News
Rivers Crisis: Court Turns Down Fubara Loyalists’ Oral Application

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has rejected an oral application challenging its jurisdiction in the case of five loyalists of River State Governor, Siminalaye Fubara.
The police on January 25, arraigned Chime Ezebalike, Lukman Oladele, Kenneth Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod on seven counts of terrorism-related offence, murder of police officers and vandalising and burning down of Rivers House of Assembly building.
On October 30, 2023, an explosion destroyed the state House of Assembly building, coinciding with purported efforts by certain lawmakers to impeach Fubara.
The trial judge, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, had at the last proceedings rejected the bail application filed by three of the defendants.
READ ALSO: Fubara, Rivers APC Clash Over N144bn Allocation Spending
At the proceedings on Thursday, the counsel for the first and second defendants, Lukman Fagbemi, (SAN) moved an oral application to challenge the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Fagbemi said, “My Lord, we are not ready for trial. We are constrained to challenge the territorial jurisdiction of this court to hear the matter and until that is decided, we can’t proceed with the matter.”
But the judge said he ought to have filed a written application and not make the application in oral form.
She said, “This court is a court of record, if you were diligent enough, you would have applied for this. ”
Fagbemi, however, insisted that the issue of jurisdiction is fundamental which could be done in written and oral form.
READ ALSO: Rivers Crisis: Court Orders Arrest Of Fubara’s Chief Of Staff, 5 Others
Court denies Fubara loyalists bail, begins terrorism trial Thursday
He said, “The issue is fundamental. I am not a lawyer that will stampede. It can be raised orally. ”
The judge then sought the views of other counsel in the matter.
The third defendant’s counsel, M.S Ibrahim, aligned himself with the position of Fagbemi.
The counsel for the fourth and fifth defendants, Adeolu Salako, said he was just briefed about the matter.
The counsel for the prosecution, Simon Lough, told the court that they were ready for the trial, adding that their witnesses were on the ground.
Lough said, “The matter is for trial and we have our witnesses ready. Jurisdiction can be challenged at any time of the trial. ”
The judge, however, said she was adjourning the matter because of Salako who had just been briefed on the matter.
She said, “I am not adjourning for an application not before the court. I am only doing so because of the counsel that had just been briefed for the sake of a fair hearing.”
Justice Olajuwon subsequently adjourned the matter till March 12, 2024.
News
Former Delta North senator Peter Nwaoboshi Dies

Peter Nwaoboshi, the former senator representing Delta north, is dead.
Details of the circumstances surrounding his death were unclear at the time of this report, but according to reports, the former senator died in Abuja on Friday, aged 68.
In a statement, Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, expressed “profound grief” over the demise of the former lawmaker.
The governor described his demise as a monumental loss to the state, the Anioma nation, and Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Woman Taken For Dead Wakes Up Inside Coffin Few Minutes To Her Cremation
In a condolence message signed by Festus Ahon, his chief press secretary (CPS), Oborevwori hailed the late Nwaoboshi as a dedicated son of Delta and a bold champion of Anioma interests, whose legacy in nation-building will endure.
The governor said the late senator’s distinguished tenure in the national assembly, particularly as chairman of the senate committee on Niger Delta affairs.
“Nwaoboshi lived a life of service to his people, his party, and the country, bequeathing a heritage of bravery, loyalty, and commitment to public duty,” Oborevwori said.
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“On behalf of the Delta State government and people, I mourn my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi.
“I extend deepest condolences to his family, the Anioma people, members of the All Progressives Congress, and everyone touched by his life.
“May God grant his soul peaceful rest and comfort to all who grieve this irreplaceable loss.”
News
Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

The Indoor Sports Hall in Benin City came alive on Wednesday as the Edo State Sports Commission rolled out the drums to celebrate the first anniversary in office of its Executive Chairman, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele. Management, staff, coaches and athletes gathered in an atmosphere charged with pride, reflection and optimism.
The colourful ceremony drew executives and members of various sports associations, officials of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), coaches, athletes and other key stakeholders in Edo sports.
In her welcome address, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. A. P. Amenze, praised Hon. Enabulele for what she described as focused and purposeful leadership. She said the past year had seen renewed confidence, discipline and energy return to the state’s sports ecosystem.
Adding excitement to the event were exhibition bouts and demonstrations by the Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo and Judo associations, staged in honour of the Executive Chairman.
READ ALSO:2025 NYG: Enabulele Charges Edo Coaches On Performance
Speaking for SWAN Edo State, Chairman Comrade Kehinde Osagiede commended Hon. Enabulele’s open-door leadership style and consistent support for sports development. He noted that the Commission had effectively driven Governor Monday Okpebholo’s “Catch Them Young” policy through practical grassroots programmes that identify and groom young talents across the state.
In recognition of his contributions to sports development and media relations, Comrade Osagiede conferred the Patronship of SWAN Edo State on Hon. Enabulele and presented him with a special anniversary card.
Goodwill messages followed from Executive Directors of the Commission, including Hon. Frank Ilaboya (Edo North), Coach Baldwin Bazuaye, MON (Edo South), Barr. Anthony Ikuenobe (Edo Central), and Mrs. Sabrina Chikere, Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations. Representatives of coaches, athletes and sports associations also took turns to acknowledge the progress recorded under the current leadership.
In his stewardship address, Hon. Enabulele expressed gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa for the trust placed in him, noting that their backing and shared vision had driven the Commission’s achievements.
READ ALSO:Enabulele Lauds Okpehbolo For Creating Enabling Environment For Football To Thrive
He highlighted Team Edo’s third-place finish at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, where the state recorded its best-ever outing with 79 medals—33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze—reinforcing Edo’s reputation as a national sports powerhouse.
The Chairman also pointed to the impact of inclusive and grassroots sports programmes, citing Favour Ojeabu, a visually impaired para-cyclist who won three gold medals to emerge Africa’s champion at the African Track Para-Cycling Championship in Egypt.
Other milestones listed included outstanding performances by Edo para powerlifters on the international stage, historic achievements in cricket, weightlifting, cycling, judo and deaf athletics, as well as structural reforms such as the repositioning of Bendel Insurance FC and deeper investment in grassroots sports development.
Cultural performances added colour and tradition to the celebration, as stakeholders closed the event united in their assessment of the past year as a truly transformative period for sports development in Edo State.
News
Otuaro Tasks Media On Objective Reportage

The Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Dr. Dennis Otuaro has charged media practitioners particularly members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum to promote ethical journalism through their reportage.
He gave the charge in Warri on Wednesday during the 2nd Annual Ijaw Media Conference organised by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF).
Represented by Princewill Binebai, spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Otuaro while stating that the Niger Delta stories have been told in such a way that is quite different from what is obtainable in the real sense, said this, IPF must do everything possible to correct.
The administrator added: “I am happy that Ijaw journalists have boldly come out together to champion the Ijaw struggle in a very dynamic perspective”.
READ ALSO:IPF Hosts Media Conference, Seeks Protection For N’Delta Environment
“The Ijaw story was misrepresented over the years, but IPF’s emergence had corrected this error and the story is gradually changing for better.”
Otuaro, however, challenged Ijaw media practitioners to be objective, truthful, accurate and fearless in their reportage to correct many years anomalies of the Ijaw struggle.
He admonished members of IPF to see themselves as brothers and love one another in the discharge of their activities to achieve a common goal.
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