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Leave Rivers Judiciary out of crisis – NBA urges Amaewhule, others

By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, has urged the Rivers State House of Assembly and other actors in the ongoing political unrest in the state to leave the Judiciary arm out of the imbroglio.
The eight branches of the NBA in the state, in a press statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, stated that they would not allow another shutdown of the court in the state.
The press statement was jointly signed by Cordelia U. Eke (Mrs) Chairman, Port Harcourt Branch, Hilda Desmond-lhekaire (PhD), Chairman Ahoada Branch, Simple Dioha, Esq., Chairman, Isiokpo Branch, Abiye A. Abo, Esq., Chairman, Degema Branch, Dr. N.A. Duson, Chairman, Bori Branch, Dr. Celestine N. Nwankwo, Chairman, Okehi Branch, Tamunosiki A. Roberts, Esq., Chairman, Okrika Branch, and Ekeledinichukwu Ordu, Esq., Chairman, Omoku Branch.
Addressing the press on behalf of the eight branch chairmen, Tamunosiki A. Roberts, Esq., the Chairman, Okrika Branch, said the attention of the eight branches of the NBA has been drawn to a call by the House of Assembly on the Department of State Security, DSS, to investigate the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Amadi, describing the development as unfortunate.
Roberts cautioned that the judiciary should not be dragged into the political imbroglio in the state, adding the judiciary cannot afford to experience shutdown of courts in the state.
He said: “The attention of the 8 branches of the NBA in Rivers State, has been drawn to a resolution passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 12th of March, 2025 directing the Department of State Security (DSS) to investigate the Rivers State Chief Judge on allegations of falsification of age. It is quite unfortunate, that despite the already heated polity in Rivers State, we are still experiencing escalations such as this.
“Thus, there is need for mutual respect amongst all the parties. We are not unaware of the existing political impasse between the Legislature and the Executive Arms of Government in Rivers State, however, we must caution that the Judiciary should not be drawn into the ongoing imbroglio for no just cause.
“We reiterate that the independence of the Judiciary is crucial to the sustenance of peace and stability in the State, as contending parties ultimately resort to the Judiciary for the resolution of disputes as has recently been witnessed at the Supreme Court.
“There is no need to escalate tensions as the stability of Rivers State is crucial to the economy of the State and the Country. We can easily recall the incidents in 2014-2015 which exposed the Judiciary and Judicial Officers that resulted in the closure of our Courts. We cannot afford to experience a similar occurrence in the present times we find ourselves in the State, and especially for the interests of the good people of Rivers State to have their ongoing matters in Court without interruptions.”
Roberts noted that there is a prescribed procedure for handling issues of such stance, noting that any complaints against any judicial officer is handled by the National Judicial Council, NJC.
He noted that the Judiciary should not be intimidated or bullied by the bidding of any other arm of government, advocating for the use of democratic process and rule of law to resolve the political war in the state.
Roberts said: “Every action in the Public Service has a prescribed procedure which alI should respect and observe to forestall chaos and anarchy in the State. In the case of the Judiciary, any complaint against one of its officers is dealt with by the National Judicial Council (NJC), which alone has the authority to carry out any disciplinary action or authorize any investigation against any Judge.
“The need for the protection of the Judiciary cannot be overemphasized, as the Judiciary remains the last hope of the common man, and indeed everyone, including politicians. We continue to appeal to all contenders to sheath their swords and genuinely seek peace in the interest of Rivers State and the economy of Nigeria at large.”
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Reps Tackle CBN, OAGF Over Missing Grants, Bailout Funds

According to him, such financial mishandling not only disrupts critical public services and projects but also results in major losses to the nation’s purse—resources that could have been channelled into crucial services and developmental efforts, as laid out in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution.
Speaker Abbas, thereafter setup a Special Committee to be chaired by Rep. Chinedu Martins to immediately launch a probe into the “Utilisation of take-off grants, bailout funds, and interventions allocated to MDAs, government institutions, and GOEs from 2015 to present.”
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Abuja light rail project must be commissioned on May 29-Wike vows

The FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, expressed satisfaction with the progress on the Abuja light rail project, reaffirming its May 29 delivery as sacrosanct.
He made these assurances after inspecting the ongoing construction of access roads to the train stations on Wednesday, from Metro Train Station in the Central Area to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Reassuring journalists accompanying him, the minister reiterated that President Bola Tinubu would commission the rail project on May 29 to mark his second year in office.
The visited stations were Wupa station near Idu and Bassanjiwa station near the airport.
“This is part of our routine inspection of ongoing projects to see the contractors’ progress,” Wike explained.
“We are working day and night to fulfill our promise to President Tinubu and FCT residents. By May, Mr. President will ride on the Metro line.”
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Just in: Alleged Herdsmen Armed With AK-47 Rifles Take Over Communities In Benue State

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen are currently invading some communities in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to sources, the herdsmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed the community around 04:15pm on Thursday.
“Our lives are in danger this evening, armed Fulani herdsmen, about 600 in numbers have taken over our communities this evening,” a resident told SaharaReporters.
“They’re currently moving around towns in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue state. No security personnel at all, Governor Alia didn’t send security, they said operation will start soon once they (herders) have observed the place.”
The insecurity situation in Benue has been alarming in recent weeks with attacks from gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.
The media had reported that suspected herdsmen again unleashed terror in Benue State, attacking three communities in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) on Wednesday, just a day after 11 people were killed in a deadly raid on Otobi community.
The latest victims of the escalating violence were Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju, communities that had previously suffered an attack in February, which left five people dead.
However, the renewed attack has created fear and mass displacement among residents, with women and children fleeing to safety.
Local sources say the death toll from the fresh attack remains unclear, but several casualties are feared.
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