The crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly may be laid to rest Wednesday as reinstated Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa is scheduled alongside other Assembly Lawmakers to meet with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa Wednesday.
It was gathered that Obasa arrived at about 2:50 pm, while his colleagues had earlier arrived in two coaster buses.
It would be recalled that after his impeachment on January 13th, 2025, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda came on board, there have been issues.
But following the Obasa’s reinstatement as Speaker by the Party, there has been bad blood as a result of his impeachment and reinstatement.
Also, the demand for the suspended Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko by Obasa has further led to crisis in the House.
These and several other issues are planned to be addressed at the meeting.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has said that there is no known law in Nigeria which gives legal backing to prostitution.
Justice James Omotosho made the remark on Wednesday while ruling in a suit seeking fundamental rights for commercial se3 workers.
The Judge dismissed the suit seeking fundamental rights for commercial se3 workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to operate without intimidation from security agencies of the federal government.
Omotosho held that they have no legal rights to enjoy under any known law or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Justice Omotosho pointed out that the commercial se3 workers were even liable to be arrested, prosecuted for a jail term of two years under the criminal law known as Penal Code.
A Non Governmental Organization, Lawyers Alert Initiative for Protection of Rights of Children, Women and Indigent had sued the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, FCT Minister, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st to 4th respondents respectively.
In the suit marked THC/ABJ/CS/642/2024, the sex workers had sought to stop the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) from harrassing, intimidating, arresting and prosecuting them in Abuja.
They asked the Judge to enforce their fundamental human rights to prostitution as enshrined in the Nigerian law.
The suit filed on May 14, 2024, through a team of lawyers led by Rommy Mom, Bamidele Jacobs and Victor Eboh, raised two questions for determination by the Judge.
It asked the court to determine whether the duties of the AEPB under Section 6 of the AEPB Act, 1997, extends to the harassment, arrest, detention and prosecution of women suspected of engaging in se3 work on the streets of Abuja.
“Whether by the provision of Section 35 (1) (d) of the AEPB Act, 1997, women can be regarded as articles or their bodies regarded as goods for purchase.
The lawyers, therefore, sought a declaration that the charge made by the personnel of the AEPB before the FCT Mobile Court, which referred to arrested women suspected of engaging in se3 work as ‘articles’ and considered their bodies as ‘goods for purchase,’ is discriminatory and violated the provisions of Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution.
They sought a declaration that the duties of the board does not extend to the harassment, arrest and raid of women suspected of engaging in se3 work on the streets of Abuja.
They also sought a declaration that neither Section 6 of the AEPB Act, 1997, nor any extant laws of the country, authorise the board to arrest women suspected of engaging in se3 work on the streets of Abuja.
The lawyers, therefore, prayed the court for an order restraining the AEPB, its agents or privies, from harassing, arresting and raiding women suspected of engaging in se3 work on the streets of Abuja.
However, Justice Omotosho, in his judgement, held that the application of the plaintiff was incompetent under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009.
The Judge held that even if it was competent, “the reliefs sought are not grantable and thus, it is hereby dismissed for lack of merit.”
“This court wonders what kind of message the applicant is sending when it decided to bring an action to protect prostitutes.
“A reasonable person would have expected that the applicant would instead occupy itself with developing the girl child and protecting the sanctity of womanhood instead of promoting immorality and the spread of se3ual diseases.
“It is indeed shameful that the applicant should file an action such as this.”
Justice Omotosho held that the prostitutes which the group sought to protect “are vagabonds” and the AEPB is well within its right to arrest and prosecute them as they constitute nuisance in the FCT and are clearly committing an offence by parading themselves as “women of easy virtue.”
The humiliation of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara continued on Wednesday, March 12, 2024, when the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex was locked against him.
Fubara had, after he had sent a letter to the Speaker of the Assembly, Martin Amaewfule, gone to the Complex in order to meet with the members. But when his convoy approached, the security men at the gate quickly locked it and left the Governor stranded and embarrassed.
The explanation, according to reports, was that the Governor visited without communicating with the Speaker.
But a reliable source insisted that not only did Fubara communicate in writing, officially, he called Speaker Amaewfule a number of times beginning from Tuesday, but his calls were not taken by Mr Speaker.
Recall that the Governor had extended an invitation to the members for a meeting in his office against March 10, but they snubbed him.
They said the letter of invitation was not channeled to the Assembly properly.
