…Says Supreme Court is the final authority to interpret constitution
.. Verdict not based on ethnicity
By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – A group under the umbrella of Rivers Ijaw PeoplesCongress, RIPCO has called on Ijaw National Congress, INC to immediately stop fueling the crisis in Rivers State.
RIPCO made this call in a prees briefing in PortHacourt at the weekend.
In the statement signed jointly signed by Senator George Thompson Sekibo, leader, Hon Rowland Sekibo, Director General and Hon Erastus Awortu.
The group noted its attention has been drawn to several misguided and inflammatory statements recently made in both the print and electronic media.
“These statements threaten chaos and unrest in Rivers State, particularly in response to the Supreme Court’s judgment on the ongoing Rivers State crisis.
” While RIPCO ordinarily would not engage in public dispute over the opinions of other Ijaw people, we feel compelled to clarify some points and correct the misconceptions being propagated.
“Firstly, it is important to note that every citizen is constitutionally entitled to express their views and opinions. However, we must remind everyone that when two parties present their case before a court of competent jurisdiction, there are only two possible outcomes: either the judgment will favour one party or the other.
“The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, has rendered its decision, bringing to an end the legal conflict that has disrupted the peace and stability of Rivers State for far too long.
“We express our sincere gratitude to God for this resolution, and we urge all Rivers people to support and encourage the implementation of the judgment as handed down by the court.
“However, it is deeply troubling that certain individuals, including Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba, the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), among others, have resorted to threats of violence and destruction, including targeting vital oil and gas infrastructure in Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region.
“These calls for violence are not only reckless but also profoundly misguided. It is one thing to disagree with a judicial decision; still, it is entirely different to resort to destructive and unlawful actions that threaten the lives and livelihoods of innocent people in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.
“We wish to remind those making these unguided utterances that we live in a democratic dispensation governed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which enshrines the rule of law.
“The Supreme Court has the final authority to interpret the Constitution and the country’s laws, and its decisions are final and binding on all.
“Those who call for war, destruction, and civil disobedience should be reminded that Rivers State belongs to all its people, and no individual or group has the right to impose their will through violence and terror.
“In light of these developments, RIPCO feels it is necessary to provide the following clarifications:
1. The Supreme Court Judgment is Not Based on Ethnicity
The Supreme Court’s judgment was not based on ethnic considerations or the notion of the Ijaws opposing another ethnic group. It was rendered in strict accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law. This was a judicial intervention in a legal dispute, not an ethnic or political contest. It is crucial that we all understand and respect the supremacy of the law.
2. Rivers State is a Multi-Ethnic State Contrary to the narrative promoted by certain individuals, Rivers State is not a monolithic Ijaw state.
“It is a vibrant and diverse multi-ethnic entity, home to the Ijaws, Ikwerre, Ogonis, Oyigbo, Eleme, Ogba, Etche, Egbema, Ndoni, Ekpeya and many others.
“The diversity among the people in Rivers State is its strength, and we must all embrace this diversity for the collective progress and peace of our state. We should not permit these misguided and selfish self-proclaimed Ijaw leaders to take the law into their own hands simply because the state is currently governed by an Ijaw son who is acting in a similar manner.
3. The Issue of Impeachment Requires a Political Solution The recent fears regarding the impeachment of the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalaye Fubara, raised by Professor Benjamin Okaba and his cohorts, are unfounded and premature, as the House of Assembly has not declared such an intention.
“However, even if the House were to express this, it is not an issue that should be resolved through threats of violence or disruption. Instead, it demands a political resolution that must be sought through constitutional and lawful means. If there are legitimate concerns about governance or the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment, these should be addressed within the established legal and political framework, rather than through inflammatory rhetoric and unlawful actions.
4. The Unconstitutionality of External Interference At the onset of this crisis, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, anticipating the outcomes, intervened. At that time, Professor Okaba and his Cohorts criticised the intervention, labeling it unconstitutional.
The President’s intervention at that time was criticised for overstepping the bounds of the Constitution. We must now ask: Would it be constitutionally appropriate for the President to intervene again in a matter where the Supreme Court, an independent branch of government, has already made its final decision?
“It is essential for those advocating for the President’s intervention to reverse or override the Supreme Court’s ruling to understand that it would be a direct challenge to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.
- Suppose the Supreme Court Judgment had Favoured Governor Sim Fubara
It is our belief that if the Supreme Court judgment had favoured the Governor and his team, the Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and his team would have succumbed to wise counsel and vacated their seats to allow peace and stability reign in the state. Thus, Governor Sim Fubara attempt at further escalating the crisis is an executive rascality beyond the imaginations of wise counsel.
Governor Siminalaye Fubara should note again that the decision of the Supreme Court is final and binding.
- Professor Benjamin Okaba Should Advise Governor Fubara to Implement the Judgment and Not to Disrupt the Peace of Rivers State Further
In the spirit of peace and stability, we, members of the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’ Congress and fellow Ijaw brothers with Professor Benjamin Okaba do implore him and his Co-travellers to advise His Excellency Governor Sir Siminalaye
Fubara to promptly implement the Supreme Court’s judgment.
Only through the full execution of the court’s decision can peace and order be restored in Rivers State. The people of Rivers State deserve nothing less than the swift and transparent implementation of the rule of law.
- The General Public Is to Note That Professor Benjamin Okaba and His Co-Travellers Are Not Speaking for all Rivers State Ijaw People .
