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A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed three suits challenging the state of emergency declared in Rivers State, the suspension of the state’s elected officials, and the activities of the appointed sole administrator.

Justice James Omotosho, in three decisions on Thursday, held that, not only were the cases filed in the wrong court – the Federal High Court – which lacked the necessary justification, the plaintiffs were also without the requisite locus standi (the right to approach the court on the issues raised).

The first suit, marked: FHC/PH/CS/51/2025, was filed by Belema Briggs, Princess Wai-Ogosu, I. Acho, Emmanuel Mark, and Hadassa Ada, who claimed to have sued for themselves and residents of Rivers State.

They listed the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retired), and the Nigerian Navy as defendants.

The plaintiffs queried the emergency declaration, the suspension of elected officials, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the appointment of a sole administrator, and, among others, prayed the court to void them.

In a judgment on Thursday, Justice Omotosho upheld the preliminary objection raised by the defendants and dismissed the suit.

In holding that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi, Justice Omotosho held that they could not, on their own, file a suit to address the interest of all the residents of a state, more so when none of the suspended officials was made a party to the suit.

The judge found that the plaintiffs, who claimed to be residents of Rivers, did not show that they were more affected by the decision than the elected officials, who were suspended, or other residents of the state, nor obtained the permission of the state’s Attorney General before approaching the court.

In holding that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit, Justice Omotosho held that it was the law that issues arising or connected with a declaration of a state of emergency are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court by virtue of section 1 (1) and (2) of the Emergency Powers (Jurisdiction) Act, 1962.

He added that the same statute has been modified by the Emergency Powers (Jurisdiction) Act (Modification) Order, 2025.

The judge faulted the plaintiffs’ claim that, as voters, their fundamental rights to enjoy democratic government were taken away from them by the emergency declaration, which they argued amounted to a coup against Rivers’ residents.

He said, ‘The plaintiffs’ claim that their fundamental rights were breached as a result of these actions holds no water, as section 45 (1) of the Constitution permits the derogation of rights in the interest of public order and public safety.

‘The facts before the court all show that Rivers State was on the brink of anarchy, and allowing matters to flow in the normal course was only going to lead to severe breakdown of law and order.

‘Consequently, it was necessary that in the interest of public safety and public order that the President suspended the Governor, Deputy Governor, and Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and also appointed the 3rd defendant, who is a retired Naval officer, to ensure peace in the state,’ he said.

Justice Omotosho also faulted the plaintiffs’ contention that conditions precedent to warrant a declaration of state of emergency were not available as at March 18 when the proclamation was made.

He said, ‘To begin this discourse, it is important to examine if the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has the power to declare a state of emergency in any state in Nigeria, as this is the starting point for the suspension of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, and the members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State.

‘The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the custodian of executive powers in Nigeria. He is vested with enormous powers to discharge his duties, including the duty to ensure the safety of lives and properties within the country.

‘One of the distinct powers of the President is the power to proclaim a state of emergency in Nigeria, throughout the federation or in a part of the Federation.

‘This power is enshrined in Section 305 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

‘A state of emergency is usually not a planned event, and it is not an event that the law can fully capture, as there are several instances that may necessitate the declaration of a state of emergency, such as a natural disaster, religious crisis, or a political crisis, among others.

‘An imminent threat or present danger to the Federation of Nigeria or a part of it is a ground for declaring a state of emergency, as done in this case.

‘Once the proclamation of the state of emergency is ratified by the National Assembly, the power to administer the emergency area vests exclusively in the President.

‘He (the President) is then empowered to take measures to restore peace and order to the affected area, including the appointment of the 3rd defendant as Sole Administrator and stationing of the 4th defendant in strategic locations in the state as the case may be.

‘The findings of this court, with regards to the facts before it, show that there were reasonable grounds for the President to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.

‘The Governor, Deputy Governor, and Members of the House of Assembly were suspended for a period of time and not removed from office, and the President exercised his discretion in appointing a Sole Administrator as he saw fit.

‘All these actions were aimed at ensuring peace and security in the state.

‘The issue raised by the plaintiffs that the President did not secure the required two-thirds majority of the members of each house of the National Assembly is not what can be resolved through affidavit evidence, but by a writ of summons where witnesses will be called and cross-examined,’ the judge said.

