THE political crisis in Rivers State took a dangerous turn, yesterday, as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, downplayed reported threats by some Ijaw-linked militant groups to blow up crude oil pipelines and hold the nation to ransom, should Governor Siminalayi Fubara be impeached by the 27 members of the State Assembly loyal to him.
In fact, Wike said heaven would not fall, if the governor was impeached.

This was as the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly, which shunned a reconciliation meeting called by the governor, barred Fubara from entering the Assembly complex to present the 2025 budget, alleging improper communication.

In a quick counter, Fubara said he was ready to re-present the budget, despite being locked out, insisting that he notified the House through Speaker Amaewhule.

Meanwhile, the Ijaw National Congress, INC, once again reiterated its earlier position that if Fubara (an Ijaw man) was impeached for any reason, the consequences will be too heavy for the country to bear economically.

Describing the lawmakers’ action as reckless, the INC said Wike cannot drag the Ikwerre and Ijaw Nations into a tribal war.
In like manner, the Pan Niger-Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, described the legislators’ action as provocative and an insult to Rivers people; as oil communities warned the lawmakers against igniting fire in the Niger-Delta.

No ethnic group has monopoly of violence — Wike

While noting that no ethnic group had a monopoly of violence and that the state has the wherewithal to deal with criminal elements, Wike said the heavens will not fall if Fubara was impeached for constitutional infractions.

The minister spoke during a live interview with some television reporters, monitored in Abuja.

While he described PANDEF as the worst organization for anyone to rely on, the immediate past Rivers State governor also took a swipe at Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Muhammed, who he accused of using him to settle scores with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Monopoly of violence

Wike said every ethnic group in the Niger Delta had the capacity to do whatever others are doing, warning that no one should arrogate to himself the monopoly of violence.

He said: “Who has called for his impeachment? Who? If he has committed an infraction to be impeached, what is wrong? Is impeachment a criminal offence? Is it not provided for in the constitution? Am I a member of the Assembly?

‘’The point I am making is, if he has committed an infraction on the constitution and the Assembly deems it fit to say he should be impeached, then fine. Is he the first person that would be threatened with impeachment? Don’t you know what to do? What’s all this hullabaloo about impeachment?

Threat by Ijaws

“I have heard people say if they impeach him, there will be a breakdown of law and order. Rubbish. Tell me who are the militants? Who was born a militant? Tell me. Who is a militant? Who cannot blow the pipelines? Why do you arrogate this power to a certain group of people? ‘’Are Ijaw people the only ones who can blow up pipelines? What nonsense is that? Who told you that Ogoni, Ikwerre and others cannot blow up pipelines? Why do you arrogate powers to people?

‘’Who is the one doing the contract of the pipeline surveillance? Is he not an Ijaw son? Is it not Tompolo? Tantita? They gave you the contract. You are Ijaw and somebody will say Ijaw people will go and blow pipelines and somebody will listen to that?
‘’How dare you threaten a country? Which threat? It does not exist. These are political thugs planted by some people in government. We know ourselves. You make an appointment as MD of NDDC, they threaten that they will blow pipelines. You make an appointment, they threaten again to blow pipelines.

“I have told people, when the law speaks, all these ‘Asawana’ (an Ijaw spiritual chant) will die. Let me tell you, Ijaw does not constitute the majority of the Niger-Delta. People must speak the truth. Heavens will not fall. You only die once, not two times.
“What nonsense, everyday you wake up, Ijaw will do this, Ijaw will do that! In Akwa Ibom, Ijaw cannot be governor. In Delta, Ijaw is a minority. With all due respect to our late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, he is from Delta.

“He never produced an Ijaw man to be governor of Delta. The only place Ijaw can be governor solely, is in Bayelsa, not in Edo, not in Rivers. It was out of our own benevolence, the idea of live and let’s live, that I said, look, we are working as a team. We are members of the same political family. Let us allow this to go to this area.

‘’If it is by strength, they cannot beat the Ogonis, they cannot beat the Ekpeyes, and they cannot beat the Ikwerres.
“When people do something to bring people together, you appreciate it. In fact, when I brought this governor, they said’ no,’ that he is not a real Ijaw man.

‘’If you are talking about Ijaw, the ticket should go to the Kalabaris, how can you say if they want to give governorship to the Ijaw, that it should be the Opobos? And you closed your eyes and did it. All those who fought me are the ones now parading themselves and deceiving him.”

Useless letters

Wike also slammed Fubara for writing a “useless” letter to the Martins Amaewhule-led State Assembly, inviting them for a meeting at Government House in Port Harcourt and also informing them of his intention to re-present the state’s annual budget.

Describing Fubara as an insincere politician, the FCT minister, who was largely instrumental to making him governor, said having been at loggerheads with the lawmakers for a long time, Fubara ought to know what to do, rather than sending a subordinate to write them.