The general public is invited to note that Professor Benjamin Okaba and his associates, who are threatening with hell and brimstone in Rivers State, do not speak for all Rivers Ijaw people, as there is no other formidable Ijaw group besides the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress. Therefore, the public is advised to disregard these misguided and provocative remarks and comments from them.
8. RIPCO Supports the Supreme Court Judgment As a responsible and law-abiding organisation, the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’
Congress stands firm in supporting the Supreme Court’s judgment. We believe that this judgment is a critical step towards bringing stability, peace, and justice to Rivers State.
We commend the Supreme Court for its wisdom in resolving this matter, and we encourage all citizens to accept the judgment and work together for the betterment of our state.
- RIPCO Congratulates the Speaker and twenty-six members of the Rivers State House of Assembly
We also wish to congratulate the Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, DSSRS, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and all twenty-six members of the Assembly for their unwavering dedication to upholding the law and promoting peace in our state. Their commitment to governance and the rule of law is commendable, and we stand with them in their efforts to ensure the full implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment. - We Are Committed to the Security and Safety of Our Commonwealth As law-abiding citizens of Nigeria, the members of RIPCO are committed to safeguarding the peace, stability, and prosperity of our state and country. We will continue to support the federal government’s initiatives to maintain law and order. We, the Rivers Ijaw Peoples’ Congress members will not hesitate to stand with the security agencies to fish out any individuals or groups that aim to undermine our collective well-being through violence, illegal activities, or attempts to damage our nation’s oil and gas infrastructure.
In conclusion, we urge all well-meaning Rivers people to remain calm, law abiding, and supportive of the democratic process. The Supreme Court has spoken, and it is our duty as citizens to respect its decision. We must all work together for the continued development and unity of Rivers State, rejecting any actions that seek to divide us or bring harm to our communities.
By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – A three-day capacity-building workshop on systems dynamics, organized by the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), kicks off in Abuja this Wednesday, 12th March 2025.
According to the Director General of NACETEM, Dr. Olushola Odusanya, the knowledge event, Capacity Building Programme on Systems Dynamics for Policy Researchers and Policy Makers, is designed to equip the target audience with cutting-edge analytical tools to enhance evidence-based decision-making through system dynamics.
The Chief Executive’s statement says, “Given the increasing complexity of policy challenges, the training aims to build capacity in systems thinking, modeling techniques, and scenario analysis for improved policy formulation and implementation.”
The programme, which is organized in collaboration with the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, a leading institution committed to advancing research and capacity development in Africa, has Professor Stefano, a professor of organizational behaviour at Universita Telematica degli Studi, Florence, Italy, as lead facilitator.
Says Odusanya: “NACETEM is collaborating with AUST on this to help contribute to the National discourse on improving project success by getting a handle on systems thinking.”
The workshop will take place in the Conference Room of Zenith Hall, African University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Airport Road, Galadimawa Junction, Abuja.
By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Barring further change of plans, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), on Sunday said it has rescheduled its National Executive Committee, (NEC), meeting for March 15.
This is contained in a “notice of 99th NEC meeting” issued by its new national secretary, Sunday Udeh-Okoye, in Abuja.
Mr Udeh-Okoye said that rescheduling of the meeting earlier fixed for March 13 to a new date was to allow the party among others, conclude pending zonal, state, L.G.A and ward congresses.
He added that the decision was also to allow for further consultations to ensure a hitch-free conduct of the meeting especially with regards to other proposed activities of the party.
Udeh-Okoye stated that the decision was taken by the NWC after due consultations with leaders, stakeholders and relevant Organs of the party including the Board of Trustees (BoT) the PPP Governors’ Forum and the PDP National Assembly Caucus.
“All NEC Members should please note the change of date and be guided accordingly.
“The NWC sincerely regrets any inconveniences this change of date will cause distinguished members of NEC,” the statement added.
By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has invited the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers for a meeting aimed at addressing key legislative and governance matters.
The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, March 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Governor’s Office, Government House, Port Harcourt.
Report has it that the invitation was disclosed in a letter dated March 7, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tammy Danagogo.
According to the letter, the meeting will focus on critical issues, including provision of a befitting place for the Assembly to hold sittings and payment of outstanding remuneration and allowances for lawmakers.
Others are the presentation of the state budget and other legislative matters and discussions on charting a new way forward for Rivers State.
Governor Fubara’s invitation comes amid political tensions in the state, and the meeting is seen as a move to foster dialogue and cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.
The SSG expressed hope for the Speaker and lawmakers’ attendance, reiterating the need to “chart the way forward in the interest of the good people of Rivers State.
The Democratic Republic of Congo government has offered a reward of $5m (£4m) for help arresting three leaders of a rebel group which has seized much of the east of the country this year.
Corneille Nangaa, a former head of DR Congo’s electoral commission, now leads the Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 rebel group. He has addressed large rallies in the cities under the group’s control.
The bounty is also on offer for M23 leaders Sultani Makenga and Bertrand Bisimwa.
Last year the three men were prosecuted in absentia by a military court and given death sentences for treason.
A reward of $4m (£3) was also offered for the arrest of their accomplices.
But the chances of them being arrested appear slim.
In recent weeks the army has been no match for the Rwandan-backed rebels who have captured large parts of the mineral-rich eastern DR Congo, including the region’s two largest cities – Goma and Bukavu.
What’s the fighting in DR Congo all about?
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So President Félix Tshisekedi has instead focused on trying to build international pressure for Rwanda to face sanctions for backing the rebels.
Last year, a report by UN experts said up to 4,000 Rwanda troops were working with the M23 in DR Congo.
Thousands of people have been killed during the fighting and hundreds of thousands left without shelter after fleeing their homes.