The two other decisions were rulings on the suits filed by two groups. The one marked: FHC/PH/CS/43/2025 was by The Incorporated Trustees of Rivsbridge Peace Initiative.

It had six defendants – the President, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Accountant General of the Federation (AG-F), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired).

The suit had queried Ibas’ appointment and sought to, among others, restrain the President, the AGF, and the AG-F from releasing from belonging to Rivers State in the Consolidated Revenue Funds to Ibas.

The second suit, marked: FHC/PH/CS/436/2025, filed by Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative and Courage Nsirimovu had Ibas as the sole defendant.

The suit, which also queried the legitimacy of Ibas’ appointment, prayed the court to, among others, restrain the administrator from appointing sole administrators for the state’s 23 Local Government Areas.

In the two rulings, Justice Omotosho upheld the objection raised by lawyers to the defendants, including Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), who represented Ibas and dismissed the suits on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction and want of locus standi.

The judge expressed displeasure at the conduct of lawyers to the plaintiffs, who he noted failed to conduct adequate research before filing the suits.

Justice Omotosho said, ‘I must not fail to say here that counsel to the plaintiffs ought to make proper research regarding his case before filing the same.

‘He must make diligent research as to which court has jurisdiction and the necessary parties in that suit before filing his action.

‘Counsel has the duty to be professional in making such research rather than spending time spreading misinformation or painting the wrong picture on social media and other broadcast media.

‘This court is saddled with a lot of cases, including commercial, civil, and criminal matters, which makes its time very precious.

‘Filing suits which are void ab initio is inimical to the course of justice, and the court can suo motu non suit such a void suit to save its time.

‘I therefore hold that a void process cannot activate the jurisdiction of this court.

‘In the final analysis, the suit of the plaintiffs is outside the subject matter jurisdiction of this court, and the plaintiffs themselves lack locus standi to maintain this action.

‘Even if this court could exercise jurisdiction over this matter, the weight of evidence tilts heavily in favour of the defendants.

‘Consequently, this suit is hereby dismissed in its entirety,’ the judge said.

The Coalition of Independent Online Media Platforms has faulted a recent report published by Sahara Reporters, alleging that relatives of top political figures secured jobs at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) without due process.

The coalition, in a statement signed by its chairman, Olubade Jimoh, and secretary, Ibrahim Umar, described the September 29, 2025, publication titled ‘EXCLUSIVE: How Relatives of Senate President Akpabio, Speaker Abbas, Other Political Elites Secured NCC Jobs Without Due Process’ as misleading, politically motivated, and lacking in credibility.

According to the coalition, the story is a recycled narrative that had been previously addressed by the NCC months earlier, adding that Sahara Reporters failed to include the commission’s response.

‘This report, which attempts to malign the person and office of the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, is not only factually shallow but reeks of a coordinated attempt to undermine his credibility, incite distrust in public institutions, and ultimately set him at odds with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration,’ the statement read.

The group further faulted the report for failing to provide verifiable documents or proof to back its claims, insisting that it amounted to speculation rather than journalism.

‘It is especially ridiculous and indeed laughable that the report suggests Dr. Maida is seeking political relevance by allegedly working against the same President who appointed him. What relevance would a technocrat gain by joining forces with an opposition that holds no power at the center? The claim lacks both political logic and common sense,’ the coalition stated.

The group linked the publication to attempts by entrenched interests to frustrate ongoing reforms at the NCC under Dr. Maida, who, since assuming office, has introduced transparency-driven measures, including merit-based staff training allocations.

The coalition urged any aggrieved party with credible evidence of wrongdoing to petition relevant anti-corruption agencies or the National Assembly, instead of sponsoring what it called ‘blackmail through unverified media reports.’

‘As online publishers, we believe in press freedom and responsibility. We urge Sahara Reporters and others to verify claims before publication, rather than weaponizing journalism for political vendettas,’ the group added.

Reaffirming its support for the NCC boss, the coalition said Dr. Aminu Maida remains a dedicated public servant committed to implementing the Federal Government’s telecommunications mandate under President Tinubu.

