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Tag: Rivers State

  • ICYMI: Supreme Court stops Rivers State’s allocations

    ICYMI: Supreme Court stops Rivers State’s allocations

    The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the Rivers House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule as the authentic and legally constituted lawmaking body in the state.A five-member panel of justices led by Uwani Abba-Aji gave the order in the unanimous judgment read by Justice Emmanuel Agim.

    The Alex court also  restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) from further releasing budgetary allocations to the Rivers Government until a valid Appropriation Act is passed by a lawfully constituted house of assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.

    The embattled assembly Speaker, Amaewhule, and 26 others were alleged to have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their seats declared vacant by Okey Jumbo-led house of assembly.

    But in its decision, the Supreme Court ordered that all members of the Rivers House of Assembly are to resume normal legislative businesses without any hindrance to any members.

    Justice Emmanuel Agim, in the lead judgment, agreed with the arguments made by lawyer to the Amaewhule-led members of the assembly, Mr Ogwu Onoja, SAN.

    Justice Agim condemned the conduct of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, who he said, chose to destroy the government of the state and resort to acting unlawfully by pulling down the house of assembly due to his fear that there were moves to impeach him.

    “It must be stated loud and clear that the crisis in Rivers State is as a result of non-adherence to the rule of law as well as the fragrant disregard of court orders,” he said.

    The judge faulted the Court of Appeal for holding that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024.

    The suit sought to restrain the CBN and AGF from releasing funds to Rivers owing to its failure to obtain a valid Appropriation Act in compliance with the Jan. 22, 2024 judgment by Justice James Omotosho in suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023.

    He also faulted the consequential order made by the Appeal Court in the Dec. 13, 2024 judgment, voiding the Oct. 30, 2024 judgment by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024.

    “The view of the Court of Appeal that suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 is over the consolidated revenue fund of River State is wrong as it is not supported by the reliefs claimed for in the originating summons.

    “This wrong view influenced it to hold that the subject matter of this suit is not within the scope of the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

    “It is glaring that the objective of suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 is to stop the release of funds to the 1st and 2nd respondents herein – the Government of Rivers and Simi Fubara – so as to compel them to comply with the judgment in suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023 by causing the passage of the appropriation law by the Rivers State House of Assembly properly constituted as prescribed by the Constitution.

    “Suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 is not a fresh action with the subject matter independent of the subject matter of suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023. It is sequel to the judgment in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023,” the judge said.

    Justice Agim proceeded to set aside the Dec. 13, 2024 judgment of the Court of Appeal, in which the appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear and determine on cases relating to funds belonging to Rivers State.

    He restored the Oct. 30, 2024 judgment by Justice Abdulmalik and all the consequential orders made thereto.

    The judge said: “In the light of the foregoing, I hold that the decision of the Court of Appeal that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain and determine suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024i s wrong.

    “The trial court validly exercised it’s jurisdiction to hear and determine suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024.

    “So appeal number: SC/CV/1174/2024 is resolved in favour of the appellants. On the whole, this appeal succeeds as it has merit. It is accordingly allowed.

    “The order the Court of Appeal made on the 13th of December 2024 in appeal number: CA/ABJ/CV/1287/2024, striking out suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/2024 for lack of jurisdiction is hereby set aside,” he said.

    Justice Agim faulted the decision of the Rivers governor purporting to deploy the doctrine of necessity and the provisions of Sections 102 and 109 of the Constitution to justify his decision to relate with only four members of a 32-member Rivers House of Assembly.

    He held that, having created an environment that made it impossible for the state assembly to lawfully function, Fubara could not rely on Sections 102 and 109.

    The court held that the doctrine of necessity to give validity to the proceedings of the house of assembly constituted by less than 1/3 of the members and the action of his actions, which included presenting the state’s appropriate bill before a four-member assembly.

    Justice Agim said that Fubara had started preventing the house from conducting its businesses before the issue of defection occurred.

    He held that having prevented the 27 members from conducting their legislative businesses by pulling down the assembly complex, Fubara’s claimed that the 27 members were no longer members of the state assembly, on grounds that they had defected, was incorrect.

