RIVERS ASSEMBLY MOVES TO IMPEACH GOVERNOR FUBARA

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Oduh.
During a plenary session presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read aloud the notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Governor Fubara, citing Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution. The notice, signed by 26 members of the House, listed seven points of alleged gross misconduct, including the demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, and defiance of a Supreme Court ruling on legislative financial autonomy. Speaker Amaewhule stated the notice would be formally served to Fubara within seven days.
Similarly, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read the notice of allegations against Deputy Governor Oduh. The accusations included reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstruction of the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties, allowing unauthorised individuals to occupy offices without proper screening, and bypassing the legitimate House for budget approvals, among other claims.
This marks the second attempt to impeach the governor and his deputy, following a similar move in March 2025, when tensions escalated between Fubara and the former governor, Nyesom Wike. That crisis led President Bola Tinubu to intervene, declaring a state of emergency, suspending Fubara, Oduh, and the entire Assembly for six months, and appointing Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd.) as administrator.
Fubara returned to office after the six-month suspension following a reconciliation brokered between him, Wike—now the FCT Minister—and the lawmakers. In December 2025, Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), shortly after some Assembly members had also joined the APC. On the defection, Fubara stated that his decision was to align fully with the President, describing it as a move away from “backyard support” toward full political alignment.
The current impeachment move signals a renewed political showdown in the oil-rich state, reflecting continuing tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government.

NBA SOUNDS ALARM OVER SURGE IN ONE CHANCE KILLINGS IN ABUJA FOLLOWING MURDER OF LAWYER AND NURSE

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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has raised serious concerns over the resurgence of “one chance” criminal operations in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, following the murders of Princess Chigbo Mediatrix, a lawyer and former Treasurer of the NBA Abuja Branch, and Ms. Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem, a healthcare worker.
Both women were reportedly attacked by criminals posing as commercial transport operators, with their bodies later discovered in separate locations across the city.
Confirming Mediatrix’s death, the FCT Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh, said on Wednesday that “discreet investigations” were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the killings.
In a statement on Thursday, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, expressed deep concern, saying the incidents have plunged Abuja into grief and fear, warning that insecurity is tightening its grip on the nation’s capital.
“These were not faceless victims. They were professionals, contributors to society, and ordinary citizens whose only intention was to return safely from their daily engagements,” the NBA said, describing the killings as a stark indictment of a growing security breakdown in Abuja, where daily commuting has become a deadly gamble.
Osigwe emphasized that the death of Princess Mediatrix represents both a professional and personal loss for the legal community, noting her dedication and service to the NBA Abuja Branch.
“The Nigerian Bar Association condemns in the strongest terms these senseless and horrifying killings. Criminal gangs, masquerading as commercial transport operators, now operate with alarming confidence on our roads,” the statement read.
The NBA called on FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to treat the situation as a security emergency, demanding immediate and coordinated action. Measures suggested include intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance, policing of transport corridors, and targeted operations against known “one chance” syndicates.
Extending condolences to the families of the victims, the healthcare community, and the NBA Abuja Branch, the association stressed that the deaths must not fade into statistics, urging authorities to ensure the tragedies become a turning point in restoring safety in Abuja.

OYO POLICE WARN RESIDENTS TO EXERCISE CAUTION AROUND WATER BODIES TO PREVENT DROWNING

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The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday night urged residents to exercise extreme caution around rivers, streams, dams, swimming pools, and other water-related facilities to prevent accidental drownings.
In a statement issued from Ibadan, the state capital, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Olayinka Ayanlade specifically called on church owners and religious organisations whose worship centres are near natural water bodies to implement proactive safety measures during religious activities.
Ayanlade cited past incidents highlighting the dangers of unsupervised water access. In June 2025, a two-year-old girl’s remains were recovered from a well at Orita Mokola Junction, Saki LGA, and in November 2025, the body of a 45-year-old man was retrieved from a well in Odo-Ogbo, Iseyin LGA.
The PPRO emphasized that unsupervised access to water bodies, particularly by children, must be strictly discouraged. He said:
“Members of the public are urged to exercise extreme caution around all water bodies. Church owners, hotel operators, resort managers, and recreational facility administrators must ensure proper supervision, safety notices, and adequate preventive measures are in place to avoid accidents.”
Parents and guardians were specifically advised to monitor children closely, preventing them from visiting rivers, wells, or swimming without responsible adults. Homeowners were reminded to secure wells with proper lids, repair any damage, and restrict access to prevent accidental falls.
Ayanlade also urged operators of recreational facilities to employ trained instructors, lifeguards, and swimming tutors, and to maintain functional safety and rescue equipment at all times.
The statement concluded with a reminder that everyone—residents, facility operators, and community leaders—bears responsibility for preventing drowning incidents in the state.