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Rivers Proxy Battle Between Nyesom Wike, Simi Fubara Before Supreme Court: Chidi Odinkalu
Rivers Proxy Battle Between Nyesom Wike, Simi Fubara Before Supreme Court: Chidi Odinkalu
Rivers proxy battle between Nyesom Wike and Simi Fubara before dupreme court. One important difference, though, is that the issues in Rivers State today hardly involve principle or the public interest.
Depending on one’s perspective, February 10, 2025, promises to be Proxy Wars Day at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Abuja.
On that day, a panel of five Justices will hear arguments on seven appeals connected with the synthetic political crisis in Rivers State.
The issues that the court will be asked to decide include the validity of last October’s local government elections in the state, the fate of the faction in the Rivers State House of Assembly that claims to have switched affiliations from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (after being elected on the platform) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the legality of the state’s 2025 budget passed by the rump of the state House of Assembly, and the effort to importune judges into denying Rivers State access to its share of the federation account.
The effort to frame these as legal issues is transparently valiant.
Despite the shameful conversion of judges into politicians in the Rivers State crisis—or indeed because of precisely that fact—the imminence of Rivers State Proxy Wars Day at the Supreme Court is evidence of what has gone wrong with Nigeria’s judicial system and why fixing it is essential for the health of Nigeria’s attempt at government with electoral legitimacy.
This is not the first time that legal disputes about power and how to share the spoils from it have ended up at the highest court in the land.
That tendency in Nigeria is over a century old. It arguably goes back to the 1921 judgment of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the case of Amodu Tijani over the effort by the colonial authorities to split Herbert Heelas Macaulay from his support for Eshugbayi Eleko, the Oba of Lagos.
To hear those cases before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1920, Herbert Macaulay travelled to London with the Oba’s Staff of Office in support of Amodu Tijani and the Idejo Chiefs of Lagos.
From London, he issued a statement claiming that the Eleko was the King of over 17 million Nigerians and in possession of territory more than three times that of Great Britain.
Despite a healthy revenue of over £4 million, he claimed, the British had reneged on a treaty commitment to compensate the Eleko.
Embarrassed at being publicly called duplicitous in this way, the British required the Eleko to disown Herbert Macaulay.
He issued a public statement clarifying his position on Herbert Macaulay’s statement but declined to disown him through the Oba’s Bell Ringers, as the Brits required.
Unable to secure the popular Eleko’s support, the colonists decided to head off rising tension by deposing him.
On 6 August 1925, they issued an ordinance de-stooling him, and two days later, on 8 August, they arrested and removed Eleko for internal banishment in Oyo. In his place, they installed Oba Ibikunle Akitoye.
Oba Akitoye’s rule lasted an uncomfortably brief three years, largely because he lacked the support of the people of Lagos. Indeed, in 1926, he suffered a physical assault by his people.
Supported by the elite and people of Lagos, the deposed Eleko took his case to the courts, fighting again to the Privy Council, which decided on 19 June 1928 in favour of his claim for leave for a writ of habeas corpus. This sealed the fate of Oba Akitoye, suspected to have facilitated his earthly demise shortly thereafter.
The crisis in Rivers State shares some unsettling similarities with the events in Lagos nearly one century ago.
In Rivers today, as in Lagos then, a powerful man – in this case, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike – seeks to banish the current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, from office using surrogates beholden to him in the state House of Assembly.
One important difference, though, is that the issues in Rivers State today hardly involve principle or the public interest. Framed though they are in legalese, these cases from Rivers State are about power and money grab.
This is not a first. It is the standard procedure of the current FCT Minister to seek to inveigle judges into acting as his political surrogates under a ruse of law.
In instigating this crisis, Mr Wike suffered a characteristic failure of his frontal lobe. He forgot his public vow to “give himself that respect” and not interfere in the affairs of the state after his exit from the office in May 2023. Rather, since leaving office as the state governor, Mr Wike has sought to install himself as the minister in Abuja and sole administrator in Port Harcourt.
He makes no effort to conceal that much of what passes as his political dare-devilry appears to be accomplished under the influence of sufficiently gluttonous amounts of dangerous beverage to entitle him to access to a defence of automatism in criminal law.
In October 2024, he told Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television with undisguised hubris that the only solution to the crisis in Rivers State was for the incumbent governor to “obey court judgment.”
This was no advocate for the rule of law, however. Instead, Mr. Wike projected an air of political impregnability purchased with a currency bearing a distinct whiff of procured judicial cookery.
This is not entirely unexpected of an ambitious Nigerian politician without an alternative address (apologies to Deji Adeyanju). What is more difficult to overlook is the high judicial tolerance for the undisguised political importuning of judges.
Nigeria’s judicial system has been overtaken by a category known as “political cases.” In November 2023, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, reported that his Supreme Court registered 1,271 motions and appeals from September 12, 2022, to July 11, 2023. The court “heard 388 political appeals, 215 criminal appeals and 464 civil appeals.”
Two years earlier, in 2021, Ariwoola’s predecessor, Tanko Muhammad, reported that the court’s portfolio of 269 appeals disposed of included 139 civil appeals, 102 criminal appeals, and 28 “political cases”.