Wike, who wondered how three lawmakers would sit and make laws for a state, said: ‘’We are talking about the Supreme Court. Do we need to go to the Supreme Court? In your own conscience, are you telling me three members will constitute a parliament?”

Asked to explain what happened during his tenure when, at a point he worked with five lawmakers, the minister said: “That is not correct. You see, people should stop all these. Even when they say so, why not do your research? Remember, the assembly was inaugurated, remember there was a tribunal.

‘’The Court of Appeal nullified some seats. Before that time, the budget had been done. And then we did a rerun and the assembly was full. If anybody tells you that I, as governor, presented a budget to a number that is not what is required by the constitution, it is a blatant lie. Prove it. Prove with empirical evidence.

Faulting Fubara’s budget presentation move, Wike said: “You have had a frosty relationship with an arm of government. If you are a good politician, will you go and write letters?

“If you are a good politician, you have had a frosty relationship with me for many years. I have never sat down with you, I have never spoken with you, you seized my salary. They could not pay their children’s school fees. Now you went to the Court of Appeal. It didn’t even occur to you, even though I won at the Court of Appeal, I still want peace.

“The matter went to the Supreme Court. And the Supreme Court now gave it to me. Then the next thing you do is to write a letter and who signed the letter? A bloody SSG would sign a letter to the head of an arm of government? What an insult?

‘’You are telling me here that the SGF will sign a letter to the President of the Senate or to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and say Mr. President is coming to do so and so. Is that how it is done?

“First, assuming you want to go that route, you call the leadership and say, listen, this is where we are. I want to present this budget tomorrow. They will say okay, let’s look at it. You are not the one to tell them you are coming to present a budget tomorrow. Who does that? ‘’You want to play to the gallery. I have been in government, I don’t just write letters to Mr. Speaker to say I am coming to present a budget tomorrow morning. Are they your children? Do you know their engagements?

‘’If you are sincere, you will call first and say ‘Mr. Speaker, where are you? Are you home? Can we talk? Can you come? Or can I come?’ And they agree on something and then Mr. Speaker will go back and call his colleagues and say, listen, ‘Mr Governor called me and I met with him and he wants to present the budget on so, so date’.

‘’Then, they will look at their schedule and say okay, let us shift it or let us accommodate him on that day. That is how it is done.
“All these letters you (Fubara) are writing are useless. You are playing to the gallery. Everybody knows you are not sincere. A true politician will not behave that way. Let me tell you, Mr President was to present a budget to the National Assembly and the Assembly people were not happy for one thing or the other.

‘’We met at Exco and they said they had shifted it. Why? He had to meet with the leadership to agree on some grey areas. He didn’t need to write a letter. A man who does not want peace is the man who is playing to the gallery, saying I have written a letter, written letter to your son?

“The governor is not sincere. I never knew he is this kind of character. The Supreme Court said there is no way three members can sit and legislate for a state. You took your commissioners, Attorney-General for these three members to screen.

‘’The court said it is not possible and the Assembly people said submit the list of members of your cabinet, we are willing to screen them. Instead of us to applaud them, you are saying why should they give a time limit? When the Assembly asked him to submit a list, he now told his commissioners to go to court, after the Supreme Court had given judgment on this matter.”

PANDEF taking sides

Accusing PANDEF of taking sides in the matter, Wike said: “Yesterday (Tuesday), I heard that some people (PANDEF) went to see Mr. President. It is the worst organization anybody can rely on. I used to tell my father, daddy, I am disappointed in this.

‘’If you continue, I am not going to be a party to it. If you have a father who is always interested in money, he can sell his children.

“These leaders, look at the comments they made. Mr. President intervened in this matter. The vice president was there, the National Security Adviser was there. This same PANDEF came out and said Mr. President had no right.

‘’They took Mr. President to court. People like Chief Sara-Igbe, even Diette-Spiff who I respected, went to Rivers Government House. Look at the statement he made. ‘I am an Ijaw man. You are an Ijaw man. Call us, we will be with you.

‘’An elder-statesman will go and make such a statement. Now you are the same person coming again to meet Mr. President to intervene. Intervene how? The Mr. President you said had no right? Mr. President that you took to court that he had no power to intervene?

‘’They took Mr. President to court. From the state High Court in Rivers State, and at the Court of Appeal, they lost, up to the Supreme Court. Now you are going to tell the president to do what, that the Supreme Court judgment should not be obeyed?”

How Fubara emerged governor

Wike said but for the elderly counsel of Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Fubara would not have been governor as consensus was already building in favour of having a governor of Ogoni extraction.

According to Wike, before the elections, the consensus was to have a governor of Ogoni extraction but Chief Alabraba begged that the ticket should be given to the Ijaw to give them a sense of belonging. He noted that today, Fubara has used all manner of degrading adjectives against the elder.

