The crisis rocking the Rivers State government got messier on Monday as the state Assembly reportedly signed an impeachment notice on Governor Siminalaye Fubara.

In a session that was presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Martins Amaewhule and attended by a good number of members, the Leader of the House, Hon Edison Ehie and those loyal to the governor were suspended.

It was gathered that the explosion that occurred in the Assembly on Sunday night was alleged to have been a ploy to stop the lawmakers from gaining access to the Assembly on Monday.

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As early as 7 am, some lawmakers made their way into the House and immediately commenced plenary where they all signed the impeachment notice on the governor.

Meanwhile, the entire Moscow Road leading to the Rivers State House of Assembly has been barricaded by armed policemen.

The crisis rocking Rivers State House of Assembly took another dimension on Monday as the house removed Edison Ehie as the majority leader.

Ehie, our reporter learnt, is a strong supporter of Governor Similanayi Fubara. He was said to have frustrated the initial attempt to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor.

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Announcing the removal of the majority leader at the Assembly sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, the speaker, Martins Amaehwule, said he was removed for not attending the assembly sitting.

Amaehwule said about 17 members of the House supported the removal of the house.

In the meantime, security agencies have taken over the entire complex of the Assembly.

Unknown arsonists set ablaze the chamber of the Assembly. The move our reporter learnt was aimed at staling the impeachment process against the governor, who has reportedly fallen out with his predecessor and current Minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Security has been beefed up at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.

This just as some youths stormed solidarity with Governor Simi Fubara, who is facing impeachment.

Rivers caught the spotlight on Sunday night when the chamber was set ablaze by unknown persons.

On Monday morning, the Majority Leader of the assembly, who is said to be a strong ally of the governor, was removed.

Governor Similanyi Fubara of Rivers has broken his silence on the crisis rocking the state.

Addressing some of his supporters at the assembly complex on Monday morning, the governor accused security agencies of compromise.

He spoke after Edie Edison, his strong ally, was removed as Majority Leader of the Rivers House of Assembly.

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The governor, who said he had committed no offence to warrant impeachment, asked those after him to come out openly.

He said, “From what I have seen the security agency is even compromised. They were shooting at me directly but it doesn’t matter, somebody will die one day.

“When people here ask who is this Fubara? He is that man that was killed for his struggle. I am not against anybody. I’m not planning anything against anybody that I don’t know where these things are coming from.

“Let it be put on record that whoever masterminded this is trying to shift… I heard some people gathered to do whatever. That is purely rubbish. You can’t sit when there is problem and say you are doing anything. What are you doing? I’m the chief security officer. I’m the head of the government… whatever action that is taken here is null and void. For our good people, I know you are prayerful. You have been praying for me. God will see us to the end.”

Fubara has reportedly fallen out with his predecessor and current Minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The chamber of Rivers State House of Assembly has been set ablaze.

The development comes amid rumour of the plan to impeach Governor Similanayi Fubara.

Sources said the arsonist gained entry into the chamber on Sunday night and set it ablaze.

Our reporter further learnt that the quick intervention of the men of fire service stopped the fire from spreading to the entire Assembly complex. Footage from the scene

Efforts made to speak with the Rivers State Police Command Public Relation Officer, SP Grace Iringe Koko was fruitless at the time of filing this report

Security was beefed up at the complex while firefighters battled to contain the inferno.

The National Industrial Court in Owerri has issued an extended interim injunction restraining organized Labour from embarking on any kind of strike in Imo state.

Both the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress were further ordered not to embark on OCCUPY IMO, as planned, until the next adjourned date.

The court warned against the disobedience of its order, saying that it would attract consequences.

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Justice N C S Ogbuanya gave the order after hearing the submissions of the Attorney General of Imo State, Barr C O C Akaolisa, who prayed the court to grant an extended interim order against the defendants given their fresh threat to embark on strike through occupy Imo.

The defendants are the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Secretary-General, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, and the Trade Union Congress and its secretary General, Comrade Nuhu Toro.