    “The claim that the 27 members are no longer members is a perpetuation of his attempt to prevent them from participating in the House business. The 27 members are still valid members of the House of Assembly,” justice Agim said.

    He added that Fubara’s fear of impeachment was not a justification for his attack on the house of assembly.

    “What he has done is to destroy the government because of his fear that he wants to be impeached,” he said, while expressing concern that this practice was becoming a culture among politicians.

    Justice Agim, therefore, awarded a cost of N5 million against Fubara and the government of Rivers, to be paid to the Rivers House of Assembly and Amaewhule.

    Other members of the panel; Justices Uwani Abba-Aji (who presided), Ibrahim Saulawa, Chioma Nwosu-Iheme and Jamilu Tukur agreed with the lead judgment.

    Also in another judgement delivered on Friday by the same panel, the Supreme Court voided the last local government election conducted in Rivers on Oct. 5, 2024.

    All members of the panel unanimously held that the election was conducted in violation of Section 150 of the Electoral Act 2024.

    Justice Jamilu Tukur, in the lead judgment, agreed with the appellant, the APC that conditions precedent were not complied with before the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) held the election.

    Justice Tukur held that there was no evidence the voters’ registration continued until 90 days before the election and that the requisite notices were issued as required by law.

  • Rivers govt reacts over Supreme Court judgement

    Rivers govt reacts over Supreme Court judgement

    The Rivers State Government (RSG), has urged its citizens to remain calm and law-abiding as it seeks clarity from the legal team on the supreme court judgement.

    The Rivers Commissioner for Informations and Communications, Mr Joe Johnson, made the remark in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    He said that the state government was yet to get details of the judgment from its legal team, urging the people to go about their legitimate businesses.

    “We have taken note of reports in the media regarding the recent judgment of the supreme court concerning the funds of Rivers State and the administration of local governments in the state.

    “At this time, we are awaiting a detailed briefing on the implications of the judgment.

    “We will carefully evaluate the situation and determine the next steps to take in the best interest of Rivers State and its people,” he said.

    Johnson said that the determination of the main issue of the defection of the 27 lawmakers was a matter not before the Supreme Court but pending at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

    “Since the issue of defection wasn’t on the table before the learned Justices, in their eyes,  Amaewhule and the 26 others are still operating as lawmakers until that matter of defection comes before them.

    “We assure you that we remain committed to upholding our mandate to protect the best interest and the rule of law in all matters affecting our dear state,” he stated.

  • Why Supreme Court nullified Rivers LG election, restored Amaewhule as Speaker

    Why Supreme Court nullified Rivers LG election, restored Amaewhule as Speaker

    The Supreme Court on Friday, nullified the Local Government election in Rivers State, which was conducted on October 5, 2024.

    A five-member panel of the apex court unanimously held that the election was conducted in violation of relevant laws.

    Justice Jamilu Tukur, in the lead judgment, agreed with the appellant, the All Progressives Congress (APC), that conditions precedent were not complied with before the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) held the election.

    Justice Tukur held that there was no evidence that the voters’ registration continued until 90 days before the election and that the requisite notices were issued as required by law.

    Rivers assembly crisis: Supreme Court restores Amaewhule as Speaker

    Similarly, the Supreme Court on Friday, affirmed the Rivers House of Assembly led by Mr Martin Amaewhule as the authentic and legally constituted lawmaking body in the state.

    A five-member panel of justices led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, gave the order in a lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim.

    The apex court also restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) from further releasing budgetary allocations to Rivers until a valid Appropriation Act is passed by a lawfully constituted house of assembly.

    In a unanimous judgment on Friday, the panel ordered that Amaewhule and other 26 members of the assembly, who were alleged to have defected, should be allowed to resume legislative duties unhindered.

    The Supreme Court further ordered that all members of the house of assembly are to resume normal legislative businesses without any hindrance to any members.

    Justice Agim condemned the conduct of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who he said chose to destroy the government of Rivers and resort to acting unlawfully by pulling down the House of Assembly owing to his fear that there were moves to impeach him.

    The apex court set aside the earlier judgment of the Court of Appeal, in which the appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction on cases relating to funds belonging to Rivers.

    The panel equally awarded a cost of N5 million against Fubara and the Government of Rivers, to be paid to the Rivers House of Assembly and Amaewhule.

