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Lawyers raise alarm over gradual desecration of the Noble Profession in Rivers State
Lawyers raise alarm over gradual desecration of the Noble Profession in Rivers State
…vow to combat ‘something shall not stand on nothing ‘
A professional group under the aegis of Progressive Lawyers of Rivers State has raised an alarm over the gradual desecration of the legal profession in Rivers State.
The group disturbed by the high level of illegalities being deliberately carried out by the Rivers State Government in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman and Secretary, D.CAMADI, Esq. 0.k OWHORNDAR declared that:
“We are alarmed as lawyers to see that despite the general and well publicized
knowledge of the Judgement of the Federal High Court in Suit No:
FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023; River State House of Assembly and Anor. v
The National Assembly and Ors, and the subsisting Order of the Federal High
Court in Suit No:FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023; RT Hon Martins Amaewhule
and Ors v INEC and Ors., The Governor of Rivers State and the High Court of
Rivers State has decided to continually desecrate our profession.
“Sadly, he is not doing it alone, he is doing it with the help of a Senior Advocate
of Nigeria, Dagogo Iboroma and some Judges in the Rivers State High Court.
“For Avoidance of doubt we had warned in our open letter to the Chief Judge of
Rivers State on the 9th of May, 2024 that there were plans to turn the Rivers
State High Court to an Appeal court and declare Mr. Victor Oko Jumbo Speaker
of the Rivers State House of Assembly without recourse to the Judgements and
orders of a court of coordinate jurisdiction,
“We issued out this open letter, which the Chief Judge’s office received. This was
done to save our profession from ridicule.
“Unfortunately, on the 10th of May, 2024, just as we had predicted, an ex-parte
order was issued in Suit No: PHC/1512/CS/2024 by Hon Justice C.N Wali of
the Rivers State High Court purporting to set aside the Judgement of the Federal
High Court in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1613/2023; River State House of
Assembly and Anor v The National Assembly and Ors and declare the seats
of lawfully elected House of Assembly members vacant.
“This was also done despite an order of another Federal High Court against
declaring the seats of House of Assembly Members vacant in Suit No:
FHC/ABJ/CS/1681/2023; RT Hon Martins Amaewhule and Ors v INEC
and Ors,
“Furthermore, Honourable Justice C.N Wali ought to know that the provisions of
section 272(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria as amended robs him off any jurisdiction when it comes to tenure and
vacancy of seats of elected officials in Nigeria including State House of Assembly
Members.
“It is also very disturbing that we are in receipt of a letter by a purported Clerk of Rivers State House of Assembly inviting a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dagogo Iboroma for screening before a purported House of Assembly of three men.
“This purported House of Assembly formerly made up of four members was ruled
to be illegal by Honourable Justice J.K Omotosho of the Federal High Court in
Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/ 1613/2023; River State House of Assembly and
Anor v The National Assembly and Ors.
“The issue of who the clerk of the House of Assembly was also resolved in the
sald suit by Hon.Justice Omotosho and it was held that only the Amaewhule led
Assembly of 27 members can determine who their clerk is.
“Our worry is that a revered Senior Advocate will aid and abet contempt of a
judgement of court by presenting himself before an assembly that is illegitimate
before the law.
“Even If we were to assume without conceding, that our dear Senior Advocate is
basing his screening on the order of the Rivers State High Court by Hon. Justice
C.N Wali, is our revered Silk implying that the Rivers State High Court now sits on appeal for judgments and interim orders of the Federal High Court?
“We will like to draw the attention of Dagogo Iboroma, SAN to the final
paragraph of the Honourable Justice J.K Omotosho Judgment of the Federal
High Court which states;
” An Order is hereby Made restraining the 11th Defendant from howsoever or
whatsoever manner making any request, presentation or nomination to the
Rivers State House of Assembly not under the Leadership of the 2nd Plaintiff as
Speaker”
“The 11th Defendant on record in the said case is the Governor of Rivers State
and the 2nd Plaintiff is RT. Hon Martin Amaewhule.
“In essence presenting one’s self before any other Assembly not led by RT. Hon
Martin Amaewhule is contempt of court. In all of these, the Governor of Rivers
State enjoys his immunity.
“We therefore call on Dagogo Iboroma, SAN to note that being screened by an
assembly that is not contemplated in the Judgement of Justice Omotosho which
‘still subsists will be nullity in the eyes of the law.
“We also call on all leaders of the Bar and the Bench to with immediate effect
save our noble profession.