In the suit No NICN/ OW/41/2023, in which the Attorney General of Imo State and the Imo State Government are claimants/applicants, they prayed that since there is a subsisting order restraining the defendants from going on strike, the order should be extended.

Their argument was hinged on an affidavit by which the first defendant(NLC) by a letter dated 16th October, 2023 is currently mobilising its members from the South East and South South for a strike to occupy Imo from November 01,2023.

After hearing from both counsels in the suit, the court granted the order of extended interim injunction restraining the defendants from embarking on any strike in whatever guise.

” The Order of INTERIM INJUNCTION earlier granted against the defendants is hereby extended till the next adjourned date,” the court declared.

” Parties are hereby directed to be mindful of consequences of disobedience of extant court ordering the pending suit “, it further ordered.

The Court adjourned the matter to November, 03,2023 for either hearing or report of settlement.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is mourning the death of its National Women Leader, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe.

The party’s National Working Committee and indeed the PDP family said it is utterly devastated by her death which it said had robbed not only the party but the entire nation of one of its best and brightest.

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National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement in Abuja, on Sunday noted; “Our hearts bleed! Our Party and Nation have lost one of our best and brightest. Prof. Effah-Attoe’s death is a huge blow not only to her family but also to the PDP, the academic community, the people of Cross River State, and indeed the Nation.

“Prof. Effah-Attoe was very brilliant, towering and magnificent in all spheres, but yet lived an exceptionally humble, pleasant, sociable, gracious, compassionate, and loving life.

“She touched lives in many positive ways and made pivotal contributions towards the growth and development of our Nation.

“She was a dedicated teacher, politician, author and fearless mobilizer who always stood for the truth; fought for justice, equity, and fairness and gave her energy, passion, and resources in the pursuit of the rights of women in Nigeria.

“Over the years, as Commissioner for Education and later Commissioner for Information and Culture in Cross River State, member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, member of Governing Board of several Cross River State and Federal Government Agencies and Programmes; a University Professor and one of the most decorated scholars in Nigeria, she distinguished herself as an amazon with extraordinary intellectual capacity for leadership and national service.

“As the National Woman Leader of our great Party, she brought in an uncommon intellectual aptitude into Party administration especially in mobilizing women for greater participation in politics and governance.

“The PDP will always remember her tireless contributions alongside other PDP leaders in the effort to rebrand and strengthen our great Party in the build-up to the 2023 general elections in line with the mission to rescue, rebuild, and redirect our nation from misrule.”

The party further said, “Prof Effah-Attoe’s death has left a huge vacuum in our Party but we take solace in the fact that she lived a devout Christian life, triumphed in her chosen path, and left indelible marks in the service of the Nation and humanity.

“The PDP commiserates with her immediate family, the people of Ikun in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State, the Academic Community, the Cross River State Chapter of the PDP, and the people of Cross River State.

“Our Party prays to God to grant us all the fortitude to bear the loss; and to the faithful departed, an eternal rest in His bosom.”

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has been charged with forgery.

Mr Ododo is facing a criminal trial for alleged forgery of some of the documents he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) A copy of the suit obtained by Daily Gazette 

Ododo is accused of falsifying his credentials and declaration of age, according to court documents obtained by SaharaReporters.

He is also accused of forging his putative father’s signature on the declaration of age document, whose dates show Saturday and Sunday, considered work-free days for judicial workers in Nigeria.

Ododo could face up to 14 years in prison if found guilty. It could also ruin his campaign. It is also expected to exacerbate divides within the APC in the state since the complainants are in the same party as the candidate, making the party’s victory in the governorship race more challenging.

The APC leadership has yet to respond to the allegations levelled against Ododo.

A document dated October 27, 2023, shows that the suit was filed before the Chief Magistrate Court of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in accordance with section 89 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 which demanded a direct summons to be issued against Ododo.

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd complainants are Abdul Ibrahim, Israel Tochukwu and Husseini Odaudu respectively while Ododo is the defendant.

The particulars of complaint are as follows: “That the 1st complainant is a business man and a member of the All Progressives Congress who resides in Lokoja.

