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Update: Details of Supreme Court CTC Judgment – No evidence that 27 Rivers lawmakers defected; Court slammed Fubara for destroying the government of Rivers State over his fear of impeachment
Rivers people, Fubara backing Tinubu, says Sekibo
There is no evidence that the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Supreme Court has held.
It found that Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who raised the allegation of defection, withdrew it when he retrieved all the documents he filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Supreme Court held that by failing to support his claim of defection with evidence, in the eyes of the law, no defection took place and consequently the status quo in the House of Assembly must remain.
Fubara had explained that he withdrew the processes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brokered peace.
He insisted that the other parties did not withdraw theirs.
The Apex the governor for behaving like a despot by demolishing the House of Assembly complex and preventing the 27 lawmakers from sitting.
It said Fubara destroyed the government of Rivers State over his fear of impeachment
These are contained in Friday’s Apex Court judgment on the Rivers crisis. The Certified True Copy (CTC) was obtained by The Nation yesterday.
“In this case, the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot.
“As it is, there is no government in Rivers State,” the Supreme Court held.
In the 62-page lead judgment read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, a clearer picture was painted as to why the justices affirmed Martin Amaewhule as the authentic Speaker.
The court held that the Constitution did not support Fubara’s recognition of four members as the authentic House of Assembly.
It said: “What is clear from the above concurrent findings is that the 8th respondent (Fubara) started the prevention of the sittings of the Rivers State House of Assembly constituted by the number of members as prescribed by Section 96 of the 1999 Constitution long before the issue of the remaining 27 members defecting to another political party arose.
“The said activities of the 8th respondent (Fubara) were adjudged by the concurrent holdings of the Court of Appeal in its judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024 as illegal and unconstitutional long before the allegation of defection started.
“Against the background of these concurrent findings and holdings in the Court of Appeal Judgment in Appeal No.CA/AB)/CV/133/2024, it is reasonable to conclude that the cross appellant’s reliance on Sections 102 and 109 of the Constitution and the doctrine of necessity is to continue his brazen subversion of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the 1999 Constitution and legitimate government in Rivers State.
“Having by his own admission engaged in a series of illegal activities just to prevent the other 27 members from participating in the proceedings of the House to carry out their legitimate legislative duties which they were elected to do, his resort to Sections 102 and 109 of the 1999 Constitution and the doctrine of necessity on the basis of his allegation that they have defected is a red herring to perpetuate his subversion of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the 1999 Constitution and democratic government in Rivers State.
“The eighth respondent (Fubara) 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 therein to take place.
“The claim that the 27 members are no longer members of the House on the basis of an alleged defection is a continuation of his determination to prevent them from participating in the proceedings of the House. It is an engagement in chicanery.
“Sections 102 and 109 of the Constitution cannot be invoked in aid of this unconstitutional enterprise.”
According to the Supreme Court, a government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make it up.
It added: “In this case, the executive arm of the government has chosen to collapse the legislature to enable him govern without the Legislature as a despot. As it is, there is no government in Rivers State.
“The doctrine of necessity cannot be invoked to justify the continued existence of a deliberately contrived illegal or unconstitutional status quo.
“It cannot be invoked to justify and protect the illegal actions of the eighth respondent and his despotic rule of Rivers State without a House of Assembly.
“It applies to genuine situations that were not contemplated in the provisions of the Constitution or any law, which situations require the taking of some legitimate extra-constitutional or extra-legal actions to protect the public interest.
“The eighth respondent’s fear of impeachment by the House Assembly is no justification for his attacks on the House of Assembly, the Constitution, the Government of Rivers State and the rule of law.
“Political disagreements cannot justify these attacks and contempt for the rule of law by the governor of a state or any person.
“What the eighth respondent has done is to destroy the government because of his fear of being impeached.
“The part of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, affirming the judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHC/AB)/CS/984/2024 is hereby affirmed.
“The said judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHC/AB)/CS/984/2024 is hereby restored.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby ordered that the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federation should forthwith stop releasing and paying to the Government of Rivers State, its organs, departments and officials any money belonging to Rivers State until an Appropriation Law is made by Rivers State House of Assembly constituted as prescribed by the 1999 Constitution.
“The Rt Honorable Martin Chike Amaewhule and the other 26 members should forthwith resume unhindered sitting as Speaker and members respectively of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“The Rivers State House of Assembly Should resume sitting with all elected members forthwith,” the court said.
Yesterday in Port Harcourt, a former Minister of Transport, Senator Abiye Sekibo, said he and other leaders abandoned former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because of Fubara.
Sekibo, known as a strong supporter of the former vice president and PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, stunned his audience in Port Harcourt when he said Fubara was able to convince them to leave Atiku for Tinubu.
Speaking as a special guest of honour before inaugurating the Borokiri Fire Service Station in Port Harcourt City Local Government rehabilitated by Fubara, Sekibo appealed to President Tinubu not to listen to persons telling him that the Rivers Governor was surrounded by Atiku’s loyalists.
Sending his message to President Tinubu, he said: “Mr President, our own President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, lend me your ears. We, the Rivers people, have always supported the government at the centre. We have always worked with the government at the centre.
“This governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has convinced Rivers people that they must stand with their President and we do stand with you.
“There might be persons telling you stories, especially when they see people like me, who were core Atiku men, they will say: ‘Don’t you see it is Atiku people that are with the governor’.
“There are also Atiku people that are with them there in Abuja. But the governor has convinced us that the place to be is to be with our President and Mr. President we stand with you. We stand with you because that is the right thing to do.
