By  Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

Justice Aisha Wodu Bawa of the Suleja High Court Number three has adjourned the suit filed by the embattled Chairman of Chanchaga local government council Aminu Ladan to 4th, September 2025.

The suite was transferred to Suleja ciary Division following a petition filed against Justice Mohammed Mohammed of Minna High Court number four by the defendants on the ground that Justice Mohammed presided over the case that brought the embattled Chairman to office.

The Petitioners in their Petition to the Chief Judge, claimed that they don’t have confidence in the Judge.and he should recuse himself from the case.

As a result of the petition Forwarded to the Chief Judge of Niger State Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, Justice Mohammed Mohammed then recused himself from the case and transfered the case to the Vacation Judge in Suleja Justice Aisha Wodu Bawa.

At the resumed hearing of the case, Counsel to the
suspended Chairman, Anthony Orinfumishe informed the court that the matter being a transfered one is for hearing of the pending applications which are Motion for interlocutory injunction filed by the Chairman as well as the preliminary objection and motion to set aside the interim orders filed by the Attorney General of Niger State through his Counsel Johnson Jacob Usman SAN.

However, Counsel to the Attorney General of Niger State, Johnson Usman, SAN objected to that submission on the grounds that he was just served by other the Plaintiff’s Counter affidavits to his preliminary objection and the motion to set aside and he has 7 days to file further affidavit and replies on points of law.

In addition, Johnson Jacob Usman SAN, submitted that the further affidavit filed by the Plaintiff in respect of his motion for interlocutory injunction raises fresh facts and he needs to react to same.

The Senior Advocate further urged the court to hear both the substantive suit and all the pending applications in line with Supreme Court decisions “that where a matter is commenced by way of originating summons, it should be heard together with other applications in order to save time, energy and resources”

. Counsel to other Defendants, Isiaka Kadiri Esq, Hassan Hassan Esq, Mohammed Waziri Esq all aligned with the submission of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Consequently, Justice Aisha Wodu also agreed with the submission of the Senior Advocate and adjourned the matter to the 4th September 2025 for hearing of the substantive suit and all pending applications.

Recalled that on 30th July 2025, the Councilors of Chanchaga suspended the Executive Chairman Hon Aminu YAKUBU Ladan on allegation of financial misconduct and other allegations. Pursuant to the suspension, the Vice Chairman was sworn in as acting chairman.

Dissatisfied with his suspension, Ladan filed SUIT NO: NSHC/MN/289/2025 before the High Court Minna. When the matter came up on 6th August, 2025, the trial Judge, Justice Mohammed Mohammed recused himself from hearing the case and same was transferred to Suleja by the Chief Judge.

On Monday,the 11th August, 2025, the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago constituted a three man Committee headed by Justice Abdulmalik Mukailu to investigate the Chairman in line with Section 5 of the Niger State Local Government Law. All the yes are now on the Committee to see the outcome of its investigation.

By David Owei,Bayelsa
The Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Provisionary Committee for the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG), Captain Noah Ichaba, has commended the  Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his tireless efforts in driving the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard through the ongoing legislative processes in the 10th National Assembly.

In a statement issued to journalists in Abuja by the Director of Public Affairs and Information, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, Capt. Ichaba emphasized the urgent need for collaboration among relevant maritime agencies in the fight against incessant boat mishaps on Nigeria’s waterways.

He declared that when eventually established, the Nigerian Coast Guard would be in a better position to enforce marine safety standards to save lives and property on waterways.

According to the PC-NCG leader, the facilitating team for the establishment of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard would continue to work in synergy with the Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy and other critical stakeholders to actualise the passage of the Nigerian Coast Guard Bill before the 10th National Assembly.

Capt. Ichaba therefore called on members of the public to be weary of illegal and criminal activities by some unscrupulous groups parading as Nigerian Coast Guard.

According to him, all security agencies have been alerted about such fraudulent individuals.

He further appealed to the public to report any person or group of persons who claim to be officers of either Provisional Nigerian Coast Guard or proposed Nigerian Coast Guard to the nearest police station or the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of PC-NCG.

Capt. Ichaba, also applauded the chairman of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria and Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji for recommending the establishment of a Coast Guard in the Special Committee’s report.

He reiterated that the inclusion of the establishment of a Nigerian Coast Guard agency to enforce waterways regulations in the Committee’s report resonates with the ministers drive for the speedy passage of the bill before the10th NationalAssembly, pointing out that subsequent recruitment and deployment of officers and men of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard when established would go a long way in curbing the incessant boat mishaps and criminal activities on our waterways.

The Chief Executive and Accounting Officer further noted that formulation of a National Boat Design Policy to standardise permitted vessel types and the implementation of mandatory certification and training for boat operators would minimise incidents of boat mishaps, pointing out that an increased funding for NIWA would enable it to improve hydrographic and engineering capacity and deployment of search and rescue stations across critical inland waterways, given the frequent marine related incidents along the nation’s waterways.

The PC-NCG Chief acknowledged notable strides made by the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy within the short period in office, describing the recent nationwide distribution of life jackets to riverine and coastal communities as a step in the right direction.

It will be recalled that the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola while receiving the report of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria maintained that: “The Nigerian Navy can’t safeguard waterways alone”, adding that the time was ripe for Nigeria to conclude action on Coast Guard establishment for deployment of its personnel to complement Nigeria Navy’s efforts along the waterways.

“This report will serve as a foundation for immediate and long-term reforms. We will study the recommendations closely and act where policy adjustments or institutional coordination are required,” the minister maintained.