Wike also said Fubara couldn’t have shown up uninvited in the State House of Assembly Quarters after he demolished the complex in December 2023.

The governor, who addressed reporters at the quarters, had said he communicated his plan to be at the quarters to the speaker, Amaewhule.

Rivers State government also shared a letter notifying the House of the governor’s visit.

However, Wike said: “If you write a letter to the Assembly, won’t you wait for a response? He is playing to the gallery. He brought the Assembly Complex down. Assembly now sits in their residence. If you are coming, they have children; they will say the governor is coming today, so they have to prepare themselves.

“You cannot just go and open the gate and say ‘I’m coming to present budget.’”

On PDP crisis

On the state of affairs in the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Wike described the party’s National Working Committee NWC as “stupid”, accusing it of causing problems and blaming others.

“Congresses had been held. When you cause problems for yourself, you will go and call other people. Look at the stupid PDP NWC. You purportedly wrote a letter to INEC dated 20th, a Friday.

‘’Now, 21st was the day of the Congress. Then you submitted the letter on Monday when the Congresses had taken place. You are now telling INEC you have postponed a Congress that had taken place.

“Secondly, you go and say you are forming a caretaker committee. You are the one killing the party. For example, which senator in a meeting where governors are seated will oppose them?

‘’If you do something the right way and achieve results, who will challenge you? All (PDP) governors, let them challenge me, I will tell them one by one the role they are playing in the crisis in the party.”

Bauchi gov used us

“How did Bala Muhammed use us? Bala Muhammed was having problems with Atiku and others. He came to me. In fact, that day, I was going to commission the lounge at the airport. When he landed, I said there is no need to come to town since I am coming to the airport. “Bello Adoke, the former Attorney-General was there. Bala said Atiku will kill him if Atiku won, that we must support Asiwaju. I laughed. I said okay. We now organized G-5 to go and pay Bala a visit in Bauchi, not knowing he was using us to settle with Atiku.

‘’So, when we went there, he was happy. The next day, Tambuwal, Sule Lamido, all of them led a team to see Bala and Bala abandoned us, and now reconciled with Atiku,” he stated.

How 27 lawmakers barred Fubara from Assembly quarters

Governor Fubara was at the Assembly in the early hours of yesterday to implement one of the key decisions contained in the certified true copy, CTC, of the Supreme Court judgment, which is the presentation of the 2025 budget to a properly constituted state Assembly.

Some staff of the Assembly who spoke anonymously, said there was no formal communication that the governor was coming to the Assembly today (yesterday).

“I am not disposed to such information that the governor was billed in the Assembly today (yesterday). If there is such information, the speaker will inform us. For now, we are not aware of the governor’s visit to the Assembly,” the source said.

I’m ready to re-present budget, despite being locked out — Fubara

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has expressed dissatisfaction over the action of the lawmakers denying him entry to the quarters.
He disclosed that he made several attempts including sending whatsapp messages to Ameuwhule to fix the visit to the assembly to no avail.

Addressing residents of Khana LGA of the state during the commissioning of some health facilities, shortly after the drama at the Assembly quarters, Fubara insisted he communicated his intention to visit the lawmakers to Speaker Amaewhule before he showed up at the quarters to re-represent the 2025 budget as directed by the Assembly, following the verdict of the Supreme Court on February 28, 2025.

“I still believe, maybe, they might be instructed later. If they are instructed, I’m still ready to come any day to get this particular issue sorted out,” he said.

If Fubara’s impeached, consequences will be heavy — INC

Reacting to the political development in the state yesterday, the President of INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba, said he was not surprised that the 27 lawmakers acted in that “shameful way”, saying they were neither interested in peace nor the overall interest of Rivers people. According to him, the lawmakers are there to serve the interest of their master, Nyesom Wike.

The INC president alleged that the lawmakers were loyal to Wike because the FCT minister “bought the forms that took them to the Assembly. They were handpicked by him. Wike said so publicly. That is why I am not surprised by the way they act.”

“Some people said Sim is very weak. He promised Mr. President that he would implement the judgment, why then should the lawmakers block him from entering the Assembly complex?

“These same lawmakers gave the governor 48 hours and then 72 hours ultimatums to present the budget. They issued another ultimatum to the governor to sack the 19 commissioners. If he sacks the commissioners, including commissioner for finance, who will then prepare the budget?

“By their actions, they have shown the world how wicked they are. If they go ahead and impeach Sim Fubara maliciously, forcibly or recklessly, we will resist it and the consequences of such action will be too heavy for the whole country to bear. This is no threat,’’ Okaba warned.

‘’Wike cannot provoke us into ethnic war. The Ikwerre people had apologized to the Ijaw people over the attitude of Wike against Sim.”

