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Court declines request to stop NASS from approving Rivers’ appointments, budgets

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a motion for an order to restrain the National Assembly from further engaging in any legislative activities including approving appointments or budgets of Rivers State Government under the current Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd).

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling yesterday, held that the court could not grant the relief sought because the action the applicants intended to stop had been completed.

Justice Omotosho noted that the main action that the plaintiffs were trying to restrain was to stop the defendants from passing the budget laid before the Senate by the administrator of Rivers State.

He held that the court was aware that the Senate, on June 25, passed the budget of Rivers State submitted by the administrator.

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The judge held that the implication was that the act sought to be restrained is a completed one and proceeded to dismiss it.

Justice Omotosho also held that some of the issues raised in the motion on notice are contained in the substantive suit, which would be better determined when the main suit is being decided.

The judge adjourned till October 20 for the hearing of the substantive suit.

The ruling was on the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1190/2025 instituted by some indigenes of River State and a group, the Registered Trustees of Hope Africa Foundation.

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Other plaintiffs are King Oziwe Amba, Chief Julius Bulous, Chief George Ikeme, Chief Amachelu Orlu and Prince Odioha Wembe.

Listed as defendants in the suit are the National Assembly and Clerk of the National Assembly.

Arguing the motion on July 9, plaintiffs’ lawyer, Ambrose Owuru prayed the court to restrain the defendants from further acting on any requests from the emergency government in Rivers State pending the determination of the substantive suit, challenging the legality of the state of emergency declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu.

Owuru contended that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is without the required legislative approval because the voice votes adopted by the National Assembly in approving the emergency rule was unconstitutional.

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The plaintiffs stated in a supporting affidavit that since they filed the suit, the activities of the respondents “have centred on approvals of illegal appointments and budget made and forwarded by the illegal administrator foisted on the applicants Rivers State in the midst of protests and rising restiveness in the state.

“The respondents, in spite of all the illegality and unconstitutionality of the foisted state of emergency on Rivers State outside the clear provisions of the 1999 constitution prohibiting state the emergency any part of the federating unit unless the governor of the state is aware and had failed to invite or request for such within a reasonable time, the respondents have engaged in constituting committees to run and spend funds of the applicants Rivers State.

“Unless this honorable court grants this application, the defendants/respondents will continue in the illegalities and unconstitutionality of their invented ‘voice votes’ in place of the actual constitutionally approved two third votes to support the state of emergency in  Rivers State to engage in sheer political vendetta and promote political dispute and disorderliness among the citizens and Nigeria as a whole.

“The grant of this application will protect and preserve the applicants legal rights to be governed by an elected government of their choice in the present democratic setting in Nigeria,” the plaintiffs said.

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In his counter argument, lawyer to the National Assembly and its Clerk, Mohammed Galadima urged the court to reject the motion for interlocutory injunction, arguing that it is without merit.

The National Assembly and its Clerk stated, in a supporting affidavit, that the facts deposed to in the plaintiffs’ supporting affidavit to the motion “are contrived falsehood and calculated misrepresentation of the facts as they occurred.”

They argued that there has never been any illegality in their actions and that there is no breach of the Constitution as alleged by the applicants/plaintiffs.

The defendants also faulted the plaintiffs’ claim that the emergency rule was a violation of their fundamental rights to be governed by a democratically elected government.

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The National Assembly and its Clerk said they would be seriously prejudiced by the grant of the motion as it will create pandemonium and confusion in governance Rivers State.

They added that the grant of the motion will not be in the interest of justice.

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Kogi varsity expels two students over gay practice, rusticates four for fighting

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The Management of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, has expelled two students for alleged involvement in gay practice and rusticated four others for one academic session over a campus fight.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the university’s Information and Protocol Unit, the sanctions were ratified during the 31st Regular Meeting of the University Senate following recommendations from the Students’ Disciplinary Committee.

The statement read, “The Management of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, has approved the expulsion of two students for involvement in gay practice and the rustication of four others for one academic session over acts of fighting on campus.”

The affected students were notified in letters signed by the Deputy Registrar, Academics, Eli Gbadafu, copies of which were made available to the Information, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of the university.

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The statement further read, “The institution stated that the disciplinary actions were taken in accordance with the provisions of the Students’ Handbook, Second Edition, as amended in 2025.”

Onumoko Hamza of the Biology Education department and Abdulazeez Eneji of the Mining Engineering department were expelled over gay practice.

Four other students were rusticated for one academic session over fighting. They are Favor Akowe of the Microbiology department, Simbiat Babamuharuna of the Biology department, Zainab Omayoza of the Biochemistry department, and Sukura Bukola, also of the Biochemistry department.

The statement read, “The University Management reiterated its commitment to maintaining discipline, order and a conducive environment for teaching and learning.”

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It added, “Management warned that it would not hesitate to take decisive disciplinary action against any student found guilty of violating the rules and regulations of the University.”