The Congolese government is also seeking US support in exchange for access to its minerals.
DR Congo accuses Rwanda of trying to take control of its minerals, which include gold and coltan, used in consumers electronics such as mobile phones and computers.
In response to the reports that DR Congo was offering access to the minerals in exchange for military help fighting the M23 rebels, presidential spokeswoman Tina Salama said on X last month that President Tshisekedi was inviting the US “whose companies source strategic raw materials from Rwanda, materials that are looted from the DRC and smuggled to Rwanda” to instead buy them from the Congolese – the “rightful owners”.
Rwanda denies looting minerals from DR Congo.
It no longer denies backing the M23 but says it is trying to prevent the conflict in DR Congo from spilling over into its own territory.
Rwanda also accuses the Congolese government of working with a different armed group in DR Congo, which is linked to those responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide, in which some 800,000 people, mostly ethnic Tutsis were massacred.
Both the M23 and Rwanda’s government are led by Tutsis.
The Congolese government denies working with the FDLR group accused by Rwanda of being a “genocidal militia.
(BBC News)
By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Cimmission (EFCC) has said that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Friday, March 7, 2025 heard further testimony from prosecution witness Nicholas Ojehomon, an internal auditor at the American International School Abuja, (AISA), in the ongoing trial of a former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Ojehomon testified that all payments made for school fees at AISA, including those from international companies, were exclusively for the benefit of Bello’s children, the statement released on the official X account of the Commission e-signed by the Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale said.
According to the statement, the Commission said led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Ojehomon detailed a series of payments, referencing several exhibits that documented the transactions. He confirmed that multiple payments were made in favour of Bello’s children, Zara Omoneke Bello, Fatima Bello, Na’ima Ohunene Bello, and Farid Bello through different companies.
Pinheiro directed the witness to exhibit 13p1 and asked him to identify the document. Ojehomon responded, “It is a bank teller sent to AISA via email from Ali Bello.” When asked to read the name of the sender from the document, he stated, “It was sent in by Forza Oil and Gas, and the recipient is AISA.”
The prosecution counsel then inquired about the amount indicated on the teller. “The amount is $49,600,” Ojehomon confirmed. “Is there anywhere on that document indicating for whose benefit the money was sent?” Pinheiro asked. “Yes,” the witness responded, “Zara Omoneke Bello.”
Similar patterns emerged as Ojehomon reviewed additional exhibits:
Exhibit 13p2: $44,700 was sent by Forza Oil and Gas to AISA for Fatima Bello, exhibit 13p3: $49,600 from Forza Oil and Gas to AISA for Zara Bello, exhibit 13p4: $44,700 from Forza Oil and Gas to AISA for Fatima Bello Oziohu, exhibit 13p5: $11,000 from Whales Oil and Gas to AISA with “Farid Oricha” listed under the contract number, exhibit 13p6: $78,160 from Alyeshua Provision Services to AISA, benefiting Fatima Ohizio Bello, exhibit 13p7: $42,170 from Alyeshua Provision Services to AISA for Na’ima Ohunene Bello.
Others are; exhibit 13p8: $44,700 from Forza Oil and Gas to AISA for Na’ima Ohunene Bello, exhibit 13p9: $75,000 from Unnaki General Trading Limited to AISA for Na’ima, exhibit 13p10: $75,000 from Unnaki General Trading Limited to AISA, with “Farid Edu Support” listed under the beneficiary.
Exhibit 13p11: $75,000 from Unnaki General Trading plc to AISA for Fatima, with “Invoice Reference: Fatima Edu Support, exhibit 13p12: $75,000 from Unnaki General Trading Limited to AISA, with “Invoice Reference: Zara Edu Support, exhibit 13p13: A $100,000 transfer from Manzi Issa, a Ugandan national. Exhibit 13p14: A $90,000 transfer from Dada Grant Merchant Limited, also based in Uganda.
The prosecution also presented exhibit 14p15-63, a series of receipts issued by AISA. When asked to confirm the names on the receipts, Ojehomon stated, “The receipts were all issued in the names of the four children of Yahaya Bello.” He went on to name them in exhibit 14p-16 as: Bello Nana, Fatima Zara Bello, Farid Bello, and Na’ima Bello. When asked to identify the parent of the named individuals from AISA’s records, Ojehomon confirmed, “From the record of AISA, the parent of the names mentioned is Yahaya Bello.”
Further, Pinheiro asked, “Please confirm to the court that none of the receipts from exhibit 13p16-53 were issued in favour of Forza Oil and Gas, Whales Oil and Gas, Alyeshua Solutions Services, Unnaki General Trading Limited, Dada Grant Merchant Limited of Kampala, or Manzi Issa of Uganda.” The witness responded, “I hereby confirm that none of the receipts issued by AISA were in favour of any of the names mentioned.”
During cross-examination, defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, attempted to tender certified true copies of receipts and rectification documents from a separate suit before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (Suit No. FCT/HC/CB/2574/2023, between Ali Bello and the Incorporated Trustees of the American International School). Daudu sought to introduce these documents as evidence.
However, prosecution counsel Pinheiro objected, arguing that “this is a criminal trial, and the prosecution is still leading its case.” He cited Section 232 of the Evidence Act, stating that “the only nature of evidence that can be tendered at cross-examination is a previous statement in writing by the witness for the purpose of contradicting his current testimony.” Pinheiro emphasized that “a party cannot be tendering documents from the bar at this stage; they must wait until their turn to prove their case.”
