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Appeal Court Berates Justice Abang …Proclaims Ikpeazu Abia Gov
The Court of Appeal in Abuja, yesterday, berated Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja over his refusal to hands-off the suit that led to the removal of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.
The appellate court held that Justice Abang “placed the law on its head”, when he declined to suspend further proceeding on the matter, having been notified that an appeal had already been lodged against an interlocutory ruling he delivered on July 8.
A five-man panel of justices of the appellate court, led by Justice Morenike Ogunwumiju, equally faulted Justice Abang for “over- reaching his powers”, by wrongly interpreting the Appeal Court Rules.
Ikpeazu had, in his first appeal marked CS/S/390B/2016, urged the appellate court to determine whether Justice Abang was right to have proceeded with hearing and determining the suit against him, even when he was notified that the appellate court was already privy of the facts of the case.
He argued that Justice Abang was wrong to have gone ahead to interpret Order 4 Rules 10 & 11 of the Court of Appeal Act, after the record of appeal had been duly transmitted to the higher court.
He further maintained that the lower court ought to have suspended proceedings before it to abide by the decision of the appellate court.
Meantime, in a unanimous decision, the appellate court panel faulted Justice Abang for not according due respect to judicial hierarchy, saying he refused to tow the line of laid down precedents.
According to Justice Philomena Ekpe, who delivered the lead verdict: “It appears the lower court made somersault of the law. Once an appeal has been entered, there is, indeed, nothing to be heard or determined once the record of appeal has been transmitted.
“The lower court had no jurisdiction or business to interpret the rules of a higher court when the rules are clear and unambiguous. I am in agreement with the argument of learned counsel to the appellant that the trial lower court judge acted ultra-vires his powers”.
The appellate court held that Justice Abang placed the law on its head when he refused to hands-off the matter having been notified of the pendency of the appeal.
“Consequently, this appeal is meritorious, the decision of the lower court delivered on July 8, is hereby set aside, cost of N100, 000 is awarded in favour of the appellant”, the court held.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court that quashed the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu over the alleged presentation of fake tax papers.
The appeal court also awarded N100,000 cost to Ikpeazu.
Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court had delivered the judgement sacking Ikpeazu on 27 June.
He also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to issue certificate of return to Mr Uche Samson Ogah, who came second in the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just as he directed that he be sworn into office as governor of Abia State.
The judgement was the outcome of a protracted suit by some participants in the 2014 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abia State governorship primaries won by Ikpeazu which has not been accorded much attention by many.
The aspirants, who lost to Ikpeazu had gone to court to challenge the victory of the governor in that primary over allegations that the tax clearance certificate presented by him as required by law for gubernatorial contests was fraudulent.
The aggrieved aspirants alleged that Ikpeazu paid the three-year taxes which clearance papers he was required to include in the nomination form he submitted to INEC in one day to enable him qualify to contest the governorship election of the state.
The plaintiffs in the suit, Messrs Obasi Uba Ekagbara and Chukwuemeka Mba also contended that Ikpeazu was not eligible to contest PDP’s governorship primaries as ‘’he did not pay his taxes for 2011, 2012 and 2013 as at when due.’’
They backed up their allegation with documentary evidence to show that ‘’taxes allegedly paid for three years were paid on the same day,” a fact which they said vitiated the authenticity of the tax clearance certificate issued to Ikpeazu and his INEC ‘’Form CF100.’’
The governor did all he could to stop the hearing of the case, insisting that the suit should have been filed at state, rather than Federal High Court.
The Court of Appeal agreed with him that Federal High Court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case.
But the aggrieved aspirants went to Supreme Court.
The panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Muntaka-Coomassie, set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, and affirmed the competence of the Federal High Court to try the case.
The apex court consequently ordered that the case should be remitted back to the Federal High Court for an accelerated trial.
They backed their judgment up with an order to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria ‘’to ensure that the case is heard and determined expeditiously.’’
The Federal High Court reopened the case after the Supreme Court ruling.
After hearing arguments from all parties, the court delivered the unexpected judgment on Monday, 27 June.
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.
