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Atiku on Rivers verdict: Nigerians losing faith in judiciary

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Atiku on Rivers verdict Nigerians losing faith in judiciary

He further questioned the ruling’s timing, pointing out that the Rivers State government had already filed a notice of appeal to bring the case before the Supreme Court.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned a recent court ruling suspending financial allocations to Rivers State, warning that it could erode public trust in Nigeria’s judiciary.

The Abuja Federal High Court’s order restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from releasing funds to Rivers has sparked fierce reactions, especially Atiku, who expressed deep concern over what he described as “federal interference” in state matters.

The injunction, issued by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, prevents the state from receiving allocations until a properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly passes an “appropriation act.”

READ ALSO: Rivers Verdict: Fubara faults Tinubu’s peace accord, gives key reason

Martins Amaewhule’s faction of the state assembly brought the suit, questioning the validity of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s budget presented to a five-member assembly.

Through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku argued that the decision to grant the injunction while Rivers’ appeal remains pending is problematic.

“The judiciary’s actions could destabilise Rivers State,” Atiku warned, adding that “elements loyal to the federal government were pulling strings from behind.”

READ ALSO: Rivers Crisis: Fubara told to refund illegally spent funds after court ruling

He further questioned the ruling’s timing, pointing out that the Rivers State government had already filed a notice of appeal to bring the case before the Supreme Court.


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Citing earlier alerts from senior lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, who had warned of possible judicial compromise involving gifts allegedly given to judges, Atiku’s statement condemned the court’s dismissal of these concerns.

“Falana’s warning was ignored,” the statement read, with Atiku underscoring that these developments pose a significant threat to Nigeria’s judicial integrity and state autonomy.
#Atiku #Rivers #verdict #Nigerians #losing #faith #judiciary


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Nigerian man jailed for s3xually assaulting teenage girl in UK told victim "such behaviour is normal in Nigeria and women won’t report it"

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A Nigerian man who s3xually assaulted a 17-year-old girl has been jailed for two years in the United Kingdom.  Emmanuel Onwubiko, 36, was found guilty of five counts of s3xual assault after a five-day trail at Liverpool Crown Court last month.  On Friday, June 13, 2025, Onwubiko was sentenced to two years of immediate imprisonment, and ordered to sign the s3x offender register for 10 years.  Onwubiko assaulted the victim while he was working at a Warrington residential home as an agency care worker on January 1, 2024.  The distraught teenage care worker had a full immersion baptism to try to cleanse her body after being s3xually assaulted by Onwubiko, the court heard. The 17-year-old felt so violated by Onwubiko repeatedly touching her during a shift together at a Warrington residential home that she felt the service was her only way to feel clean.  But she was also devastated as she had planned to have such a service at a later date.  I am a Christian and being baptised is a big deal for me. I always thought it would be the best day of my life, surrounded by family and friends,” she said.  She told how out of pure desperation she had quickly organised the baptism without telling anyone.  I wanted to feel clean. I feel like Ive ruined everything and feel really sad that my family was not there to support me. I felt so violated by the s3xual assault. The teenager, now 18, bravely read out her victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing of Onwubiko.  She told how she was unable to continue working at the home in Warrington as she was so badly affected psychologically and suffered panic attacks and depression and had been left in debt. The young woman concluded, I feel he has ruined my life and destroyed me as a person. I hope he realises it has had a big effect, but hopefully I can now rebuild my life.”  Liverpool Crown Court heard that on the day of the offences in January last year, the 36-year-old defendant, who had lectured in further education in Nigeria, was employed at the home as an agency worker. They were working together on a ward for patients with dementia and severe mental issues. Jailing him for two years, Judge Gary Woodhall said, From the very beginning of the time that day you behaved inappropriately towards her. You demonstrated sexual attraction to her, said she was beautiful and wanted her all to yourself. He said his assaults began with touching her breast and later touching her bottom while she was attending to a patient. On two occasions he squeezed by and touched her vagina and she became increasingly concerned. She messaged an off-duty colleague while hiding in a toilet, revealing her plight and saying she was too frightened to make a complaint and be thought a grass. She said she felt scared, horrible and physically sick. Later, while they were changing bed sheets, he asked her inappropriate sexual questions and said she was gorgeous.  When she became upset, he said that such behaviour was normal in Nigeria and women there would not report it. “You were trying to put pressure on her, the judge told Onwubiko. The final assault involved him pushing himself against her and touching her vagina which she described as the worst assault. She took her break and went to her nans home, told her what had been happening and the police were notified. Onwubiko, of Derwent Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, who has no previous convictions, disputed all her claims. The court heard that he had come to this country on a student visa hoping to do a Masters degree in arts in education. Owubikos lawyer Rob Wyn Jones, argued for the sentence to be suspended as he needs to keep working as a warehouseman to pay off a loan in his homeland, as his wife and three children have been threatened with harm if it is not paid. Judge Woodhall said that the only appropriate punishment was an immediate jail term and he also ordered him to sign on the S3x Offenders Register for ten years.  The judge referenced the harm that was caused to Onwubiko when he was assaulted by the victim’s father.  In a court case last year, it was heard that the victim’s dad punched Onwubiko several times to the back of his head after hearing of his daughter’s assault. Onwubiko suffered a nose bleed, two chipped teeth, and a month later, it was confirmed that he had a subdural haemorrhage.  He underwent an emergency operation which involved a hole being drilled into his brain.  The victim’s father was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.  The post Nigerian man jailed for s3xually assaulting teenage girl in UK told victim “such behaviour is normal in Nigeria and women won’t report it” appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.