‘Attempts to discredit him through unsubstantiated publications will not stand. We reject this smear campaign in its entirety and commend the Presidency for remaining focused on performance, not propaganda,’ the statement concluded.

The National Freedom Party (NEP) has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for rejecting its application for registration as a political party, citing similarities between its logo, a zebra, and the horse logo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The party told reporters at its national Secretariat in Abuja where they raised concerns about the procedural mechanism used by INEC to reject their application.

According to Engr. Donnie Oluwafemi Akingbade, the National Publicity Secretary of the National Freedom Party, the party applied for registration in July 2023 and received an acknowledgment from INEC.

However, after more than two years without communication from INEC, the party was informed that their application had been rejected due to the alleged similarity between their logo and that of the SDP.

Akingbade pointed out that the party had complied with all the necessary requirements for registration as stipulated in the Electoral Act. He cited specific sections of the Act to show that the party had met all the conditions for registration and should have been granted approval by INEC.

The party’s Protem National Chairman, Dr. Anthony Harmattan, called on President Tinubu and the international community to intervene and ensure that the party is registered in accordance with the law. He warned that any further delay in the registration process could jeopardize the upcoming 2027 elections.

The National Freedom Party emphasised that their goal is to promote freedom and dignity for all Nigerians and work with the government to improve the lives of the people.

They urged INEC to reconsider their decision and register the party without further delay.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Kano State Chapter, has called for collaboration by all stakeholders in tackling Nigeria’s challenges.

In his independence anniversary speech, Chairman, ACF Kano Chapter, Goni Faruk Umar, said the challenges before the country were formidable, including pervasive poverty, widespread unemployment, the scourge of insecurity, the menace of drug abuse, the decline in educational standards, and the erosion of moral values.

He, however, noted that these adversities were not a sentence of despair, calling on all to commit to purposeful action.

He said, ‘As a Forum consecrated to dialogue, unity, and service, the ACF asserts that our collective strength lies in our ability to build bridges across divides, nurture the potentials of our youth, and harness the abundant human and natural resources entrusted to us by Providence’.

He added, ‘Sixty-five years ago, our visionary founding fathers, through uncommon courage and sacrifice, secured for us the priceless gift of sovereignty. They bequeathed a Nation consecrated to the ideals of liberty, dignity, and collective destiny.

‘Today, as we commemorate their triumph, we must not merely luxuriate in nostalgia but renew our sacred covenant to safeguard their legacy and bequeath to posterity a Nigeria worthy of their dreams.

‘The narrative of our Nation is one of resilience and renaissance; a people who, despite trials of adversity and the tremors of division, have remained indivisible and resolute. Yet, independence will find its truest expression not in ceremonial remembrance but in the tangible realities of peace, prosperity, equity, and justice for every citizen irrespective of creed, culture, or circumstance’.

Umar called on parents and guardians to know that the crucible of Nigeria’s future is in their homes.

‘Guard your children, mentor them with love, and instil in them the virtues of discipline, honesty, and service. To our youth, we affirm: you are the pulsating heart of this Republic. Reject the snares of drugs and despair; embrace the path of knowledge, creativity, and productivity.

‘And to our leaders, we appeal: let integrity, vision, and statesmanship govern your stewardship, for history will measure us not by lofty rhetoric but by the lives we uplift and the destinies we transform.

‘The ACF Kano State Chapter remains unwavering in its resolve to empower communities, advance education, preserve our cultural heritage, and safeguard the peace and security of our people. We shall continue to be a voice of conscience, a pillar of unity, and a beacon of hope.

‘As we hoist our cherished green-white-green standard this day, let it be a solemn reminder that independence is not an end but an eternal journey of vigilance, sacrifice, and renewal,’ Umar said.

The Kano/Jigawa command of the Nigerian Customs Service on Thursday handed over a suspect and a total of 261,750 capsules of Pregabalin (300 milligrams) and 228,700 tablets of Tramadol hydrochloride (225 milligrams) to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The illicit drugs, concealed in five jumbo agro sacks, were seized by Customs around the border.

Area Controller of Customs, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, disclosed that the drugs were hidden inside 35 packets of Pregabalin and 28 rolls of Tramadol tablets.