In response, Daudu insisted that the documents were relevant under Section 4 of the Evidence Act, arguing that “the prosecution itself has acknowledged their relevance.” He maintained that “the document is a public document and should be admitted.”
After hearing both arguments, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that a decision on the admissibility of the documents would be made at the next hearing. The trial was adjourned to May 8 and 9, 2025, for further proceedings.
The political control of the resources of the territory known as Rivers State in Nigeria’s Niger Delta has been a site of curious jurisprudence since the Acting Consul of the Oil Rivers Protectorate, Harry Johnston, procured the judicial liquidation of King Jaja of Opobo in December 1887 in Accra, present capital of Ghana. The charge against King Jaja was the violation of a treaty obligation to assist the British “in the execution of such duties as may be assigned.” At the end of proceedings which lasted less than one day before a forum described by Elvar Ingimundarsson as a “Kangaroo court”, King Jaja was convicted and sentenced to exile. The court also prohibited the people of Opobo from designating a replacement for him.
At the end of February 2025, Nigeria’s Supreme Court continued a tradition of afflicting the people of the territory of Rivers State with curious jurisprudence. Separated by 137 years, the decision of the Supreme Court in the latest of the legal disputes from the political rift between incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, reprises essential parallels with the trial and exile of King Jaja with haunting similarity.
Now, as then, the underlying dispute is really about “a treaty”; in this case allegedly between the governor and his predecessor, the terms of which also appear to be about “the execution of such duties as may be assigned….” The court orders are against a ruling figure (Governor Fubara) from Opobo and the political effect is to seek to exile him from office while precluding any other Opobo person from replacing him.
Context is necessary to understand the case that the Supreme Court had to decide. Going into the 2023 election, the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, was term-limited. In 2020 and 2021, he publicly declared that he would not impose a successor on the state. In 2023, he did. His choice was a little-known public servant from Opobo-Nkoro, Sim Fubara. After the election, their relationship disintegrated. The reasons are subliminal in this case; the consequences are explicit.
In December 2023, 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Nyesom Wike, including the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, ostentatiously announced that they had defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In 2015, the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled that such defection is permissible only if the political party from which the legislators seek to defect is so hopelessly splintered that it “makes it impossible or impracticable for [the] political party to function as such.” If not, according to the court, “the defector automatically looses (sic) his seat.”
With the defection of Martin Amaewhule and his 26 other colleagues, the House of Assembly of Rivers State became factionalised. The remaining five members were loyal to the incumbent governor. Shortly after the defection of the Amaewhule faction in December 2023, the premises of the Rivers State House of Assembly were demolished ostensibly on the orders of the state government. The faction loyal to the state governor relocated to the Government House where, shortly thereafter, they purported to pass into law the 2024 Appropriation Bill for the State, which became law when the governor promptly assented to it.
The outbreak of litigation that followed has been inexhaustible. The appeal determined by a five-person panel of the Supreme Court on 28 February 2025 is one them. Essentially, it sought orders to restrain the Central Bank of Nigeria from remitting to Rivers State, its share of the proceeds from the Federation Account except to finance a budget passed by the Amaewhule faction of the State House of Assembly. In other words, this was litigation asking the judiciary to take sides in what is in fact a very grubby dispute over control of Rivers State’s money.
This case traveled up to the Supreme Court with supreme alacrity. The Federal High Court delivered judgment on 30 October 2024, a mere three and a half months after filing on 15 July. Not wishing to be outdone, the Court of Appeal delivered judgment on 13 December 2024, less than a month and a half later. The Supreme Court has been equally supersonic in bringing the case to judgment.
The Supreme Court dealt with two issues when it should have addressed at least three. First, it affirmed the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear the case. Next, on the question whether the rump of the House of Assembly of Rivers State loyal to the governor could constitutionally sit to pass the 2024 budget, it held that they could not. In support of this position, the court cited precedent applicable to when the legislature sits on impeachment, a special procedure for which the constitutionally prescribed parliamentary arithmetic is different.
The third issue, it left unattended. The Court simply proceeded without deliberation or reasoning to grant all the orders asked for.
An injunction, the principal relief sought in this case, is notoriously a remedy in equity, only granted deliberatively. Over one century ago, the path-breaking decision in The Lusitania laid down the principle that “as a general rule of both civil and common law… the remedy must be commensurate with the injury received.”
There are four glaring problems with this Supreme Court judgment. The first is not what is in it but what is missing. Lawyers claim that “equity does not act in vain.” The Supreme Court did not bother to provide any reasoning or justification for its orders, leaving it open to legitimate accusations of having acted in vain or in a transaction. Granting the court every latitude on the violations that it found, its orders are an unreasoned overreach.
Second, ordering the Central Bank to withhold Rivers state’s share of the Federation Account is at best a rogue order that punishes the people for a dispute between politicians. It violates the maxim that “equity regards the beneficiary (in this case the people of Rivers State) as the true owner.” Their right to their share of the Federation Account is antecedent to, independent of, and unconnected with the dispute in this case.
Third, being aware of the ongoing litigation on the legal consequences of the defection of the Amaewhule faction of the State House of Assembly, the Supreme Court short-circuited a contingent appellate process and issued dispositions on a dispute that was neither before it nor necessary for the determination of the issues it was called upon to decide. In doing so, the court chose with a touch of injudicious shamelessness to accept the invitation to take sides in the underlying political dispute in Rivers State.
