Breaking News
Just In: Two Killed As Rivers Political Crisis Turns Bloody
With no less than two deaths recorded, Rivers’s political crisis has turned bloody.
JomogNews Nigeria reports that the Rivers State Police Command has taken control of all 23 Local Government Area secretariats in the state.
This was confirmed by SP Grace Iringe Koko, the Police Public Relations Officer, in a statement issued Tuesday evening in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
She attributed this action to the breakdown of law and order at the various Local Government Council Secretariats.
Youths had stormed the councils following the expiration of the chairmen’s tenures. These chairmen, backed by the pro-Wike faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, had refused to leave office after their tenures were extended by six months.
However, Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed all chairmen to hand over to the Heads of Administration in their respective LGAs. This directive led to clashes between supporters of the two political camps at the LGA secretariats, resulting in violence in some areas.
No less than two deaths were recorded in Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, where a police officer and a vigilante were killed with many other people sustaining injuries.
In a bid to avoid more bloodshed and restore order, the police took control of all 23 Council Secretariats and other critical government infrastructure in the state. Koko stated that conventional and anti-riot police officers have been deployed to these facilities, warning that the command will impose the full weight of the law on anyone attempting to cause chaos.
“We also wish to ask the law-abiding residents and visitors in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear. We are resolved to carry out our constitutional duty of protecting lives and property,” Koko emphasized.
Governor Fubara had earlier met with heads of security agencies at Government House, Port Harcourt. Following the meeting, the Governor raised concerns about plots to target his supporters, vowing to resist any such actions. “I will lead the move to resist such arrests,” he declared.
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries, through his legal representative, has formally submitted a corruption petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Farouk Ahmed, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
This was disclosed in a statement made available to our correspondent by the Dangote Group media team on Friday.
Recall that Dangote had earlier petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate Ahmed for allegedly spending $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland. He withdrew the petition a few days ago, even as the ICPC vowed to continue with its investigation.
The statement on Friday said Dangote’s petition to the EFCC followed “The withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.”
In the petition, signed by Lead Counsel Dr O.J. Onoja, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Ahmed, and to prosecute him if found culpable.
The petition further stated that Dangote would provide evidence to substantiate claims of financial misconduct and impunity.
“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624) 337,” the petition read.
Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, “To investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.”
The Rivers State House of Assembly formally recommenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
This marks the second time within ten months that the state legislature has initiated such a move.
At a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, formally read the notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.
The notice, which was endorsed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of actions allegedly in violation of the Nigerian Constitution.
Amaewhule announced that the notice would be served on the governor within the next seven days.
During the same sitting, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read the notice of allegations and gross misconduct leveled against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh.
Breaking News
Supreme Court: President Has Power To Declare Emergency Rule, Remove Elected Officials
The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that the President holds the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in any state where circumstances threaten public safety or governance.
According to the ruling, this authority may be exercised to prevent a serious breakdown of law and order or to stop conditions from deteriorating into chaos or anarchy.
The court emphasized that such powers are intended to safeguard national stability and ensure the continued functioning of democratic institutions when extraordinary situations arise.
It noted that emergency measures are justified only in exceptional cases where normal governance mechanisms are unable to effectively address escalating crises.
More details later…
Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly
Your Second Coming Was A Chance To Avoid These Political Mistakes – Fayose To Fubara
Corruption Battle: Dangote Drags Ex-NMDPRA Boss To EFCC After ICPC Withdrawal
Rivers Crisis: Full List Of 8 Misconduct Allegations Against Governor Fubara
Panic In Ibadan As Rising Kidnap, Robbery Threats Trigger Official Red Alert
Wizkid Becomes First African Artist To Enter Spotify’s 10 Billion Streams Elite
Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Becomes West Africa’s All-Time Box Office King
Rivers Assembly Formally Serves Impeachment Notice To Gov. Fubara
NCC, CBN Set To Roll Out Refund Framework For Failed Airtime And Data Transactions
PRESIDENT TINUBU HAILS NRS CHAIRMAN, ZACCH ADEDEJI, ON HIS BIRTHDAY
-
News2 days ago“It’s Daddy Who Pays”: Son Slams Mom In Viral Debate Over Household Bills
-
News2 days agoUnity Bank Disburses Over N270 Million To Corpreneurship Winners
-
Entertainment2 days agoFunke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes Becomes West Africa’s All-Time Box Office King
-
Breaking News2 days agoRivers Assembly Reopens Impeachment Push Against Gov. Fubara, Deputy
-
News2 days agoRivers Assembly Formally Serves Impeachment Notice To Gov. Fubara
-
News2 days agoChimamanda Ngozi Adichie Loses 21-Month-Old Son, Nkanu Nnamdi
-
News2 days agoPRESIDENT TINUBU HAILS NRS CHAIRMAN, ZACCH ADEDEJI, ON HIS BIRTHDAY
-
News2 days agoNCC, CBN Set To Roll Out Refund Framework For Failed Airtime And Data Transactions