Speaking while handing over the seized illicit drugs to the NDLEA representative, the Kano/Jigawa Controller, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, said the substances pose serious health risks to the body, including organ damage, addiction, and restlessness, particularly among the youth.

Abubakar warned about the wider social implications of drug abuse, linking it to violence, crime, immorality, economic loss, and insecurity in the region.

He said a male suspect was arrested at the scene with 455,500 Naira intended as a bribe, alongside a black-tinted green Nissan Pathfinder, marked DUT196AE

A cutting knife was also among the exhibits recovered from the suspect.

‘The seizure was in line with sections 55C and 234 of the Nigerian Customs Service Act 2023, which mandated the protection of public health and prohibited the possession of smuggled goods,’ Abubakar said.

Commander of narcotics Mohammad Maiaduwa Usman received the suspect and exhibits on behalf of NDLEA.

He said NDLEA will conduct further investigations for the prosecution of the suspect.

He reiterated the agency’s commitment to continued synergy with other security agencies in the fight against drug abuse.

Nollywood actress Destiny Amaka has revealed that she narrowly escaped death in a ghastly car accident, just five days after burying her father.

Sharing the news on Instagram, Destiny said the crash occurred while she was on her way to church.

She disclosed that three people were in the vehicle, but she was the only one injured, sustaining a busted lip and a fracture in her tibia/fibula.

‘Yesterday morning, just five days after my Daddy’s death, while on my way to church, I was involved in a brutal car accident. There were three of us in the car, yet I was the only one physically injured,’ she wrote.

Despite battling grief and physical pain, the actress said she chose to see the accident not as a curse but as a reminder to slow down and reflect.

‘My body has been telling me to pause, receive, breathe. I didn’t listen. This accident made the voice louder. A gentle push, not a curse,’ she noted.

Amaka had recently laid her father to rest on September 26. In a heartfelt tribute, she admitted their relationship wasn’t perfect but cherished their final conversations, which reaffirmed his love for her.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher G. Musa, has tasked Nigeria’s security forces with identifying and eliminating criminal elements destabilising the country and the wider Sahel region.

Speaking as the guest of honour at the closing ceremony of Exercise Haske Biyu, a joint security training organised by the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Musa said peace in Nigeria and the Sahel can only be achieved by decisively removing such threats.

‘At the end of the day, the only thing we must do is to look for the bad guys and take them out. That is the only way we can have peace,’ he declared.

The CDS cautioned that the crisis in the Sahel is escalating, stressing that the enemies confronting Nigeria disregard national borders, making unilateral responses ineffective.

‘If we hold on to our borders alone, we will continue to suffer. But if we unite and work across, it makes it better,’ he said, urging stronger regional cooperation and joint operations.

Musa cited the Multinational Joint Task Force in Chad as an example of how neighbouring nations can operate collectively ‘as brothers’ to root out insurgents exploiting porous frontiers.

He linked military action to community engagement, insisting security forces cannot succeed without the cooperation of citizens who must deny criminals safe havens.

‘Once communities deny these elements the ability to stay, they will not be able to stand,’ Musa told participants, stressing that civil-military synergy is vital to sustainable gains.

The CDS also highlighted the role of the media in shaping public perception, praising journalists for educating Nigerians on the objectives and progress of security operations.

‘When perception is wrong, anything you are doing will be perceived as being wrong. So the media is critical,’ he said, thanking reporters for sustained, constructive coverage.

Musa urged personnel to remain professional and resist corruption and partisan influence, warning that money and politics could undermine operations against armed groups.

‘The only thing we must do is to look for the bad guys and take them out,’ he reiterated, charging officers to execute their mandate without fear or favour.

Closing his address, General Musa charged participants to convert the training’s outcomes into ‘solution-driven action’, stressing that relentless pursuit of criminals in cooperation with neighbours, communities and the media, is the surest route to lasting peace.

Earlier in his welcome address, Commandant of AFCSC, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Idris Alhaji, said Haske Biyu 2025, the largest exercise the college has held, deliberately adopted the theme Family and National Security to reconnect social cohesion with national defence.

He warned that weak families and fractured communities create fertile ground for radicalism and criminality, and urged trainees to translate lessons learned into community-focused action on return to their formations.

