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Tag: #Emmanuel Idi Yakubu

  • Court Restrains Police, DSS, Cross River Government from Harassing Ogoja Vice Chairman Over Official Vehicle

    Court Restrains Police, DSS, Cross River Government from Harassing Ogoja Vice Chairman Over Official Vehicle

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The High Court of Cross River State sitting in Ogoja has granted an interim injunction restraining the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Cross River State Government, and their agents from inviting, arresting, detaining, or harassing the Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Area, Hon. Emmanuel Idi Yakubu, over an official vehicle attached to his office.

    The order was granted pending the hearing and determination of a substantive suit filed by Yakubu following what his legal team described as attempts to deploy state institutions against him in connection with the vehicle.

    The development comes shortly after the same court delivered judgment on June 15, 2026, nullifying Yakubu’s purported impeachment and removal from office as Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Area.

    In the judgment, the court reportedly declared the impeachment illegal, unconstitutional, null and void, and affirmed that Yakubu remains the lawful and incumbent Vice Chairman of the council.

    The court further held that the office of the Vice Chairman had never been vacant and that Yakubu was entitled to continue enjoying all rights, privileges, benefits, and emoluments attached to the office.

    According to court documents and statements from his legal counsel, the controversy arose after the Cross River State Government allegedly communicated with the DSS, requesting that Yakubu be denied security clearance to contest an election next year on the grounds that he had failed to return an official vehicle assigned to him.

    His lawyers argued that the court’s declaration confirming him as the substantive Vice Chairman also affirmed his entitlement to the official vehicle allocated to the office, noting that the vehicle’s allocation documents bear his name.

    The situation escalated when Yakubu reportedly received a police invitation alleging that he had converted or stolen the vehicle.

    His legal team subsequently approached the High Court seeking protection from what it described as harassment and intimidation.

    Granting the interim injunction, the court restrained the police, DSS, Cross River State Government, and their representatives from taking any action against Yakubu in relation to the vehicle until the substantive matter is determined.

    Reacting to the development, counsel to Yakubu, F. Baba Isa, Esq., called on political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders in Ogoja to intervene constructively and help bring an end to the dispute.

    He warned against the criminalisation of political disagreements and urged government institutions to uphold constitutional principles, due process, and respect for judicial pronouncements.

    Isa also cautioned the state government against actions that could attract public criticism, referencing the controversial arrest and detention of journalist Agba Jalingo as an example of past events that generated significant public attention.

    He maintained that his legal team would continue to pursue all lawful means to protect the rights, liberty, and dignity of their client while the matter remains before the courts.

  • Victory For Ogoja Vice Chairman As High Court Rules In His Favour

    Victory For Ogoja Vice Chairman As High Court Rules In His Favour

    By Elijah Ugani 

    The Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council and NDC Candidate for the Cross River State House of Assembly, Ogoja State Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Idi Yakubu, has secured a major legal victory following a favourable judgment delivered by a State High Court.

    The judgment brings to an end a protracted legal battle that many observers had considered difficult to win, given that the case was against the state government and was being heard in a state court.

    Reacting to the ruling, Yakubu described the victory as a triumph for justice, democracy, and the rule of law. He acknowledged that his confidence in the judicial process was tested after the case experienced multiple adjournments over a period of more than two months.

    According to him, the court’s decision has reaffirmed public confidence in the judiciary and demonstrated that justice can prevail regardless of the parties involved.

    The case had earlier attracted public attention when the court granted an injunction in favour of Yakubu and his team. However, the order was reportedly ignored by the Cross River State House of Assembly, which argued that the injunction had been served on a different committee from the one handling the matter.

    Despite the challenges, Yakubu praised the presiding judge for what he described as courage, integrity, and commitment to justice.

    “This victory has restored hope in the judiciary and shown that ordinary citizens can obtain justice against the government when they are on the right side of the law,” he said.

    While celebrating the judgment, Yakubu acknowledged that the legal battle may not yet be over, noting that he expects the state government to challenge the ruling on appeal.

    He expressed readiness to defend the mandate he says was freely given by the people of Ogoja, pledging to pursue the matter to the highest court if necessary.

    “We are prepared to go all the way to the Supreme Court to defend the mandate entrusted to us by the people. We will not be intimidated,” he stated.

    Yakubu also extended appreciation to his lead counsel, Baba Isa, and the FBI Legal Team for their efforts throughout the litigation, crediting their dedication and professionalism for the successful outcome.

    He further thanked his family, friends, supporters, and followers for their unwavering encouragement during the legal struggle.

    As celebrations continue among his supporters, Yakubu expressed optimism about the future, declaring that “the best is yet to come.”

