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Supreme Court orders Fubara to pay 27 pro-Wike lawmakers legal fees

Published

2 years ago

March 7, 2025

Pro-Wike lawmakers

Supreme Court orders Fubara to pay 27 pro-Wike lawmakers legal fees

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ruled that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State must pay N5 million in legal costs to 27 state lawmakers aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The verdict was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim in response to an appeal brought by the lawmakers, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, against a prior Court of Appeal ruling.

The case listed multiple respondents, including the Rivers State government, Governor Fubara, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, and key financial institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria, Zenith Bank Plc, and Access Bank Plc. Governor Fubara was cited as the 8th respondent, while the Rivers State government was listed as the 1st respondent.

The Supreme Court upheld findings from both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, stating that Governor Fubara had engaged in unlawful and unconstitutional actions to undermine the State Assembly and avert an anticipated impeachment process.

Justice Agim remarked, “The concurrent findings of facts in the Court of Appeal Judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/20249 (exhibit RSHA 5) indicate that some months after the 8th respondent was elected and sworn in as Governor of Rivers State in 2023, he began to fear that, instigated by his political opponents, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were planning or initiating proceedings to impeach and remove him from office as Governor of the State.”

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To prevent this perceived threat, the court noted that Governor Fubara allegedly took various measures to disrupt legislative processes, including trying to involve the National Assembly in state affairs, obstructing Assembly sittings, and physically demolishing the legislative building.

The judgment detailed, “That to pre-empt his said impeachment, 8th respondent took several steps such as attempting to get the National Assembly to take over the exercise of the legislative powers of Rivers State from the Rivers State House of Assembly, preventing the Rivers State House of Assembly from sitting with its complete members or constitutionally prescribed quorum of one-third of the 32 members and arranged for initially 4 members and subsequently 3 members to be sitting as Rivers State House of Assembly outside the Legislative building.”

The court further criticized Fubara for blocking Assembly members and staff from accessing the legislative complex, in defiance of interim restraining court orders obtained by the 27 lawmakers.

According to the ruling, the governor’s actions preceded allegations that the 27 lawmakers defected to another political party. The court asserted that the lawmakers remained valid members of the House and could not be barred from legislative duties by the governor.

Justice Agim explained, “The 8th respondent had collapsed the Rivers State House of Assembly. Therefore, no question about any member having lost his seat in that House due to defection can validly arise. There must be a House of Assembly for any constitutional processes such as declaration of a seat vacant for defection therein to take place.”

The court concluded that Governor Fubara’s fear of impeachment did not justify his actions against the legislative arm, describing them as destructive to constitutional governance in the state.

“What the 8th respondent has done is to destroy the government because of his fear of being impeached,” the judgment stated.

Ultimately, the court ruled that both the Rivers State government and Governor Fubara must jointly pay N5 million in legal costs to the lawmakers.

Supreme Court orders Fubara to pay 27 pro-Wike lawmakers legal fees

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Court Denies Bail To Anambra Pastor Accused Of Marrying Mother, Daughter

Published

2 hours ago

October 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Court Denies Bail To Anambra Pastor Accused Of Marrying Mother, Daughter

The Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has denied bail to Harrison Anazodo, a pastor and spiritualist facing a seven-count charge over alleged abduction, forced marriage and other offences.

Justice Jude Obiora rejected the bail application as proceedings continued in the case involving the General Overseer of Day Spring Assembly.

Anazodo had sought bail through his lawyer, W. Abonye, who reportedly cited health concerns in asking the court to release his client.

However, the prosecution, led by Chief State Counsel Chineze Ekwerekwu, opposed the application.

The prosecution filed a 20-paragraph counter-affidavit and two exhibits in opposition to the bail request and told the court that the state was ready to proceed with the trial.

The allegations against Anazodo include claims that he abducted a woman and her daughter and allegedly subjected them to forced marriage. He is also accused of taking several women as wives and engaging in conduct allegedly prohibited under the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025.

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Anazodo has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the allegations against him have not been established by the court.

The case attracted public attention following his arrest by officials of the Anambra State Government in June. Reports surrounding the arrest also alleged that about 11 babies were found at his residence.

