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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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Nnamdi Kanu’s Radio Biafra paralyzed the economy of South east through the sit@home orders—-DSS

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The Department of State Services told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday that the broadcasts by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, directly contributed to economic paralysis in the South-East region.

The fourth prosecution witness, a DSS operative codenamed Mr DDD for security reasons, testified before Justice James Omotosho, led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).

Mr DDD, in his testimony, said Kanu’s broadcasts incited the enforcement of IPOB’s sit-at-home order through its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network.

“From my investigation, the defendant’s broadcasts directly contributed to economic paralysis in the South-East, as they fuelled the enforcement of IPOB’s sit-at-home order,”

 

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Chuba Okadigbo international airport in Ebonyi commenced full flight operations Today

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Commercial flight operations at the Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke, have commenced following successful rehabilitation of its runway and six months of charter test flights.

Few days ago ‎the Commissioner for Aviation and Technology, Dr. Ngozi Obichukwu, revealed that United Nigeria Airlines will commence scheduled commercial flights from June 13, offering routes from Onueke to Abuja and Lagos and today that became a reality as first commercial flight has landed at the airport

‎For now operations will run twice a week—Abuja flights on Mondays and Lagos flights on Fridays.

‎ the commissioner for aviation in Ebonyi state, has stated that Honourable governor of Ebonyi Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru, has made air travel affordable by subsidizing ticket prices to a flat rate of ₦100,000 for both Lagos and Abuja routes—less than half the typical fare,” Dr. Obichukwu stated.

‎The commissioner emphasized that Ebonyi State is set to leverage the airport’s cargo facilities for international export of agricultural produce and solid minerals, including yams, rice, cassava, salt, and limestone.

“We are in talks with partners from Dubai and Canada to establish cargo flight arrangements. Ebonyi is ready for global trade,”

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Explosions in Tel Aviv as Iran launches major missile attacks on Israel

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Iran has fired hundreds of various ballistic missiles towards Israel.

Iran described it as the beginning of its “crushing response” to Israeli attacks on the country on Friday.

The development comes after Ekwutosblog reported that Israeli military carried out dozens of airstrikes on Iran.

 

Many media outlets report that smoke could be seen rising from Tel Aviv, and explosions were heard in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem following the retaliation from Iran.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces, IDF, have confirmed that Iran launched major ballistic missiles against Israel.

IDF said defence systems were actively intercepting the threat.

Authorities in Israel have issued an urgent directive to all civilians to enter a protected space immediately and remain there until further notice.

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