Fourth, the Supreme Court announced revolutionary jurisprudence on the judicial fly, claiming that, in cases where there is a disputed defection, “only the [legislature] can declare a seat vacant for defection and not the Governor of a State. Not even the Courts can do so.” It takes heedless audacity for an apex court to castrate the judiciary. That is exactly what the court did with this line in italics. When the Supreme Court laid down the contrary principle in 2015, it was by a panel of seven Justices. This Supreme Court purports to overrule that principle without even citing, acknowledging, or considering its earlier decisions on the same point. Moreover, a five-person panel of the Supreme Court cannot overrule a seven-person panel.
When Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, showed up reportedly to turn the sod on proposed judicial digs with Nyesom Wike last October, there were unheeded warnings then concerning the prohibitive institutional costs of such dalliance with a notorious political litigant who has a reputation for instrumentalizing the courts. Many will look at will be argued that she was not on the panel; to which the response will be, she chose the judges and constituted the panel.
On 1 December 1887, the Kangaroo court of Rear Admiral Walter Hunt-Grubbe ruled that the presence of King Jaja in Opobo “would be fatal” to British commercial interests and authorized his eventual exile to West Indies. The judgment was widely seen as a transactional travesty and its effect, it was said, was “to haunt the British colonial administration in West Africa for a long time.”
It may similarly be said of what the courts of post-colonial Nigeria did in the 137th year of that iniquity that they sought in another transactional travesty to exile another figure from Opobo from his position because his presence would be fatal to the interests of Nigeria’s most prolific political litigant.
A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached on [email protected]
By Our Reporter
The federal government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), raised N2.72 trillion worth of Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) in the first two months of 2025, which is about an 8.6 per cent decline over the N2.97 trillion raised in the first two months of 2024, the apex bank has revealed.
The apex bank tightens its monetary policy through higher interest rates and large NTBs auctions, which curb rising inflation and stabilise the foreign exchange rate.
The CBN in its ‘Government Securities’ data, disclosed that it planned to raise an estimated N1.52 trillion from the investing public witnessed a subscription rate of N9.68 trillion and eventually settled for N2.72 trillion in the period under review.
NTBs or T-Bills as they are sometimes called, are short-term debt securities issued by the government to make up for budget deficits and fund projects.
In Nigeria, NTBills are issued by the apex bank on behalf of the federal government.
By tightening its monetary policy through higher interest rates and large NTBs auctions, the CBN aims to curb rising inflation and stabilise the foreign exchange rate, thereby fostering a more balanced economic environment.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the CBN increased its interest rate by 870 basis points to 27.50 per cent from 18.75 per cent in 2024 to combat rising inflation.
This led to an equal increase in the yields of Treasury bills compared to la st year.
However, the MPC members retained the interest rate at 27.50 per cent in its first meeting in 2025 in a move to reduce the payment burden.
The apex bank has been scaling back on elevated discount rates offered on NTBills amid strong demand and the fact that the benchmark interest rate has raced ahead of the country’s headline inflation.
THISDAY observed that the stop rate for long maturities NTBs dropped to 18.43 per cent at the end of February 2025 auction from 22 per cent when CBN carried out its first auction in 2025.
Also, the stop rate for 182-DAY closed in February 2025 at 18 per cent from 18.50 per cent January 2025.
Despite the liquidity congestion in February, sentiment in the NTBills space was predominantly bullish, mostly due to the impact of the rebased CPI, which affected the dynamics of the Nigerian fixed-income market. (ThisDay)
…Slams Akpabio, Opeyemi for Presiding Over Senate Charade Despite Past Flaws
By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Professor of political economist, and business consultant, Pat Utomi has charged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to call out lawyers in the senate for being judges in their own case against Sen Natasha; for judgment without fair hearing and for abusing the rights of the people of Kogi who elected her; and for presuming they are her employees who can stop her pay.
Utomi who views the treatment meted to Senator Natasha as impunity, also slammed the Senate President Godswill Akpabio whom he said acted worse under the leadership of Bukola Saraki and Senator Bamidele Opeyemi whose expulsion from UNIBEN was rescinded on account of absence of fairing, in litigation championed by Femi Falana SAN, can preside over the charade ongoing in the Senate
In his words when he took to his X account handle, Utomi said in part:
“It is interesting that Sen Akpabio who acted worse under Saraki , and Opeyemi Bamidele, whose expulsion from UNIBEN was rescinded on account of absence of fairing, in litigation championed by FFalana SAN, can preside over the charade ongoing in the Senate
“I whole heartedly endorse the move of Peter Agbontaen and the public accountability cohort of thenewtribe to initiate a recall of all the Senators. Please sign their petitions as they come your way.”
Irked by the fact that the priorities of the senate does not reflect the harsh economic situation facing the greater population of the people, Utomi emphasized that what is the more troubling is that at a time of much uncertainty at the global level, depressing misery at the national level when leaders should be consumed by how to build that developmental state coalition, the Senate is extending its ways of impunity into the realm of the frivolous
By Our Reporter
Nigerian vibrant Lawyer, Alexander Oketa, has petitioned the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over land grabbing activities by the officials of the Commission.
The piece of land located at plot 680-689, Cadastral Zone Bo6, Mabushi, Abuja, has been a subject of tussle between Jona Brothers Construction Limited and Chief Michael Adeojo (Owner of Elizade Motors), for over six years.
Despite many court judgements, orders and rulings in favour of Jona Brothers Construction Limited and its partner, Uche Vincent, declaring them as authentic owners of the piece of land; with the Police investigation report also confirming same; the EFCC, in a twist of event, was said to have meddled into the matter, uninvitedly, declaring the Chairman of Elizade Motors as the rightful owner of the said piece of land.