Don’t ignite fire in Niger Delta, oil communities warn lawmakers

Similarly, oil and gas producing communities of Niger Delta have warned the 27 River lawmakers to restrain from actions that may spark fire capable of affecting crude oil production in the region.

Chairman, board of trustees, BoT, of the communities of oil and gas producing areas of the Niger Delta, CDC, Joseph Ambakaderimo, said, “This must be called into question because this action in itself is an affront on the Supreme Court judgment. These men call themselves lawmakers. They should always live by example.”

Action insult to Rivers people, says PANDEF

In like manner, PANDEF described the lawmakers’ action as “provocative.”

A chieftain of PANDEF, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, told Vanguard on telephone that denying the governor access to the Assembly complex was not an insult to Siminalayi Fubara as a person, but the people of Rivers State in general.

“The governor was elected by millions of Rivers people. As the chief executive officer of the state, he has unhindered access to all the facilities within the state. Blocking him from entering the complex is a direct insult and an embarrassment to the people of Rivers State.

“It is now very clear that the governor is ready for peace but these people are not ready for peace. You can see that by their actions.

Fourteen months after Isale Eko Descendants Union dragged the producers of ‘Gangs of Lagos‘ movie, Amazon Prime and others before the Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square, there seems to be a respite as the concerned parties have reached a settlement while Prime Video has agreed to apologise for desecration of the Lagos culture.

The Isale Eko Descendants Union had sought an order compelling Lagos State Video and Film Censors Board to impose a N10 billion fine against Amazon Prime for the wrongful depiction of Isale Eko as a den of criminals and the Eyo Masquerade as a gang of murderers.

In a recent consent judgement in Suit No: LD/6903GCM/2023 between Isale Eko Descendants Union & 2 Others Vs AMAZON WEB SERVICES & 11 others delivered by Honourable Justice Idowu Alakija of the Lagos High Court, the producers and Amazon Prime agreed to tender an unreserved apology to the Applicants –Isale Eko Descendants Union in this regard.

Also, Amazon shall issue on its Letter Head, a letter recognising Isale Eko Descendants Union’s position that the movie “Gangs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo Masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko People.

A statement on Wednesday by Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, chairman, Isale-Eko Descendants Union confirmed the terms of settlement.

His statement read in part: “Today is a great day for the Isale-Eko Community of Lagos State, All indigenous Communities of Lagos and Lagosians generally. Today, the relatively small community of Isale – Eko in Lagos State was able to establish that along with other rights, there are inalienable cultural rights that accrue to indigenous communities that need to be vigorously protected.

“Indeed the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) states amongst other things that the culture of indigenous people must be protected. That indigenous people have intellectual property rights in their culture and there can be no exploitation or usage of those rights without the express permission of the indigenous communities.

“Today, Honourable Justice Idowu Alakija of the Lagos High Court has endorsed the Terms of Settlement entered into by the Isale Eko Descendants Union (Applicants) and Amazon Web Services (Defendant) along with 11 other Defendants as a Judgement of the Court. The judgement amongst other thing provides that:

“1. The 3rd – 11th Respondents (the Film Producers) shall jointly issue a letter recognizing the Applicants position that the Movie titled “Gangs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well respected Eyo Masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko People, and shall therein, tender an unreserved apology to the Applicants – Isale Eko Descendants Union in this regard.

“2. The 12th Respondent (Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited) shall issue on its: Letter Head, a letter recognizing the Applicants’ (Isale Eko Descendants Union) position that the Movie titled “Gangs of Lagos” erroneously portrayed and disparaged the cultural heritage of the well-respected Eyo Masquerade and the peace-loving nature and the long-standing traditions of the Isale-Eko People, and shall therein, tender an unreserved apology to the Applicants in this regard.

“We feel vindicated by this judgement and thank the Court system and the office of the Lagos State Attorney General for the positive role it played in resolving this dispute.

“However, we must state that the National and State Film censors must be more vigilant in the scrutiny of Films that are licensed for viewing either on physical screens or on digital platforms beaming into the Nigerian digital space.

“Furthermore, we assert that there are strong imperatives for Lagos State to revisit its Constitutional rights to properly oversee the production and censorship of Films utilizing its cultural material and resources.

“Finally, I thank our Royal Father Alaiyeluwa Oba Riliwanu Akiolu 1 (Oba of Lagos), our Legal team led by Mr. Supo Shasore SAN, the Isale Eko Descendants Union Trustees, Elders, Members and all well-meaning Lagosians who gave both physical and spiritual support.”

Justice Alakija had earlier granted the leave for judicial review in an ex-parte application brought pursuant to Section 3 of the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State and Order 44 Rule 3 of the High Court Civil Procedure Rules.