The members of the Assembly have been in a very combative mood since the Supreme Court handed them victory against the the Governor and his Government, in all fronts, on February 28, 2025. The 27 members who are now humiliating Fubara are loyal to Fubara’s estranged political godfather and immediate predecessor in office, Nyesom Wike, now Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday March 11, 2025, formally directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to take steps to conduct by-elections to fill the vacancies created in Anambra South and Edo Central Senatorial Zones.
The declaration is coming several months since the seats became vacant.
The Edo Central Senatorial District position in the upper national legislative chamber became vacant following the election and swearing-in of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the Edo State Governor in November 2024 .
Senator Okpebholo was declared winner of the September 21, 2024 off-circle gubernatorial polls in the State ,.
Conversely, the Anambra South Senatorial seat became vacant with the sudden passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in July 2024.
The INEC had severally alluded to the non declaration of the seats vacant by the authorities of the Senate as a major reason for its failure to conduct by-elections several months after their occupants exited.
The Electoral umpire had insisted that it will immediately proceed with the processes to fill the vacancies, once it received the greenlight from the Senate.
The Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on Tuesday called on the INEC to conduct elections so that the affected Districts will regain representation in the Senate.
Already ,so many interested aspirants have been positioning themselves in the past few months waiting for the blowing of the official whistle to throw their hats into the ring.
The Rivers State Police Command on Tuesday March 11, 2025 announced the arrest of five members of a dreaded kidnap syndicate said to be terrorizing residents of Port Harcourt and its environs.
A statement from the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, also, linked the arrested suspects to the gruesome murder of the Head of Security at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Richard Timothy.
The Chief Security Officer was killed alongside his 23 year old son in February 2025.
According to the Police statement, the arrest was sequel to an intelligence driven operation by operatives of the State’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
The Police spokesperson informed that the arrested suspects are currently in custody, and are assisting the Police in its investigations aimed at tracking down other fleeing members of the gang.
This is even as the Command reaffirmed its determination towards providing adequate security for the residents of Rivers state.
“Following a series of kidnapping incidents within the Rukpokwu, Igwuruta, Omagwa ,and Etche areas, Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on actionable intelligence, conducted a coordinated operation on March 8, 2025, commencing at approximately 9.30 am.
“The operation lasted for eight hours and led to the arrest of five suspects. The arrested suspects are Mohammadu Bello, 30, from Padiki LGA Kwara State, Suleiman Umar 26 ,from Hadejia LGA Jigawa state, Bello Amadu 35 from Keffi-Hausa LGA Jigawa State, Adamu Musa, 30, from Hadeja LGA Jigawa State and Abubakar Mohammed, 22, from Azare LGA of Bauchi State.
“Items recovered from the gang include AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, 66 rounds of ammunition, three locally made pistols, 10 live cartridges, several mobile phones, and Sim Cards.
“The Suspects are currently in custody and cooperating with investigators. Efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate”, the Police statement partly reads.
The Command further noted that the suspects have confessed to masterminding several incidents of abduction and criminal activities, including the killing of the stadium CSO and his son.
With election headaches over, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reacted to recent security challenges in the State with a promise that security remains a top priority for the administration.
The Governor told residents that Government has been actively supporting security outfits to ensure peace and stability.
“The protection of lives and property is the primary duty of any government, and that is what our administration is focused on.
“We have been working tirelessly with all security agencies to ensure that Ondo State remains safe for all residents.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who spoke to journalists on his return from Abuja after Supreme Court upheld his election, further stated that his administration has provided significant support to security outfits, including the police, Amotekun Corps, and other agencies, equipping them with the necessary resources to enhance their operations.
“Our administration has continued to invest in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and logistics to strengthen security in the state. We are working closely with security agencies to improve response times and ensure the safety of our communities.
“We recognize that security is a collective responsibility, and we are ensuring that all hands are on deck to keep Ondo State safe. Our government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability in every part of the state,” Aiyedatiwa added.
The Governor disclosed that plans are underway to procure necessary gadgets and equipment for the security agencies in the State to enhance their operations.
He reassured residents of his administration’s unwavering commitment to security and development, urging them to continue supporting government efforts in building a safer and more prosperous state.
On the Supreme Court judgement, Aiyedatiwa, reaffirmed his confidence in the judiciary.
The apex court on Tuesday threw out the case of the PDP candidate, Agboola Ajayi, affirming that the emergence of the governor and his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, as the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was valid.
The governor noted that the verdict further proved that both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal were upholding the principles of justice and fairness.
“It shows that the Supreme Court and the Appeal Court are doing a good job in ensuring that democracy is upheld. The courts have consistently based their judgments on facts and the law, and this ruling is no different.
“From the analysis by the judiciary, it is clear that our party won the election convincingly, and this has now been reaffirmed at the highest level.”
