Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget for legislative consideration.

The resolution was passed during plenary on Monday in Port Harcourt, following a motion moved by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol. The lawmakers referenced a Supreme Court order in Suit No.: SC/CV/1174/2024, which halted the state’s statutory federal allocations and restricted spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State until an Appropriation Bill is passed.

The resolution, signed by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, stated:

Speaker Amaewhule also criticized Governor Fubara’s directive instructing Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take charge of local councils, calling it illegal and contrary to the Supreme Court’s ruling.

The lawmakers cited the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023, and the Supreme Court’s judgment in Suit No.: SC/CV/343/2024, which prohibits the administration of local governments by HLGAs or any other persons except democratically elected officials.

Meanwhile, the House announced plans to go on recess by Friday, stating that lawmakers have been working continuously for the past two years.

Notably, there was no mention of the 2024 budget during the plenary session.

Governor Fubara had signed a ₦1.1 trillion 2025 budget into law on January 2 after presenting it to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led lawmakers. However, last week, the Supreme Court ruled that Speaker Amaewhule and his faction are the legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, ordering them to resume legislative activities.

The Kano State Government, in collaboration with Kano Major Markets, has announced a reduction in the prices of essential food items at the Kano Trade Fair Complex.

The initiative aims to make food more affordable for residents, with several staple products now available at lower prices compared to regular market rates. The revised prices include:

• BUA Rice – Reduced from ₦81,000 to ₦76,000
• Amarava Rice – Reduced from ₦72,000 to ₦66,000
• Dangote Sugar – Reduced from ₦82,000 to ₦79,000
• IRS Flour – Reduced from ₦61,000 to ₦57,000
• Crown Taliya – Reduced from ₦16,000 to ₦15,100
• Crown Macaroni – Reduced from ₦15,700 to ₦14,700
• Honey Macaroni – Reduced from ₦15,700 to ₦14,700
• BUA Macaroni – Reduced from ₦16,500 to ₦15,000

Residents in Kano can take advantage of these reduced prices by purchasing their food supplies at the Kano Trade Fair Complex.

The Supreme Court has prohibited the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other relevant agencies from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government until it complies with previous court orders.

Delivering a one-hour, thirty-six-minute judgment, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, leading a five-member panel, dismissed a cross-appeal by Governor Siminalayi Fubara challenging the legitimacy of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the speakership of Martin Amaewhule.

The court ordered Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with all elected members of the House, ruling that Governor Fubara acted unlawfully by presenting an appropriation bill before a four-member Assembly, thereby excluding 28 constituencies. It described this action as a violation of a court directive requiring him to present the 2024 budget to a duly constituted Assembly led by Amaewhule.

Additionally, the court condemned the governor’s handling of the alleged defection of 28 lawmakers, labeling it an act of “brigandage and dictatorship” aimed at preventing the House from carrying out its legislative duties.

The Supreme Court further criticized the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, describing it as an abuse of executive power intended to obstruct the legislative process.

A former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Anamekwe Nwabuoku, facing trial over an alleged ₦1.96 billion fraud, has requested more time from the Federal High Court in Abuja to negotiate a settlement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Nwabuoku, who is standing trial on a nine-count charge, made the plea on Monday after the EFCC, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ekele Iheanacho, informed the court that it had five witnesses ready to testify.

Although his lawyer, Isidore Udenko, represented him in court, the defendant disclosed that he had engaged a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to facilitate an out-of-court settlement. Udenko noted that a previous attempt to reach an agreement with the anti-graft agency had failed, leading to the commencement of trial.

Responding, EFCC’s counsel, Iheanacho, stated that while the prosecution was prepared to proceed with the trial, it had no objection to the defendant’s request if it served the interest of justice.

“Even though our five witnesses are in court and we are ready to go on with the trial, however, if the request of the defendant will meet the justice of the case, we will not be opposing,” he said.

Following the submission, Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case to March 13, 2025, for either a settlement report or the continuation of the trial.

Nwabuoku was appointed as acting AGF in May 2022 after the suspension and subsequent trial of former AGF Ahmed Idris over an alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud. However, the EFCC later accused Nwabuoku of financial misconduct before his appointment, leading to his removal in July 2022.

He was subsequently charged alongside a Director in the Federal Civil Service, Felix Nweke. However, the EFCC later amended the charge, removing Nweke as a co-defendant after he agreed to testify against Nwabuoku.

According to the prosecution, Nwabuoku allegedly violated Section 18 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended in 2012), an offence punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

The court had earlier heard testimony from Nweke, who alleged that Nwabuoku used four different companies to divert public funds. He further stated that the illicit funds were deposited in accounts controlled by an individual identified as Gideon Joseph.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Adamawa State has cautioned fruit dealers against using chemicals to ripen fruits and urged consumers to be cautious of chemically treated produce.

State Coordinator Gonzuk Bedima issued the warning on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Yola. He identified calcium carbide, a chemical commonly used in welding, as the primary substance used to artificially ripen fruits, particularly bananas and oranges.

Bedima warned that exposure to calcium carbide poses serious health risks, including cancer. He noted that NAFDAC had previously sensitized fruit sellers and would intensify awareness campaigns, especially with the approach of the fasting season, when fruit consumption increases.

He advised consumers to remain vigilant and avoid fruits that appear overly ripe on the outside but are unripe inside, as this could indicate chemical treatment.

“If you suspect such fruits, avoid buying them, as they are dangerous to your health,” he said, urging the public to report cases of chemically ripened fruits to NAFDAC to prevent further risks.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued the official notice for elections in the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

In a statement on Wednesday, INEC said the early announcement complies with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the commission to give advance notice of elections.

“Nomination papers for all elective positions must be submitted through the commission’s online portal and delivered to its headquarters in Maitama, Abuja,” the statement read.

The commission confirmed that voting would commence at 8:30 a.m. in all polling units across the FCT on the election day.

According to the notice, only registered voters whose names appear on the voter register and who possess valid Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) will be eligible to vote. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be deployed for the election in line with INEC’s ‘No PVC, No Voting’ policy.

INEC urged all eligible voters and stakeholders to take note of these guidelines and prepare accordingly.