The Judge granted the leave after hearing arguments of Counsels for Isale Eko Descendants Union and two others, Mr. Olasupo Shasore (SAN), Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), Mr. Aderemi Bashua (SAN), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, Akinwale Irokosu and Adesamola Alebiosu, Temi Tayo-Tiwo, Oyinkansola Tunde -Braimoh among others.

The applicants comprised Isale Eko Descendants’ Union, Chief Ayodele Bajulaiye, who sued on behalf of the Bajulaiye Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Bajulaiye, and Chief Abdul-Waheed Ayeni who sued on behalf of the Sasore Chieftaincy Family and Eyo Iga Sasore.

They were challenging the movie’s producers including Ms. Jadesola Soberu, Ms. Kemi Lala Akindoju, Mr. Adesegun Adetoro, Demi Olubanwo, Mr. Olumide Soyombo, Mr Bankole Wellington, Mrs. Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Mr. Kola Aina, Greoh Limited and Amazon Web Services Nigeria for alleged sacrilegious and scandalous depiction of the Eyo Masquerade in the movie production ‘Gangs of Lagos’

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu met with Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and other aggrieved lawmakers behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, due to the leadership crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly.

At the end of the meeting, President Tinubu reportedly directed that Obasa should retain his position as Speaker, with a strong warning to carry his colleagues along in decision-making.

Sources who spoke with Vanguard disclosed that the President also instructed Obasa to withdraw the court case related to the crisis, signaling an end to the internal conflict within the Assembly.

After the closed-door session, Obasa declined to speak to State House correspondents who had waited to get details of the meeting.

He had arrived at the Villa around 2:50 pm and was led separately to the President’s office, while his colleagues, who came in two coaster buses, had arrived earlier for the meeting.

Although the agenda of the meeting was not publicly disclosed, sources confirmed that the discussions revolved around resolving the leadership dispute in the Lagos Assembly.

Lawmakers Sing Loyalty Song

As the lawmakers emerged from Tinubu’s office around 4:30 pm, they were heard chorusing “On your mandate, we shall stand,” a popular political slogan used by Tinubu’s supporters to affirm their loyalty to him.

For about five minutes, the legislators continued their chants as they filed out towards the waiting coaster buses, visibly in high spirits.

Meanwhile, House of Representatives member James Faleke, who was present at the meeting, also refused to give details but simply stated, “It went well.”

Lawmakers Apologize To Obasa

Unconfirmed reports indicate that some lawmakers who supported Obasa’s impeachment have apologized to him following Tinubu’s intervention.

A member of the Assembly, who spoke anonymously with Vanguard, described the meeting as a “peace parley” and confirmed that an agreement was reached for Obasa to remain Speaker.

The lawmaker said: “Obasa is staying and we have no choice but to obey the President. The meeting was more of a family meeting.”

When asked whether the president reprimanded the anti-Obasa lawmakers for earlier impeaching Obasa, the source said, “No, it was more of a family matter. Mr President condemned his (Obasa’s) actions not to parley with us. He, however, said that since we did not carry him (Tinubu) along, and it was only Obasa that came to report the matter to him, he had no choice but to support him (Obasa).

“He also warned him (Obasa) that if there were any future complaints from any quarters, he would be gone. The President said he should let peace reign; and so based on that, we have accepted.”

The source said on the pending matter in court: “The President has instructed him to withdraw it.”

The Thailand police have arrested a Nigerian identified as Mbanaso for selling cocaine to a local tourist and now faces a jail term of up to two years.

This is just as another Nigerian identified simply as George was arrested for possession of cocaine substance and dangerous driving.

PUNCH Metro gathered from the website of a Thailand media, Khasod, on Wednesday, that the suspect was arrested following the arrest of a Swiss tourist who confessed that he purchased the drug from Mbanaso.

The report noted that following the Swiss confession on March 9, the police swooped on Mbanaso and arrested him near a local police station on Monday.

It read, “The tourist, identified only as Mr. Sascha, voluntarily entered drug rehabilitation and provided information to Kamala Police about his drug supplier.

“Sascha implicated a 32-year-old Nigerian national named Mbanaso, claiming he had purchased cocaine from him multiple times through WhatsApp, with payments made via bank transfers.

“On March 10, police conducted a sting operation and arrested Mbanaso at the entrance of Kamala Police Station at 9:40 p.m. with 0.82 grams of cocaine.”

The report noted that Mbanaso might be sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of a fine or both.

“He faces charges of distributing Category 2 narcotics, which carries penalties of up to two years imprisonment, a fine not exceeding 40,000 baht or both,” the report noted.

On the arrest of George, the report highlighted that he and one other suspect were allegedly driving at top speed when police operatives tracked them to a location on Wednesday.

It noted that upon their arrest and subsequent investigation, the police discovered that George was an illegal resident who had overstayed his visa in the country and was on the wanted list for possession of cocaine.