Following the influx of Pornographic Websites on the Nigeria Cyber Space, which is having adverse effects on the behavioral attitude of Nigeria teenagers and youths alike, the House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to ensure the blocking of all pornographic sites in the country.
The House wants the Commission to compel all internet service providers to block all such contents with immediate effect.
Hon. Dalhatu Tafoki of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Katsina State, sponsored the motion.
Moving the motion leading to the passing of the resolution, Tafoki argued that Cyber Pornography was becoming a global problem, adding that Nigeria had not taken adequate steps to address it.
According to him, Nigeria is a “highly religious country” where major faiths preach against and prohibit nudity and obscenity.
The lawmaker went further to state that several countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East had enacted laws banning pornography.
To drive home his point, the Katsina lawmaker made reference to warnings from psychologists and sociologists about the negative impact of pornography.
According to him, pornography could lead to adultery, prostitution and addiction.
“Renowned psychologists and sociologists around the world have issued stern warnings on the psychological, sociological and mental consequences of viewing pornographic content,” he said.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives subjected the motion to a voice vote where the Lawmakers voted in support of it.
The House directed the NCC to impose penalties on service providers that fail to comply with the directive.
A new formation of the Nigeria Army, 148 Battalion, is billed to take off in Ikere-Ekiti with the commencement of deployment of personnel and materials to the state.
The outgoing Commander of 12 Brigade, Lokoja, Major Gen. Oluremi Fadairo disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti during a visit to Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji.
General Fadairo, who led other senior Army officers, said they were in the state to assess the new barracks of the Nigeria Army in Ikere-Ekiti ahead of the deployment of personnel and equipment to the state.
The new formation was earlier earmarked for Ipoti Ekiti, but was suddenly relocated to Ikere Ekiti, home town of the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Oluyede.
According to a statement on Tuesday, by the Special Adviser to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, in Ado-Ekiti, the Army chiefs expressed satisfaction with the location of the Barracks in Ikere-Ekiti and assured the Governor that the deployment of personnel would commence at the temporary base immediately.
The Army top brass however, requested a bigger space to serve as temporary abode for the deployed personnel. General Fadairo assured of a more enhanced security and safety in Ekiti with the advent of the Army formation- the 148 Battalion in the state.
While stressing that the new formation will bring remarkable improvement to the security architecture of the state, especially the contiguous areas with Kogi and Ondo States, Major Gen. Fadairo, urged residents of the state to give the military the required maximum support and cooperation to enable it achieve its desired objective of curtailing all forms of insecurity in the state.
Governor Oyebanji, in his remarks, thanked the Nigerian Army for the new development, which he said would further enhance safety and security in the state and further confirm Ekiti as number one choice for people looking for where to live, work, relax and invest.
The Governor assured the military authority of effective collaboration to strengthen security and stamp out criminal elements from the state.
Oyebanji revealed that his administration had committed huge investment in the security architecture of the state, leading to the state being recognized as the most peaceful in the country.
He expressed appreciation to the Army command for professionalism and cordial relationship with, government and the people of the state, adding that the fight against insecurity and insurgency by the Nigeria Army at large is highly commendable.
“We are grateful to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for the approval to establish this Battalion in Ekiti State. We are grateful to the Army Command, under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff for doing this for us in the state.
“What you have done for us in Ekiti state is so dear to us. Ekiti state is peaceful, but we also have our own pockets of criminalities and the area where the battalion is cited is one of the most security challenged places in the state.
“This is an effort that we will give maximum support to ensure its early takeoff. You also see that immediately it was announced, we got the land from the community and so the people have taken ownership of the project.”
A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, faction in Rivers State, Chukwuemeka Eze on Tuesday March 11, 2025 pointedly accused the duo of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike of working in concert to impeach Governor Simimalayi Fubara to pave the way for Speaker Martins Amaewfule to mount the saddle.
Before then however, a group ,the Supreme Council for Sim Worldwide ,has warned that peace will surely take a flight from the State.
Both spoke against the backdrop of Monday’s open call for the impeachment of the Governor ,by the factional Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha.
At an interactive session with the media at his residence in Port Harcourt on Monday March 10, Chief Okocha gave Governor Fubara a 48-hour dateline to resign or be impeached .
According to him, the Supreme Court verdict of February 28,2025 having confirmed some of the impeachable infractions committed ,the Governor has no other option than to either voluntarily resign and be removed.
But in a statement issued on Tuesday, Chief Eze a leader of the APC faction in the State loyal to Rotimi Amaechi, noted that the Presidency and Wike are behind the naked dance by Chief Okocha and others pushing for the impeachment of Governor Fubara.