In a 5-page strong worded petition signed by Barrister Oketa and submitted and acknowledged at the Executive Chairman’s office, EFCC headquarters on Friday, 7th March 2025; some EFCC officials led by Mr. Olayinka Macaulay, the Team Leader of the agency in Area 11, Abuja, allegedly stormed the said property on Thursday, 6th March, harassing the workers on site, sealed off the premises and threatened to arrest anyone seen close to the premises.
“Please recall our earlier letter to the Commission dated 22nd April, 2024, informing you of the judgement of His Lordship, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Mohammed in JONA BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION LTD & 3 ORS V. EFCC & 3 ORS, SUIT NO. FCT/HC/CV/42/2023, which perpetually restrained the Commission and any entity acting on its behalf from arresting, dispossessing or seizing the above mentioned property from our clients, or engaging in any act inimical to our clients’ ownership, use and occupation of the said property, unless the judgement of Justice S.U Bature is set aside by an appellate court.
“It has come to the knowledge of our clients that some recalcitrant officers of the Commission (EFCC) led by one Mr. Olayinka Macaulay of the Property & Fraud Unit, Area 11, Abuja, on the 6th day of March, 2025, unlawfully stormed the said property; stopped ongoing approved construction on site; padlocked the gate; chased away our Clients and workers from the property; marked the property with the inscription ‘EFCC KEEP OFF’; and threatened to arrest our Clients and the workers if they dare return to the property; on the basis that they (Mr. Olayinka Macaulay and his men, Police Officers) are enforcing an Interim Forfeiture Order granted to the Commission (EFCC) by Hon. Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court.
“Our Client’s building materials and equipment worth Billions of Naira have been exposed to theft, demurrage and expiration by the unlawful activities of Olayinka Macaulay, at the behest and pleasure of our Client’s defeated opponent, Chief Michael Adeojo, whom the prosecutors, SYLVANUS TAHIR, SAN; ELIZABETH ALABI, ESQ; AND M.I BUBA, ESQ, declared as the true owner against the judgements of the FCT High Courts.
“For your education Sir, Court Orders are only enforceable by the Sheriff of the Federal High Court, and not by the personal whims and caprices of the Commission, particularly when the Commission is a party to the ongoing forfeiture proceedings. Interestingly, our Clients contacted the Registry of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and the Registry categorically distanced itself from the illegal enforcement of the said interim Order, especially as our Client’s application to set aside the interim forfeiture is pending.
“For your further education Sir, the Judgement of Ibrahim Mohammed is the latest and takes precedence over and above the Interim Order secretly obtained by the Commission without the joinder, knowledge, participation and service and/or publication of the said Order in any of the national dailies. The Commission is further challenged to provide any evidence of service of the said Interim Order on our Clients.
“It is quite unfortunate, appalling and shameful that the Commission once perceived to be a model to other sister agencies in the country, has degenerated into a cartel wherein, officers of the Commission now seizing properties and handling same to our opponent, Chief Michael Adeojo, who we have repeatedly defeated in Courts.
“We humbly urge you to urgently call the concerned EFCC officials to Order and forestall the imminent clash of the judgement and Orders of the Court, as our Clients shall equally be relying on the judgement and Order in their favour to utilise every legally conceivable means to protect its adjudged property”, the petition reads in part.
The Lawyer also threatened to ventilate the grievances to the “National Judicial Council (NJC), the National Security Adviser, the National Assembly, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission and other relevant government functionaries”, if the EFCC Chairman refuses to take action within 48 hours.
When contacted via telephone Saturday night, Mr. Olayinka Macaulay, the leader of the team that invaded the said property on Thursday, declined comment. Rather, he directed that our Correspondent speak with media unit of the EFCC, even though he admitted carrying out the “official” duty on Thursday.
He said, “What I did is not in my personal capacity. It was in my official capacity. I was directed. So, I can’t now be personally attending to it. Because as you are calling me now, it is like I’m responding to it personally. If you want any response, it has to be a kind of formal response from our media unit”.
….Urges members of the Obidient Movement and other groups to pray for the eternal repose of Dr. Okupe’s soul
By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Labour Party presidential candidate in the February 25, 2025 general election, Peter Obi has paid a condolence visit to the family of late Doyin Okupe over the passing of their father, assuring them that he will stand by them during this difficult time of grief.
Precise Post recalls that Obi, who announced the news of the visit on his X account handle, said he was at the residence of the bereaved family on Friday evening to offer his heartfelt condolences.
During the visit, the former Anambra state Governor said while no one can question God’s will, we must continue to support and stand by one another, especially in time of grief.
He prayed Almighty God to grant the family the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss, and for the soul of Dr. Doyin Okupe to rest in perfect peace.
Earlier before his visit, Obi who took to his X account to send a condolence message, urged members of the Obidient Movement and other groups to pray for the eternal repose of Dr. Okupe’s soul and to remember his family during these trying times.
The condolence visit reads in full:
“With great sadness this morning, I received the shocking news of the death of my dear elder brother, Dr. Doyin Okupe. On behalf of the family and the Obidient family, I sincerely mourn his passing.”
“Dr. Okupe was an active figure in the nation’s political space and a man who desired a better Nigeria.”
“His death is a profound loss – not only to his family and loved ones but to all of us.”
“I would therefore like to urge members of the Obidient Movement and other groups to pray for the eternal repose of Dr. Okupe’s soul and to remember his family during these trying times.”
“May God Almighty, who called him home, grant him eternal rest and grant his family, and all of us, the fortitude to bear this sad and irreplaceable loss.”
