that it was unusual for him to suspend a ruling on the day it was scheduled to be delivered, but said he granted the request out of respect for the senior counsel and because of the ongoing reconciliation.

The contempt charge, dated September 13, 2024, was filed by Ogunleye on September 19, 2024.

Shaibu had sued the Inspector-General of Police, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, the Attorney-General, the Chief Judge of Edo State, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and the Edo State House of Assembly as defendants in the substantive suit.

The July 17, 2024 judgment subsequently became the basis of the contempt proceedings against Omobayo following his continued occupation of the deputy governor’s office.
(TRIBUNE)

News

Group Commends COREN For Training Engineers In Engineering Failure, Forensic Investigation In Nigeria

Published

3 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Editor

Foundation for the Development of Shira Community (FODESCO) in Shira Local Government Area of Bauchi state has commended the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) for conducting a pioneer training on Engineering Failure and Forensic Investigation (EFFI) for 50 licensed engineering practitioners across the country.

Engr. Shehu Wakili, the Chairman of the Foundation made the commendation in an interview with newsmen on Friday.

According to him, the training which was conducted by COREN in collaboration with the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) and the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), was to equip engineers and professionals from academia, industry, and government MDAs with practical skills to investigate infrastructure failures and prevent recurring building collapses.

He added that the training was also to build a pool of trained specialists who could investigate building collapses and other engineering failures, determine their root causes, and recommend measures to prevent recurrence, saying that the trainees would form part of a register of trained and certified forensic engineering investigators.

He further lauded COREN for the subsequent induction of its member, Engr. Abdullahi Muhammad MNSE, who among the 50 participants, hails from Bauchi state as a Chartered Engineering Forensic and Failure Investigator (CEFFI), certified by CIFCFIN.

“FODESCO is proud of him and wishes him well in all his endeavours”, he prayed.

Wakili, also the Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Bauchi state chapter, revealed that the training covered failure analysis, forensic investigation methodologies, risk assessment, and professional reporting.

“This initiative supports broader efforts by COREN and the National Assembly to enforce stricter building codes, identify quackery, and ensure accountability across the construction sector,” he said.

News

NBS: Lagos, Rivers, Enugu Top List As States Generated N5.15trn In 2025

Published

3 hours ago

September 25, 2026

Editor

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has disclosed that 36 states and the FCT generated a total of ₦5.15 trillion in 2025, indicating a growth rate of 40.93 percent from ₦3.65 trillion recorded in 2024.

NBS stated on Thursday citing the Nigeria Revenue Service ( NRS) as source of its information that Lagos emerged top on the list of states with the highest revenue generation in the sum of ₦1.77 trillion.

“Followed by Rivers state ₦428.42 billion and Enugu with IGR record of ₦406.77 billion in the period referenced.”

The. Bureau said Yobe, Ebonyi and Sokoto states reported the least revenues with ₦16.01 billion, ₦17.18 billion and ₦20.48 billion, respectively.

According to NBS, Pay As You Earn (PAYE) was the most tax revenue recorded during the period, valued at ₦2.64 trillion, representing 69.51 percent of the total tax revenue collected, while capital gains tax was the least with ₦12.40 billion while the share of total tax revenue to total IGR was 73.64 percent nationally.

“Other states and their share of IGR are FCT – N356.34 billion, Ogun – N252.36 billion, Delta – N202.49 billion, Edo – N132.21 billion, Oyo – N103.25 billion and Kano – N102.26 billion.

“Ten other states in lowest category of IGR include Yobe – N16.01 billion, Ebonyi – N17.18 billion, Sokoto – N20.48 billion, Taraba – N28.16 billion ; Benue – N29.57 billion, Zamfara – N30.07 billion, Kebbi – N31.23 billion, Nasarawa – N32.57 billion, Adamawa – N33.76 billion andcBorno – N36.36 billion “.

NBS noted that the states generated their most and least revenue from taxes and other government sources. “PAYE was the dominant revenue source nationally, generating N2.64 trillion and accounting for 69.51% of total tax revenue for the year.

“Other sources included direct assessment, road taxes, stamp duties, withholding taxes and capital gains tax, which was the smallest contributor at N12.40 billion,” the Bureau stated.