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The High Court of Justice, Delta State, Otor-Udu Judicial Division, sitting at Otor-Udu, has upheld the conviction of four persons — Darlington Erhiejakpor, Dr. David Emomotimi, Alex Oyibo and Jemiriyeigbe Oluwoni, over offences bordering on conspiracy and obstruction of court officers in the execution of a judgment.

The decision was contained in the judgment delivered in Criminal Appeal No. OUHC/1CA/2025 by Justice T. O. Uloho (Mrs.).

The court affirmed the convictions and sentences imposed on the appellants on Counts I and II, holding that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt and that the findings of the trial Chief Magistrate were supported by the evidence before the court.

On the conspiracy charge, the appellate court held that the evidence established a common “criminal design” among the defendants in relation to the obstruction of officers of the Area Customary Court during the execution of its judgment.

The court also upheld the trial court’s reasoning that the success of the substantive charge of obstructing officers of the court necessarily supported the conspiracy count.

The judgment stressed the importance of respecting the authority of the judiciary and ensuring that duly issued court judgments are allowed to be executed in accordance with the law.

According to the court, parties dissatisfied with a judgment are expected to pursue available legal remedies rather than resort to self-help or obstruct the lawful execution of judicial decisions.

The judgment therefore affirmed the convictions and sentences of the four appellants on Counts I and II.

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, says the people of Rivers State will choose President Bola Tinubu over the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Rotimi Amaechi, in the 2027 election.

Speaking on Saturday in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Wike recalled that Amaechi chose former President Muhammadu Buhari over then-President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

According to him, Amaechi did nothing for the people of Rivers State while serving as Minister of Transportation.

He accused the former Rivers State governor of taking the University of Transportation to Daura in Katsina State at the expense of his home state.

“In 2014, Amaechi defined who a brother is. Other speakers didn’t want to call his name. Well, I have the capacity to call his name all the time.

“Amaechi defined a brother as one who identifies with us in terms of problems. He said brotherhood is not blood relation. So, we are going to copy that definition for the 2027 presidential election.

“Amaechi said Jonathan never cared for us and that Buhari was our brother because he would identify with us. If that’s the case, he now wants to run for Vice President.

“When he was minister, what did he do for us? Rather, he took the transportation university to Daura in Katsina State, thinking that it would make him president. Did they make him president?

“Now, Asiwaju has identified with us. Our sons are now Vice Chancellors of the University of Port Harcourt and the newly established University of Environment, which Amaechi denied us.

“That means Tinubu is our brother, and we have adopted him as our brother. So, we are going to follow Amaechi’s definition and vote President Tinubu over him and the ADC,” Wike said.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been accused by a United States-based political advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, of allegedly working to influence the outcome of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.

The firm made the allegation in a statement published on its verified X account on Saturday.

It claimed that the Tinubu administration was using state institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, to weaken opposition parties ahead of the election.

The firm also alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was being used to target political opponents of the President.

According to the organisation, the alleged actions formed part of a wider effort to restrict opposition politicians and create an uneven political environment before the 2027 presidential poll.

“We have made it clear to members of the US President Trump Administration and the Congress that Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is actively working to rig the upcoming Nigerian presidential election.

“It is in the interests of the US for Nigeria to undergo a free and fair election, and all persons and organizations seeking to disrupt the process should be held accountable,” the firm stated.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to contest the election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has emerged as one of the major opposition figures challenging Tinubu.

Von Batten-Montague-York has been working with Atiku under a 12-month agreement reportedly valued at $1.2 million.

Documents filed with the United States Department of Justice show that the arrangement covers government affairs, strategic advisory services and efforts to strengthen Atiku’s standing within American policy circles.

The firm has since become increasingly vocal about developments in Nigeria, particularly issues concerning the 2027 election and the treatment of opposition politicians.

In its latest statement, the organisation focused on an alleged move involving the EFCC and Atiku.

The US firm said it had already raised concerns about Nigeria with officials in the administration of US President Donald Trump and members of the US Congress.

It maintained that Washington was paying attention to Nigeria’s electoral process and suggested that alleged attempts to manipulate the 2027 election could attract international scrutiny.

However, the allegations have not been independently established as fact. They represent the position of the lobbying firm, which has a contractual relationship with Atiku.

The firm has also previously threatened to recommend sanctions against Nigerian electoral officials and politicians accused of interfering with the electoral process.

In April 2026, it said individuals involved in manipulating elections could be brought to the attention of the US administration and Congress for possible measures, including travel restrictions and asset freezes.

In a related development, the Presidency had earlier rejected allegations coming from Von Batten-Montague-York, describing the firm’s claims against Tinubu as politically motivated.

On September 1, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, dismissed reports emanating from the Washington-based firm concerning Tinubu and alleged US intelligence findings.

Dare said the reports were being used as part of a political campaign ahead of the 2027 election.

He linked the activities of the firm to Atiku’s engagement of the organisation and questioned the suggestion that its statements represented the official position of the United States government.

“The incendiary press releases being carefully churned out from Washington are public relations propaganda sheets passed off as the view of the U.S. Government. They are not,” Dare said.

The presidential aide challenged those behind the allegations to publish documentary evidence supporting claims about alleged US intelligence reports concerning Tinubu.

He also pointed to Atiku’s reported $1.2 million, 12-month agreement with Von Batten-Montague-York, arguing that the firm’s activities should be viewed in the context of the former vice president’s political contest with Tinubu.

The Presidency has maintained that the lobbying firm’s activities do not amount to an official position of the US government.