The prosecution is expected to call witnesses as the trial progresses, with the state indicating its readiness to present its case.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until October 16, 2026, for further proceedings.

There was also a confrontation involving some of the defendant’s supporters and journalists at the court premises. Reports said some journalists were allegedly prevented from recording the defendant’s arrival, with claims that phones and cameras belonging to some members of the media were damaged.

The incident was reportedly brought to the attention of the court by Anambra State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN. Defence counsel subsequently apologised over the incident, while the court directed that damaged equipment be replaced.

With the bail application rejected, Anazodo will remain in custody as the criminal trial continues.

Court Denies Bail To Anambra Pastor Accused Of Marrying Mother, Daughter

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Missing Robbery Suspect: Anambra CP Queries DPO, Orders Probe

Published

8 hours ago

October 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama

Missing Robbery Suspect: Anambra CP Queries DPO, Orders Probe

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has ordered queries for the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of 3-3 Police Station, Onitsha, and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) following allegations that an armed robbery suspect arrested and taken to the station could no longer be accounted for.

The commissioner also directed the immediate commencement of disciplinary proceedings against an Inspector of Police linked to the matter.

The action followed the circulation of a viral video alleging that the suspect, who had reportedly been arrested and brought to the police station, subsequently disappeared from custody.

Ama personally interviewed the complainant and officers connected to the incident before issuing the directives.

The commissioner described the allegation as serious, stressing that conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force would not be tolerated.

He said the command would take firm action against unprofessional conduct, dereliction of duty, abuse of office and violations of established police procedures.

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Following the interviews, Ama ordered the command’s X-Squad to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s arrest, detention and documentation, as well as what happened after the suspect was taken into custody.

The investigation will also establish the roles played by the officers involved and determine whether any police personnel breached established procedures.

The commissioner further said operational measures had been put in place to facilitate the rearrest of the suspect, although the police have not publicly disclosed his current whereabouts.

Ama assured the public that the findings of the investigation would be communicated once the facts had been established.

He also warned against the circulation of unverified information that could prejudice the investigation, stressing the need for the matter to be handled based on established facts.

The commissioner reiterated his commitment to police accountability and professional conduct, saying officers entrusted with protecting members of the public must also be subject to scrutiny when allegations of misconduct arise.

The development has drawn attention to the procedures governing the arrest, detention and documentation of suspects in police custody, particularly the responsibility of officers to maintain accurate records and ensure that detainees remain properly accounted for.

For now, the exact circumstances surrounding the suspect’s alleged disappearance remain unclear. The ongoing X-Squad investigation is expected to determine how the suspect allegedly went missing and whether any police officer bears responsibility.

Missing Robbery Suspect: Anambra CP Queries DPO, Orders Probe

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Four NAF Engineers Died Days Before Foreign Course Deployment — Sources

Published

8 hours ago

October 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Four NAF Engineers Died Days Before Foreign Course Deployment — Sources

Four Nigerian Air Force (NAF) engineers killed in the Ondo aircraft crash had reportedly travelled to Abuja for documentation ahead of specialised foreign training courses.

The personnel were identified as Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI, Sergeant Izibenikien SI and Sergeant Alafuka C.

According to information surrounding the tragedy, the four engineers had travelled to Abuja as part of preparations for their deployment abroad for professional courses. Their deaths came just days before they were expected to begin the specialised training.

The four were among the 25 people on board the NAF 931 ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers.

The aircraft was reportedly on a routine mission when it crashed in the riverine area of Ondo State. Search-and-rescue operations were immediately launched, but the Nigerian Air Force later confirmed that there were no survivors.

The tragedy claimed the lives of several military personnel, including Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, who was among the aircraft’s crew.

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Reports following the crash said Man-Ugwueje had recently been promoted and had married about two weeks before the tragedy.

Another victim, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, was also reportedly a relatively recent addition to the NAF and was said to have distinguished himself during his training.

The deaths have sent shockwaves through the Nigerian military, particularly because some of the personnel were reportedly preparing for further professional development when the tragedy occurred.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The Nigerian Air Force has also appealed to the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information while the investigation continues.

For the four engineers, what was expected to be the beginning of an important phase in their military careers ended in tragedy, with their planned foreign training cut short by the fatal aircraft crash.