The statement read further, “Students are therefore advised to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Students’ Handbook and conduct themselves in accordance with the established rules and regulations of the University.”

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CAN faults FRSC amendment bill, seeks Tinubu’s intervention

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the South-West region has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent to the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Senate had passed an amendment to the FRSC Act, proposing tougher penalties for a range of traffic offences as part of efforts to improve road safety and strengthen compliance with traffic regulations.

One of the major provisions of the amendment bill introduces a N100,000 fine for motorists who fail to obey traffic lights, road signs, road markings, or other traffic control devices.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Bishop Dr. Barnabas Tunde Akinsanya, CAN said it supports the Federal government’s efforts to improve road safety and reduce accidents.

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It explained that it is concerned about the provisions prescribing sanctions for preaching in commercial buses and prohibiting hawking in such vehicles.

The association further argued that the measures could also infringe on the constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and expression.

According to the association, although the government has a responsibility to protect lives and ensure public safety, it must also uphold the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

“We therefore respectfully appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to withhold assent to the Bill in its present form and encourage further consultation with relevant stakeholders, including religious bodies, civil society organisations, legal experts, transport unions, and road safety professionals.

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“Such dialogue will help produce legislation that effectively promotes road safety while preserving the constitutional rights and dignity of every Nigerian,” the statement said.

The association also warned that an outright ban on hawking in commercial buses could worsen the economic hardship facing many Nigerians who rely on informal trading for their daily livelihood.

Rather than introducing measures that could further reduce people’s means of survival, CAN urged the government to focus on creating employment opportunities, reducing poverty, improving public transportation, strengthening security and enhancing citizens’ welfare.

The Christian body appealed to President Tinubu to decline assent to the bill in its current form and instead facilitate broader consultations involving religious organisations, civil society groups, legal experts, transport unions and road safety professionals.

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It maintained that such engagement would help produce legislation that enhances road safety without undermining the constitutional rights and dignity of Nigerians.

CAN stressed that Nigeria needs laws that promote national unity, safeguard lives without unnecessarily restricting fundamental freedoms, and strengthen public confidence in democratic governance.

The association, however, reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with government to advance justice, peace, constitutional democracy and national development.

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Court Of Appeal Upholds Refusal To Restrain NCC, Dismisses COSON’s Appeal

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The Court of Appeal, Lagos Judicial Division, has dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by the Copyright Society of Nigeria Ltd/Gte (COSON) against the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), affirming an earlier decision of the Federal High Court refusing to grant an injunction restraining the Commission.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on July 9, 2026, the appellate court also awarded ₦200,000 in costs against COSON.

According to a statement on Saturday, the three-member panel, led by Justice Polycarp Terna Kwahar, with Justice Folasade Ayodeji Ojo and Justice Muslim Sule Hassan concurring, held that there was no existing operating approval that could be preserved through an interlocutory injunction.

The appeal stemmed from COSON’s substantive suit challenging aspects of the Copyright (Collective Management Organisations) Regulations, 2007.

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Pending the determination of the case, COSON had sought an interlocutory injunction restraining the NCC from revoking its operating approval or interfering with its management, finances, bank accounts, audits and royalty collection activities.

However, the Federal High Court, in a ruling delivered on December 1, 2021, declined the application, holding that an interlocutory injunction cannot be granted to restrain an action that had already been completed.

The court noted that COSON’s operating approval had been suspended by the NCC in April 2018 and subsequently expired in May 2019, before the substantive suit and the application for injunction were filed.

In affirming the lower court’s decision, the Court of Appeal ruled that the legal status existing before the commencement of the suit was that COSON’s operating approval had already become inoperative.

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Justice Kwahar, in the lead judgment, stated: “Both the Appellant and the Respondent have demonstrated vide their affidavit evidence that the Appellant’s operation had prior to the commencement of the suit become inoperative by virtue of the suspension of the Appellant’s licence and expiration by effluxion of time. That is the status quo ante bellum before the commencement of the suit at the lower Court.”

The appellate court emphasized that the purpose of an interlocutory injunction is to preserve the status quo pending the determination of a substantive case, not to reverse actions that had already taken effect before litigation commenced.

It therefore held that granting the relief sought by COSON would have altered, rather than preserved, the existing legal position, and consequently dismissed the appeal for lacking merit.

Reacting to the judgment, the Nigerian Copyright Commission described the ruling as a reaffirmation of its position that there was no subsisting operating approval for the court to preserve through an injunction.

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The Commission further reiterated that COSON is currently not approved to operate as a Collective Management Organisation (CMO) in Nigeria.

The judgment is regarded as a significant legal victory for the NCC, reinforcing the Commission’s regulatory authority over collective management organisations and clarifying the legal limits of interlocutory injunctions in disputes involving expired or suspended regulatory approvals.

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