“May God Almighty bless his family always. – PO”
With great sadness this morning, I received the shocking news of the death of my dear elder brother, Dr. Doyin Okupe. On behalf of the family and the Obidient family, I sincerely mourn his passing.
Dr. Okupe was an active figure in the nation’s political space and a man who desired a better Nigeria.
His death is a profound loss – not only to his family and loved ones but to all of us.
I would therefore like to urge members of the Obidient Movement and other groups to pray for the eternal repose of Dr. Okupe’s soul and to remember his family during these trying times.
May God Almighty, who called him home, grant him eternal rest and grant his family, and all of us, the fortitude to bear this sad and irreplaceable loss.
May God Almighty bless his family always. – PO
Precise Post further recalls that Okupe was the first campaign Director General of Peter Obi for the 2023 presidential election race.
By Our Reporter
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day 2025, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council has joined the global movement in recognising the resilience, achievements, and contributions of women across all sectors.
This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action” highlights the progress made in gender equality and the need for continued efforts to break barriers and create opportunities for women.
Women in journalism, governance, and other professions have continued to defy limitations, proving that leadership is driven by competence, vision, and determination rather than gender. The NUJ FCT Council acknowledges the growing representation of women in decision-making roles and reaffirms its commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for female professionals.
The Council’s commitment to gender inclusivity is further reflected in the historic election of Grace Ike as the first female Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council. Her emergence after 41 years is a significant milestone, demonstrating the evolving role of women in journalism and leadership. Ike’s victory serves as an inspiration to women within and beyond the media industry, reinforcing the message that leadership is about vision and ability, not gender.
She said In the Political Scene, International Women’s Day (IWD) should be more than just a symbolic occasion: it should be a time for women to truly support one another, both publicly and privately. It’s time to move beyond lip-service and stop playing to the gallery. A woman who chooses to abandon her fellow women in an electoral contest, aligning herself with men instead, is not embodying the true essence of womanhood just like the FcT NUj election.
She said, “Women play a key role in elections, not only as voters but as leaders, candidates, and agents of change. Their participation can reshape the political landscape and challenge the status quo. However, when women choose to betray their own kind for personal gain or political advantage, they undermine the solidarity and progress that are crucial for societal transformation. “
“This is a moment for introspection, a time to purge ourselves of any past wrongs, retrace our steps, and make restitution. It’s an opportunity to turn a new leaf and genuinely stand in solidarity with one another, especially in the political arena, where women’s collective power is both needed and invaluable.”
“I want to use this medium to call on leaders, federal government, well meaning Nigerians to invest in promoting women’s rights and gender equality. The importance of creating opportunities for more women to step into leadership positions cannot be over emphasized.
“The barriers of the past no longer define us. This milestone is not just mine; it belongs to every woman who dares to challenge the norm,” she stated.
The NUJ FCT Council also called on stakeholders to continue supporting and empowering women, ensuring they have access to platforms where they can contribute meaningfully to societal development.
“As more women take up leadership roles, the impact is evident in journalism, governance, and various other fields, where their contributions are shaping policies, narratives, and progress.”
On this International Women’s Day, the NUJ FCT Council stand in solidarity with women worldwide, celebrating their achievements and advocating for a future where leadership knows no gender.
By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on February 25, 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar has called for empowerment and recognition of women’s crucial role in nation-building has as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day.
The former Vice President expressed profound appreciation for the resilience, hard work, and courage of women across the country, highlighting their indispensable contributions to society in homes, workplaces, and governance.
Atiku, who made the call on his verified X account on Saturday said; “Women are the backbone of our society, and their strength, determination, and achievements are immeasurable,” “Today, we celebrate them.”
However, he also voiced concerns over the continued efforts to silence women in leadership positions, citing the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti as a troubling example of such suppression.
This action, Atiku argued, undermines fairness, representation, and gender inclusivity, stressing that women must be empowered to fully participate in governance rather than being stifled when they seek to lead.
As part of the International Women’s Day celebration, the Turaki Adamawa reaffirmed their commitment to advancing and protecting women’s rights in Nigeria, emphasizing that a nation can only progress when women are given the opportunity to thrive.
The message concluded with a heartfelt wish for all women on this special day: “Happy International Women’s Day.” Atiku added.
By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has tasked Nigerian legislators to pass all the outstanding gender laws before them to enhance women’s rights.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu SAN, OFR, made the call on Thursday as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 International Women’s Day.
Precise Post recalls that the theme of this year’s celebration is: “Accelerate Action.” “For all women and girls, Rights, Equality and Empowerment.
Ojukwu recalled that at our current pace, we are caught up by the World Economic Forum, (WEF) Global, gender gap report 2022 which projected that gender parity may not be achieved for a further 132 years. He highlighted that this staggering statistics should be a grave concern to all well meaning people all over the world. As the issue of the respect for the rights of women is imperative to the progress, development and prosperity of any nation.
The ES emphasized the need to remember and honour the sacrifice of the 15,000 women who marched in New York City in 1908, advocating for better working conditions and the right to vote of women. Their legacy inspires our urgent call for change today, he stated.
The Scribe of the NHRC recounted that despite ongoing efforts by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders to promote laws and policies that support women’s rights and inclusion, a significant gap remains between policy and implementation. This he said, has hindered Nigeria’s journey toward gender equality, with a noticeable decline in women’s political representation and governance after each election cycle. As a result, women continue to be excluded from key decision-making positions, impacting their welfare and well-being. Noting that the 35% affirmative action, once seen as a potential solution, is increasingly becoming a distant goal for Nigerian women.