  • BREAKING! Supreme Court sacks all Rivers LG Chairmen

    BREAKING! Supreme Court sacks all Rivers LG Chairmen

    Rivers state Local Government Chairmen have been fired by the Supreme Court.

    Details soon….

  • NNPC reacts as fire outbreak rocks crude storage barge in Rivers

    NNPC reacts as fire outbreak rocks crude storage barge in Rivers

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd.) says the fire outbreak on the dry crude storage barge, BESTAF5 at Cawthorne Channel 1,  Rivers , had been successfully contained.

    Mr Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd. in a statement on Thursday,  said there were no casualties and all personnel are safe.

    “At approximately 14:10 hours on Wednesday, Feb. 19, a fire broke out on the dry crude storage barge BESTAF5 at Cawthorne Channel 1,  Rivers, spreading to other barges.

    “Thanks to the swift response of our emergency teams and industry partners, the fire was successfully contained.

    “The incident did not impact flow station operations. Most importantly, there were no casualties, and all personnel are safe,” he stated.

    Soneye stated that  the NNPC  prioritised safety and remained fully committed to environmental protection and operational integrity.

  • Woman arrested for killing co-tenant with stone in Rivers

    Woman arrested for killing co-tenant with stone in Rivers

    A woman has been arrested for using a stone to kill her 60 year old neighbour identified as Augustine,  during an altercation in the Railway area of Elekahia, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The state’s police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, via a statement, revealed that the incident occured on Wednesday, February 5.

    Iringe-Koko stated that the culprit denied striking the deceased with a stone.

    The police spokesperson said, “The woman said during interrogation that the man hit her on the nose and that his children were fighting her, during which they were throwing stones at her.

    “While she tried to dodge, the stone now hit the man.

    “Like I said, she is in our custody and the investigation is ongoing. She will be charged in court at the end of our investigation.

    “At the end of the day, she may be charged to court.”

    However a male eyewitness stated that the woman actually perpetrated the act.

    He said, “The woman went behind the house and saw faeces. She asked the man who sat in front of his house if he was the one and they started quarrelling.

    “The man said he had just returned from work and that how could an elderly man like him do such a thing.

    “He asked the lady how she could accuse an elderly man like him when there were children all around the compound. That was how the quarrel started.”

    Adding that, “The woman parked sand from the ground and poured on the man. The man got up from where he sat and they started fighting.

    “She picked a stone and hit the man. As I’m talking to you now, we are at the Elekahia Police Station. Many people are here. The man is dead. His body is lying inside the car.”

  • PH chamber of commerce explains Rivers 2025 budget

    PH chamber of commerce explains Rivers 2025 budget

    The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) has given its breakdown of the Rivers’ 2025 budget.

    The PHCCIMA President, Dr Chinyere Nwaoga, gave the breakdown in a statement on Tuesday, saying he budget will unlock trapped N500 billion tax revenue from trapped or recovered assets.

    She recalled that PHCCIMA had on Dec. 31, 2024 lauded the appropriation bill of 2025 as presented by Rivers governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and promised to analyse the budget.

    “We promised to analyse the budget and share our position after extensive research and analysis.

    “We set up a think-tank committee to review the monetary policy with the private sector practitioners and we have come up with a position,”she said.

    Nwaoga noted that the 2025 total budget approximates N1.2 trillion; to be N388 billion higher than the 2024 figure of N800 billion.

    However, she noted that when adjusted for inflation, “the Net Present Value of the current budget is approximately N1.1 trillion.”

    Nwaoga explained that the naira’s depreciation by 90 per cent year on year from January 2024 has reduced the budget’s net value to about N700 billion.

    According to her, this further illustrates how the fiscal policies at the centre can impact even the best run states.

    She commended the Rivers government’s plan to spend N678 billion on capital expenditure, which is roughly 30 per cent more than the operating expenditure.

    “The plan to allocate N31 billion to Agric and support programmes for youths posits a strategy for genuine empowerment,” she stated.

    The PHCCIMA President also advised the government to create a credible youth and women database for articulated disbursements and monitoring.

    She said: “There may be need to update or recreate a strategic state wide enumeration targeted at Rivers state population.”

