News
Court Declares Felix Amadi Nyeweli Ogbogoro …Begins Contempt Proceeding Against Claimants
A Port Harcourt High Court in Rivers State presided over by Justice Adolpus Enebeli has declared Eze Felix Amadi as the duly recognised Nyewali and paramount ruler of Ogbogoro community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
With this pronouncement, the 14-year old litigation bordering on the rightful ownership and occupant of the ancient stool of Ogbogoro monarchy has been put to rest.
The court also adjudicated on the land dispute between the families of Owhor Dike of Ehiozu and Rumukpalikwu-Ada all in Ogbogoro community, and held that the five disputed lands situated in different locations within the area, belong to the defendants, the Rumukpalikwu-Ada family.
The court, therefore, in its ruling,made consequential orders perpetually restraining the claimants in the matter,or their privies from entering,trespassing,selling,partitioning or allotting to any person any part of the lands.
It also awarded the sum of N500,000 against the claimants in favour of the defendants.
Enebeli made the declaration while delivering judgement on two consolidated suits brought before the court in 2009 by Ehiozu family as claimants and Rumukpalikwu-Ada family of Ogbogoro community in OBALGA, yesterday in Port Harcourt.
The trial judge affirmed that the two families belonged to the royal family of Ogbogoro community, and always jointly present one Owhor title at Ogbogoro council of chiefs but were distinct and different in their inheritance.
He averred that Rumukpalikwu-Ada family was the most senior among the progenitors of the Ogbogoro royal family, adding that in Ikwerre tradition and customs, they were in the best position to occupy the kingship before their juniors.
Enebeli, therefore, declared Chief Felix Amadias the paramount ruler of Ogbogoro and head of Rumukpalikwu-Ada family, and his co-defendants in the matter as members of the family.
“Thereis no motion from the claimants asking for setting outside the coronation of Chief Felix Amadi in 2005 since the pendency of this matter and there is no other person coroneted as the paramount ruler.So, there will not be vacuum created in the community.I enjoin all of you to follow the part of peace and work with your monarch,the court is not a Father Christmas to give you what you did not bargain for”, he stated.
The judge, however, gave window for those who built on the disputed land before the institution of the matter in court to approach the family for renegotiation, just as he went further to declare that those who bought and developed properties in the disputed land during the pendency of the suit, are at the mercy of Chief Felix Amadiand members of his family.
Meanwhile, Justice AdolphusEnebeli has fixed March 2, 2022, to commence proceedings of contempt of court brought against Collins Ihunda, ClifordAmadiLetten, Maxwell and two others who are members of Ehiozu family over allegations of disobeying the orders of the court during the pendency of the matter.
They are standing trial for allegedly tampering,selling,partitioning and allotting the disputed lands even after the court had made an order restraining all the parties till the determination of the suit before it.
The trial judge warned that no court would be happy when people resort to self-help and disobey its orders.
He warned all the affected persons to ensure that they appear in court on the aforementioned date.
Speaking outside the courtroom, counsel to the defendants in the matter, Joseph Dents, declined comment on the judgement.
However, Emenike Eke, counsel to the defendants, commended the court, and described the judgement as justice for his clients.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.