Nyesom Wike
According to CJN Ariwoola’s report, the court “delivered a total number of 251 judgments, of which 125 were political appeals, 81 were civil appeals, and 45 were criminal appeals.” The court’s output fell by 6.69% in just two years, but “political cases” rose from 10.67% to 49.8%. Even allowing for the fact that 2023 was an election year, this is a system collapse.
Nigeria’s judges appear to have decided that politicians are the only people entitled to exit from the courts. In turn, the politicians are happy to enjoy this exclusivity and to overwhelm the courts to the point that even judges now complain. They hire the priciest lawyers to frame undisguised power and money grabs as questions of law.
The Supreme Court can end this, but it is reluctant. Instead, the court affords powerful politicians the tolerance they are unwilling to extend to lesser mortals, preferring to enable this joint enterprise of senior lawyers and politicians. At the same time, it fetters its capacity to determine what should be a question of law deserving of its rarefied attention.
This sucks for many reasons. It prostitutes the bench, casualizes the constitutional guarantee of fair trial “within a reasonable time,” and portrays the judiciary as captured.
To describe this as Supreme pusillanimity is to be generous. It is a form of judicial lasciviousness syndrome, promenading judicial wares before political gawkers in a peonage system where the only effective currency is high political patronage.
The Supreme Court can make a bold statement in these Rivers State cases. It should be ready for many more proxy war days if it doesn’t.
ADC Releases Updated Primary Election Schedule, Revised Nomination Fees
ADC releases updated primary election schedule and revised nomination fees — Announces new dates and adjusted fees following stakeholder consultations
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has released an updated schedule of activities for its 2026 primary elections, alongside revised costs for nomination forms, following extensive consultations with party leaders, aspirants, and stakeholders across the country.
Under the updated timetable, the purchase and submission of completed forms will run from May 6 to May 13, 2026, with May 13 set as the final deadline for submission. Screening of aspirants is scheduled for May 14 and May 15, 2026, with the publication of screening results on May 17, 2026. Appeals will be heard between May 18 and May 19, 2026, while the final list of cleared aspirants will be published on May 20, 2026.
Primary elections for State Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives, and the Senate will be held on May 21, 2026, followed by governorship primaries on May 22, 2026. The presidential primary election is scheduled for May 23, 2026. This will be followed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on May 25, 2026, and the Special National Convention on May 26, 2026.
Eereporter.com
Additionally, following the review, the cost of nomination forms has been set at N90,000,000 for the presidential ticket, N30,000,000 for governorship, N10,000,000 for Senate, N5,000,000 for the House of Representatives, and N2,000,000 for State Houses of Assembly.
The party retains its concessionary framework, providing a 50 percent discount for youth aspirants between the ages of 18 and 35, and a 25 percent discount for women and persons living with disabilities.
ADC
These adjustments reflect the outcome of broad-based consultations aimed at strengthening internal democracy, improving access, and ensuring that the ADC continues to provide a credible and inclusive platform for political participation.
All aspirants and stakeholders are advised to take note of the updated schedule and revised fees, and to comply fully with all guidelines as published. The ADC remains committed to organising effectively and presenting credible candidates to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Signed,
MALLAM BOLAJI ABDULLAHI
NATIONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
ICPC Opposes Fresh Bail Application By El-Rufai As Court Adjourns Hearing To May 13
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed a counter-affidavit in opposition to a fresh bail application filed by the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing case before the Kaduna State High Court.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, counsel to the defendant, Mr Ubong Akpang, informed the court of a pending bail application, emphasising that it concerns the defendant’s liberty.
Eereporter.com
He further stated that all necessary processes had been duly filed and served, expressing readiness to proceed with the hearing.
However, counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Ibrahim Mukhtar, informed the court that he had only just been served with the defendant’s further affidavit in support of the bail application and would require time to study the new processes.
Following this development, the Honourable Court adjourned the matter to 13th May 2026 for the hearing of the bail application.
It would be recalled that the court had earlier declined to grant bail to Mallam El-Rufai in a previous application.
Honourable Justice D.H. Khobo held that the defendant had not filed a further affidavit to challenge the ICPC’s counter-affidavit, which raised new facts.
These facts included the likelihood of flight risk due to his influence and resources, alleged obstruction of lawful arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, refusal to surrender travel documents and devices for investigation, and concerns over potential interference with witnesses and evidence.
In its determination, the court emphasised that bail is discretionary and must serve the interests of justice.
Justice Khobo held that the Defendant’s high status could facilitate interference with ongoing investigations, especially as some suspects remain at large.
The court had further noted the Defendant’s failure to challenge key allegations in the prosecution’s counter-affidavit, thereby deeming them admitted, and had dismissed unsubstantiated health claims for lack of evidence.
Consequently, the court refused bail to the Defendant; he is to remain in ICPC custody pending the commencement of the trial, and ordered an accelerated hearing.
El-Rufai
Notwithstanding this, the defence team proceeded to file a fresh application for bail.
