The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to hear a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding one of the properties it seized from former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, due to the Commission’s failure to comply with an earlier court order.

Presiding over the matter, Justice Musa Liman criticized the EFCC for defying the court’s May 16 order, which instructed the agency to vacate House 6, Aso Drive, Asokoro, Abuja, and allow the property’s occupant, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, access to it. Instead of obeying the directive, the EFCC returned to court seeking a stay of the order pending an appeal.

Justice Liman described the EFCC’s action as disrespectful and warned that the court would not entertain further applications from the agency until it complies with the existing order.

“The law is no respecter of any person. If order of the court can be treated with disdain by an agency of the government, then there will be nothing left, but for persons to take law into their own hands,” the judge said.

He emphasized that allowing such disobedience threatens the foundation of the rule of law.

“Disobedience to a court order is injurious to the rule of law and can lead to anarchy. Where a party has refused to obey court order, the court cannot exercise discretion in favour of such a party.

“Therefore, this court will deny the applicant (EFCC) further audience till it purge itself of the contempt,” he added.

The May 16 ruling remains valid, ensuring that High Chief Emenike is entitled to remain in the property.

In addition to rejecting EFCC’s request for a stay of execution, the court granted an application for substituted service of court papers on EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and agency counsel Francis Usani in an ongoing contempt case.

The contempt motion, filed by Emenike’s lawyer Obi Nwakor, seeks to hold both men accountable for obstructing the enforcement of the court’s order.

In the motion, Nwakor urged the court:

“to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the EFCC Chairman and a lawyer that represented the agency in the case, Usani, for brazen and grievous acts of contempt of resisting and obstructing the Sheriffs of this court from the execution of orders of this honourable court in this suit, made on the 16th day of May 2025.”

The court was also asked to authorize the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to immediately arrest and detain the two EFCC officials.

“The court is also urged to issue an order of the court, directing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take the duo into custody with immediate effect for the purpose of bringing them before the court to show cause why they should not be committed to prison for brazen and grievous contempt of court.”

According to court filings, the EFCC obtained a final forfeiture order over the property in October 2023 and subsequently listed it for sale.

However, Emenike, the legal occupant at the time, obtained a ruling from a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, granting him the right of first refusal.

Despite that ruling, the EFCC allegedly disregarded the directive and forcefully evicted Emenike, claiming the property was now to be used as the residence for the Commission’s Chairman.

The case has been adjourned to allow time for proper service of the contempt proceedings and for the EFCC to comply with the court’s directive.

The Bayelsa State Police Command has pledged to safely recover Justice E.G. Umokoro, a judge of the State High Court, who was kidnapped by gunmen believed to have disguised themselves in police uniforms.

The judge was abducted on Saturday evening near the Ekeki Motor Park in Yenagoa, where the attackers fired multiple shots to create panic before whisking him away to an unknown location.

In an official statement released on Sunday through the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Commissioner of Police (CP) Francis Alonyenu reassured the public that security agencies are actively collaborating to track and rescue the judge.

Dismissing rumours that the kidnappers were genuine police officers, the CP clarified that the assailants were impostors.

Alonyenu said Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa had directed all security agencies to intensify their efforts in locating the judge and bringing the culprits to justice.

“The Bayelsa Police Command is fussing efforts with other security agencies and reviewing video clips related to the event with different digital footage,” he said.

According to him, law enforcement teams are utilizing advanced tools and detailed intelligence for crime mapping to support the ongoing rescue operations.

“We have well-formatted crime mapping sketches aiding ongoing law enforcement efforts being mustered in the rescue efforts,” he added.

The Commissioner emphasized that this unfortunate event should not erode public confidence in the state’s security personnel.

“Guarantees are herewith given that this singular incident should not orchestrate any mistrust between the Bayelsa Public and security forces within the state.

“The support of Sen. Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State and the good people of the state, have enhanced our capacity and determination to ensure that the Justice is rescued unhurt,” he stated.

He further noted that the police command has heightened security operations and reinforced its law enforcement strategies to resolve the situation swiftly.

“At this point, it is also essential to appeal to members of the public to desist from any attempt to obstruct or hinder ongoing measures put in place for the rescue of the Hon. Justice.

“We call on your support and understanding in this regard, please,” he concluded.

The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has officially inaugurated the Management Board for the Protection of State-owned Social Homes, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to caring for the vulnerable population within the state.

The newly formed Board is chaired by the state’s First Lady, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, with Prof. Christian Anieke, a Reverend Father, serving as co-Chairman.

Other key members include Rev. Canon Chibuike Okolo as Vice Chairman and Mrs. Ngozi Enih, Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, who represents the Ministry.

Additional members are Rev. Sr. Mary Gloria Iloka, Rev. Sr. Veritas Onyemelukwe, Pastor Elias Anyigbo, Mrs. Anna Igbokwe, and Barr. Chidinma Egeonu, while Barr. Uzoama Okeji was appointed as the Board’s Executive Secretary.

