• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy
Friday, June 6, 2025
Umpirenews | Latest News, Politics, Breaking News, Nigeria and African history
Advertisement
  • National
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Columns
No Result
View All Result
  • National
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Columns
No Result
View All Result
Umpirenews | Latest News, Politics, Breaking News, Nigeria and African history
No Result
View All Result

Maintain Law and Order in Rivers LG Election: Femi Falana Writes IGP, Cites Recent Appeal and Stay of Execution Against High Court Ruling

Content Team by Content Team
October 5, 2024
in National
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
0
Maintain Law and Order in Rivers LG Election: Femi Falana Writes IGP, Cites Recent Appeal and Stay of Execution Against High Court Ruling
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsappShare on EmailShare on Telegram

In a recent development, human rights activist, Femi Falana has written to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to obey the rule of law by providing the needed security for the Rivers local government election, slated to hold on Saturday, 5 October 2024.

Falana’s position is backed by the recent appeal of an earlier Abuja High Court ruling which the Rivers State Police Command through its spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, cited in reference to a restraining order it received that prohibits the police from providing security during the elections.

As at Friday, 4 October 2024, Femi Falana’s letter to the Inspector General of Police provides more details of an appeal to the said High Court ruling which the Police restraining order is based on.
See the full letter below:
The Inspector-General of Police,
Police Force Headquarters,
Louis Edet House,
Abuja.

RE:SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024 – ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS (APC) V. INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION & 5 ORS.


We are Solicitors to the 2nd Defendant (hereinafter referred to as “our client”) on whose behalf and instructions we write this letter in respect of the above subject matter.

Our client has drawn our attention to the statement credited to the Rivers State Police Command to the effect that it would comply fully with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja which barred it from participating in the October 5, local government election in the State.

The implication of the statement is that the police will not maintain law and order during the election.


We have the instructions of our client to inform you that an appeal have been filed against the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on September 30, 2024 by the Honourable Justice P.O. Lifu . Following the filing of the appeal, a motion for stay of execution pending the appeal has also been filed by our client.


Having been served with the copies of the Notice and Motion for Stay of execution, we request you toted to direct the Rivers State Police Command to maintain and law order during the election for the following reasons:


1.Since a notice of appeal has been filed together with a motion for stay of execution, parties are not permitted to take steps that may frustrate the hearing of the motion for stay of execution. By maintaining law and order during the election the police cannot be accused of contempt of court. In the case of Mobil Oil Nig. Limited v Assan(1995) 8 NWLR (PT 412) 129 at 150 the Supreme Court held inter alia: “Chief FRA Williams, SAN referred the court to the cases of Huang & Ors. v. Bello & Ors. supra and Rastico Nigeria Ltd. v. Societe GeneraleSurveillance SA supra.


These are Court of Appeal decisions and were in my view rightly decided. What the court below was saying in both cases was that where a person is appealing against a matter in which he had suffered a defeat and asked for a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal, he would not be liable in contempt merely because he had not obeyed the order which he is appealing against or which he wants stayed pending the appeal.


Trial and appellate courts have always had jurisdiction to grant stay of execution of judgment pending appeal. The exercise of the right to apply for a stay of execution by an unsuccessful litigant pending his appeal has not been treated as a disobedience to the judgment he is appealing against.”


2.In Suit No: PHC/2696/CS/2024 – Action Peoples Party v. Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission & 2 Ors., the Rivers State High Court has directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct the local government election in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court in Suit No: SC/CV/343/2024 – Attorney-General of the Federation v. Attorney-General of Abia State & 35 Ors. (2024) LPELR -62576 (SC).


3.The Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara has directed the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to maintain law and order during the election in exercise of his powers under Section 215 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). In the case of Attorney-General of Anambra State v. Attorney-General of the Federation & Ors. (2005) 9 NWLR (PT 931) 572 at 616 the Supreme Court held: “The Constitution in Section 215 subsection(1) clearly gives the Governor of AnambraState the power to issue lawful direction to the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, in connection with securing public safety and order in the State.”


