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Rivers Assembly Walks Out PAMO Lawyers, Threatens Arrest Over Funds Probe
The Rivers State House of Assembly Ad-hoc Committee on Education has ordered the legal representatives of PAMO University of Medical Sciences out of its premises and warned that summoned officials who fail to appear in person could face arrest.
The confrontation occurred on Thursday as the committee commenced an investigation into the alleged mismanagement and lack of accountability surrounding funds disbursed to PAMO University by the Rivers State Government from 2017 to date.
The university’s legal representatives, led by Dr Chukwuma Austin Chinwo, Esq., of Amazing Partners, appeared before the committee to represent the institution and submit documents responding to the issues under investigation.
However, the committee reportedly insisted that the Vice-Chancellor of PAMO University must appear personally before it and rejected the lawyers’ attempt to submit correspondence on behalf of the institution.
The committee also directed that any official correspondence from the university should be channelled through the office of the Speaker of the House.
Speaking after the encounter, Chinwo said the university had made several attempts to submit its documents to the Assembly but that officials responsible for receiving correspondence had refused to accept them.
He said the legal team consequently decided to appear physically at the hearing with the documents in order to ensure that the university’s response was formally received.
According to him, the lawyers were nevertheless prevented from submitting the documents and were subsequently asked to leave the premises.
Chinwo said the legal team was also unable to obtain directions to the Speaker’s office before being ordered out.
“The relationship of PAMO University with the Rivers State Government is that they sponsor some students at the university, which is managed by the Ministry of Education,” he said.
He also questioned whether the Assembly’s investigative powers under Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution applied to PAMO University in the circumstances.
“The invitation of the client based on Section 128 of the Constitution, which gives the House of Assembly power to investigate for special reasons, does not affect our client, and that they should not appear,” Chinwo said.
The lawyer further alleged that the university had made repeated efforts to communicate with the Speaker’s office without success.
“We have sent letters on behalf of our clients to the Speaker, which they refused to accept. The letters have been sent to his WhatsApp, special private mail and our courier persons from Red Star Express, but they refused to accept,” he alleged.
Chinwo said the legal team had attended Thursday’s proceedings in good faith and with the intention of presenting the university’s documents.
“This morning, we represented our clients at the committee hearing, yet they walked us out and refused to receive the letter,” he said.
Assembly Summons Officials
The committee’s inquiry followed a summons issued earlier in the week directing the Vice-Chancellor of PAMO University, the Rivers State Accountant-General, the Commissioners for Education and Finance, as well as other relevant officials and agencies, to appear before it.
At Thursday’s sitting, however, the Vice-Chancellor, Commissioner for Finance and Accountant-General were absent.
The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee and Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol, expressed concern over their failure to attend the hearing.
Maol subsequently directed the absent officials to appear before the committee in person on Thursday, September 24.
He warned that the Assembly could invoke relevant constitutional provisions to compel their attendance if they failed to comply.
The Deputy Speaker specifically warned that a warrant of arrest could be invoked against the officials should they fail to honour the rescheduled summons.
A financial handover document from former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has resurfaced, showing that the state had a reported net balance of about N86.67 billion at the end of his administration in March 2014.
The document, dated March 17, 2014, was addressed by Obi to his successor, the late Governor Willie Obiano, and contained a summary of Anambra State’s financial position as of the close of business on March 14, 2014, which Obi described as the final working day of his administration.
The report was brought back into public attention on Wednesday by Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, amid renewed debate over the loans, liabilities and other financial obligations inherited by successive administrations in the state.
Breakdown of the Figures
According to the handover document, Obi reported N27 billion in local investments and US$156 million, valued at approximately N26.5 billion, in foreign currency investments.
The report also listed N28.17 billion in certified balances belonging to the state and its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
In addition, it included a N10 billion Federal Government-approved refund due to the state.
Together, the assets and funds listed in the report amounted to approximately N91.67 billion.
The document, however, also identified estimated liabilities of about N5 billion. These were said to cover March salaries, pensions, gratuities and approved certificates for projects that had already been executed.
After deducting the stated liabilities, the report arrived at a net balance of approximately N86.67 billion.
What Obi Said at Handover
In the covering letter accompanying the financial statement, Obi said the figures represented the financial position of Anambra State at the close of business on March 14, 2014.
He formally presented the document to Obiano as part of the transition process ahead of the change of administration.
The resurfacing of the report comes against the backdrop of a longstanding dispute over the financial position Obi left behind and the debts subsequently inherited by the Obiano administration and later governments.
Successive Anambra administrations have continued to deal with various financial obligations, including loans and commitments dating back to earlier administrations. The precise classification and responsibility for some of those obligations have remained subjects of political and public debate.
