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Lawyer Drags Saraki, Senate, Others to Court over Comment on IGP

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A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Debo Adeleke has dragged the senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, and others to a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, for declaring the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr Ibrahim Idris Kpotum ‘unfit to hold position in and outside Nigeria and an enemy of democracy’.
Joined as Saraki co-respondents in the suit are; the Senate of National Assembly and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the first to third respondents respectively.
The applicant in the suit delineated ABJ/CS/566/2018, is seeking an order of court declaring that the National Assembly, Saraki and Ekeremadu are not being court of law, lack jurisdiction and vires to declare IGP a personal non grata and unfit to hold public office within and outside Nigeria and an enemy of democracy.
The lawyer also seeks a declaration of the court that the power of the Senate of National Assembly to invite a public officer under its power of investigation in Section 88 of 1999 Constitution (as amended), is limited and it is only to enable it to: make laws with respect to any matter within its legislative competence and correct and defect in the existing laws; and expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it.
The applicant also seeks declaration of the court that even though, the Senate of National Assembly lack the requisite vires to summon the IGP as declared above, the IGP was ably represented by Deputy Inspector-General of Police by virtue of Section 312(1) of Police Act and Regulation, law made by National Assembly. And that the invitation of IGP over the arrest and arraignment of Senator Dino Melaye is subjudice and undue interference with police Constitutional power of investigation, arrest and arraignment of suspects.
In his 27 paragraph affidavit to support his originating summon, Adeleke averred that he instituted the suit to defend and uphold the sanctity of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, noting that it is of public interest. Adding that what prompted the suit was the Senate declaration of the IGP, Mr. Ibrahim Idris Kpotum a ‘persona non grata’, unfit to hold public position within and outside Nigeria, and enemy of democracy due to the IGP’s inability to personally honour Senate invitation to appear before it.
He also stated that the said declaration was made consequent upon IGP’s inability to appear personally before the Senate plenary on three consecutive times to explained the circumstances surrounding the arrest of one of its members, Dino Melaye and killing across the Nigeria.
The applicant also stated that the summons of the IGP by the Senate on three occasions, which the IGP was unable to attend due to being on special assignment with President Buhari, and that non appearance of the IGP on the last summoned date, May 9, 2018, led the Senate to declare him a personal non grata, unfit to hold public position, and enemy of democracy.
He also stated that as a lawyer, that the summoning IGP over the arrest and arraignment of Dino Melaye, is an undue interference with police operation and duties of investigation, arrest and arraignment of suspects. Adding that the Senate interrogation of IGP over the arrest and arraignment of Senator Dino Melaye, a matter subject of litigation is tantamount to usurpation of judicial powers of the judiciary, another independent arm of government.
The lawyer also stated that the IGP out of respect sent DIG Operations to represent him at Senate plenary but was denied representation by Senate, and that he knows that DIG Operations is competent under police act, a law made by the same National Assembly to represent the IGP.
Following the above averment, the applicant asked the court to declare that Senate of National Assembly,  Senate Pesident, Bukola Saraki, and Ike Ekeremadu, not being a court, lack the jurisdiction and vires to declare the IGP a persona non grata, and unfit to hold public office within and outside Nigeria and enemy of democracy.
He also wants the court to declare that the invitation of the IGP over the arrest and arraignment of Senator Dino Melaye is subjudice and undue interference with police constitutional power of investigation, arrest, and arraignment of suspects.

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Court Grants Malami N200m Bail in DSS Terrorism, Firearm Charges

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Justice Joyce Abdulmalikof the Federal High Court Abujahas admitted a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son Abdulazizto N200 million bail in the charges bordering on alleged terrorism and illegal firearms possession brought against them by the Department of State Service (DSS).

Malami and his son were, however, ordered to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail conditions imposed on them by the Court.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted them bail while ruling on their bail applications, which were argued by their lead Counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN).

The judge ordered the former AGF and his son to get two sureties each, one of whom must own landed property either in Maitama or Asokoro.

Justice Abdulmalik said that the title of the property must be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court, along with valid international passports.

The sureties are also to depose to an affidavit of means and submit their two recent passport photographs to the court.

Malami and his son were also ordered to submit their international passports and recent passport photographs to the court.

The judge subsequently fixed March 4 for the commencement of the trial.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had arraigned Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and illegal firearms possession.

In the charge, Malami was accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, whose case files were handed to him while he served as the AGF and Minister of Justice.

Malami and Abdulaziz are equally accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birain Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, without lawful authority.

The DSS accused Malami in count one of the charge, with knowingly abetting terrorism financing, while the ex-AGF and his son are charged in counts two to five, with unlawful, possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live rounds of cartridges and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, contrary to and punishable under relevant Sections of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Firearms Act, 2004.

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Fubara Appoints New SSG, Chief of Staff

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Governor Siminalayi Fubara has appointed Dr. Dagogo S.A. Wokoma as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) and Barrister Sunny Ewule as Chief of Staff, after the recent shake-up of the State’s political and administrative structure.

The appointments were announced on Thursday in a Special Government Notice signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, and made available to journalists. Both appointments take immediate effect.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, the governor appointed Dr Dagogo Wokoma as Secretary to the State Government and Mr. Sunny Ewule as Chief of Staff.

The statement said the appointments take immediate effect, adding that the new appointees would be sworn in at 2:00 p.m. at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Port Harcourt.

The development comes amid the protracted political crisis in the State, which recently escalated into impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, by the State House of Assembly. The crisis was eventually diffused following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, had last week announced during plenary that the Assembly formally withdrew the impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy after the President’s intervention.

Political observers suggest that the dissolution of the cabinet may be part of efforts to rebalance the power structure in the following the peace accord. However, it remains unclear whether the new appointees are aligned with the governor or loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The statement read in part: “The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has appointed Dr. Dagogo S.A. Wokoma as the Secretary to the State Government and Barrister Sunny Ewule as the Chief of Staff.

“Both appointments are with immediate effect. The new appointees will be sworn in at 2:00 pm.today, Thursday, February 26, 2026. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Port Harcourt.”

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Court Strikes Out Forgery Case Against Ozekhome As FG Withdraws Charges

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The Federal Government has formally withdrawn the forgery charge filed against senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome, bringing an abrupt pause to a case that had drawn public attention.

The charge was originally instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
It followed a judgment delivered by a London court over a property linked to the late former FCT minister, Jeremiah Useni.

In January, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation took over the matter from the ICPC for what it described as effective prosecution.

However, proceedings took a new turn on Tuesday at the FCT High Court.

The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed Peter Kekemeke that the Federal Government was withdrawing the case file for “further instruction”.

He explained that the decision was taken in line with the provisions of Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Counsel to the defence, Paul Erokoro, SAN, told the court that his team had no objection to the withdrawal of the charge.

In a brief ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that since the application was not opposed, it was granted.

He consequently struck out the charge and ordered that the case be dismissed.

The withdrawal effectively halts legal action against Ozekhome over the alleged forgery linked to the disputed property transaction.

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