News
Court to Decide on Motion to Restrain NASS from Ibas’ Budget
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, fixed July 18 for ruling on a motion seeking to restrain the National Assembly from approving budgets or appointments of the Rivers State Government under the current Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd).
Ibas was appointed as Rivers’ Sole Administrator by President Bola Tinubu following the six-month suspension of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after counsel for the applicants, Ambrose Owuru, and the defence lawyer, Mohammed Galadima, presented their arguments for and against the motion for interlocutory injunction.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1190/2025, was instituted by some indigenes of Rivers and a group, the Registered Trustees of Hope Africa Foundation.
Other plaintiffs are King Oziwe Amba, Chief Julius Bulous, Chief George Ikeme, Chief Amachelu Orlu and Prince Odioha Wembe.
They had dragged the National Assembly and the Clerk of the National Assembly to court as 1st and 2nd defendants.
The applicants sought “an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants “from further interference, approving, supporting and engaging in any legislative activities, including approving, appointing or budgets of Rivers State Government.”
They argued that this was in furtherance of the alleged illegalities and unconstitutionally forwarded proposed state budget by Ibas, “arising from the unconstitutionally prohibited ‘voice vote’ not provided for under the constitution pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit by this honourable court.”
NAN observes that while the main suit was filed on June 19, the motion for interlocutory injunction was filed on June 24.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Owuru, while arguing the motion, prayed the court to restrain the defendants from further acting on any requests from the emergency government in the state pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Owuru contended that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers was without the required legislative approval because the voice votes adopted by the National Assembly in approving the emergency rule were unconstitutional.
The plaintiffs stated, in a supporting affidavit, that since they filed the suit, the activities of the defendants “have centred on approvals of illegal appointments and budget made and forwarded by the illegal administrator foisted on the applicants’ Rivers State in the midst of protests and rising restiveness in the state.“
The respondents, in spite of all the illegality and unconstitutionality of the foisted state of emergency on Rivers outside the clear provisions of the 1999 Constitution prohibiting state of emergency in any part of the federation, failed to invite or request such within a reasonable time.
”The respondents have engaged in constituting committees to run and spend funds of the applicants’ Rivers.”
They said, unless the court grants their application, the defendants would continue in “the illegalities and unconstitutionality of their invented ‘voice votes’ in place of the actual constitutionally approved two third votes to support the state of emergency in Rivers State.”
According to them, the grant of this application will protect and preserve the applicants’ legal rights to be governed by an elected government of their choice in the present democratic setting in Nigeria.
In his counterargument, lawyer to the National Assembly and its clerk, Galadima, urged the court to reject the motion for interlocutory injunction, arguing that it was without merit.
In the affidavit filed by the defendants, they argued that the facts deposed to in the plaintiffs’ supporting affidavit to the motion “are contrived falsehood and calculated misrepresentation of the facts as they occurred.”
They argued that there had never been any illegality in their actions and that there is no breach of the constitution as alleged by the applicants.
The defendants also faulted the plaintiffs’ claim that the emergency rule was a violation of their fundamental rights to be governed by a democratically elected government.
The National Assembly and its Clerk said they would be seriously prejudiced by the grant of the motion as it would create pandemonium and confusion in governance in Rivers.
They added that the grant of the motion would not be in the interest of justice.Justice Omotosho fixed July 18 for the ruling.
NAN reports that the Senate had, on June 25, passed the 2025 budget of Rivers, totaling ₦1.485 trillion, following the third reading of the appropriation bill on the floor.
NAN
Two people were seriously injured while three others escaped unhurt in separate road accidents over the weekend in Lagos State, caused by reckless driving and brake failure in Mile 2 and Surulere, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said.
According to LASTMA spokesperson Adebayo Taofiq, the first crash occurred at Olohunsogo Bus Stop, inward Mile 2, when a speeding Toyota Camry collided with a stationary Scania truck, leaving the driver and a passenger seriously hurt.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the Camry driver’s excessive speeding caused the loss of control, resulting in the crash,” the statement said.
LASTMA responders quickly rescued the victims and took them to Ademola Hospital near Ijanikin Police Station for treatment. The truck driver was detained by LASTMA officials, while police provided security at the scene.
LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki emphasized the importance of obeying traffic rules and maintaining vehicles to prevent such accidents, warning against reckless driving and mechanical failure.
This latest crash comes less than a week after a fatal accident at Ibeju Bus Stop on the Lekki–Epe Expressway, which killed six people, including a child, and injured nine others.
An Egyptian national, Mohammed Saleh, aged 56, tragically died after collapsing while dining at the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel located in Wuse Zone 4, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The incident, which took place on Friday night, has sparked an ongoing police investigation into the cause of his sudden death.
Security expert Zazazola Makama shared details of the incident on social media platform X, revealing that Saleh was dining with three other individuals when he suddenly slumped. The hotel’s security supervisor, Francis Yusuf, promptly reported the case to the Wuse Police Division at approximately 9:24 p.m., prompting immediate medical and law enforcement response.
Saleh was first taken to King’s Care Hospital in Wuse Zone 4 before being referred to the Wuse District Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed his death. His remains have since been deposited at the hospital morgue for a thorough autopsy as authorities seek to determine the exact circumstances surrounding his passing.
The police have opened a formal investigation into the matter, with the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, acknowledging the case but yet to provide detailed updates.
This incident adds to a growing list of cases involving foreign nationals found dead in Nigerian hotels, raising concerns about health emergencies and emergency response protocols in hospitality venues. Earlier this year, an 80-year-old Colombian man, Quesada Alfonso, was found dead in a hotel room in FESTAC Town, Lagos State.
Authorities investigated that case as well, noting the deceased had been residing in the hotel for several months prior to his death.
As the investigation into Mohammed Saleh’s death continues, the hospitality industry and security agencies are reminded of the critical importance of swift emergency response and enhanced safety measures to protect guests and residents alike. The outcome of the autopsy and police findings will shed more light on this unfortunate event.
Residents and visitors to Abuja await further information from law enforcement on this tragic occurrence.
Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has reiterated the government’s resolve to restore order on key roads, as enforcement officers cleared illegal street traders at 2nd Rainbow Junction, inward Mile 2.
A video shared by Wahab on X on Monday showed officers removing traders whose activities blocked traffic, endangered pedestrians, and littered the area.
Describing the operation as part of ongoing efforts to keep Lagos roads safe and clean, Wahab said, “Our enforcement team is dislodging illegal street traders causing nuisance at 2nd Rainbow Junction, inward Mile 2. Their actions obstruct traffic, threaten pedestrians, and pollute the environment.”
He affirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining a sustainable and orderly urban environment, adding, “We will continue to ensure our roads are safe, clean, and free from environmental violations.”
The Lagos State Government has stepped up enforcement against street trading and environmental offenses in recent months to improve safety, reduce congestion, and promote a cleaner city.
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