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Odili: Supreme Court dismisses Rivers’ case against EFCC

Published

3 days ago

March 11, 2025

former Governor Peter Odili

Odili: Supreme Court dismisses Rivers’ case against EFCC

The Supreme Court has dismissed two appeals filed by the Attorney General of Rivers State and the Speaker of the state’s Assembly, which sought to overturn the leave granted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to challenge a 2007 order preventing it from investigating the tenure of former Governor Peter Odili.

In 2007, Odili obtained a perpetual injunction from the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, barring the EFCC from investigating or arresting him. The court order also restrained the anti-graft agency from probing the finances of the Rivers State Government.

Subsequently, the EFCC applied to the Court of Appeal for permission to challenge the Federal High Court’s ruling after the statutory appeal period had elapsed. The appellate court granted the request, prompting the Rivers State Attorney General and the Speaker of the Assembly to appeal the decision at the Supreme Court.

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During Monday’s proceedings, Justice John Okoro, who presided over a five-member panel, questioned the substance of the appeal filed by the Rivers Attorney General, marked SC/CV/318/2018.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) S. A. Somiari, representing the appellant, explained that the case was an interlocutory appeal challenging the Court of Appeal’s decision to grant EFCC leave to appeal the 2007 ruling.

However, Justice Okoro interjected, stating, “This is not the type of appeal we hear here.” He advised the parties to return to the Court of Appeal to resolve the substantive matter before approaching the Supreme Court.

Upon realizing the court’s stance, Somiari applied to withdraw the appeal. The EFCC’s legal team, led by Abubakar Mahmud (SAN), along with Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) and B. O. Obialo, did not oppose the request.

Justice Okoro subsequently ruled: “Appeal is dismissed, having been withdrawn without any objection.”

A similar ruling was issued for the appeal marked SC/CV/447/2018, filed by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Odili: Supreme Court dismisses Rivers’ case against EFCC

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Tragedy as 25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

Published

3 hours ago

March 14, 2025

Trends Admin

CSP Omolola Odutola

Tragedy as 25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

The Police Command in Ogun State has launched an investigation into the death of a 25-year-old man, Toye Dominic, whose body was discovered hanging from a tree in a forest near Alagbodagbo Village, Ijebu Igbo.

In a statement released on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident and said the body was found around 4:30 p.m.

According to Odutola, a local hunter, Kareem Olawalose, came across the scene while on a hunting trip and promptly reported the discovery to the Ijebu Igbo Divisional Police Headquarters.

After spotting the body, Olawalose sought assistance from a nearby village, where he met the deceased’s elder brother, Joseph Dominic.

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The brother disclosed that Toye had left for the farm earlier in the day but failed to return, prompting a search by concerned family members.

“Policemen and villagers on arrival at the scene, observed that the deceased had set aside his farm tools before proceeding further into the forest, where he was found hanging from a tree.“No suicide note was found, and family members expressed shock and disbelief over the incident,” Odutola said.

She added that officers documented the scene with photographs, and the body was taken to General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, for further examination.
Odutola assured the public that the police would carry out a comprehensive investigation to determine the events leading to the tragedy.

She also encouraged community members to stay alert and support people who might be experiencing emotional distress, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness and timely intervention.

Tragedy as 25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

metro

Ex-Kwara Gov AbdulFatah Ahmed rearranged in N5.8bn fraud case

Published

3 hours ago

March 14, 2025

Trends Admin

Former Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed

Ex-Kwara Gov AbdulFatah Ahmed rearranged in N5.8bn fraud case

The Kwara State High Court has fixed April 10 and 11 for the continuation of the trial of former governor AbdulFatah Ahmed and his finance commissioner, Demola Banu, over the alleged diversion of 5.78 billion naira from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the two officials, who have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Testifying in court, Engineer Abdulsalam Olanrewaju, a former project manager at the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), revealed that despite the state paying counterpart funds in 2014 and 2015, no contracts were awarded.

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He stated that while the 2013 contractors were eventually paid after protesting delays, funds meant for subsequent projects remained unused.

During cross-examination, Olanrewaju clarified that signatories to the SUBEB account were the accountant, permanent secretary, and executive chairman of the board.

Earlier, a second witness, Dr. Musa Dasuki, emphasized that matching grants from UBEC and SUBEB are strictly meant for school infrastructure and cannot be diverted for other purposes.

Ex-Kwara Gov AbdulFatah Ahmed rearranged in N5.8bn fraud case

metro

Fubara writes fresh letter to Rivers Assembly for 2025 budget presentation

Published

3 hours ago

March 14, 2025

Trends Admin

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara

Fubara writes fresh letter to Rivers Assembly for 2025 budget presentation

Less than eight hours after his Chief Judge has been placed on investigation over alleged age falsification, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has properly written to the state House of Assembly of his intention to present the 2025 budget.

On Wednesday, Fubara was locked out of the Assembly Complex for what the spokesman of the House, Hon Enemi George said “his inability to formally communicate the House”.

In a letter titled: Notice of Presentation of Rivers State 2025 Budget to Rivers State House of Assembly, and addressed to the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Governor recalled his first visit to the House.

“You may recall my failed visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 12th March, 2025 for the presentation of the 2025 Rivers State Budget in compliance with the judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“As you know, the planned presentation of the said budget could not take place because my entourage and I were locked out at the gate and denied entry into the premises despite the prior delivery of a soft copy of the notice to you following the failure of the Clerk to accept the hard copy from us.

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“Recall further that before this unfortunate incident, the House issued a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget even when we were yet to be served with the certified
true copy of the judgement and accompanying enrolled orders”, he said.

Governor Fubara informed the Speaker in the letter that “we were simply complying with both the order of the Supreme Court and the request of the Rivers State House of Assembly when we came to present the 2025 budget on the 12th of March, 2025.

“The Supreme Court has directed that all arms of government should exercise their
powers and perform their duties within the ambits of the Constitution and ordinary laws of our country, and this we must do to end the lingering stalemate and advance the progress of our state and the well-being of our people.

“No matter the depth of our differences, we believe the interests of the State and our
people should take priority over political conflicts.

“Against this background, it is my pleasure to again notify you, Mr. Speaker, of my desire and intention to present the 2025 Budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly on
Wednesday, 19th March, 2025 by 11.00 a.m. or any other date within March 2025 that you may
consider convenient”.

It is therefore left to be seen if the House will have the courtesy to respond to the letter giving the long time frame for thr presentation of the budget.