The newly sworn-in Sole Administrator for Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.), has vowed to maintain law and order in the state.

He said: “We know the circumstances that led to why we are here and Mr President made it clear in his broadcast,” Ibas told reporters after he was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.

“If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have.”

The retired naval chief promised “to work together with other stakeholders to ensure that we bring peace, and order and security and stability to the people and government of Rivers State and Nigeria at large”.

Recall Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, imposed a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy Ngozi Odu; as well as the Rivers State House of Assembly members for six months.

Tinubu hinged his decision on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, saying he can’t continue to watch the political situation in Rivers escalate without taking any action.

The president immediately appointed Ibas, Nigeria’s Chief of Naval State from 2015 to 2021, as the sole administrator of the oil-rich state.

The suspension of Fubara and other democratically elected representatives has been expressly rejected and condemned by many eminent Nigerians, legal luminaries, and groups including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Femi Falana, the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigerian Bar Association, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), among others.

However, the emergency rule has been praised by the pro-Nyesom Wike suspended lawmakers, who accused Fubara of contravening the apex court ruling on the political situation in the state.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday arraigned a former Deputy Director of Highways at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Augustine Olowoniyan, alongside a surveyor in the same ministry, Sulaiman Muhammed, for alleged N1.9bn fraud.

The defendants werw arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja.

The defendants were arraigned on three counts related to the alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds totaling N1,936,961,649.00.

According to the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the funds were intended for the acquisition of titles for federal roads nationwide between March 4, 2019, and July 17, 2020, but were allegedly diverted for personal use.

Upon reading the charges, both defendants pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed (SAN), requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendants in the correctional centre.

One of the charges reads: “That you, Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, whilst serving as Deputy Director Highways, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and Project Coordinator for the acquisition of titles for Federal Roads, and Suleiman Abdulkadir Muhammed, whilst serving as Surveyor of the Department of Highways and Planning, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, between March 4, 2019, and October 21, 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, used your office to confer corrupt advantage upon yourselves by putting to your own use the sum of N807,053,000.00 despite being funds budgeted for the acquisition of titles for Federal Roads Nationwide, thereby committing an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

However, the defence counsel for the first and second defendants, J.K. Kolawole and A.S.U. Garba, requested a short adjournment to file bail applications and requested that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody.

Justice Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case until April 3, 2025, to hear the bail applications and remanded the defendants at Kuje correctional centre.

Air Peace has said travelers will enjoy up to N600,000 reduction in airfares when they connect from cities across Nigeria to London with one additional luggage.

The airline said this in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the promo runs until March 31, 2025, with an extended travel period until April 15, 2025.

Air Peace in its statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Dr Ejike Ndiulo, said the airline continues to redefine international travel with its London route, offering seamless connectivity from major domestic destinations.

It said, “As the largest airline in West and Central Africa, Air Peace remains steadfast in its vision of fostering prosperity through reliable air travel, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a key player in global aviation.

“With its expanding domestic and international routes, the airline is making it easier for people to explore new opportunities and for businesses to thrive in an interconnected world.”

Ndiulo said the Chairman of the airline, Allen Onyenma, had made the announcement at the Silverbird Man of the Year 2024 Awards held recently in Lagos.

He added that at the event, through a raffle draw organized by the airline, five winners namely; Abodede Samuel Opeyemi, Comfort Bassey, and Folajimi Olayinka Oduyebo won return economy tickets to any of Air Peace’s domestic destinations, while Osuagwu Nwamarachi and Eremu Precious struck gold with economy return tickets to London, thus providing them with seamless travel experiences across Air Peace’s extensive route network.

According to Ndiulo, the initiative underscores the airline’s mission to make air travel more accessible while empowering individuals and businesses to reach their full potential.

Quoting the airline’s founder, Ndiulo, emphasized the airline’s role in driving socio-economic development through its robust CSR initiatives.

“At Air Peace, we believe that aviation is more than just transportation; it is a bridge to opportunities, a catalyst for economic growth, and a tool for empowerment. We are committed to supporting individuals and businesses by connecting dreams with possibilities,” he stated.