However, he commended the some initiatives of the current government aimed at addressing some of the challenges women face such as the “Trader Money,” which he said has helped elevate businesses owned by market women across the country, providing them with a much-needed boost. Ojukwu also hailed Kwara State government for making significant strides in promoting women’s rights by appointing a considerable number of women to decision-making positions, strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
On the efforts of the Commission towards women empowerment, the ES stressed that the NHRC has taken series of steps including
supporting several Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) panels across states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in working to hold perpetrators accountable. Alongside its regular complaint treatment processes, the Commission has also promoted awareness through various gender-related initiatives, including airing “The Silent Prejudice” on national television to challenge harmful practices like the Osu caste system. Additionally, the Commission runs annual 16 Days of Activism against SGBV and organizes press conferences to advocate for gender mainstreaming.
The NHRC also urged policymakers to push for stronger advocacy and the domestication of the Maputo Protocol, which aims to create a more equitable society for women. The Commission also stressed the need to amplify women’s voices and protect their rights, urging all Nigerians to dismantle the barriers that hinder progress.
In its good will message, the National Council of Women Society’s (NCWS) representative said that the theme of this year’s celebration is timely. Adding that, though they are doing something, but we need to do more. We are working for the empowerment of women. She called for more energy in empowering women economically. Every other thing we are doing, let us add women empowerment.
Similarly, the representative of Nigerian Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) in her goodwill message, expressed solidarity with the theme of this year’s Women’s Day
She asked for more empowerment for women and ending violence ahainst women.
By Our Reporter
Abeokuta, Ogun State – The once-peaceful Ilawo community in Abeokuta North is now a battleground of fear, outrage, and despair as residents allege that law enforcement officers are shielding a controversial monarch accused of terrorizing the people. The crisis stems from allegations of conspiracy, assault, property destruction, and an illegal takeover of the revered Ile Ogboni, an ancestral institution central to Ilawo’s cultural identity.
Monarch’s Alleged Reign of Impunity Sparks Outrage
At the center of the storm is Alexander Olusegun Macgregor, a man whose controversial installation as the Olu of Orile Ilawo continues to face fierce opposition. Community leaders argue that his ascension violated traditional and legal protocols, yet what troubles them more is the claim that officers of Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Wale Ajao, are deliberately ignoring his alleged criminal activities, thus enabling him to rule with unchecked impunity.
Court Order for Peace Defied, Violence Escalates
In an effort to prevent further unrest, the Magistrate Court of Ogun State, Abeokuta, on December 7, 2023, ordered Macgregor to maintain peace in Ilawo for three years. However, residents claim that instead of complying, he has continued to unleash armed thugs who vandalize properties and attack those who oppose him.
Residents Live in Fear: “Our Homes Have Become a War Zone”
Reports from Ilawo paint a disturbing picture of lawlessness. Armed loyalists of Macgregor have allegedly attacked residents, looted businesses, and taken over properties with force.
A particularly shocking incident is the seizure and looting of the sacred Ile Ogboni, which was reportedly locked up under Macgregor’s orders. Shops surrounding the area were ransacked, and goods were carted away. Many residents have fled their homes, fearing further violence.
Police Accused of Enabling Lawlessness
What has fueled greater outrage is the community’s claim that police officers who are supposed to protect them have instead turned a blind eye. Despite multiple reports detailing alleged crimes, officers from Zone 2 Police Command have allegedly refused to act. Some officers reportedly told victims they were “under instructions” not to intervene.
How do you report a crime, only to realize the criminals have more protection than you?” a community elder lamented. “Are we to believe that in Nigeria, the law only works for the powerful?”
Defiance of Court Orders Raises Questions About the Rule of Law
Legal authorities have already ruled against Macgregor. Hon. Justice O. O. Majekodunmi of the High Court of Ogun State, in Suit No: AB/789/2022, declared that he is not the rightful Olu of Orile Ilawo and ordered the Ogun State Government to withdraw all instruments of office from him.
However, rather than comply, Macgregor continues to parade himself as king, allegedly defying both the courts and government authority. Even when police initially attempted to enforce the ruling, they were reportedly blocked by armed thugs loyal to Macgregor.
“The police came but stood there helpless,” an eyewitness revealed. “They claimed they had ‘orders from above’ not to act. If this is true, then we have lost faith in our country.”
Government Reaffirms Macgregor Has No Jurisdiction Over Abeokuta North
Amid the rising tensions, the Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has issued a statement confirming that Macgregor has no legal authority over Ilawo town in Abeokuta North.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs clarified that the jurisdiction of the Olu of Orile-Ilawo is limited to Orile-Ilawo and its traditionally associated areas within Odeda Local Government Area. Abeokuta North, on the other hand, remains under the authority of HRH Oba Teju Oso, the Osile of Egbaland.
Despite this official clarification, Macgregor has allegedly continued to assert influence beyond his legal boundaries, escalating tensions further.
Will Justice Prevail, or Will Ilawo Be Left to Suffer?
As the crisis deepens, Ilawo residents are demanding urgent intervention. They are calling on the Inspector General of Police, human rights organizations, and the international community to intervene before the situation spirals further out of control.
“This is not just about Ilawo. It’s about whether Nigeria is still a country governed by the rule of law,” a distressed resident stated. “If this injustice continues here, it can happen anywhere.”
With allegations of police complicity, defiance of court rulings, and increasing violence, the big question remains: Will justice prevail, or will Ilawo be abandoned to the forces of lawlessness?
