A civic group, the Centre for Constitutional Watch, CCW, has criticised the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, over what it described as a “muted, convenient reaction” to the ongoing constitutional crisis in Rivers State.

A statement issued on Saturday and signed by Dr. Hassan Bello, Executive Director of the Centre, said relocating the NBA’s 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu was not a bold enough statement against the “illegal and shameful occupation of power” in Rivers.

According to the CCW, Nigerians expected the NBA to go beyond changing venues and instead lead a national resistance against “the creeping military democracy that is slowly strangling our Constitution.”

“You cannot applaud a doctor who simply walks away from a dying patient. By merely relocating their conference, the NBA is walking away from the heart of the crisis. Nigerians expected more. They expected resistance. They expected outrage,” Kura stated.

“Rivers State is under siege. The courts are silent. The Constitution is being desecrated in broad daylight. Yet, the supposed custodians of the law are making travel plans instead of leading the charge for justice.”

The CCW demanded more tangible action from the NBA, including the declaration of a one-month boycott of all courts in Nigeria to signal zero tolerance for the “unconstitutional sole administrator model.”

“This is not the time for cautious statements. The NBA should be declaring a national legal crisis. Their silence in the face of tyranny amounts to complicity,” the statement added.

“You do not fight dictatorship by changing venue. You fight dictatorship by taking the fight to the courtrooms, the streets, and the national conscience.

“If lawyers retreat from a constitutional battle, who then will stand for Nigeria’s democracy?

“The sole administrator is an aberration. The NBA must pursue this matter to the Supreme Court and lead public interest litigation that nullifies this political atrocity.”

The CCW called on well-meaning civil society organisations, student groups, and professional bodies to demand more from the NBA, insisting that the rule of law cannot survive if those entrusted with its defence choose convenience over courage.

The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, on Friday said troops of Operation Delta Safe, have in the last one week arrested 49 perpetrators of oil theft and destroyed 22 illegal refining sites.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made this known in a weekly report of ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in Abuja.

Kangye reported that the troops had during the week foiled oil theft worth an estimated sum of N869.2m.

The breakdown, according to him, indicates 325,990 litres of stolen crude oil, 24,645 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, and 19,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, and 1,600 litres of engine oil were recovered.

“Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 86 crude oil cooking ovens, 181 dugout pits, 25 boats, a speedboat, 18 storage tanks, 316 drums and 22 illegal refining sites,” he said.

“Other items recovered include generator set, jack, galvanised pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 18 vehicles,” he added.

Kangye also said the military, in collaboration with other security agencies, had continued to demonstrate bravery, discipline, and professionalism in the face of evolving security threats.

PRESS RELEASE
POLICE TO COMMENCE TRAINING FOR 10,000 NEW RECRUITS NATIONWIDE

As IGP Charges Recruits on Police Reforms, Ethics and Professional Conduct

The Nigeria Police Force will commence training exercises for 10,000 new police recruits nationwide tomorrow April 12th, 2025. The intensive training program, designed to equip the new recruits with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively serve and protect their communities, will begin at various police colleges and training schools across the nation.

In preparation for the resumption, the Force Headquarters held an orientation ceremony for the Commandants and Directing Staff of the Training Institutions today April 11th 2025. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., represented virtually by the DIG in charge of the Department of Training and Development (DTD), DIG Frank Mba, mni., charged the Commandants of the Training Colleges and Schools to embrace the ongoing police reforms, uphold the highest ethical standards, and demonstrate firm professional conduct throughout the course of the training.

The IGP also expressed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of recruits on training, in areas of feeding and accommodation, and also ensuring they have a stable and conducive environment throughout their training period. He charged the incoming recruits to be of good conduct, maintain policing ethics and positive character in the course of their training and career.

The IGP expressed his appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his dedication and commitment towards improving the operational strength and capability of the Nigeria Police Force, noting that this significant influx of new officers would mark a substantial investment in bolstering law enforcement capabilities and enhancing public safety nationwide.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA .
11TH APRIL 2025.