“That the 2nd Complainant is a business man and a member of the All Progressives Congress who resides in Lokoja.

“That the 3rd Complainant is a business man, Farmer and a member of the All Progressives Congress who resides in Lokoja.

“That the Defendant is a governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the upcoming Kogi State governorship election slated for 11 November, 2023.

“That the Complainants state that the Defendant submitted Fake/Forged declaration of age contained in his Form EC9 to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Headquarters in Abuja in aid of qualifying him to contest the next governorship election of Kogi State 2023.

“The Complainants’ state that the said declaration of age was deposed to by one Usman Ododo, on the 2/8/2003 which was on a Saturday when no judicial workers works or Court operates.

“The Complainants state that the said declaration of age was signed by the Defendant Usman Ahmed Ododo, himself instead of the declarant Usman Ododo.

“The Complainants state that the signature of the declarant appended on the said declaration of age is the same signature appended on the form EC9 Usman Ahmed Ododo, and resignation letter of Usman Ahmed Ododowithdrawing from the services of Kogi Auditor General for local government.

“The Complainants state that the Defendant also submitted a fake/forged BSc Certificate in Accounting (Forensic) allegedly obtained in 2014 from the Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State.

“That as at 2014 when the Defendant claimed to have graduated from the school, Accounting as a course was yet to be Accredited by the National Universities Commission

“That the Accreditation of Accounting in the school was done in 2017, three years after the Defendant claimed to have graduated.

“That no University in Nigeria can graduate any student without the National Universities Commission’s approval.”

Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, Ebonyi State Governor, has emphasised the importance of maintaining professional integrity within the judiciary at all times during a dinner held at the banquet hall of the old government house in Abakaliki.

The dinner was organised to honour members of the state judiciary, marking the commencement of their 2023–2024 legal year.

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Nwifuru urged members of the judiciary to engage in self-evaluation to gauge their performance in their roles. He stated that self-assessment is essential in any professional pursuit.

The Governor expressed his impartiality towards the praise and commendations he receives from various individuals in the state, including his appointees and supporters.

He assessed his five-month tenure as Governor and acknowledged that there’s more to be done for the state’s progress.

He reaffirmed his commitment to delivering greater democratic dividends to the people of Ebonyi State, emphasising that his government is devoted to serving the state.

He specifically advised the judiciary not to allow anyone to compromise their professional standards, emphasising the importance of maintaining integrity while carrying out their duties.

“As we approach the completion of five months in office by October 29th, there’s still much more to be accomplished.

I am determined to ensure that Ebonyi State receives further dividends of democracy. I urge self-reflection, for it’s crucial in assessing our actions.

The duty of people in office is often to praise; thus, it’s vital to observe and evaluate our deeds to align them with society’s needs,” Governor Nwifuru stated.

The Governor acknowledged the invaluable service and sacrifices made by the judiciary for both the state and the nation, expressing gratitude for their commitment.

“I commend our esteemed judiciary; their service is pivotal. I’ve tested the grounds and know the demanding nature of your roles,” he added.

The Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered full enforcement of the Gunshot Victims Act 2017.

According to a statement issued by Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP told all medical practitioners in Nigeria to provide prompt and compassionate treatment to all victims of gunshot and accident, irrespective of the presence or absence of a police report.

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“The IGP’s decision comes as a response to the relentless outcry from concerned citizens and the broader community, highlighting the tragic consequences of delays in treating these victims. The IGP underscores the moral duty and responsibility of medical practitioners to uphold the sanctity of life and provide life-saving care to those in need aiming to bridge the gap between law enforcement agencies and healthcare providers, facilitating a more efficient and compassionate response to emergency situations, and curbing crimes by fulfilling their obligation to invite the Police for assessment while treatment is ongoing.

“The Inspector-General calls on all medical institutions and professionals to adhere to these directives and fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies when necessary, emphasizing the paramount importance of saving lives and promoting a safer and healthier society.

“The Nigeria Police will collaborate with all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, particularly the Federal Ministry of Health for the full enforcement of the provisions of the Act,” he stated.