Appeal Court President raises special panel on Rivers crisis – Newstrends
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Appeal Court President raises special panel on Rivers crisis

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Appeal Court President raises special panel on Rivers crisis

The President of the Court of Appeal Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem has set up a three-member special panel to hear all appeals relating to the political disputes in Rivers State, including the one between Governor Simianalayi Fubara and the House of Assembly.

The Nation learnt the panel, led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, has scheduled its first sitting for Thursday.

Other members of the panel are Justices Misitura Bokaji-Yusuf and James Abundaga.

On Monday, a panel of the court adjourned three appeals relating to the Rivers State political crises till Thursday for the consideration of the Justice Otisi led special panel.

At the mention of the first appeal on Monday, Justice Justice Hamma Barka, who presided, noted that the 13th to 18th defendants were not yet served.

Justice Barka then asked appellant’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN) how he wants the court to proceed in view of the non-service on some of the respondents.

Responding, Erokoro said in view of the non-service on some of the parties, the appellant shall take steps to ensure service on parties that have not been served.

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He said the appeal, marked: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/1211m1/2024 filed by the Government of Rovers State against the Rivers State House of Assembly and 17 others, “is one of those Rivers matters for which a special panel was constituted.”

Erokoro told the court that some of the respondents have just served some processes him, to which he needed to file replies.

He then urged the court to adjourn till 14 November when the panel will commence sitting.

Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) who appeared for 1st and 2nd respondents and Dr. Joshua Musa (SAN), for the 3rd to the 12th respondents, agreed to the date suggested by Erokoro, following which the court adjourned till November 14.

The two other appeals that were equally adjourned till Thursday include the one filed by the Accountant General of Rivers State against the Rivers State House of Assembly and 10 others (marked: CA/ABJ/CV/1222m1/2024) and the other by Action Peoples Party (APP) against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and 28 others (marked: CA/ABJ/CV/1208/2024).

It could, however, not be ascertained on Monday the total number of appeals awaiting the panel’s attention.

Appeal Court President raises special panel on Rivers crisis

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

Early Wednesday morning, gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states, located in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area.

The assailants reportedly arrived around 6:18 a.m. in a white Lexus SUV (model 350/400) and launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.

A military source, who wished to remain anonymous, provided details of the incident but could not confirm the exact number of attackers involved.

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Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.

“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”

The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.

The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.

 

Gunmen kill two soldiers in Abia checkpoint attack

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

At least 94 illegal occupants and squatters along the railway corridor from Pen Cinema to Fagba were arrested by the Lagos State Taskforce in an early morning sting operation on Wednesday.

During the raid, substances suspected to be hard drugs—such as Indian hemp, colorado, and other harmful drugs—were seized, along with various weapons.

It was gathered that those arrested attempted to resist the task force’s actions.

In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed that those arrested will face prosecution.

He added that the agency dismantled shanties and makeshift structures along the railway corridor, clearing a distance of some kilometers.

The Taskforce Chairman Adetayo Akerele explained that the eviction aimed to provide relief for residents around the Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes, following numerous complaints from the public about criminal activities in the area.

He noted that the squatting had violated environmental and sanitary regulations.

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Akerele also highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the presence of squatters along the rail corridor.

He warned the evicted individuals not to return and assured residents and train passengers that regular patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent the re-establishment of shanties in the area.

“The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” Akerele was quoted as saying.

Speaking on the raid, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that a locally fabricated short gun was recovered.

“94 suspects were arrested during the midnight operation; a locally fabricated short gun and several wraps of illicit substance suspected to be indian hemp, charm and a jack knife were recovered.

“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Wahab stated in a post on X.

 

94 arrested as task force raids Lagos rail corridor squatters

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Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has swept out all Board, Parastatal, and Agency appointees from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, in a decisive move to overhaul the state’s public service.

A statement released on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, confirmed the immediate dismissal of all political appointees and Permanent Secretaries brought in from outside the state Civil Service.

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The statement reads:

“For the information of the general public, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the dissolution of Executives of all Boards, Agencies, and Parastatals in the Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.

“In addition, all Permanent Secretaries appointed from outside the State Public/Civil Service and all Political Appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.”

Affected individuals have been directed to return all government property in their possession to the senior Public Officers in their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

 

Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo

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