A former Speaker of Rivers State Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani has confirmed that each time his Governor, Nyesom Wike wants to visit, he personally notifies him.

Ibani was Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2023 when Nyesom Wike was governor

The former Speaker was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily breakfast programme on Thursday.

Ibani, who referenced his eight-year tenure as Speaker, said then-governor Nyesom Wike informed him behind the scenes of his planned visits to the Assembly before he showed up.

The pro-Wike ex-lawmaker said, “I operated as Speaker from 2015 to 2023. When Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was governor, I informed him to look at the state of the Assembly Quarters.

“He had to write to me; he had to call me that he would be visiting the Quarters of Rivers State House of Assembly.

I then put the members on notice that the governor of Rivers State was coming. He couldn’t have driven down there to inspect knowing that it is a different institution headed by a different official of government.”

There seems to be no end in sight in the protracted feud between the Wike-backed House of Assembly and Fubara as the governor was denied access to the Assembly Quarters on Wednesday when he showed up to re-present the 2025 Budget of the state, as mandated by the House after the Supreme Court verdict of February 28, 2025.

Ibani said what transpired on Wednesday between the Amaewhule-led Assembly was not unconnected to the frosty relationship between Fubara and Wike since 2023.

Ibani said, “What happened yesterday (Wednesday), nobody should treat it in isolation; it should be taken holistically. It didn’t just happen because it was to happen yesterday, it started from somewhere.

“When you are elected into a position of trust and authority, your personal interest should take the background while the interest of the people should take the foreground.

“You don’t know the legislative calendar of the legislature. A governor or a president cannot just walk to the assembly to present a budget.

“The process that will lead to that is the exchange that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that the governor comes and the budget is presented in the interest of the people.”

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Tom Ikimi-led disciplinary committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has recommended the expulsion of the party’s national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, from the party.

A letter signed by Ikimi and dated March 10, 2025, which was received by office of the PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on Wednesday, March 12, revealed that despite being given the opportunity, Anyanwu failed to appear before the committee to defend himself against the petition filed by the PDP Young Generation Caucus.

The petitioner had accused Anyanwu of engaging in anti-party activities contrary to the provisions of Article 58 (1)(f) of the PDP Constitution

The petitioner also accused Anyanwu of engaging in conduct likely to disrupt the peaceful, lawful and efficient conduct of the business of the party contrary to provisions of Article 58(1)(h) of the PDP Constitution 2017, by inviting security agents and other persons and thugs to interfere in the ordinary business of the party at the Headquarters of the party, on 29th January and 1st February 2025.

Having submitted their recommendations, the National Executive Committee of the party (NEC) Is expected to take the final decision on the matter.

The Committee had in Februaryinvited a former governor of Benue State Samuel Ortom; Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and others.

This followed a meeting of the committee in Abuja where it “considered five (5) petitions received so far”.

It said, “following a detailed review of the petitions noted that the first set of petitions was against some key members of the National Working Committee (NWC)”.

“The Committee came to the conclusion that in order not to jeopardize the ongoing reconciliatory efforts of the Governors’ Forum and the Board of Trustees, took a decision to step down those three (3) of the petitions against the top NWC members,” the chairman of the PDP committee Tom Ikimi said in a statement issued after the meeting.

“The second set of petitions which were set down for enquiry are those against former Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Dr. Samuel Ortom and 10 others and the petition against Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

“Accordingly, the National Disciplinary Committee resolved to invite the affected persons to appear before the Committee on Wednesday, 12th February 2025 at the Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja.”

Anyanwu has also been in a tussle with Sunday Ude-Okoye for the position of the National Secretary of the party.

The High Court and Court of Appeal decisions on the dispute favoured Ude-Okoye, with Anyanwu challenging the decision at the Supreme Court.

On Monday, the Supreme Court reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Anyanwu, challenging his sack from office.

Anyanwu, in the appeal, is seeking to set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Enugu, which upheld the Federal High Court judgment that removed him as the Secretary of the party.

In a ten-ground appeal filed through his counsel, Ken Njemanze (SAN), Anyanwu prayed the apex court to allow the appeal and overturn the decision of the lower court.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted $1,154,900 and SR135,900 undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano State.

NCS spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

He said the seizure was made recently during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived on Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.

According to Maiwada, during the physical examination of the passenger’s luggage conducted by NCS Officers, the undeclared currency was discovered concealed within palm-date fruit packs locally referred to as Dabino.

He stated that the interception aligns with the NCS’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.

In line with established procedures, the suspect and the seized foreign currency have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary legal action,” the statement read.

“Subsequently, the court convicted the defendant as charged and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government in line with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

“The Service reiterates that all travellers must comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations, particularly the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when travelling in or out of the country. The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995, provide clear guidelines on currency declaration. Non-compliance with these regulations constitutes a violation of Nigerian law and attracts severe penalties. The Service, therefore, urges the public to adhere strictly to these requirements to avoid legal consequences.

Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS remains resolute in its enforcement efforts to combat smuggling, illicit financial transactions, and other trans-border crimes.

“This latest seizure highlights the Service’s unwavering dedication to protecting the nation’s economic interests and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.

“The NCS will continue to collaborate with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to strengthen border security, enhance compliance with financial laws, and safeguard Nigeria’s economy.

“Travellers and stakeholders in the financial sector are advised to remain vigilant and always adhere to lawful financial practices,” he added.