    The judgment is expected to have significant political implications in Ogoja and could shape future developments within the state’s political landscape.

  • High Court Restrains Cross River State House of Assembly From Proceeding with Impeachment of Ogoja Vice Chairman

    High Court Restrains Cross River State House of Assembly From Proceeding with Impeachment of Ogoja Vice Chairman

     

    The High Court of Cross River State sitting in Ogoja has restrained the Cross River State House of Assembly and other defendants from taking further steps in the impeachment and suspension of Hon. Emmanuel Idi Yakubu, Vice Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council.

    The restraining order followed an Originating Summons filed by Hon. Yakubu, through his lawyers, First Baba Isa of FBI Legal, challenging the legality of the impeachment process initiated against him by the Ogoja Legislative Council and subsequently acted upon by the State House of Assembly.

    Background to the Suspension

    On February 3, 2026, the Cross River State House of Assembly announced the suspension of Hon. Yakubu for 90 days. The Assembly said the suspension followed an impeachment notice forwarded by the Ogoja Legislative Council.

    The House invoked Section 14(3) of the Cross River State Local Government Law and resolved to suspend the Vice Chairman pending investigation by its Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution.

    Court Challenge and Core Legal Issues

    In Suit No: HJ/11/2026, filed at the Ogoja Judicial Division of the High Court, Hon. Yakubu is seeking a judicial interpretation of Sections 12 (3, 4 & 5), 13, 14, 16 and 17 of the Cross River State Local Government Law, 2007, as well as Sections 7 and 6(6)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    In his court processes, the Claimant contends that the impeachment process has automatically terminated by effluxion of time, having failed to comply with the strict procedural requirements under Section 12(3), (4) and (5) of the Local Government Law.

    The originating summons raises critical questions, including:

    • Whether the Ogoja Legislative Council passed the mandatory resolution within 14 days of the notice of impeachment.
    • Whether the Leader of the Legislative Council informed the Chief Judge within 7 days as required for constitution of a seven-man investigative panel.
    • Whether the State House of Assembly has the constitutional power to suspend a duly elected Vice Chairman of a Local Government.

    Section 12(3)–(5) of the Law provides that:

    • Within 14 days of presenting an impeachment notice, the Legislative Council must resolve by two-thirds majority whether the allegation should be investigated.
    • Within 7 days of such resolution, the Leader must notify the Chief Judge to constitute a panel of seven persons to investigate.

    However, according to the affidavit and written address filed before the court, the Legislative Council allegedly failed to:

    1. Pass the required resolution within 14 days.
    2. Notify the Chief Judge within 7 days of such resolution.
    3. Follow the constitutionally prescribed investigative procedure.

    Instead, the impeachment notice was forwarded to the State House of Assembly, which then set up its own committee and proceeded to suspend the Vice Chairman.

    The Claimant argues that this action is ultra vires, null and void.

    Speaking on the matter, counsel to the Claimant, First Baba Isa, described the impeachment process as “legally dead.”

    According to him:

    “Section 12(3), (4) and (5) of the Cross River State Local Government Law is clear and unambiguous. Where the law prescribes a timeline and procedure, it must be strictly complied with. Failure to act within the statutory 14 days and subsequent 7 days means the impeachment process has automatically terminated by effluxion of time.”

    He further stated:

    “The Ogoja Legislative Council did not pass the mandatory resolution within 14 days, nor did it notify the Chief Judge within 7 days as required. Instead, they forwarded the notice to the House of Assembly, which set up its own committee. That procedure is unknown to the law.”

    On the suspension by the House of Assembly, he added:

    “The Cross River State House of Assembly has no constitutional authority to suspend or remove a democratically elected Vice Chairman of a Local Government. Section 7 of the Constitution guarantees the existence and autonomy of local governments. Any state law that purports to grant such power is unconstitutional to the extent of its inconsistency.”

    He emphasized:

    “You cannot abandon the statutory route provided under Section 12 and then invent a parallel process through the House of Assembly. The Supreme Court has consistently held that where a statute provides a method of doing a thing, it must be done in that manner or not at all.”

    The suit also challenges the constitutionality of Sections 13, 14, 16 and 17 of the Cross River State Local Government Law, which allegedly empower the Governor and the House of Assembly to suspend or remove elected local government officials.

    The Claimant argues that these provisions are inconsistent with Sections 1 and 7 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee the supremacy of the Constitution and the system of democratically elected local governments.

    Pending the determination of the substantive issues, the High Court sitting in Ogoja has restrained the defendants from proceeding further with the impeachment process or taking steps that would culminate in the removal of the Vice Chairman.