The ICPC has since filed its response opposing the latest bail application and remains committed to ensuring that justice is served in accordance with the law.
The Commission assures the public of its continued dedication to the diligent prosecution of corruption cases and the upholding of due process.
J. Okor Odey
Head, Media and Public Communications Unit (ICPC).
NANS Applauds Olukoyede, Honours him with Outstanding Leadership Award
The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS has commended the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede for the successes being recorded in the fight economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the country.
The Association gave this commendation in Abuja on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 when its leaders came on a courtesy visit to the EFCC boss at the Commission’s corporate headquarters.
In his remarks, the leader of the delegation and NANS’ Secretary General, Shedrack Anzaku, declared that NANS “sees a man of integrity, stellar performance and impeccable character, whom the students wish to emulate in Olukoyede” and as a result honoured him with a National Outstanding Leadership Award.
“On behalf of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, we present a National Outstanding Leadership award to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede as a proof of good leadership and epitome of hope and in recognition of your commitment to youth empowerment, your passion to humanity and also educational transformation and your contribution towards the improvement of the lives of downtrodden” he said.
Speaking further, he stated that the direction of NANS going forward is to be partners in progress with the EFCC in the area of the fight against cybercrime among students. “What we want to do from now is to partner with the EFCC at the level of fighting social vices by calling the Commission’s attention to students who are doing any form of internet fraud. So we want to be partners in progress. When we see something, we will say something,” he said.
While lending his voice, Comrade James Uneze, Director of Special Duties in the office of NANS Secretary General stated that “We cannot talk about development in Nigeria in area of accountability and financial freedom; in the area of fighting financial and economic crime; in the area of leadership effectiveness and vibrance to the task to serve humanity for equity and justice, charity to the underprivileged and open door policy to all Nigerians irrespective of where they come from or the faith they profess without mentioning the name, Ola Olukoyede.”
Further in his remarks, Uneze said that the leadership of NANS partly came to congratulate the EFCC boss on his “successful service delivery, aimed at emancipating Nigerians from the shackles of poverty, oppression and deprivations as keen observers of your outstanding track record and achievements in the area of ensuring that we live in a corruption-free society and quest for positive national development,” adding that “We will always support the EFCC. We will always report every form of crime to ensure that the EFCC achieves its mandate which is for the development of Nigeria and emancipation of the masses.”
While declaring that Nigerian students desire to be EFCC ambassadors, Uneze noted that “the EFCC has played a very critical role in ensuring accountability, effectiveness and governance in all sectors of our nation,” declaring that “Nigerian students stand against every kind of corruption and every kind of fraud. Be it on the campus or in society.”
Olukoyede in his response, conveyed by the Director, Public Affairs, Commander of the EFCC, CE Wilson Uwujaren, expressed delight at the visit and at the efforts of the students’ national union at fighting internet fraud in the campuses. He urged them not to relent on the path of what is good and ethical, knowing that the country belongs to them as future leaders.
“I am glad to find that you have indicated that you are doing a lot of work in terms of instilling ethical behaviours among your members in all the campuses. What you are doing aligns with the mandate of the Commission, which is to fight all forms of corruption in any manifestation at all across all sectors. So, we welcome that. What we have with students’ organizations across the country is partnership. We have an all-year round programme of establishing clubs in secondary schools and tertiary institutions across the nation because we know that the future of this country belongs to the youth,” he said.
The EFCC boss stressed that the efforts of the EFCC and the results they yield are entirely for the good of the country and urged the students to support the Commission in eradicating cybercrime, especially in the campuses.
“The sacrifice that we are making in this country is for you. That we are going about endangering our safety and lives to fight corruption is because we want a future that Nigerians who are young now will benefit from. The recoveries that we are making are not for our pockets. The money that we recover is being ploughed back into the economy to ensure that we have good infrastructure and good social services.”
EFCC Boss
While pointing out that the EFCC is a friend of Nigerian youths and students, he regretted the allure of cybercrime to the youth, noting that the EFCC and all well-meaning Nigerians have a responsibility to fight it for the sake of the country and its citizens. “We can’t run away from the fact that we have a problem in terms of cybercrime in Nigeria. All of us admit the fact that a lot of young people are involved in cybercrime and it is our responsibility both as EFCC and as Nigerian citizens to ensure that we fight cybercrime in our nation. Because whether we like it or not, that challenge is giving this country a bad reputation across the world,” he said.
He charged Nigerian students as critical stakeholders in the making of a new Nigeria to put in more work in the campuses against cybercrime.
“You are key stakeholders in the fight against corruption. As citizens and as students who are the future leaders of this country, I’m charging you people to continue to spread the anti-cybercrime message across the campuses because it is for your own good and interest. The country that you want to have as Nigerians, if you don’t make sacrifices now as students to have it, you will not have that country. All of us must come together to say no to corruption, no to financial crime and to ensure that Nigeria wins this war against economic and financial crime. So, I urge you not to relent, don’t be distracted; continue to walk side by side with us. Continue to support the activities of the EFCC because we are here for you.”
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