    Nwaoga also suggested that the government should consider allotting a percentage of accrued funds to an investor guarantee programme to attract investment funds aimed at commerce.

    She noted that “the policy to explore counterparty funding with the Universal Basic Education (UBE) to support education is smart.”

    Nwaoga commended the government’s plan to source and save funds for the budget through various means, including FAAC, IGR, statutory allocation, mineral funds, VAT, refunds, and others.

    According to her, the budget demonstrates financial prudence and less emphasis on bank borrowing.

    She suggested that the government should re-enact the Rivers State Statutory Savings Account and ensure that assets do not deplete in value.

    Nwaoga recommended that “we estimate an additional N100 billion, and the expansion of the under-declared and undeclared revenue sources with corporates.”

    She stressed the need for the government to emphasise attracting new investments and unlocking value from existing assets.

    “Rivers state government should emphasise attracting new investments and unlocking value from existing assets,” she said.

    She, however, urged that the government should continue to pursue clearing the backlog of pension liabilities and consider implementing a revised salary structure to motivate the workforce.

  • NNPCL disobeys court order on cluster establishment, says Rivers community

    NNPCL disobeys court order on cluster establishment, says Rivers community

    The Bukuma community in Rivers has decried the alleged refusal of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporations Limited’s (NNPCL) to implement a 2021 court judgement on cluster issue.

    The Paramount Ruler of Bukuma, King Precious Elekima, made this known during an interview in Port Harcourt on Thursday. Bukuma, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers is hosting an oil and gas field, housing 10 oil wells.

    The oil field was operated by Shell Petroleum and Development Company (SPDC) before Eroton Exploration and Protection Limited took it over but later handed it over to NNPCL.

    Elekima explained that the cluster arrangement began in 2007 as a resolution mechanism for communal clashes in the area.

    “The government and oil companies operating in the area established clusters to address disputes between the warring communities at the time. However, Bukuma, the hosting the oil and gas field, was grouped with 16 other communities in the cluster,” he told NAN in the interview.

    Elekima alleged that the 16 communities which, he described, as having no valid take in the cluster, bound together to deny Bukuma the benefits it deserved as the host community.

    “As a result, the Bukuma people decided to demand their own cluster from Eroton. Our community, hosting the oil wellhead and being the most impacted by oil extraction, deserved its own cluster, but Eroton refused,” he stated.

    The traditional ruler said that after their request was ignored, the community sought legal redress, and tho court ruled in their favour, mandating the establishment of a cluster for Bukuma.

    He said that Eroton did not implement the judgement before NNPCL took over and created NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited (NEOL) to oversee the operations of the wells.

    “The community met with NNPCL to implement the court order, but the company refused to comply and has remained adamant till this day,” Elekima said.

    He urged NNPCL not to be engaging with individuals in the community to give the false impression that it had reconciled with Bukuma.

    The paramount ruler urged the government to hold NNPC accountable for not allowing the host community to receive its deserved cluster.

    “We are being exploited, perhaps because the Bukuma people are a minority group with no influential figures in government or society.

    “This neglect has left the community grossly underdeveloped, even though it hosts a major oil field in the Niger Delta that generates significant revenue for the country,” he lamented.

    Elekima said that the recent explosion at the wellhead 008, which spilled crude oil into the community, has worsened living conditions in Bukuma.

    He reiterated the community’s support of the investigation into the fire incident and expressed confidence that it would identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

    “Bukuma people support the investigation because we are peaceful and law-abiding and do not engage in sabotage.

    “We do not dispute NNPCL’s claim that vandals destroyed its wellhead, and we fully support investigations into the fire incident. The community sympathises with NNPCL over the incident and assures that we will never encourage any form of illegal bunkering or vandalism of oil facilities,” he stated.

    He underscored the importance of the damaged wellhead, describing it as one of the largest oil wells contributing to Federal Government revenue for national development.

    “We have always stood with the Federal Government in its fight against oil theft, illegal bunkering, and vandalism. Therefore, we should not be held responsible for the destruction of the facility,” he added.

    The paramount ruler welcomed the involvement of Tantita Security Services, an independent security outfit, in the investigation, but he cautioned NNPCL to be vigilant during the process.

