metro
Ibas: 18 things to know about Rivers administrator

Ibas: 18 things to know about Rivers administrator
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as the administrator for Rivers State.
Ibas was named after Tinubu announced the suspension of the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, for six months.
Until his appointment, he was the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff, a position he held until 2021.
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Below are 18 things to know about the new Rivers state administrator:
- Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (CFR, psc+ GSS AM ndc MSc) was born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, Nigeria.
- He enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 26 Regular Course on June 20, 1979, and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983.
- Ibas completed his primary education at Nko Primary School and Big Qua Primary School in Calabar in 1971.
- He attended the Hope Waddell Training Institute in Calabar from 1972 to 1976, followed by the School of Basic Studies in Ogoja from 1977 to 1979.
- He continued his schooling at the Nigerian Defence Academy and then earned a master’s degree in defence and strategic studies from Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan.
- He completed the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at INS Venduruthy, India, from 1983 to 1984, and Primary Pilot Training at the 301 Primary Flying Training School, Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna, from 1986 to 1987.
- In 1990, he completed the Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji.
- He then went on to the Amphibious Warfare Course at the United States Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, in 1992.
- He also specialised in underwater warfare at NNS Quorra in 1994 and completed the Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji in 1997.
- He also took the National Defence Course at the National Defence College.
- He served as the executive officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe from 1993 to 1996.
- He was also the commanding officer of the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School from 1997 to 1998 and then the Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, from 1998 to 2000.
- His service positions included directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Service College in Jaji from 2000 to 2002, followed by deputy commandant in 2014.
- He was the navy provost marshal from 2003 to 2004, and from 2004 to 2005, he was the Chief of Navy Staff’s primary staff officer.
- He served as commander of the Naval Air Base in Ojo from 2006 to 2009 and then as chief staff officer at the Naval Training Command in Lagos from 2010 to 2011.
- He also served as the Chief of Administration at Naval Headquarters (2011-2012), Navy Secretary (2012-2013), and Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command (2013-2014). In 2014, he was named chief of logistics and later GMD/CEO of Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited.
- On July 13, 2015, Ibas was named the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff, a position he held until 2021. After retiring from the Navy, he remained a prominent player in national security and maritime issues.
- Following the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu named Vice Admiral Ibas as the state’s sole administrator on March 18, 2025. His responsibilities include monitoring government and restoring state order in the face of political upheaval.
Ibas: 18 things to know about Rivers administrator
metro
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured Muslims in the state that he has no objections to the operation of Sharia panels, emphasizing that individuals are free to seek dispute resolution through them if they so wish.
Speaking at the 2025 Iftar event organized by the state government at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde clarified that he has no plans to challenge the legality of Sharia courts in the state. His comments were conveyed in a statement on Thursday by his media aide, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
Earlier in the week, Dr. Rafiu Bello, Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, had confirmed that a Sharia panel had already been established in Oyo town and had begun sittings. This led to renewed discussions regarding the panel’s constitutionality.
In response, Makinde reiterated his stance that the Constitution remains the supreme authority in all legal matters while acknowledging the role of Sharia panels in alternative dispute resolution.
“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for interpretation on the Sharia panel, which is ongoing in Oyo. That is not my position,” the governor stated. “My position is that we will support anything that is in our Constitution.”
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Makinde explained that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Sharia panel, could ease the burden on the courts, provided they do not conflict with constitutional provisions.
He further emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining religious harmony and unity in the state, cautioning against attempts to use religion for political gains.
“As we move towards the next election, there will be elements that only think about the next election. But what we have done in this administration is to think about the next generation,” he said.
The governor also used the occasion to appreciate the Muslim community for their support and prayers, acknowledging the contributions of religious leaders, lawmakers, and security agencies in fostering peace and development in Oyo State.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin (represented by Deputy Speaker Mohammed Fadeyi), and other key figures from the judiciary and legislative arms of government.
We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde
metro
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
Mamman Nasir Ali, the son of former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and one Christian Taylor were on Thursday rearraigned for an alleged N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud before Justice Mojisola Dadap of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
They were re-arraigned alongside Nasaman Oil Services Limited on an amended 57-count charge, following new findings in the case.
The defendants had initially been arraigned on a 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and the use of false documents.
At the scheduled trial for the adoption of final written addresses on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Seiduh Atteh, informed the court of the amended charges and requested that the defendants take a fresh plea.
There was no objection from the defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade, SAN.
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Consequently, the court granted the request.
The defendants, thereafter, pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges preferred against them.
In the amended charge, the defendants, as well as Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, who are both at large, allegedly “fraudulently obtained money from the Federal Government on or about September 9, 2011.”
The defendants also allegedly forged a document titled: “ GASOLINE ANALYSIS” on board MT Overseas Limar, purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat on the said date.
Following the re-arraignment, Kolade requested time for the defence to amend its written address in response to the new charges.
Justice Dada directed the prosecution to file a response before the next hearing.
The case was adjourned till April 15, 2025 for the adoption of final written addresses.
EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
metro
Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy

Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy
The Campaign for Democracy, a civil society organisation, on Thursday said the recall of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi Central) by her constituents would deepen democracy in Nigeria.
The pro-democracy group also said that such action by her concerned constituents would help put lawmakers on their toes to serve them well.
The group made this known in a statement issued in Lokoja by its President, Mr Ifeanyi Odili.
It expressed worry over what it described as “avoidable” crisis between embattled suspended Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio a few weeks ago.
According to the group, the incident has put Nigeria’s image on trial before the global community.
The CSO said it was worried that, rather than addressing the core issues surrounding her (Akpoti-Uduaghan) suspension within the framework of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, she chose to “engage in a campaign of calumny against the Senate as an institution.”
“It’s unfortunate that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s activities within and outside the country since the beginning of the controversy have cast an unfortunate dent on the image of Nigeria, for which she must apologise.
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“This is nothing but gross misconduct against Nigeria,” it said.
It advised respected Nigerian leaders to always identify when not to play opposition politics with delicate national issues, in the best interest of the nation.
“More worrisome is the fact that she has distorted the facts preceding her suspension and curiously held on to her sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President as the reason for the initial actions taken against her.
“Taking such misrepresentation to the world stage and representing Nigeria illegally at the Inter Parliamentary Union to air such views can be described as nothing but gross misconduct against the country.
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