It added that the suspect alongside his unidentified accomplice was allegedly intoxicated and uncooperative with the police at the time of their arrest.

It read, “On the night of March 11, Phuket City Police received reports of a Mazda car being driven recklessly, spinning in circles at traffic lights from Koh Kaew to Darasamut intersection. Thalang traffic officers pursued the vehicle but were initially unable to apprehend it as it sped along Chaloem Phra Kiat Rama 9 Bypass Road toward Central Junction.

“The suspects appeared intoxicated and were uncooperative, unable to communicate in English despite police using translation applications.

“One suspect was later identified as Mr George, a Nigerian national, wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court on August 21, 2023, for overstaying his visa and possession of Category 2 narcotics (cocaine),” the report noted.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the N15.6tn Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway project as wasteful and corrupt.

He equally slammed the President Bola Tinubu administration for spending N21bn on a new official residence for Vice President Kashim Shettima, calling it a misplaced priority and conduit designed to embezzle public funds.

The ex-leader disclosed this in chapter six of his new book, ‘Nigeria: Past and Future’ where he painted the portrait and characters of chief executives at both the federal and state levels.

The book was one of the two new books unveiled to mark Obasanjo’s 88th birthday last week.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, had revealed that the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will cost N4.93bn per kilometre, stating that the contract was awarded on a counterpart-funding basis and not a Public-Private Partnership.

About N1.06tn has been released for the pilot phase, or six per cent of the project, which begins at Eko Atlantic and is expected to terminate at the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

Many prominent Nigerians, including the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, have questioned the Federal Government’s decision to award the contract to Gilbert Chagoury’s Hitech Construction Company without competitive bidding.

Chagoury is believed to be Tinubu’s long-time business partner and friend.

Assessing the two years of Tinubu in office, Obasanjo said it appears that the game of short-changing the over 230 million Nigerians would continue because “Everything is said to be transactional and the slogan is ‘It is my turn to chop.’’’

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, declined to react to Obasanjo’s criticism of his principal when contacted on Wednesday night.

The former President said the majority of those who have been opportune to hold leadership positions in the country as governors, presidents, ministers, commissioners even as local government chairmen are ill-prepared, satanic, self-centred and are all out to corruptly enrich themselves while the nation continues to wallow in abject poverty and condemnable underdevelopment.

Obasanjo said that many clamouring to be governors or lead the country in one form or the other are only interested in using their offices to enrich themselves and their cronies and then leave the country worse than they met it.

The former President pointed out that most office-seekers in the country would go as far as obtaining loans of billions of naira believing that paying back from the public funds after being elected won’t be a problem.

He stated, “How do you explain the situation of a chief executive, a governor, whose business was owing the banks billions of naira and millions of dollars before becoming a governor and within two years of becoming governor, without his company doing any business, he paid all that his businesses owed the banks.

“You are left to guess where the money came from. Having got away with that in the first term, he consigned to himself almost half of the state resources in the second term. He was a typical example of the goings-on at that level almost universally in the country with only a few exceptions.

“State resources are captured and appropriated to themselves with a pittance to staff and associates to close the mouths of those that could blow the whistle or raise alarm against them while in office and when they are out of office.’’

He further noted that “The ones that are criminally ridiculous are the chief executives that deceive, lie and try to cover up on the realities and truth of action and inaction on contract awards, agreements, treaties, borrowings and forward sales of national assets. Such chief executives are unfit for the job they find themselves in.

“Typical examples of waste, corruption and misplaced priority are the murky Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road on which the President had turned deaf ears to protests and the new Vice-President’s official residence built at a cost of N21bn in the time of economic hardship to showcase the administration hitting the ground running and to show the importance of the office of the Vice-President. What small minds!”

To address some of the challenges facing the country, the former President said that there is a need to interrogate the Western liberal democracy being practised and see how it could be reviewed to reflect African peculiarities.

“If the West, from where the liberal democracy started should complain about it not working well for them, we should be wise enough at this stage to interrogate, carry out introspection, internal analysis and realise that Western liberal democracy is not working for us and is not delivering apart from the shortcomings of the operators.

“We should seek democracy within African history, culture, attributes and characteristics, one that will take necessary African factors into consideration. Until we can get a better word or description for it, let us call it Afrodemocracy.

“It is from Afrodemocracy that we will draw up an African people’s constitution for any African that chooses to go the way of Afrodemocracy, which will avoid most, to all, the faults we have found in Western liberal democracy,” he suggested.

Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal’s ruling that nullified the N20bn damages awarded to him against the Department of State Services and the Attorney General of the Federation.

Igboho initially sued the AGF, the DSS, and the DSS Director in Oyo State, demanding N5.5bn in damages over the July 2021 raid on his Ibadan residence, during which two people were reportedly killed and 12 others arrested.

