A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has remanded four suspects in a correctional facility for kidnapping and m8rder of a retired headteacher.   The suspects, Emmanuel Eke, Ogechi Ogbogu (popularly known as United), Charles Anayor (also known as Biggie), and Nelson Isaiah, are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, and m8rder.  They are alleged to have, sometime in 2012, conspired to abduct and subsequently m8rder Eugene Ndubuisi Orlu Orlu in Ubima community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.  The four accused persons, alongside others still at large, allegedly kidnapped the victim, collected a ransom of fifteen million naira, k!lled him, placed his body in a sack, and buried him in a forest between neighboring communities.  The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.  No bail application was made, and the presiding judge, Justice Augusta Kingsley-Chukwu, ordered their remand in Port Harcourt Correctional Facility.   Justice Kingsley-Chukwu adjourned the case to the 20th and 27th of May, 2025, for the commencement of accelerated hearing.  The post Court remands 4 for kidnap and m8rder of retired teacher in Rivers appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment until June 27, 2025, in the suit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan challenging her suspension by the Senate. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate, is contesting the Senates decision to suspend her for six months over allegations of misconduct and breach of Senate rules. She was suspended on March 8 following accusations that she disrupted the House proceedings and went on live TV to accuse the Senate President of sexual harassment. However, the senator insists that her suspension violates an earlier court order issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, which barred any action against her until the conclusion of legal proceedings. The matter was heard on Tuesday, May 13,  by Justice Binta Nyako, who on Monday also addressed two contempt chargesone filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio against Akpoti-Uduaghan, and another by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio and the Senate. At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Natashas lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), adopted his written submissions and urged the court to overrule all preliminary objections to the suit. He asked the court to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiff without restrictions and to throw out any contempt application against her. Numa argued that the courts order restraining parties from granting media interviews did not apply to Akpoti-Uduaghans public statements on sexu@l harassment claims. He also accused the Senate and its leadership of acting in contempt of court by proceeding with her suspension despite the order. Representing the Clerk of the National Assembly, Charles Yoila drew the courts attention to his pending motion challenging its jurisdiction. He urged the court to dismiss the case outright. Lawyers for the Senate, Chikasolu Ojukwu (SAN) and J. Daudu (SAN) supported the preliminary objections and insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan had violated the court order on media engagement. Counsel to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), also urged the court to uphold his preliminary objection, arguing that the matter had become academic. Alternatively, he asked the court to dismiss the suit and accept his application to strike out Akpoti-Uduaghans satirical apology posted online. The legal team for the Senate Committee chair also aligned with the defendants and called for the dismissal of the suit. Justice Binta Nyako, after listening to all arguments, stated that she would first address the contempt issues raised by both parties before delivering judgment. She said if the preliminary objection of the defendants succeeds, the case will be terminated at that point. The judge then adjourned the matter to June 27, 2025, for judgment. The post Court to deliver judgment on Natashas suspension June 27 appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

A legal challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is set to proceed on May 26, 2025, after the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt granted a brief adjournment during a hearing on Monday, May 12.

The suit, filed by Dr. Farah Dagogo, a former member of the House of Representatives and 2023 Rivers State governorship aspirant, contests Tinubu’s March 18 suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Odu, and the entire state legislature.

The president justified the emergency declaration by citing threats to national assets in the oil sector and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state’s Sole Administrator.

Dagogo’s legal counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Cosmas Enweluzo, told journalists that the president’s actions were not only unprecedented but unconstitutional.

President Has No Power to Suspend Elected Leaders – Lawyer

“The President cannot act as a ‘Tin god.’ He does not have the constitutional authority to suspend elected representatives or govern over four million Rivers people and those doing business in Rivers State by fiat. It is a constitutional aberration and must not be allowed,” Enweluzo said.

Filed under suit number FHC/PH/CS/50/2025, the case lists several high-profile defendants, including President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Admiral Ibas.

Only the fifth defendant, Vice Admiral Ibas, was represented in court on Monday. His counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, requested additional time to respond to the originating summons.

Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed granted the extension but firmly stated that the hearing would proceed on May 26 regardless of further delays.

Enweluzo, while not opposing the request for adjournment, criticised the broader silence from other defendants.

“All defendants have been properly served, yet none except the fifth has filed even a conditional appearance,” he said.

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Why Tinubu’s action isn’t justified

He further questioned the security rationale used to justify the emergency in Rivers State, pointing out that “in Benue, Plateau, and Borno States, serious security challenges persist… Yet no state of emergency was declared there. Rivers State has remained relatively peaceful.”

Enweluzo commended Dr. Dagogo for initiating the constitutional challenge.

“We are grateful for principled leaders like Dr Farah Dagogo who are willing to defend the Nigerian Constitution.

“Citizens have a right to be governed by officials they have elected and represented by legislators of their constituencies,” he said

Counsel to the fifth defendant, Ogunwumiju, declined to speak with the media following the hearing.