“As an organization we shall take steps to oppose this desecration of our courts
and profession and we shall ensure that “something shall never stand on
nothing”
News
Breaking: Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo Signs N582.4 Billion 2025 Budget into Law
Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, has signed the 2025 appropriation bill into law today December 30, 2024 at the Glass House, Government House, Lokoja. This significant move paves the way for the implementation of the state’s budget, which aims to stimulate job creation, infrastructure development, food security, and staff welfare.
The 2025 budget estimates, totaling N582,404,119.489, represent a 43.34% increase from the revised 2024 budget of N406,321,130,013. The budget is expected to address key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and economic development.
While presenting the Appropriation Bill for the Governor’s accent, the Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, RT Hon Aliyu Umar appealed to the Governor to spread the “Budget of inclusivity” to all the state constituencies for an enhanced development.
By signing the appropriation bill into law, Governor Ododo has demonstrated his commitment to shaping the financial future of Kogi State. The move is expected to have a positive impact on the state’s economy and the lives of its citizens.
News
SAD! One Killed, 3 Injured In Bloody Delta Community Chieftaincy Title Procession
A violent clash arising from chieftaincy title conferment on an indigene of Aboh, headquarters of Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta State, has left one person dead and three others sustaining varying degrees of injuries in the community.
The bloody clash that was between members of opposing factions in the community, occurred during the chieftaincy title procession, causing pandemonium in the area.
Though the circumstances surrounding the clash could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report, sources said it may not be unconnected with some disagreements that preceded the event.
The development has generated tension in the area with the Chairman of Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Mr. Vincent Osilonya imposing a 7.pm to 6.am curfew in the community.
Confirming the incident yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Mr. Bright Edafe said the deceased died in a hospital where he was taken for treatment.
Edafe said: “It was as a result of two factions that they have in the community.
“Somebody was given a chieftaincy title and part of the protocol was that once you are given the title, you will dance around the community.
“When he was dancing, he now danced to the faction of the group that was not on his side, so they attacked him.
“He that was dancing also carried some hunters who were escorting him. When they attacked him, the hunters retaliated.”
Similarly, a dependable source in the community, said those opposed to the chieftaincy title conferment had tried to stop the procession when they clashed with the hunters.
“In the process, shooting started; one person died and three other persons sustained various degrees of injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment”, the source who craved anonymity, said.
Reacting to the development, the council Chairman, Vincent Osilonya said: “the position is that we have imposed curfew in Aboh from 7.pm to 6.am while we are are speaking with them to sheath their swords.Nobody should take laws into their hands.”
He confirmed that three persons sustained injuries during the incident.
VANGUARD
News
Constitutional breach : Rivers Gov Fubara, Again Presents 2025 Budget To 4-Member House Of Assembly
The governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara, has continued to progress in error as he presented the 2025 budget proposal to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led four -man Rivers House of Assembly.
Fubara presented the N1.1trillion appropriation bill to the house on Monday.
The four members led by the Speaker, Oko-Jumbo, had earlier read Governor Fubara’s letter requesting permission to present the appropriation bill on Monday, at their plenary.
This marks Fubara’s second budget presentation since assuming office.
Fubara had presented the 2024 state appropriation bill of N800 billion in 2023 to a four-man House of Assembly led by factional Speaker, Edison Ehie.
The presentation occurred while Rivers citizens and residents grappled with the news of the sudden demolition of parts of the state House of Assembly complex.
This followed the defection of 27 Assembly members, including then-Speaker Martin Amaewhule, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amid legal battles and political intervention, including input from President Bola Tinubu, Ehie eventually resigned from the Assembly and was subsequently appointed the Chief of Staff to the Government House.
The crisis deepened as the three remaining members of the House after Ehie’s exit maintained their legitimacy, citing Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which they argued is self-executing in cases of defection without a crisis in the parent party.
The trio, consisting of Oko-Jumbo (Bonny Constituency as, Speaker), Adolphus Timothy (Opobo/Nkoro Constituency as Deputy Speaker), and Sokari Goodboy (Ahoada West as Leader of the House), assumed the Assembly’s leadership.
They have consistently carried out legislative functions, often in alignment with the Fubara-led administration.
Meanwhile, the 27 defected members have since reversed their decision and continue to attend functions as PDP members and hold sessions under Martin Amaewhule’s leadership, frequently opposing the government’s policies.
As part of the twist in Rivers State’s ongoing political and legislative crisis, both the Federal High Court and the Appeal Court nullified the N800billion 2024 Appropriation Bill of the state, halting its implementation.
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