During the inauguration at the Government House in Enugu, Governor Mbah expressed the importance of inclusive growth, saying,

“Recall that even when we expressed a huge growth projection, we immediately added that we were going to also eradicate poverty, which means that we are always interested in our common humanity.”

“We know that as a people, we are only as good as our weakest link.
So, we cannot leave the vulnerable in our society out or behind. What we have pledged is an inclusive prosperity, inclusive economic growth and that growth and prosperity should be measured on how we treat those very vulnerable ones in our society.”

“That is why I am so excited that we have the sort of resources, a pool of people with great reputation, experience, and work ethics to serve on this Board.”

He further assured that his administration would provide all necessary resources to enable the Board to effectively manage the social homes.

“We are committed to making sure that we provide you with all the tools and funds you require to ensure that our people in these social homes live in comfort and dignity,” he emphasized.

Also addressing the Board, the First Lady urged members to begin work immediately and conduct their duties with integrity.

“I urge you all to be diligent, fair and transparent in discharging your duties. Discharge those duties in compliance with the law and take good care of our children,” she stated.

In a related development, Governor Mbah granted clemency to eleven inmates of correctional facilities in Enugu State.

This clemency move is aimed at reducing congestion in prisons while offering the beneficiaries a chance to reintegrate positively into society.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Victor Udeh, conveyed the names of the beneficiaries to the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh.

The beneficiaries include Ugochukwu Oma, Onah Nnamdi, Chiadikobi Onu, Emmanuel Sambo, Emeka Nyia, Ngene Oluebube, Francis Chinecherem, Eze Chigozie, Anthony Tombari, Francis Chibuzor, and Uzoma Nnaoche.

The Governor exercised his prerogative of mercy powers under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), following consultations with the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

The decision was based on reports highlighting proven character reform, ability to reintegrate into society, possession or acquisition of productive skills, and recommendations from both the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Advisory Council, chaired by the State Attorney-General.

The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy also includes members from the Nigerian Correctional Service, Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO), and the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), among other respected justice sector bodies.

Gunmen have reportedly hijacked a commercial bus belonging to Benue Links Transport Company along the Otukpo-Otukpa road, near Eke in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to eyewitness accounts, the attack occurred around 6:30 pm on Sunday.

The assailants, believed to be armed bandits, intercepted the fully-loaded vehicle and forced it off the road.

Sources told DAILY GAZETTE that the attackers robbed all the passengers before marching them into the surrounding bush under threat.

Security forces, acting on a distress alert reportedly raised by Comrade Austin Agada, Chairman of the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who passed by the scene shortly after the incident, have launched a search-and-rescue operation.

As of the time of filing this report, a combined team of security operatives is actively combing the area in a bid to locate and rescue the kidnapped victims.

Detail soon….

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has summoned key officials in connection with the violent assault on Goodluck Iheanachor, the Administrator of Ahoada East Local Government Area.

The officials summoned include the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Chief of Staff to the LG Administrator, following reports that they led the attack on Iheanachor.

The incident, which occurred on June 20, followed the circulation of a purported resignation letter allegedly signed by Iheanachor on social media.

Not long after, a video surfaced showing him surrounded by unidentified individuals, being physically assaulted and seemingly coerced into signing a document.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Rivers State Police Command condemned the attack, attributing it to a group of hoodlums reportedly led by officials working under the LG Administrator.

Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko explained the circumstances of the assault in the statement titled “Conspiracy/Violent Attack/Assault Occasioning Harm and Stealing: A Condemnable Act.”

“The Rivers State Police Command is aware and deeply disturbed by the heinous attack on the Administrator of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Hon. Goodluck Iheanachor,” the statement read.

“On 20th June 2025, at about 13:40hrs, a group of hoodlums numbering about thirty, led by Mr. Hector Ekakita, the Chief Security Officer and the Chief of Staff to the Administrator, respectively, stormed the council secretariat and attacked him. During the attack, the hoodlums assaulted the Sole Administrator, stole his mobile phones, forced him to sign a letter purporting his resignation, and carted away vital official and personal documents from his office.”

According to the police, Iheanachor sustained injuries during the attack and was hospitalised, though he is currently in stable condition and receiving medical attention.

“The Administrator is currently undergoing medical treatment due to the injuries sustained during the violent attack. He is in stable condition. The Rivers State Police Command unequivocally condemns this reprehensible act and has taken swift action.”

Commissioner Adepoju, who visited the scene of the incident along with leaders of sister security agencies, has directed the CSO, the Chief of Staff, and all others implicated to report to the State Police Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, for questioning.

“The CP further noted that the Command is resolute in its pursuit of justice and warned that failure to comply with this invitation will attract severe consequences,” the statement added.

The Commissioner also reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to maintaining law and order across the state.

Iringe-Koko urged the public to stay calm and cooperate with the police.

“Residents of the state are encouraged to remain calm, law-abiding, and to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and order,” she said.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that Iheanachor was one of the administrators appointed to oversee the 23 LGAs in Rivers State by the State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), shortly after taking office.

This development comes in the context of an ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, following a state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara after a series of attacks on oil facilities.