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Rivers: Sole administrator locked in legal battle with sacked members of civil service commission

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The chairman and members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, appointed by the suspended state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, have dragged the Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, and others to court over their suspension.

The claimants, Reverend Goodlife Iduoku Ben, Amadi Christian Echele, Chimenim Wisdom Jerome and three others, are challenging what they described as their illegal removal by the sole administrator.

They contend that they were legally appointed and confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and that, before they were issued letters of appointment by the governor, records of their confirmation were with the Clerk of the House.

According to an affidavit signed by the suspended chairman, Ben, the claimants insist that the sole administrator lacks the legal power to suspend them and appoint a new chairman and members of the commission.

Ekwutosblog reports that when the matter came up for hearing on Thursday, the legal team of the sole administrator, comprising about five Senior Advocates of Nigeria, filed their defence, along with a notice of preliminary objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the Rivers State High Court to hear and determine the matter.

They are also contending that, by the combined provisions of the Emergency Powers Act, 1961 and the Emergency Powers (Jurisdiction) Act, 1962, the proper court for such matters is the Federal Supreme Court, which they argued has since been modified by regulation of the President to what is now known as the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

 

The legal team of the state’s sole administrator also relied heavily on the aforementioned legislations to argue, in their defence of the substantive suit, that the administrator derives his powers to suspend and make appointments from those laws.

However, the claimants’ legal team, in their response, insisted that both the 1961 and 1962 Acts relied upon by the defence are obsolete, stating that under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN), those laws are considered spent and are clearly listed as such in the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004.

Presiding Judge, Justice Frank Onyiri, thereafter adjourned the case to the 17th of June, 2025, for the adoption of all processes.

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EFCC evicts Malami from Abuja home amid forfeiture dispute

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Former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami says Economic and Financial Crimes Commission operatives forcefully evicted him and his family from their Abuja residence despite ongoing court proceedings over the property’s forfeiture.
He described the action as unlawful and vowed to challenge it in court.

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Fuel price hike: Gov Makinde announces N10,000 transport support for workers

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The governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance as a palliative for the state workforce to cushion the effects of the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, Kayode Martins, in a statement released on Monday, March 23, disclosed that the governor has granted the request of the union on the issue of transportation allowance.

The statement read

“Following the intervention and formal request made by the State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) earlier this morning, the state government has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance for all workers in the state.

The newly approved allowance is set to take effect from April 2026, providing much-needed relief to workers grappling with rising transportation costs amid current economic challenges.

This development comes as a direct response to sustained advocacy by the state NLC, aimed at cushioning the impact of increased living expenses on the workforce.

Further details on implementation are expected to be communicated by the relevant government authorities in due course.”

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Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation bags 72years imprisonment for diverting N868.46 million security funds

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Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, March 23, convicted and sentenced Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), to a 72-year jail term without an option of fine.

DailyTrust reports that in the judgment delivered, Justice Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been able to prove the nine-count money laundering charge beyond reasonable doubt.

According to the judge, the defendant is hereby convicted as charged.

Justice Omotosho convicted Nwabuoku in all the nine counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment in each of the counts, making 72 years.

The judge, however, ordered that the counts shall run concurrently.

Justice Omotosho, who described Nwabuoku’s act of diverting funds meant for security and defence while he served as Director of Finance and Account in the Ministry of Defence as “appalling,” commended the EFCC for being detailed in its prosecution.

The judge observed that the evidence of the 9th prosecution witness that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded part of the siphoned money of over N200 million during investigation was not controverted by the defence.

Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. He became acting Accountant General of the Federation in May 2022.

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