4.A few persons have openly boasted and threatened to destroy electoral materials, cause mayhem and unleash violence on the law abiding people of Rivers State who may wish to exercise their democratic rights during the local government election. In view of the foregoing, we hereby urge you to direct the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in any part of Rivers State during the local government election scheduled to hold throughout the State on October 5, 2024. While awaiting your reply to this letter, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem and professional regards.
Yours sincerely,
FEMI FALANA, SAN.

Content Team

Content Team

Steven Atogi is Editor-in-chief at Umpire News. Formerly Editor-in-chief at DreamsNG Magazine. A skilled editor, writer and researcher with over a decade experience in politics, economy, sports and entertainment news editing; feature writing, copywriting and digital news sourcing. He has published in traditional and new media across local and international media outlets. He is keen on public policy, politics, economy, and social justice themes.

Related Posts

FBI Arrests  Nigerian “Tech Queen” for Fraud in the USA
National

FBI Arrests Nigerian “Tech Queen” for Fraud in the USA

17 hours ago
After 2 years of Tinubu’s govt, No gains, but more suffering, hardship – NLC claims.
National

After 2 years of Tinubu’s govt, No gains, but more suffering, hardship – NLC claims.

17 hours ago
Security forces reassure Yobe residents insurgent-free sallah celebration
National

Security forces reassure Yobe residents insurgent-free sallah celebration

22 hours ago
Breaking News: Chief of Army Staff relocates to Benue to tackle insecurity
National

Breaking News: Chief of Army Staff relocates to Benue to tackle insecurity

2 days ago

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

NATIONS NEWS

FBI Arrests  Nigerian “Tech Queen” for Fraud in the USA
National

FBI Arrests Nigerian “Tech Queen” for Fraud in the USA

17 hours ago
After 2 years of Tinubu’s govt, No gains, but more suffering, hardship – NLC claims.
National

After 2 years of Tinubu’s govt, No gains, but more suffering, hardship – NLC claims.

17 hours ago
Security forces reassure Yobe residents insurgent-free sallah celebration
National

Security forces reassure Yobe residents insurgent-free sallah celebration

22 hours ago
Breaking News: Chief of Army Staff relocates to Benue to tackle insecurity
National

Breaking News: Chief of Army Staff relocates to Benue to tackle insecurity

2 days ago
Tinubu Has Outperformed All Presidents Before Him- Felix Morka
National

Tinubu Has Outperformed All Presidents Before Him- Felix Morka

2 days ago
Amaechi To Wike: You Worked Under Me; I Don’t Respond To Children.
National

Amaechi To Wike: You Worked Under Me; I Don’t Respond To Children.

2 days ago

POLITICS

Group Fires Back At Wike Over Betrayal Allegations Against Makinde, Mbah.

Wike debunks existence of “Cabal” in Tinubu’s government

17 hours ago
More defections: Rep dumps PDP for APC, urges support for Gov Otu, Tinubu

More defections: Rep dumps PDP for APC, urges support for Gov Otu, Tinubu

6 days ago
PDP Crisis: BoT urges forgiveness, dialogue and unity

PDP Crisis: BoT urges forgiveness, dialogue and unity

1 week ago
Tinubu receiving performance based endorsement – Top APC Chieftain

Tinubu receiving performance based endorsement – Top APC Chieftain

1 week ago
​​Coalition Saga: Atiku Ignores Adeleke In Osun, Draws Battle Line With PDP Govs. 

​​Coalition Saga: Atiku Ignores Adeleke In Osun, Draws Battle Line With PDP Govs. 