Eze alleged that the pampering of Wike, the immediate past Governor of the State by the Presidency is at the root of the political crisis in Rivers.
According to him, the grand plot is to have Governor Fubara and his deputy impeached through any means possible, and install the Speaker of the House of Assembly Amaewfule as Governor.
President Bola Tinubu and Nyesom Wike
He insisted that the ultimate target of the entire plot is to have an ally and a pliable person at the helms before the 2027 General Elections.
“Wike, with the backing of the Presidency, is championing the plot to impeach Governor Fubara and install Amaewfule as Governor.
“Clearly, Wike is capitalizing on his unholy political marriage with President Tinubu to destabilize Rivers State and distract Governor Fubara.
Their ultimate goal is to ensure that their stooge, Amaewfule, becomes Governor, giving them control over Rivers Politics heading into 2027″, Eze stated .
However, he insisted that the evil plans as well as those orchestrating them will fail woefully as the people of Rivers are prepared to take their destinies in their own hands.
According to him, the unending destabilizing plots ,will only serve to strengthen the Governor, rather than demoralizing him.
The factional APC chieftain cautioned the President to be weary of following the evil political scripts of Wike and his followers, noting that in the end, it may likely prove to be an ill wind that blows no good to his ambition in 2027.
He warned that those pushing for the removal of an innocent Governor are only exhibiting their stark ignorance about the true dynamics that define the political landscape of Rivers State, particularly, as it concerns historical power-balance between the upland and riverine areas.
“These evil and undemocratic plots to remove Fubara from office will fail like a pack of cards ,and will only make him stronger.
“For 24 years, Rivers state has been governed by leaders from the upland axis– from Peter Odili ,Rotimi Amaechi ,and then to Nyesom Wike .
“Sir Fubara is the first Governor from the riverine axis, and now, there is a plot to remove him prematurely .
“It is political insensitivity of the highest order to humiliate an Ijaw Governor out of office because of one man’s greed and dictatorial tendencies”, the APC chieftain stated.
Eze maintained that the only achievement of the Speaker Amaewfule-led House of Assembly ever since they were forced on the people by the Supreme court is to make mockery of legislative responsibilities and democracy at large .
“Amaewfule and his bandwagon of defectors lack the legitimacy to order a sitting Governor around . They have insulted and called Fubara unprintable names ,not realizing that they are actually demeaning the office of the Governor of Rivers state.
“If Wike were still to be Governor, would anyone dare to treat him the way he is treating Fubara? Would he tolerate this level of political sabotage?”, Eze questioned.
At a press briefing on Tuesday ,in Port Harcourt, leader of the Supreme Council for Sim, Esezi Obilor Rukani, warned that any attempt to unjustly remove the Governor from office ,will trigger some unpleasant consequences for the peace and stability of the State.
The group, particularly, cautioned the 27 Pro-Wike law makers, against igniting an inferno that is likely to consume everybody in Rivers state .
“We all know the process of impeachment .Before it even starts ,the state will boil because the Governor is a man of the masses .
“The Governor might not act ,but the people who voted for these Lawmakers will.
“The Governor may not fight them ,but those who voted for him will.The legislators were not sent there to create trouble for the state .
But if they do, the people will start the process of recalling them .The Speaker and other Lawmakers must let peace reign .
“They were not elected for war. If they abuse their mandate ,we will recall them ,and nothing will happen.”, the Supreme Council for Sim stated.
A gale of protest rocked Akure, Ondo State capital on Tuesday as some residents took to the streets, demanding action on the abduction of nine Surveyors at Ilu-Abo, a suburb of the State capital.
The victims were on a job site when they were seized by armed men last week.
The demonstration saw placard-wielding women blocking the busy Oba Adesida Road, disrupting traffic as they called on security agencies to secure the release of the kidnapped victims.
One of the protesters, Comfort Afolabi, whose brother is among the abducted Surveyors, said the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million as a condition to begin negotiations but later raised the ransom to N100 million.
“We have been pleading with them, but they insist they won’t release our loved ones unless we pay the full amount. We are helpless and need the government to intervene.”
The latest abduction adds to the growing wave of kidnappings in Ondo State.
Last week, a farmer and his manager were abducted while returning from their farm in Osi, Oba Ile area.
Reacting to the situation, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, acknowledged the security challenges facing the state but admitted that the command was struggling with inadequate logistics to combat rising criminal activities.
“The issue of kidnapping is a serious concern, and we are doing everything within our capacity to address it. However, we need better resources to strengthen our operations.”
