Fubara: Supreme Court reacts to photo of Justice Agim with Wike

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed reports of judiciary manipulation after Justice Emmanuel Agim was photographed with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike at the University of Calabar’s convocation ceremony.

The picture had sparked criticism from political observers, especially given Justice Agim’s recent ruling against Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the Rivers State House of Assembly case.

However, in a statement issued on Monday, Akande Festus, the Supreme Court’s Director of Information and Public Relations, clarified that Justice Agim attended the event as an honouree and alumnus, and also received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law from the university.

Festus emphasized that Justice Agim’s participation was entirely independent, not representing any government ministry or department.

Festus stated, “In light of the reports circulating on social media and other news platforms, we wish to clarify the circumstances surrounding the attendance of Hon. Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at the convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar on Saturday, 22nd March 2025.

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“It has come to our attention that misleading information has emerged, suggesting that Hon. Justice Emmanuel Agim accompanied the Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, to the ceremony. We hereby dispel this false narrative.

“He was recognised for his significant contributions to the legal profession, which reflect his commitment to justice, integrity, and the rule of law, serving as a model for aspiring legal professionals and students alike.”

Festus further explained that truly Justice Agim was initially scheduled to attend the burial ceremony of Justice Stanley Alagoa in Bayelsa State alongside other Supreme Court Justices, but he sought permission to attend the University of Calabar convocation instead.

“Any insinuation to the contrary is not only inaccurate but undermines the judicial independence that is crucial to our democracy.

“We encourage the public and media to verify information through credible sources before sharing or publishing, to prevent the spread of misinformation,” the statement read.

Fubara: Supreme Court reacts to photo of Justice Agim with Wike

Over 100 suspects arrested in Abuja Ponzi Scheme Academy raid

No fewer than 133 suspects were arrested on Monday by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who busted a Ponzi Scheme Academy located in the Gwagwalada area of the nation’s capital.

According to the anti-graft agency, the academy, identified as Q University also known as Q-Net is in the business of recruiting “gullible young Nigerians” who would be trained for the scheme.

The ‘trained’ young Nigerians are also expected to train and recruit more gullible citizens into the scheme with the promise of getting unrealistic profit returns.

Dele Oyewale, the spokesman of the anti-graft agency, explained that the suspects are enrolled on a training codenamed: “Special Training for New Generation Billionaires”.

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He said they are brainwashed to believe that they would graduate into the league of billionaires, adding that they were subsequently arrested acting upon credible intelligence.

“They got into the training by obtaining a form the promoters called ‘Independent Representative Application Form’ with promotional slogans such as: “I’m a Champion” “I’m Unstoppable”, “I’m Infinity”, among others”, he said.

The EFCC spokesman disclosed that the operation was carried out in conjunction with officers and men of the 176 Guards Battalion, Nigerian Army.

He listed items recovered from the suspects as phones, computers and other electronic gadgets, adding that they will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Over 100 suspects arrested in Abuja Ponzi Scheme Academy raid

Again Obasanjo accuses federal lawmakers of bribery

Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has alleged that members of the National Assembly received bribes to ratify the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. 

In a video clip seen by Daily Sun, Obasanjo was seen in a conversation with outspoken House of Representatives member, Ikenga Ugochinyere, who denied reports that federal lawmakers were paid $200,000 each to support the emergency rule.  “Nobody gave anyone $200,000. That is just what I want to correct.”

However, the former president insisted that he had direct knowledge of the payments. “You can say anything. I heard it from the horse’s mouth. You can deny it, that is alright, but I heard it from those who got it and told me that they got it. If you didn’t get it, then maybe your case is different. Don’t tell me what I know. Most of your members who got it told me that they got it.” 

This allegation follows an earlier denial by the Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mukhtar  Betara, who dismissed claims that cash payments were made to lawmakers to secure support for the emergency declaration. 

Investigative journalist Jaafar Jaafar alleged on X that Betara clarified the $5,000 given to each committee member was a “Sallah gesture” and not a bribe. 

“The chairman of the House Committee on FCT, Mukhtar Betara, has clarified to me that he only shared $5,000 to each member of his committee as a ‘Sallah Gesture,’ not an inducement to support emergency rule in Rivers State,” Jaafar wrote.

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Meanwhile, Obasanjo has said democracy is dying in Africa because it has become a system of government by a small number of people over a large population, who are deprived of their needs.

He spoke at a Colloquium to mark the 60th birthday of former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha in Abuja, yesterday.

The former president stated that democracy, which is expected to deliver services to all the people and not a section, is failing in Africa because it is not African in context and content.

According to him, from the Greek model of  democracy, where all the citizens participate directly in their affairs, it is now a representative system which has not taken care of everybody.

“When we talk of democracy, we should remember that in Africa, before the colonial rule, and the colonial power, we had a form of government which attended to the needs of our people. And whatever you call it, to me it is democracy, because what is democracy about? Democracy is meant to be a system of government that delivers. And delivers to all the people, not just a section of the people. Not just a few. But what do we have today?

“Today, we have democracy which is a government of a small number of people by a small number of people over a large number of people, who are deprived of what they need to have in life. Now, that is not democracy that will endure.

“So, if you are talking of democracy failing in Africa, democracy in Africa has failed. Why has it failed? Because in context and in content, it’s not African. It does not have any aspect of our culture, our way of life, what we stand for, what we believe in. Umbutu, I am because we are.”

He added that democracy in the continent today is “I am because I can grab. What sort of democracy brings you and you grab everything and then  illegally, corruptly and you say go to Court when you know that even in the Court, you cannot get justice?

“So, if democracy is failing, democracy is dying and if we are going to make democracy not to die, we have to look at democracy in the context and in the content of Africa.  I  hope that we will get to that stage so that democracy which will deliver will be the democracy that we will have in Africa.”

Again Obasanjo accuses federal lawmakers of bribery