1 week ago
Gov Adeleke’s defection rumours to APC gain traction as David visits Tinubu

Gov Adeleke’s defection rumours to APC gain traction as David visits Tinubu

1 week ago

YOUR ECONOMY

FG will revive cocoa industry – Shettima
Economy

FG will revive cocoa industry – Shettima

3 days ago
Nigerian companys take priority over foreign businesses with “Nigeria First Policy” 
Economy

Tinubu seeks $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline investment

3 days ago
Development bank disbursed N1 trillion to MSMEs – MD
Economy

Development bank disbursed N1 trillion to MSMEs – MD

5 days ago
Becoming AfDB president greatest honour of my life – Adesina
Economy

Becoming AfDB president greatest honour of my life – Adesina

1 week ago
Dangote Refinery Drops Pump Prices Again with a Price Range between 875 and ₦905 Nationwide
Economy

Dangote Refinery Drops Pump Prices Again with a Price Range between 875 and ₦905 Nationwide

2 weeks ago
Fidelity Bankruptcy Scare: Banking sector is stable, says CBN
Economy

Fidelity Bankruptcy Scare: Banking sector is stable, says CBN

2 weeks ago

E & P

Cole Palmer to wear Chelsea’s number 10 next season
Sports

Cole Palmer to wear Chelsea’s number 10 next season

by Steven Atogi
22 hours ago
0

England midfielder, Cole Palmer, since joining Chelsea from Manchester City have been wearing the number 20 jersey for the blues....

Man United submits £45m bid for Bryan Mbeumo

Man United submits £45m bid for Bryan Mbeumo

22 hours ago
Breaking News: Hansi Flick interested in signing Ademola Lookman to Barcelona 

Breaking News: Hansi Flick interested in signing Ademola Lookman to Barcelona 

2 days ago
Choosing Nigeria Over England, Best Career Decision I made – Lookman

Choosing Nigeria Over England, Best Career Decision I made – Lookman

2 days ago
Three names to watch in the Premier league transfer window

Three names to watch in the Premier league transfer window

3 days ago
Bruno Fernandes rejects Al Hilal proposal

Bruno Fernandes rejects Al Hilal proposal

3 days ago

YOUR THOUGHT & HISTORY

ON THE PUBLIC NUISANCE CALLED SOWORE
Opinion

ON THE PUBLIC NUISANCE CALLED SOWORE

by Kiikpoye Karibo
3 months ago
Data Visualizations
Columns

Five Key Considerations for Creating Effective Data Visualizations

by Blessing Chinyere Daniel
5 months ago
The Transformative Power of AI in Revolutionizing Industries and Empowering Growth
Columns

The Transformative Power of AI in Revolutionizing Industries and Empowering Growth

by Blessing Chinyere Daniel
6 months ago
Navigating the Turbulent Terrain of Entrepreneurship: The Power of Tenacity, Growth Mind-set, and Grit
Columns

Navigating the Turbulent Terrain of Entrepreneurship: The Power of Tenacity, Growth Mind-set, and Grit

by Uloma Harrison-Ikenwanze
6 months ago
The Power of Data in Today’s World
Columns

The Power of Data in Today’s World

by Blessing Chinyere Daniel
6 months ago

Who we are

Umpirenews | Latest News, Politics, Breaking News, Nigeria and African history

Welcome to Umpire News, your go-to online newspaper dedicated to broadening perspectives and expanding the horizons of our numerous readers. Read more

Browse by Category

  • Columns
  • Economy
  • Editorial
  • Entertainment
  • International
  • National
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Sports

Recent News

Donald Trump and Elon Musk fight dirty in heated online war

Donald Trump and Elon Musk fight dirty in heated online war

June 6, 2025
FBI Arrests  Nigerian “Tech Queen” for Fraud in the USA

FBI Arrests Nigerian “Tech Queen” for Fraud in the USA

June 5, 2025
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 Copyright Umpirenews. All rights reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Columns

© 2024 Copyright Umpirenews. All rights reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
🤑Join & Get Our Easter Gifts 🤑

Enter your NAME & Email NOW!!

Be among the 1st 100 lucky WINNERS to win our Amazing GIFTs this Easter Period as you READ our Daily hot NEWs & make meaningful comments and follow us on our social media handles.

Name
Enter your email address