News

Court Orders Rivers Lawmakers To Suspend Sitting

Published

2 years ago

November 21, 2023

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ordered the two parties in the Rivers State House of Assembly to maintain status quo and suspend further deliberations until the matter before it is dispensed off.

Ehie Edison, in Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/240/2023, had approached the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Phoebe Ayua, praying the court to stop Martin Amaewhule, and the other lawmakers from presiding over the activities of the legislative arm of the state.

The notice was filed together with the main suit by Ehie and the House of Assembly.

Parties as it appears in the suit are Rivers State House of Assembly, as first plaintiff, and Ehie Edison, (Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly), as second plaintiff.

The defendants are Martins Amaewhule, (former Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly), and Dumle Maol (former Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly.

The others are, the Inspector-General of Police, Director, Department of State Services, Rivers State and the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.

Justice Ayua, ruling on the motion filed in the suit ordered that none of the parties on record should do anything about the matter since all the parties are expected to respect the court.

The order read in part: “That an order is made directing the plaintiffs/applicants to put the respondents on notice forthwith.

“That an order is however, made, directing that all parties on record to respect the court and should not take any step concerning the subject matter, since the matter is already before this court – sub judice – pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

In the suit, the new Speaker and the House of Assembly sought, amongst others, a declaration that the former speaker and his former deputy, having been removed and suspended from the House, are not entitled to participate, disturb, interfere or obstruct the performance of the legislative proceedings of the House and the legislative duties of the new speaker in accordance with the provisions of Sections 90 to 104 of the Constitution of Nigeria.

They also sought an order restraining the former two principal officers of the House from interfering or participating in the functions of the House of Assembly.

After entering the order, the court fixed for hearing the motion on notice on November 27, 2023.

The PUNCH reports that following a disagreement arising from the attempt by some members of the House to impeach the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the state legislature has been in crisis.

On Tuesday morning, police again took over the state assembly complex, while members loyal to both factions allegedly held separate sittings at different locations.

Four police patrol vans were sighted at the entrance of the Assembly, while the movement of people and vehicles along the Moscow Road axis of the Assembly were restricted.

An Armoured Personnel Carrier was seen moving from one end to the other on the road where the complex is located, while scores of armed operatives mounted strategic locations.

It was gathered that 25 lawmakers led by Amaewhule sat early on Tuesday.

The lawmakers reportedly deliberated on two items concerning the suspension of the strike by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.

They also called on the state Commissioner for Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate the explosion at the Assembly which razed the Chamber and destroyed several properties.

Also, the other House members led by Ehie passed a vote of confidence on Governor Fubara.

Rising from a sitting on Tuesday, they commended the governor on his developmental strides and security initiatives to keep the state peaceful.

A statement signed by Ken Uchendu, Legislative aide and sent to newsmen said it takes a man of vision to steer the ship of development for the benefit of the people of the state.

The House resolved to continuously give the governor the required support to accomplish his consolidation and continuity agenda to benefit the state.

The lawmakers condemned the attack on Ehie’s residence on Sunday night as well as the burning of the chamber of the House of Assembly.

The House appealed to the governor to commence the rehabilitation works as soon as possible.

It added, “Furthermore, the House impressed on the need for the Inspector General of Police, and other related security apparatus of state to investigate these attacks and bring the culprits to book.”

PUNCH

News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

2 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

2 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

17 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.