News
Court Rejects Demand to Compel Governor Fubara to Re-Present 2024 Budget to Dissatisfied Lawmakers
By Favour Bibaikefie
A High Court in Rivers State, sitting in Port Harcourt, has dismissed a case filed to compel Governor Siminalayi Fubara to re-submit the N800 billion 2024 budget to 27 discontented lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule.
The suit, filed by the Registered Trustees of Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, named the Rivers State Government, Governor, and Attorney General as defendants. The group sought an order from Justice Sika Aprioku for the re-presentation of the budget to the lawmakers in question.
The case, referenced as Suit No. PHC/3552/CS/2024, was initiated on October 27, 2024, through an originating summons. The claimants challenged the state government’s decision not to re-present the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the Assembly faction led by Amaewhule for legislative approval.
During proceedings on November 12, 2024, defense counsel Lawrence Oko-Jaja (SAN) presented documents recalling that between December 2015 and February 2017, only six members of the Rivers State House of Assembly conducted legislative business under Speaker Adams Dabotorudima. This arrangement included the passage of the 2017 Appropriation Bill and the confirmation of appointments during Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration, despite not meeting the required quorum of 24 members.
Oko-Jaja noted that on December 23, 2015, six Assembly members confirmed the appointment of Hon. Daisy Wotube Okocha as the state’s Chief Judge, with Speaker Dabotorudima notifying Governor Wike of the decision. Okocha was subsequently sworn in on January 4, 2016.
He further stated, “On March 3, 2016, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, under a letter, REF: RVSG/GH/RVHA/VOL/1/030, requested the House of six members to confirm the appointment of Hon. Justice Adama Iyayi-Laminkara as Substantive Chief Judge. The confirmation was given on March 7, 2016, and communicated to Governor Wike via a letter, RVHA/ADM/36/VOL.1/32, on the same date.”
Delivering judgment on December 20, 2024, Justice Aprioku ruled that Governor Fubara could only engage with Assembly members who had not vacated their seats.
“The governor cannot transact business with lawmakers who defected and, by doing so, lost their seats. As Governor Nyesom Wike conducted legislative business with only six members in the past, Governor Siminalayi Fubara is constitutionally allowed to engage the current House led by Rt. Hon. Oko-Jumbo. This arrangement will remain until the 27 defected lawmakers either seek legal redress or new elections are held to fill their vacant seats,” Justice Aprioku stated.
He continued, “Until the Supreme Court resolves the jurisdictional issues affecting the status of these 27 lawmakers, the governor can only present budgets, appoint Chief Judges, and carry out other legislative duties with the remaining members. Any attempt to engage the defected lawmakers would be unconstitutional.”
Justice Aprioku concluded by dismissing the claimant’s request for declaratory and injunctive reliefs, describing it as lacking merit. He also awarded a cost of N500,000 against the claimant in favor of the defendants.
“This suit is hereby dismissed with N500,000 awarded in costs to the defendants,” the judge ruled.
News
Great Loss As Family Announces The Painful Passing Iduwini-borne Billionaire Prince, Presley Gere Iyalahga
By: Miracle Palakia
Odimodi, Delta State – The Iyalahga and Diepregha families, Odimodi, Aghoro, and the entire Iduwini Kingdom in Delta and Bayelsa States, breaks silence on the painful loss of their son, Prince Presley Isele Gere Iyalahga, Billionaire businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Preslyn Group of Companies, who passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the age of 48.
Prince Presley was an illustrious son of two distinguished families: His Royal Majesty Gere J. Iyalagha, (Igbedikuru-II), the late Ibenanawei of Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, and the late Regent of Iduwini Kingdom (Delta & Bayelsa States), High Chief Diepregha Akpotelemor of Gberigberi-Idumu Quarters, Aghoro-I Community, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The former President of the Iduwini National Youth Council for Peace and Development was a respected businessman and community leader, who’s untimely demise has thrown his family, friends, associates, community, and Kingdom into deep shock and sorrow. He’s survived by his beloved wife, Princess Preye Presley Iyalagha, and six children.
The families made known the development to newsmen on Saturday, August 16th, in a statement jointly signed by Mr. Oroupade Oweibe and George Diepregha for the families and his son, Prince Peremobowei Presley Iyalagha, for the children.
According to the statement, funeral rites will take place on Friday, August 29th, 2025. At 10 a.m., the body will depart Warri via Millar Jetty to his compound in Odimodi for a brief Funeral Service, lying in state, interment.
IduwiniVoice can report that Prince Presley Iyalagha’s passing marks not only the loss of a vibrant Royal entrepreneur but that of a leader in Iduwini Kingdom and Ijaw nation. His memory remains deeply cherished by the lives he touched and all who knew him.
By: Divine Perezide
Congratulatory messages continue to pour in as Warri-borne business tycoon, and Delta Ijaw APC leader, Madam Beauty Warezuwowei makes the list of members recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into the reconstituted Governing Council and Board of Trustees of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYREP). Reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to tackling environmental degradation in oil-producing regions, the newly appointed board members include representatives from the Niger Delta, Ogoni Communities, NGOs, and oil-producing states, with the Minister of Environment serving as Chairman of the council.
Read the statement announcing the appointment below:
“STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
“PRESIDENT TINUBU ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR HYREP
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYREP), with the Minister of Environment serving as Chairman of the Council.
“The other members are Loanyie Barituka Victor, who represents the Non-governmental Organisations focused on the environment, Bright Onyebuchi Jacob, and Henry Obiabure, who represent the Niger Delta communities.
“Professor Barinedum Michael Nwibere and Barrister Baride Abdul Gwezia are the representatives of the Ogoni Community on the new Council.
“The nine oil-producing states have two representatives on the Council: Gideon Onyebuwa Melfor and Dr Ibikunle Omotehinse.
“There are four alternative members of the Council, representing Ogoniland and the Niger Delta: Rev. Canon Dr Abraham Olungwe, who was reappointed and Engr. Maeba Power Ekpobari are the alternate members of the Council representing Ogoniland. Joseph Akedesuo and Beauty Warejuowei represent the Niger Delta.
“President Tinubu also reconstituted the HYREP Board of Trustees, with Emmanuel Nwiika Deeyah reappointed chairman.
“Fred Mbombo Igwe and Dr. Fred Barivule Kpakol will represent Ogoni communities and stakeholders on the board. Mrs Dorcas Amos represents the other Niger Delta communities, while Chief Jide Damazio, who was reappointed, represents the NGOs dealing with environmental issues.
“Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
“August 11, 2025”
The appointment of Warejuwowei into the board of the HYREP, an office marking the renewed poise at restoring the badly polluted environments in the Niger Delta and advancin Ogoniland’s remediation efforts, has been applauded by people from across the region, adding that she will surely deliver meaningful contributions towards the successes of the agency and the federal government.
By: Favour Bibaikefie
Commendations pour in from across Africa as renowned Delta State-born peace and development advocate, Comrade (Chief) Mulade Sheriff, has succefully defended his researh for Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in International Relations at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.
A United Nations Peace Ambassador, environmentalist, human rights activist, sports enthusiast, entrepreneur, educational promoter, and social leader, Dr. Mulade is the National Coordinator of the foremost civil rights organisation, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), also known as the Africa 4 Peace Centre.
This remarkable academic feat once again demonstrates his unwavering zeal for intellectual excellence, further cementing his reputation as a visionary leader committed to peace, justice, and development, through the instrumentality of the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge.
As he takes this leap from local, state, and national engagements to a more pronounced presence on the international stage, Nigerians can look forward to the far-reaching impact of his knowledge, which promises to translate into global opportunities for the nation and beyond.