“The elections delivered you as our President and so we stand with you. The elections delivered this governor, our son, for the first time in 24 years.
“The Ijaw nation which is more than eight local government areas of Rivers State have an opportunity of having one of their own as the governor of this state. We stand with him, we have no choice.”
Abiye said Fubara through his work in Rivers has shown that he prioritises the interest of the people and the unity of the country.
He said at a time when the state’s funds were seized, he made sure that there was no problem in Rivers, kept essential services active and worked tirelessly to avoid creating any problem for the federal government.
He called on President Tinubu to support the governor, describing Fubara as an ally of the President.
“Standing by and working with Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the right thing to do and I urge you Mr. President to stand with Siminalayi Fubara.
“My dear people as we urge our President and the Federal Government to stand with our son, we all have a duty to rally around him and stand with him,” he said.
Abiye said Fubara assured him that he would comply with the Supreme Court judgment.
He said he was honoured that the governor chose him to inaugurate the rehabilitated Borokiri Fire Station.
Fubara said the purpose of government was to provide services to the people and protect lives and property.
“So, when we are doing those things that we are elected to do and we start showcasing them, sometimes it doesn’t make any sense.
“But you have to show the world what you are doing so that they will know that you are working. Some will commission boreholes and advertise them.
“But for us, we have chosen to showcase to the world a vital and most needed item of service,” he said.
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UPDATED: Police Arrest Adeyemi Over Alleged False Claim as PFIPC Director-General in Osun
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Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in Osun State.
Adeyemi, who had been the subject of an intensive manhunt by security agencies, was apprehended following intelligence-led operations weeks after investigations into allegations about the purported federal agency’s activities.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, the suspect was arrested without incident by a team of IRT operatives and has been moved into police custody for further interrogation.
He confirmed the arrest while speaking to our correspondent in Abuja.
His arrest followed days of coordinated efforts by security operatives, who had earlier raided his family residence while tracking his whereabouts. Reports indicated that investigators questioned his family members during the search for the suspect.
Adeyemi came into national prominence after controversy erupted over the operations of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organisation widely described by government officials as having no legal backing or official recognition.
The controversy deepened following allegations that the suspect claimed close links with top government officials and allegedly used the platform to project influence in government circles.
Oyo police rescue abducted farmer after joint security operation
The matter also generated public attention after claims surfaced that huge sums of money were exchanged in connection with promises of government appointments. Those allegations remain under investigation and have not been proven in court.
The Presidency had earlier distanced itself from the activities of the organisation, while the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, denied any connection with the group or its activities, maintaining that neither the office nor the Presidency authorised the operations of the PFIPC.
Police investigators are expected to interrogate Adeyemi on the circumstances surrounding the establishment and operations of the organisation, the authenticity of documents allegedly used in its activities, and claims that some individuals were deceived into believing it was an official government body.
Investigators are also expected to determine whether other suspects were involved in the alleged scheme and whether additional offences, including impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, forgery and conspiracy, may have been committed.
As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue a detailed official statement on the arrest or announce possible charges against the suspect. Demographics
The arrest is, however, expected to advance investigations into one of the most controversial cases involving the alleged use of a non-existent government agency to project influence within the Presidency.
Adeyemi is expected to remain in police custody pending the conclusion of investigations and possible arraignment before a competent court.
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Breaking : Nigerian Soldiers Kill ISWAP Cameraman, Uncover Foreign Terrorist Network in Borno
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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an Islamic State West Africa Province cameraman and recovered video materials indicating the presence of three foreign facilitators, including a Palestinian Arab identified as a trainer and a Moroccan Arab serving as a medical doctor for the terrorist group in Borno State.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, the operational success was recorded on Saturday following a failed infiltration attempt by members of ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Goni said the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position and loot cholera medical supplies.
The statement read, “Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.
“The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre.”
The failed attack, he said, occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position.
“Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses,” Goni said.
According to him, the attempted looting further lends credence to recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports of the execution of some affected members by the group.
“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials.
“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded prior to the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators. They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” he added.
He said the presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals further reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.
“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses,” he added.
The Army spokesman said troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat items during the operation.
He further stated that initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal.
“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement,” he said.
According to him, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care, adding that both personnel remained in stable condition.
“The failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North East Theatre,” he said.
He added that the outcome underscored the increasing difficulty the terrorists faced in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action.
“Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North East,” he assured.
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BREAKING: Security Forces Rescue Kidnapped Pupils, Teachers in Oyo Forest Operation
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Eight kidnappers arrested
Ibadan, Oyo State – Nigerian security agencies have successfully rescued a group of kidnapped pupils and teachers following a coordinated operation in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Photos circulating after the operation show the rescued victims gathered in a rural forest location alongside security personnel shortly after they regained their freedom.
According to available information, the victims were abducted by suspected kidnappers before security operatives launched an intensive search-and-rescue mission. The operation, carried out through coordinated efforts by security agencies, led to the safe recovery of the pupils and their teachers.
The rescued victims have since been reunited with security officials and are expected to undergo medical examinations and trauma counselling before being reunited with their families.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether any arrests were made during the operation or if a ransom was paid. However, investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
The successful rescue has been welcomed by residents of the area, who commended the swift response of the security agencies while calling for increased security around schools and rural communities to prevent similar incidents.
The incident once again highlights the persistent security challenges facing some parts of the country, particularly the threat of school-related kidnappings, which have raised concerns among parents, educators, and community leaders.
Security agencies have assured the public that efforts are continuing to track down the perpetrators and strengthen measures aimed at protecting schools and vulnerable communities across the country.
Further official details are expected as the authorities provide updates on the operation.
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