In September 2021, an Oyo State High Court ruled in his favor, awarding N20bn in damages against the AGF and the DSS, holding them liable for the invasion.

However, in August 2022, the Court of Appeal in Ibadan overturned the decision. 

Presiding judge Justice Muslim Hassan ruled that the lower court misapplied legal principles in awarding the damages, arguing that the trial judge lacked concrete evidence to quantify the losses suffered at Igboho’s residence.

He held that the case did not qualify as a human rights enforcement matter due to national security concerns and stated that no autopsy reports were provided to confirm the alleged killings during the raid.

But disastified with the appellate court judgment, Ighoho, through his lawyer, Yomi Aliyu (SAN), has filed an appeal dated  March 11, 2025 at the Supreme Court.

He argued that the Court of Appeal erred in its judgment and asks the Supreme Court to overturn the decision.

Igboho also argues that it was not his duty to produce autopsy reports for those allegedly killed, as the DSS did not deny the killings in court.

He also faulted the Appeal Court for rejecting special damages due to the absence of a valuation report, despite affidavit evidence and expert invoices detailing the losses. He maintained that the aggravated and exemplary damages assessed by the trial judge were neither irrational nor inconsistent with legal principles.

Additionally, he contended that the DSS and AGF’s response at the Court of Appeal was filed outside the stipulated timeframe, raising questions about the validity of their submissions.

The Supreme Court is now expected to rule on the appeal, potentially setting a legal precedent on government accountability and self-determination rights in Nigeria.

The Peoples Democratic Party has alleged that four members of the Edo State House of Assembly received N200m each as inducement to defect to the All Progressives Congress.

The lawmakers— Donald Okugbe (Akoko Edo Constituency II), Bright Iyamu (Orhionmwon South Constituency II), Richard Edosa (Oredo West Constituency), and Sunday Ojezele (Esan South East)—on Wednesday officially joined the APC at the party’s secretariat in Benin.

They were received by the acting Edo State APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, and other party leaders.

With this defection, the APC now holds 13 seats in the 24-member Assembly, while the PDP has 11. The Labour Party also lost its only lawmaker to the APC.

The PDP swiftly condemned the defections, accusing Governor Monday Okpebholo of using state funds to bribe lawmakers.

“In confirmation of the alarm raised by our party last week that Governor Monday Okpebholo was planning to buy over PDP lawmakers with N200meach, four members have now defected, pocketing the money in the process,” said Chris Nehikhare, the PDP Caretaker Committee’s Publicity Secretary.

“We frown at this wanton waste of state resources and warn that misappropriation of government funds attracts severe consequences. Okpebholo will eventually account for this reckless expenditure.”

Nehikhare also criticised the governor for prioritizing political realignment over governance, particularly at a time when insecurity is escalating in Edo State.

“While insecurity ravages communities, claiming at least 40 lives in the last two weeks, the governor is focused on political horse-trading for his survival, rather than tackling urgent security concerns,” he added.

Defending their decision to switch allegiance, the defecting lawmakers blamed internal crises within the PDP for their departure.

“A house divided against itself cannot stand,” said Richard Edosa, who spoke on behalf of the group. “We believe in the vision of Governor Monday Okpebholo and have decided to join him in achieving his plans for Edo State. We promise to work with him to build both the party and the state.”

Welcoming the lawmakers, APC acting chairman Jarret Tenebe, described their move as a major boost for the ruling party, assuring them of equal rights and privileges within the party.

“These honourable members, who bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives, have recognised that the APC offers the most promising path forward for Edo State and Nigeria,” Tenebe said. “They have seen the clarity of our policies, the integrity of Governor Okpebholo’s leadership, and his unwavering dedication to improving the lives of Edo people.”

Dismissing the PDP’s bribery allegations, Tenebe insisted that the lawmakers defected out of conviction, not financial incentives.

“This is not merely about increasing our numbers but strengthening our collective resolve. We value every member’s contribution and are confident that our new lawmakers will play a vital role in our journey toward success,” he added.

Tenebe then presented the lawmakers with brooms, the official symbol of the APC.

With the APC strengthening its hold on the Edo Assembly, the PDP remains hopeful that the ongoing governorship election tribunal will reverse Okpebholo’s victory.

Nehikhare reaffirmed the party’s belief that its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, won the September 21 election, vowing that the PDP would reclaim its mandate.

“We are confident that the judiciary will correct the injustice of September 21 and return the stolen mandate to the PDP,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu has resolved the leadership crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, backing the return of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker, despite an earlier recommendation for his resignation.

The resolution came after a meeting between Tinubu and all 40 lawmakers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, on Wednesday.

The President’s decision contradicts the recommendations of a panel he had set up to mediate the crisis.

The panel, led by former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Ogun State Governor, Chief Gbenga Daniel, along with the leadership of the Governance Advisory Council, had advised that Obasa should step down after being reinstated.