    “NNPC should be cautious in investigation, not to allow any individual to exploit the situation to advance personal interests related to chieftaincy, kingship, or land disputes.

    “The company should ensure that such individuals do not take advantage of the situation to frame innocent people,” he cautioned.

  • Police arrest suspected killers of 34-year-old man in Rivers

    Police arrest suspected killers of 34-year-old man in Rivers

    The Police Command in Rivers has apprehended five suspects connected to the murder of 34-year-old Rowland Horsefall who was declared missing on Sept. 10.

    The suspects are Endurance Thompson, 23, Moses Benjamin, 29, Emmanuel Aniete, 32, David Ishaku, 34, and Boma Otonye, 41 and are males.

    The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, told journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that the suspects were apprehended after an intensive manhunt.

    Iringe-Koko alleged that the suspects abducted Horsefall near the Slaughter Market area of Port Harcourt and later killed him, even after receiving a ransom payment for his release.

    “This tragic case began on Nov. 1 when we received a distress call from one Gloria Iyenemi, a resident of Peace Valley Estate, Woji Town, reporting the abduction of her son,” she stated.

    According to Iringe-Koko, Horsefall left home around 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 to attend meetings at Dr Peter Odili Road and the Government Reserved Area, both in Port Harcourt.

    She said that Iyenemi attempted to contact him later that evening when he failed to return home.

    “Horsefall answered his mother’s call around 9 p.m, assuring her that he was on his way home.

    “However, after a prolonged wait, Iyenemi tried calling again, but all attempts to reach him were unsuccessful,” Iringe-Koko said.

    The police spokesperson said that the following morning, at 5:05 a.m. on Sept. 11, Iyenemi received a call from Horsefall, informing her that he had been abducted.

    She said that the kidnappers later demanded a ransom of N2.5 million for his release, but Iyenemi sent N300,000 as part of the ransom.

    “Subsequently, the kidnappers sent pictures and voice messages to Horsefall’s girlfriend, threatening to kill him unless she transferred an additional N300,000 to his bank account, which she promptly did.

    “However, Horsefall was not released” she noted.

    Iringe-Koko reported that following the report of the crime, the police launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of Thompson, one of the suspects.

    “During interrogation, Thompson confessed to kidnapping Horsefall behind the Port Harcourt Zoo in the Trans Amadi Industrial Area.

    “He revealed that after receiving ransom payments, the gang beat the victim to death and dumped his body along Queens/Kings Bakery at Abuloma Road,” Iringe-Koko said.

    The police officer indicated that the suspects would be charged to court, while efforts are underway to apprehend other members of the gang who are at large.

  • NAF denies responsibility for wellhead explosion in Rivers

    NAF denies responsibility for wellhead explosion in Rivers

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), says it is not responsible for the explosion at the NNPC wellhead in Buguma Community in the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers.

    The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Olusola Akinboyewa, gave the clarification in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    Akinboyewa described as misleading, the report by certain media outlets suggesting that the NAF might be responsible for the explosion.

    He urged media outlets to exercise due diligence by verifying facts before publishing, rather than relying on assumptions.

    ”Contrary to the allegations made by the Buguma Community spokesperson, who speculated that the fire may have been caused by aging oil facilities, illegal oil bunkering, or NAF operations, we wish to clarify the situation.

    ”The wellhead had been leaking crude oil due to prolonged illegal activities in the area.

    ”Video recordings from previous missions confirm that the wellhead have been leaking for an extended period, resulting in the accumulation of gas and flammable liquids in the surrounding environment.

    ”High-Definition (HD) video recordings from the NAF platform, including footage from December 2024, clearly show the wellhead spilling oil and the barge already burnt before its arrival at the location.

    ”The onboard camera system ensures transparency and accountability by capturing and documenting all activities, eliminating any possibility of indiscriminate firing at civilians or destroying assets, as falsely alleged,” he said.

    The NAF spokesman said that the NAF, always ensured due diligence before engaging any target to ensure that only illegal refining sites and equipment were destroyed.

    According to him, the safety of innocent civilians and the protection of critical infrastructure remain a top priority for the Service.

    He assured the public that NAF, would remain steadfast in its mission to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure and combat crude oil theft, while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and respect for human life.