Why Fubara can do business with three lawmakers – Court

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has declared that the Governor of Rivers State, Siminialayi Fubara, has the legal standing to transact businesses with the lawmakers that did not vacate their seat in the State House of Assembly.

This was as the court on December 20, dismissed the suit seeking to compel the Governor of the state to represent the N800billion 2024 Budget of the state to the aggrieved 27 lawmakers of the State House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.

This followed a suit marked, PHC/3552/CS/2024 filed by the Registered Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners against the Government of Rivers State, Governor of Rivers State and Attorney General of the state.

The suit amongst other things sought that the court presided by Justice Sika Aprioku order to compel the defendants to represent the 2024 Budget to the 27 lawmakers.

The claimants in the suit questioned the failure of the defendants to re-present the 2024 Appropriation Bill of Rivers State to the State House of Assembly led by Amaewhule for enactment into law.

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However, Justice Aprioku in his judgement after considering the arguments of the parties in the matter said the Governor can transact business with the members that did not vacate their seats.

The certified true copy of the judgment, sighted by Vanguard read in part: “The Governor cannot carry on business with those who defected and by that act of defection, lost their seats.

“Therefore, the same way His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, presented Budgets and financial Bills with only Six members, when the numbers were less than two third 2/3 of the 32 Members, so shall His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State be constitutionally guided to interface, and approach the properly constituted House of Assembly led by Oko-Jumbo, to carry on business of the State and until the 27 Lawmakers who defected and lost their seats, approaches the Court, for a redemption or INEC conducts another election to the seats vacated by the 27 Lawmakers upon their defection.

“In sum, until the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the issue of jurisdiction which affects the status of the 27 Lawmakers, it is only those who did not vacate their seats, the Governor can, constitutionally approach to present budget, appoint Chief Judges and President Customary Court. Also screen Commissioners, including the Attorney General and make Board appointments.

“That the claimant’s claim seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs for the Representation of the 2024 Budget to the former 27 lawmakers, who defected and automatically vacated their seats, lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed.

“That this suit be and is hereby dismissed, with cost in the sum of N500, 000.00, awarded in favour of the defendants and against the claimant.”

Why Fubara can do business with three lawmakers – Court

Bandits demand N10m ransom to release abducted Kogi varsity lecturer

Gunmen have reportedly abducted Professor John Ebeh, a senior lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi State.

The assailants are said to be demanding a N10 million ransom for his release.

An eyewitness said the hoodlums in their numbers invaded the Prof Ebeh’s house in Agbeji, a suburb of Anyigba in Dekina Local Government Area, around 7pm on Thursday.

They reportedly whisked him away, after sporadic shootings to scare people in his vicinity.

A neighbour who identified himself as Akpai explained what happened. “The hoodlums operated in a commando manner. It was swift. We noticed a car trailing him furiously; we took it as one of his friends or colleagues, not until we heard gunshots around his gate.

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A family source said the don was negotiating towards the gate of his house at Agbeji, a settlement along Anyigba-Ochadamu-Itobe road when a vehicle suddenly pulled up and blocked his car.

“Professor Ebeh was almost at the gate of his house at Agbeji, on his way from the town when the incident happened.

“He had even given out a signal to his people to open the gate of his house when some people emerged suddenly from their hideout, and started shooting sporadically.

“Amidst the confusion, someone drove in furiously and blocked his car. Some masked people alighted from the vehicle and whisked him away at gunpoint. His abductors called the family on Friday night, demanding N10m,” the source said.

Though the university authorities have yet to issue a statement on the incident, one of the victim’s colleagues said, “The kidnapping (of the professor) came to us as a shock. I have just visited his family to sympathise with them.”

Bandits demand N10m ransom to release abducted Kogi varsity lecturer

Many killed, houses, vehicles destroyed in Delta petrol tanker explosion 

Many people were feared dead as a petrol tanker exploded Sunday afternoon on a highway in Delta State.

The accident occurring on Asaba-Lagos Road in the Agbor Ika South Local Government Area caused huge damage to houses and vehicles trapped in the inferno.

The explosion was reported to have happened when the petrol tanker was navigating a turn near First Bank in Agbor and overturned.

Firemen from both Delta state and federal authorities were mobilised to the scene, according to the director of the state fire service, Eugene Oziwele.

Oziwele also confirmed that the casualties were high, adding firemen from Asaba joined those in Agbor with others from the Federal Fire Service to put out the raging fire.