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Nigerians urge IGP Egbetokun's action in ₦151m police extortion trial

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As the police orderly room trial of four officers accused of extorting ₦151.5 million from a diaspora-based Nigerian reaches a crucial stage, pressure is mounting on Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to ensure justice is served and impunity curbed within the force.

The accused officers — AP Mohammed Yusuf (No. 229655), AP Ojochenemi Jubrin (No. 227141), AP Rizama Reuben (No. 318195), and AP Isokpuwu John (No. 318172) — all attached to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Area 10, Abuja, are currently standing trial over the incident.

They were accused of abducting Mr. Segun Okubajo, a Nigerian based overseas, from Lagos to Abuja and holding him incommunicado while forcing his family to pay a negotiated sum of ₦151.5 million, down from an initial demand of ₦1 billion.

The amount was allegedly paid after the family converted the money into dollars, which had been raised through loans, cooperatives, and friends.

Details of the Alleged Extortion

According to a petition filed by Okubajo’s family, the arrest was allegedly instigated by one Oladipo Ibrahim of Eko Imperial Autos, prompting the IGP to order an immediate investigation.

Upon establishing a prima facie case, the officers were subjected to an internal disciplinary process.

Call for Accountability and Reform

The evidence phase of the trial concluded on June 16, 2025, and Nigerians are now watching closely to see whether the police hierarchy will deliver justice or let the case fade into silence.

“There’s a chance here for the IGP to prove his commitment to reforming the force. Justice in this case would be a powerful message that extortion and abuse will not be tolerated,” a human rights advocate said.

While the police leadership has made repeated pledges to weed out corrupt elements, the case has reignited public skepticism over accountability in Nigeria’s law enforcement system.


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Update: Sacked Premier League referee David Coote charged by the FA over X-rated rant

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The Football Association has charged former Premier League referee David Coote in relation to his  X-rated rant about ex-Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp. Ex-Premier League official Coote was investigated by The Professional Game Match Officials Limited [PGMOL] following the leaked video. The clip showed him calling the former Liverpool manager Klopp a ‘German c***’ and also branded him as arrogant. Another video showed Coote snorting a white power and his contract was terminated by the PGMOL in December. Coote was alleged to have discussed giving a yellow card before and after a fixture between Leeds United and West Brom. He also allegedly tried to organise a ‘drugs party’ in messages sent before and during half-time of Tottenham vs Manchester City. The FA have now announced their charges against the 42-year-old for his x-rated rant on Klopp in a statement, having he faces no charges in relation to betting misconduct allegations. “David Coote has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to comments that he made about Jurgen Klopp in a video recorded around July 2020 which appeared on social media in November 2024. “It’s alleged that the referee acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words contrary to FA Rule E3.1. “It’s further alleged that this constitutes an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference – whether expressed or implied – to nationality. “No charges have been issued in relation to allegations of gambling misconduct against David Coote, which were also fully investigated.” In a tearful interview with The Sun in January, Coote came out as gay and spoke about hiding his sexuality. “I felt a deep sense of shame during my teenage years in particular. I didn’t come out to my parents until I was 21. I didn’t come out to my friends until I was 25. “My sexuality isn’t the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I’m not telling an authentic story if I dont say that I’m gay, and that I’ve had real struggles dealing with hiding that. “I hid my emotions as a young ref and I hid my sexuality as well a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a human being. And thats led me to a whole course of behaviours.” Coote added: “I’ve had issues around my self-esteem and that relates to my sexuality. I’m gay and Ive struggled with feeling proud of being ‘me’ over a long period of time. “I have received deeply unpleasant abuse during my career as a ref and to add my sexuality to that would have been really difficult. “Theres a lot to be done throughout football and more widely in society with regard to discrimination. “I didn’t want to be that person that was putting their head above the parapet to be shot at, given the abuse we all get as a referee in any event.” Coote refereed 112 Premier League matches and also took charge of fixtures in the Championship, League One and League Two. He was recently revealed to be working for delivery company Evri. The post Update: Sacked Premier League referee David Coote charged by the FA over X-rated rant appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.


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