Obi has consistently rejected allegations that his administration left behind unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities or unpaid obligations to contractors for projects that had been duly executed and certified.
The former governor has also challenged those disputing his account of the state’s finances at the point of his departure to produce documentary evidence contradicting his position.
Why the Document Matters
The 2014 handover statement has now become a significant document in the continuing argument over Anambra’s finances at the end of Obi’s tenure.
Its figures provide a snapshot of the assets, available funds and estimated liabilities that Obi’s administration said existed as of March 14, 2014.
However, the document by itself does not resolve broader questions about loans, contractual commitments or other obligations that may have been recorded separately or inherited across different administrations.
The renewed attention on the report therefore reflects a larger debate over what Anambra inherited in 2014, what subsequent governments borrowed or committed, and how the state’s financial position evolved under successive administrations.
For now, the handover document remains one of the key records being cited in the continuing dispute over Obi’s financial legacy in Anambra State.
News
Nigeria Targets Bigger Nordic Investments as Ambassador Lola Akande Begins Sweden Mission(Photos)
Nigeria has moved to strengthen its economic, trade, investment and innovation partnerships with Sweden and other Nordic countries following the formal presentation of Letters of Credence by Ambassador Lola Akande to King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.
The ceremony in Stockholm formally marked the beginning of Akande’s diplomatic tenure in Sweden. She is also concurrently accredited to Denmark, Finland and Norway, giving her a broad mandate to advance Nigeria’s interests across the Nordic region.
Speaking at a Vin d’Honneur held at the Ambassador’s Residence in Stockholm after the credentialing ceremony, Akande expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for entrusting her with the responsibility of representing Nigeria abroad.
She also thanked the Swedish government and people for their warm reception, pledging to pursue a close, constructive and results-driven relationship between Nigeria and Sweden.
“The challenges and opportunities before our nations require purposeful partnership,” Akande said.
“Nigeria stands ready to work closely with the Government of Sweden, our fellow African missions and Nordic partners to advance shared priorities in trade, investment, innovation, sustainable development, peace and security.”
The ambassador stressed the importance of stronger cooperation between Nigeria and the Nordic countries, particularly in areas capable of driving economic growth, technology transfer, innovation and sustainable development.
She also acknowledged Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the African diplomatic group, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Embassy of Nigeria officials and the Nigerian community in Sweden for their support.
Akande further emphasised the importance of African unity and collective action, saying sustainable development would be better achieved through collaboration, mutual respect and practical partnerships.
She is expected to present her Letters of Credence in Denmark, Finland and Norway in the coming weeks, opening further avenues for Nigeria to deepen its economic and institutional engagement across the Nordic region.
NNBA Backs Stronger Nigeria-Nordic Economic Engagement
The Nigeria Nordic Business Alliance (NNBA), led by its Director-General, Sir Victor Walsh Oluwafemi, KJW, welcomed the ambassador’s credentialing as an opportunity to expand structured private-sector and institutional cooperation between Nigeria and the Nordic countries.
According to the Alliance, its role is to facilitate two-way access between Nigerian and Nordic investors, businesses and institutions while supporting practical partnerships in key sectors.
These include trade and investment, technology, innovation, skills development, infrastructure, maritime development and media collaboration.
The NNBA said it would work to translate the longstanding goodwill between Nigeria and the Nordic countries into concrete and measurable opportunities for businesses, institutions and communities on both sides.
The development comes as Nigeria seeks to deepen international economic partnerships, attract investment and expand opportunities for Nigerian businesses in strategic global markets.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has received with sadness the death of another senior member of the Council, Comrade Mike Odiakose, who passed away earlier today Thursday 17,2026 after an illness.
Odiakose was a respected journalist and senior member of the NUJ FCT Council who dedicated his career to ethical journalism, particularly in reporting political events in the country.
Until his death, Odiakose worked with the Nigerian Observer, Nigerian Pilot and
Daily Asset newspapers, where he made tremendous contributions to the journalism profession.
He hailed from Umunode in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State and is survived by his wife and four children.
His death is a painful loss to the profession, coming at a time when the Council is still mourning the passing of its former Chairman.
His departure has left a void that will be deeply felt by his colleagues, friends and loved ones.
The NUJ FCT Council extends its heartfelt condolences to the Odiakose family, colleagues, friends and associates. We pray that God will grant the family the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
The Council will communicate further details regarding funeral arrangements as they become available.
May the soul of Comrade Mike Odiakose rest in perfect peace.
Comrade Jide Oyekunle
Secretary
NUJ FCT Council
Obi’s 2014 Handover Report Puts Anambra’s Net Balance at N86.67bn
Nigeria Targets Bigger Nordic Investments as Ambassador Lola Akande Begins Sweden Mission(Photos)
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