News

Lawyer Sues Buhari Over CJN’s Non-Confirmation …NASS Caucus Kicks

Published

9 years ago

February 1, 2017

A lawyer and rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, yesterday filed a suit seeking a restraining order on the appointment of a new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) other than Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Onnoghen, 67, Supreme Court Justice since 2015, from Cross River State, a 1977 Law graduate of the University of Ghana, Legon, and Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1978, was sworn in as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Muhammadu Buahri.
Joined as co-defendants in the suit are the Senate, the National Judicial Council, Justice Walter Onnoghen and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Adegboruwa asked the court to direct that the name of Justice Walter Onnoghen be forwarded forthwith to the Senate for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
He asked the court for an order of injunction restraining the appointment of another candidate for presentation to the Senate for the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, apart from Justice Walter Onnoghen.
The lawyer argued that Onnoghen was the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court who had been selected and recommended by the National Judicial Council.
Adegboruwa also asked the court to stop the Senate from accepting, deliberating upon or considering the nomination of any other candidate that may be forwarded to it, apart from Onnoghen.
The human rights activist also sought an order of injunction to restrain the National Judicial Council from entertaining any request to consider another candidate for the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Adegboruwa also prayed the court to direct Justice Walter Onnoghen to assume and take over the functions of the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, ’’until he is confirmed or attains the mandatory age of 70 years.’’
He further argued that it had never been the style of the executive to leave a vacuum in the highest judicial office of the land.
Adegboruwa stated that by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the President had no discretion in the choice of candidates to occupy the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, other than the person recommended by the National Judicial Council.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.
Meanwhile, worried over the delay in transmitting the name of Justice Samuel Walter Onnoghen to the Senate for confirmation as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), the Cross River State National Assembly Caucus has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, send the name without delay, or face unpredictable backlash.
According to the senators and members of House of Representatives from Cross River State, the continuous delay of President Buhari to forward Onnoghen’s name to the Senate for screening and subsequent confirmation without any lawful and constitutional cause, has brought the issue of the independence of the judiciary and security of tenure of judges to doubt and public discourse.
Addressing journalists, yesterday, on behalf of the 11 members of the caucus, Senator John Enoh (PDP-Cross River Central), explained that the appointment of Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria has become imperative against the backdrop that succession to the position has been based on merit and seniority.
The caucus added that the established order and convention has imbued the judiciary with a measure of stability and positioned it to play the critical role of dispensing justice immune to it undue influence of powerful vested interests.
They, therefore, urged the president to do the needful, and save Nigerians the agony of unnecessary instability and uncertainty in the judiciary.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.