Tinubu Declares State of Emergency in Rivers, Suspends Governor Fubara

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a prolonged political crisis and security threats.

In a national broadcast on March 18, 2025, Tinubu said governance in the state had collapsed following the demolition of the House of Assembly in December 2023 and the governor’s failure to restore legislative functions. The Supreme Court had also ruled that the state lacked a functioning government due to the ongoing crisis.

As part of emergency measures:
– Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all state lawmakers are suspended for six months.
– Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) is appointed as the Administrator to oversee governance.

Tinubu Declares State of Emergency in Rivers

– The judiciary remains operational, and all emergency regulations will require Federal Executive Council approval.

The proclamation has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly. Tinubu expressed hope that the intervention would restore peace, order, and democratic governance in Rivers State.

EFCC Chairman, Official Risk Jail For Court Contempt

EFCC chairman, official risk jail for court contempt. The Bauchi State High Court has issued a contempt notice (Form 48) against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Head of Economic Governance (EG1), Dare Folarin, over their alleged defiance of a court order in an ongoing legal dispute.

The notice, dated March 12, 2025, warns that failure to comply with the court’s directive could result in imprisonment for the EFCC officials.

Barrister Ahmed Sani, representing the applicants—Aliyu Adamu and three others—stated that the court had previously issued an order restraining the EFCC from taking any action against his clients until the case was resolved.

However, despite being served with the order, Folarin allegedly ignored it and proceeded with the arrest of Adamu.

“In clear defiance of the court’s directive, the EFCC team, led by Folarin, stormed our client’s office, seized documents, and arrested him,” Sani said. “This blatant disregard for judicial authority must be addressed.”

EFCC

He further alleged that Folarin initially refused to accept the court notice and later chased the court bailiff out of the EFCC premises, even threatening to detain him. The bailiff has since sworn an affidavit confirming service of the notice.

Sani warned that if the EFCC and Folarin continue to disregard the court order, Form 49 will be issued, and contempt proceedings will commence against them.

He urged the commission to comply with the court’s directive to avoid legal repercussions.

Trader Sentenced To 18 Months In Jail For Theft In Jos

Trader sentenced to 18 months in jail for theft in Jos. A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday sentenced a 43-year-old trader, Pam Dung, to 18 months’ imprisonment for house breaking and theft.

Magistrate Shawomi Bokkos sentenced him, after he pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against him.

The magistrate, however, gave the convict an option of a fine of N30,000.
She also ordered the convict to pay N300,000 as compensation to the complainant.

Police

The prosecutor, Insp Daniel Longwant, told the court that the case was reported at the Angle-Jos Police Station on January 30 by one Samilla Nuhu, the complainant.

Mr Longwant said the convict broke into the house and stole household items, including a fridge, sewing machine, woofer speakers, pressing iron, stabiliser, gas cylinder, and mattress valued at N380,000.