Judiciary
PDP Rejects Emergency Rule In Rivers State, Says Not Democratic
PDP Rejects Emergency Rule In Rivers State, Says Not Democratic
PDP rejects emergency rule in Rivers state, says not democratic…Insists Tinubu has no powers to suspend a democratically elected governor.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and indeed, Nigerians listened with dismay the national broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in which the President, in utter violation of the 1999 Constitution pronounced an imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State
The PDP outrightly rejects this attempt by the President to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and undermine the votes and Will of the people of Rivers State by seeking to depose a democratic government and foist an undemocratic rule in the State.
The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to govern the State is a clear attack on our nation’s democracy, an abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution.
The action of Mr. President therefore clearly borders on attempt at state capture. It is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State for which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been bent on stoking crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the State.
Nigerians are invited to note that the situation in Rivers State and the reasons adduced by the President cannot justify the declaration of a state of emergency in the State under the 1999 Constitution, rendering the declaration completely incompetent.
The PDP alerts that the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State is part of the larger vicious plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition, impose a totalitarian one-Party State and turn the country into a fiefdom
In any case, nothing in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution relied upon by the President in the declaration grants him the exclusive powers to declare or execute the declaration of a state of emergency without recourse to the statutory approval of the National Assembly.
For the avoidance of doubt, Section 305 (2) provides that “The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation including the details of the emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House of which he is President or Speaker, as the case may be, to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the proclamation”.
Mr. President should recognize that his order to an unelected individual to forthwith take over government of Rivers State is illegal and a clear recipe for crisis, threat to the peace and stability of not only Rivers State but the entire nation.
PDP
For emphasis, Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a tenure of four years which tenure cannot be unconstitutionally abridged.
The PDP therefore cautions Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to respect the Constitution and ensure that he does not take any action or step which is capable of derailing smooth democratic Governance in Rivers State.
Nigeria is not under a military rule where the Governance of a State is by appointment by a junta.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
U.S. Mission Nigeria United Nations Donald J. Trump
High Court Rejects EFCC’s Additional Proof Evidence On Emefiele
High Court rejects EFCC’s additional proof evidence on Emefiele. Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja, has rejected the additional proof of evidence brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, in the alleged procurement fraud trial brought against him.
Delivering ruling in a motion on notice filed by Emefiele to object to the action of the EFCC, Justice Muazu held that the Commission had on February 12, 2024, first filed additional proof of evidence against the former CBN governor to accommodate the evidence of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and one Bamayi Haruna Mairiga.
The judge, who noted that the charge against Emefiele was filed since August 14, 2023 and his plea taking on November 16, 2023, said that the action of the EFCC would amount to denial of fair trial because the former governor of CBN was not confronted with the new evidence during investigation as required by law.
Justice Muazu further added that the action of EFCC amounted to trial by ambush and a clear case of fishing for evidence in the trial that commenced since November 28, 2023.
Justice Muazu pointed out that allowing the additional proof of evidence after the charge had been amended severally was prejudicial to the defendant, as his right to fair hearing is being breached.
Emefiele
The judge held that the position of the law is that the charge was filed upon the completion of investigation and prima facie case established against any defendant in a criminal matter, adding that in the instant case, the contrary is the case.
The judge however, declined to strike out the charge for being a product of incomplete or ongoing investigation and therefore speculative as claimed by Emefiele.
Justice Muaza said that the charge cannot be struck down because both the defendant and the prosecution had joined issues with each other and trial almost completed.
Ogun Farmer Arrested For Stealing Pineapples
Ogun farmer arrested for stealing pineapples. Police in Ogun State have arrested a 53-year-old farmer, Oloyede David, for allegedly stealing three bags of pineapples worth N90,000 in Orile-Ilugun, Odeda Local Government Area.
The suspect was caught harvesting the fruits from a plantation owned by one Ola Omotayo.
Police spokesperson Omolola Odutola confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, stating that officers from the Orile-Ilugun outstation apprehended David around 11:58 a.m. on Tuesday after another farmer spotted him and alerted others.
Po
“The suspect was caught with three bags of pineapples, valued at approximately N90,000. The farm owner arrived at the scene and confirmed the theft,” Odutola said.
Omotayo further claimed that pineapples worth N650,000 and a submersible pumping machine valued at N180,000 had previously been stolen from her farm.
David has been taken into custody, and the case has been transferred to the Divisional Crime Branch for further investigation.
State Of Emergency In Rivers Sparks Tension As Lawyers, Opposition React
State of emergency in Rivers sparks tension as lawyers, opposition react. The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu has heightened tensions, with opposition figures and legal experts weighing in on the controversial move.
In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all House of Assembly members for six months, appointing Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as the state’s administrator.
The decision follows prolonged political unrest, stemming from the fallout between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The crisis escalated on Monday when the Rivers Assembly, dominated by Wike’s loyalists, served an impeachment notice to Fubara. Hours later, suspected militants blew up a major oil pipeline, further deepening concerns over security.
Opposition leaders have condemned Tinubu’s move, with Labour Party spokesperson Obiora Ifoh calling it “a threat to democracy,” while PDP chieftain Dr. Adejor Anthony accused Tinubu of siding with Wike. The Obidient Movement’s Yunusa Tanko warned that the decision could spark further unrest.
State Of Emergency In Rivers
However, lawyer Mathew Abakpa defended Tinubu’s action, citing constitutional provisions for emergency rule amid threats to law and order.
Meanwhile, security forces have taken control of the Rivers Government House, and reports suggest protests are brewing in parts of the state in support of Fubara.
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