Close Menu

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Anambra Guber: INEC Publishes Final List Of Candidates

    June 5, 2025

    Arafat Day: Sultan Urge Muslims To Offer Prayers For Nigeria

    June 5, 2025

    Shadow Govt: DSS Asks Court To Bar Utomi From Holding Public Rally

    June 5, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Anambra Guber: INEC Publishes Final List Of Candidates
    • Arafat Day: Sultan Urge Muslims To Offer Prayers For Nigeria
    • Shadow Govt: DSS Asks Court To Bar Utomi From Holding Public Rally
    • My Discussion With Tinubu Focuses On How Nigeria Can Be Better – Bakare
    • Disinformation Played Major Role In Nigerian Civil War – Obasanjo
    • Davido Names Cobhams Asuquo As 5ive Alive World Tour Musical Director
    • POS Fraud Surge: Ubani Demands Crackdown to Save Nigeria’s Financial System
    • My Phone Line Was Cloned To Intimidate Dignitaries – Natasha
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    TheScrutinyNG
    Subscribe
    Thursday, June 5
    • Home
    • Politics
    • Business
    • News
      • World News
    • Sports
    • Interviews
    • Opinion
    • Entertainment
    • Columnists
    • ABOUT US
    TheScrutinyNG
    Home » Opposition Lawmakers Urge Treason Charges For 23 Ex-Rivers State Chairmen Over Alleged Power Grab Plot
    3 Mins ReadJune 18, 2024

    Opposition Lawmakers Urge Treason Charges For 23 Ex-Rivers State Chairmen Over Alleged Power Grab Plot

    By Festus AdeloyeJune 18, 2024No Comments3 Mins Read
    Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Opposition federal lawmakers under the aegis of G60 have called for treason charges to be filed against 23 former local government chairmen in Rivers State over their alleged failed plan to illegally remain in power beyond June 17.

    At an emergency press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the lawmakers accused the former local government chairmen of attempting to forcefully retain their seats even after their constitutionally mandated three-year tenure expired on Monday, June 17, 2024.

    “This was a treasonable act and clear attempt to unlawfully occupy positions of power in breach of the constitution,” said the spokesperson of the G60, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, who addressed press conference.

    In attendance at the press conference were Hon. Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna State), Hon. Matthew Nwogu (Imo State) and Hon. Midaila Usman (Borno State).

    According to Ugochinyere, the former council chairmen plotted to use Magistrates from neighbouring States to illegally conduct swearing-in ceremonies around 5am on Tuesday morning to reinstall themselves, despite their tenures having already lapsed.

    The group the action was a violation of multiple laws, including sections of the Criminal Code, Police Act, and sections 1 and 23 of the 1999 Constitution which prohibit any persons from attempting to take over government unlawfully.

    Ugochinyere praised the courage of citizens in Rivers State, whom he said came out in force to resist the former chairmen’s move and protected local government secretariats.

    He said the people’s actions were permissible under laws, allowing citizens to arrest perpetrators caught committing crimes.

    He said: “we salute the courage of the Rivers state People who came out boldly to protect the local government and foil the attempt to unlawfully seize the institution of governance by the former chairmen.

    “This heroic action is in line with section 20 of the administration of the criminal justice Act that empowers citizens to arrest and foil any criminal act being committed in their presence.

    “Section 39 of the Nigeria Police Act of 2020 states that “a private person may arrest a suspect in Nigeria who in his presence commits an offence or whom he reasonably suspects of having committed an offence for which the police is entitled to arrest without a warrant.

    “Section 37 Criminal Code Act (1) Any person who levies war against the State, in order to intimidate or overawe the President or the Governor of a State, is guilty of treason, and is liable to the punishment of death.

    “Any person conspiring with any person, either within or without Nigeria, to levy war against the State with intent to cause such levying of war as would be treason if committed by a citizen of Nigeria, is guilty of treason and is liable to the punishment of death.

    “Provided that nothing in this section shall prevent any act from being treason which is so by the laws of England as in force in Nigeria.”

    The G60 lawmakers also commended the Rivers State government under Governor Siminayi Fubara for upholding the rule of law and not interfering with the chairmen being able to complete their full tenures despite “provocative acts” in recent months.

    They warned that if left unchecked, the alleged coup attempt could ignite another “Wild West” situation with the potential to undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

    Ugochinyere, therefore, urged President Bola Tinubu to take action against the group behind the alleged plot against constitutionalism.

    Author

    • Festus Adeloye
      Festus Adeloye

      View all posts
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Festus Adeloye

    Related Posts

    Featured

    Anambra Guber: INEC Publishes Final List Of Candidates

    June 5, 2025
    Culture & Tourism

    Arafat Day: Sultan Urge Muslims To Offer Prayers For Nigeria

    June 5, 2025
    Featured

    Shadow Govt: DSS Asks Court To Bar Utomi From Holding Public Rally

    June 5, 2025
    Breaking News

    My Discussion With Tinubu Focuses On How Nigeria Can Be Better – Bakare

    June 4, 2025
    Featured

    Disinformation Played Major Role In Nigerian Civil War – Obasanjo

    June 4, 2025
    Entertainment

    Davido Names Cobhams Asuquo As 5ive Alive World Tour Musical Director

    June 4, 2025

    Subscribe to News

    Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

    Editor's Picks

    Anambra Guber: INEC Publishes Final List Of Candidates

    June 5, 2025

    Arafat Day: Sultan Urge Muslims To Offer Prayers For Nigeria

    June 5, 2025

    Shadow Govt: DSS Asks Court To Bar Utomi From Holding Public Rally

    June 5, 2025

    My Discussion With Tinubu Focuses On How Nigeria Can Be Better – Bakare

    June 4, 2025
    Latest Posts
    Advertisement
    Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest Vimeo WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    News

    • World
    • US Politics
    • EU Politics
    • Business
    • Opinions
    • Connections
    • Science

    Company

    • Information
    • Advertising
    • Classified Ads
    • Contact Info
    • Do Not Sell Data
    • GDPR Policy
    • Media Kits

    Services

    • Subscriptions
    • Customer Support
    • Bulk Packages
    • Newsletters
    • Sponsored News
    • Work With Us

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    © 2025 The Scrutiny. Designed by Design Streams.

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • Accessibility

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.