The PUNCH reports that the panel initially recommended that Mojisola Meranda resign as Speaker to allow for Obasa’s return, with the understanding that he would also resign shortly after, making way for a new Speaker from Lagos West to balance the state’s political structure.

On March 3, 2025, 49 days after Obasa’s impeachment, Meranda resigned and was re-elected as Deputy Speaker.

Obasa was then reinstated as Speaker in line with the agreement.

However, contrary to the deal, Obasa adjourned the Assembly indefinitely and refused to resign as expected.

Obasa had been removed on January 13, 2025, by 35 lawmakers, who accused him of high-handedness, financial misappropriation, and authoritarian leadership.

Meranda replaced him but later resigned under pressure from party leaders.

On Wednesday, The PUNCH observed that the lawmakers arrived at the Presidential Villa in Abuja in a Coaster bus around 2 pm, after which security officials ushered them into the President’s office complex.

Meranda arrived with her colleagues, while Obasa arrived separately at about 3 pm.

The meeting held behind closed doors. A Presidency official, who spoke anonymously for lack of authourisation, said Tinubu had brokered peace among the warring factions, asking members to work with Obasa to ensure stability in the Assembly and the state.

“Tinubu met the lawmakers behind closed-doors. They spoke on their grievances and the President has resolved the problems.

“With the development, Obasa will stay as Speaker. His position is no longer threatened. All the lawmakers have agreed to work with him.

“They all had a photo session with the President after the meeting. It went well,” the source said.

While some Lagos stakeholders are displeased that the original agreement was not upheld, the source assured that the President would engage all aggrieved parties to maintain unity.

“Some stakeholders are naturally displeased Obasa reneged on the agreement with the Akande panel. I’m sure the President would engage everyone to settle the matter,” the source added.

Another source close to Obasa revealed that Tinubu also directed the Speaker to withdraw his lawsuit challenging his impeachment at the Lagos State High Court.

“The President told the lawmakers to allow Obasa to work, and Obasa should also withdraw the case against Meranda and the lawmakers in court. The lawmakers have agreed to this,” the source said.

 On Tuesday, Obasa’s lawyer, Chief Fashanu Afolabi (SAN), had told The PUNCH that the Speaker did not withdraw his suit despite his reinstatement as Speaker.

He said the allegations Obasa by the lawmakers were heavy and needed to be trashed.

“Because there are some issues that are still pending within the context of notice of allegation. The case of allegation contains reasons for the impeachment which include highhandedness, fraudulent malpractices and the rest and we feel that those issues must be trashed out,” he told The PUNCH in a telephone interview on Tuesday.

Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja had on Monday adjourned the hearing of a suit filed by Obasa to March 17, 2025.

The wife of the late Nigerian singer, Mohbad, Omowunmi Aloba, has expressed frustration that her husband’s corpse is still in the morgue 18 months after his tragic demise.

Recalls that Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, and was buried the following day.

On September 21, 2023, his body was exhumed by police for an autopsy due to the controversy surrounding his demise.

In a lengthy post via Instagram on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Omowunmi claimed that her husband’s death has become a business, as some people are making profit from it.

She also claimed that her father-in-law, Joseph Aloba’s refusal to bury Mohbad is driven by the financial gains from his death rather than grief or the pursuit of justice.

She further called on Nigerians to appeal to her father-in-law to lay the late singer to rest.

She said, “It has been 18 months since my husband left this world. 18 months of waking up every day to a reality never asked for. 18 months of missing him with every breath I take. 18 months of carrying the weight of being both mother and father to our now 23-month-old child.

“The heavens know how much I miss him. There are no words that can truly describe the depth of this pain, the emptiness he left behind.

“To the general public, I am pleading with you, help me ask my father-in-law to bury my husband.

“There is no reason, no justification for why his body is still lying in the morgue after all this time. No reason why the man I vowed to love forever has been left in cold storage, denied the dignity of a final resting place.

“My father-in-law is not keeping him there out of love or grief. He is holding on because of the attention and money he continues to receive.

“He knows that once my husband is finally laid to rest, the public sympathy, the donations, the sudden fame he has found will disappear.

“He is dragging this on, not because he seeks justice, but because he benefits from my husband’s death.

“And he is not alone in this. There are people on social media who stand with him, who act as his spokespersons.

“These people have turned my husband’s death into a business. They profit from this tragedy. They have built platforms off my pain. They have made careers out of bullying me and my child.

“They make money from telling lies about me, from spreading malicious propaganda to discredit me. And worse, some of them even pay my father-in-law a monthly salary from what they make online.

“Please, I am pleading with you. Hear my cry. Help me. Let my husband rest. Let my child have peace. Let me grieve without this never-ending battle hanging over me. Iam begging. Please.”