The presence and representation of high-level dignitaries at the exercise underscored the national importance of the event and the need for an all-of-society approach to security, the Commandant said.

The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc (IBEDC) has felicitated with Nigerians on the nation’s 65th Independence anniversary.

The Firm said this year’s theme: ‘Nigeria at 65: All Hands on deck for a greater nation,’ underscores the fact that project of nation-building rests on collective responsibility.

A statement by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of IBEDC, Engr. Francis Agoha said it remained resolute in its commitment to national development through improved quality power supply, prompt response to customer complaints, and deliberate efforts to bridge the metering gap across its franchise.

According to him: ‘We recognise that a sustainable power sector is central to economic advancement, industrial growth, and improved quality of life.

‘In alignment with the spirit of this theme, IBEDC enjoins its esteemed customers to partner with us in building a greater Nigeria by refraining from energy theft, vandalism of electricity infrastructure, and by paying their electricity bills regularly.’

He urged customers to be safety conscious at all times by properly supervising their children to prevent electrical accidents, refrain from trading under high-tension wires and engaging only qualified electricians to fix electrical faults.

He stated: ‘Our technical teams are fully mobilized and ready to promptly address any faults or service disruptions that may arise during the Independence Day holiday.

‘Customers are also encouraged to make use of our convenient e-payment channels for uninterrupted service delivery.

‘As Nigeria celebrates this historic milestone, IBEDC urges all citizens to embrace unity, responsibility, and collective action in building the Nigeria of our dreams. Together, we can power a greater nation.’

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress United Kingdom (APC UK) and the APC Diaspora Chairmen Council (APC CDC), Hon. Tunde Doherty, has called on Nigerians to uphold the legacies of the nation’s founding fathers and sustain the spirit of resilience that has defined the country since independence.

In a statement he personally signed to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Doherty described the milestone as more than a historical landmark, stressing that it symbolises the unity, diversity, and hope of the Nigerian people.

‘Sixty-five years of Nigeria’s independence is not merely a historical milestone; it is a testament to our resilience, our unity in diversity, and our unwavering hope for a better tomorrow,’ he said.

Doherty further assured that the diaspora chapter of the ruling party under his leadership remains committed to promoting inclusive governance, encouraging civic engagement, and strengthening strategic collaboration between Nigeria and its citizens abroad.

‘The diaspora remains a vital force in shaping Nigeria’s future.

‘We must continue to build bridges across borders, advocate for transparency, and empower our communities to contribute meaningfully to national development,’ he said.

Doherty called on all Nigerians to reflect on the values of freedom, justice, and progress, and to recommit themselves to the collective pursuit of a prosperous and united nation.

In Speak Up! A Guide to Public Speaking for Young Minds’, Adetola Ajibola lays the foundation for public speaking and builds on it across 11 chapters and 38 pages. The author consistently stresses the importance of standing up and speaking.

She emphasises that the voice itself is the hallmark of speaking-unique, powerful, and capable of bringing new ideas to life, while also serving as a tool of empowerment. Ajibola creates a background to the title by tracing the roots of public speaking step by step: stand up ? speak ? your voice ? your message ? writing. Alongside this, she highlights the need to build confidence, noting that confidence strengthens how a message is projected.

In Chapter 5, she explains that it is not enough to simply have a message or confidence, what you say must compel your audience to act. She suggests approaches such as being authentic, telling stories, and encouraging interaction. The book also provides a template for writing a compelling speech. True to the author’s words, public speaking requires storytelling, but stories must matter, relate, and be relevant to the audience-whether they are personal experiences or statistics.

Ajibola further highlights the role of visual aids in elevating presentations, such as slides and designs that align with the message. Importantly, she balances the strengths of public speaking with the realities, building confidence, handling difficult questions, and recognizing that speaking is not always rosy. She emphasizes that success requires preparation and rehearsal, before, during, and even after the speech.

One weakness of the book, however, is that it does not adequately address the limitations of speaking up. While it thoroughly covers the ‘why’ and ‘how’, it gives little attention to the ‘when’, a crucial challenge for many young people who struggle with timing.

Nevertheless, the book’s strength lies in its simplicity and relevance. The words are free of ambiguity, relatable to young minds and enriched with practical examples and steps.