The Supreme Court of Nigeria has paved the way for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the tenure of former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, following the dismissal of appeals filed by the Attorney General of Rivers State and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

The ruling, delivered on Monday, March 10, 2025, by a five-member panel led by Justice John Okoro, upheld the Court of Appeal’s decision granting the EFCC permission to challenge a 2007 Federal High Court order that had shielded Odili from investigation.

The legal battle began in 2007 when Odili, who governed Rivers State from 1999 to 2007, obtained a perpetual injunction from the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, preventing the EFCC from probing his administration.

The injunction barred the commission from investigating, arresting, or prosecuting Odili and restricted any scrutiny of the state’s finances during his tenure.

Although the EFCC has fought to overturn the ruling since 2008, it had remained in place for nearly two decades.

In 2018, the Court of Appeal granted the EFCC leave to appeal the injunction, prompting the Rivers State Attorney General and the Speaker of the House of Assembly to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court.

During Monday’s hearing of the case marked SC/CV/318/2018, Justice Okoro questioned the nature of the appeal, describing it as interlocutory.

When the appellant’s counsel, S. A. Somiari (SAN), argued that the appeal sought to challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision to allow the EFCC’s appeal, Justice Okoro advised the parties to first exhaust the appellate process before approaching the Supreme Court.

Following the court’s stance, Somiari applied to withdraw the appeal, which was unopposed by the EFCC’s legal team, led by Abubakar Mahmud (SAN), Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), and B. O. Obialo. Justice Okoro subsequently dismissed the appeal, stating, “The appeal is dismissed, having been withdrawn without any objection.”

A separate appeal filed by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, marked SC/CV/447/2018, was also dismissed on similar grounds.

Former Governor of Sokoto State and one-time presidential candidate, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, has denied reports that he has joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Speaking through his media aide, Dr. Abubakar Umar, on Tuesday in Sokoto, Bafarawa dismissed the claim as false and misleading.

He emphasized that he remains inactive in politics, having previously stepped away from partisan engagements.

“I have not granted any media interview, nor am I in consultation with any group regarding this matter,” Bafarawa stated.

He urged journalists to verify information before publication and revealed that he and his associates are investigating the source of the false reports.

The former governor also used the opportunity to remind the public of the significance of Ramadan, stressing that the holy month should be a time for gratitude, charity, and helping the less privileged, rather than spreading rumors.

“This is a season for sharing food, not spreading falsehoods,” he said.

The Leader of the Udenu Local Government Legislative Council in Enugu State, Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Odoh, has been impeached by his fellow councillors.

Odoh, who represented Amalla Ward, was removed from office over undisclosed issues, leading to a shake-up in the council’s leadership.

Following his impeachment, Patrick Ugwu was elected and sworn in as the new Leader of the Udenu Legislative Council.

Details surrounding Odoh’s impeachment remain unclear, as no official statement has been issued regarding the reasons for his removal.

The Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, has nullified the convention of the Action Alliance (AA) organized by Mr. Kenneth Udeze and reaffirmed Hon. Adekunle Rufai Omoaje as the party’s legitimate National Chairman.

In its ruling, the court declared that the only recognized convention of the party was the one held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, which produced Omoaje as the National Chairman.

Justice Funmilola Dem-Ajayi, who delivered the judgment, granted all reliefs sought by Omoaje and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize him as the authentic leader of the party.

The court further affirmed that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance, constituted on October 7, 2023, under Omoaje’s leadership, remains the lawful governing body of the party.

It also ruled that the party’s official secretariat is located at Plot 955, No. 17, Femi Otedola Crescent, off Seventh Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, warning that any attempt to operate from an unauthorized location would be deemed unlawful.

Additionally, the court declared all congresses and conventions organized by Kenneth Udeze as illegal, null, and void.

Reacting to the judgment, Omoaje called on INEC, security agencies, and relevant authorities to enforce the ruling and uphold the rule of law.

He reassured party members of his commitment to strengthening democracy, good governance, and national development under his leadership.

Lawmakers in the Lagos State House of Assembly have dismissed speculations that they are planning to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Labour Party or any other political group.

Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, Mr. Stephen Ogundipe, in a statement on Tuesday, debunked the rumors, describing them as baseless fabrications meant to cause unnecessary tension.

He noted that reports circulating online claim that 25 members of the Assembly are preparing to dump the APC, following a similar allegation during the recent leadership crisis, which falsely suggested that 27 lawmakers were planning to defect to the Labour Party.

“That claim was unequivocally refuted, with members reaffirming their commitment to the APC and confidence in the party’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms,” Ogundipe stated.

He assured that no APC lawmaker in the Assembly is contemplating defection, emphasizing that while challenges exist, they would be resolved democratically and in accordance with party principles.

“The leadership of our party is actively addressing all concerns, and any lingering issues will be resolved amicably,” he added.

Ogundipe urged the public to ignore misleading reports aimed at destabilizing the political atmosphere.

He also reaffirmed the lawmakers’ loyalty to APC’s national leader and President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The Lagos State House of Assembly remains committed to its legislative mandate, focusing on enacting laws and policies that drive the development of Lagos State,” he concluded.