society

Zacchaeus Adangor and matters arising in Rivers state* By Sunday Thomas

Published

2 years ago

May 12, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Zacchaeus Adangor and matters arising in Rivers state

By Sunday Thomas

The immediate past commissioner for justice and special duties in Rivers state, Prof Zaccheus Adangor, is a learned silk. He has years of law experience, earning him the notable rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The implication is that Prof Zaccheus Adangor should always rise above pettiness and stand on the side of the truth because he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.
The recent interview he granted on television was about why he resigned from his appointment with the Rivers State Executive Council. His position was ludicrous. I watched in disbelief how the Senior Advocate of Nigeria tried to twist the issues and stroke a chord that won’t sound well on the happenings in Rivers State.

During the interview, he also ruminated on his words to see if they were adding up. I thought I was the only one that noticed until a friend called my attention to it. It was a shame for Rivers people, and I kept wondering why Zaccheus Adangor and his paymasters wouldn’t allow peace to reign in Rivers state.
The highlight of his diatribe during the interview was the insinuation that the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, wanted him to institute legal action against the 8-point Presidential Proclamation on the political disagreement in the state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It sounded like tales by moonlight. I had to adjust my seating position to be sure I was not dreaming. Here is my take. The crux of the political crisis in Rivers State is well-known to discerning minds. It is the fight between the interest of a select few and the interest of the generality of Rivers people. The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, is on the side of the people, while Zaccheus Adangor and his patrons are on the other side. It is that simple, and let’s make no mistakes about it.
Therefore, the appearance of the former commissioner could have been better conceived. It was a political strategy to rubbish the efforts of the governor of Rivers State in the implementation of the peace accord initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It didn’t end there. The insinuation that the reason for his resignation was his refusal to institute legal action against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the governor’s instructions was a joke taken too far.
The truth remains that his resignation was because he was redeployed. His redeployment was in order because of his disloyalty to the governor. As a professor of law and a senior advocate of Nigeria, he ought to have acted civilly and respectably. It is common sense that his loyalty was expressly to the state governor and not to a political godfather somewhere. But common sense is not common, and he resigned.
Now that he has resigned, he has assumed another responsibility. The responsibility to make public appearances on behalf of his disgruntled principal who won’t allow peace to reign in Rivers state. And the appearance on channels television is the beginning of a new vocation for the law professor.
There is more than meets the eye in Rivers State. It is obvious that the forces against the state’s interest are unrelenting in their wild goose chase for control of the state. I wonder if they have not realized that their actions have turned the state into comedy. If that is not the case, what else? It was a situation where a commissioner resigned, and the best he could do was spread lies about why and whatnot.
This is what the learned Zaccheus Adangor has been propagating. Not minding the implications of his actions. I haven’t seen such audacity anywhere. The audacity of a commissioner to dictate to the governor of a state. The audacity of a commissioner to reject redeployment. This can only happen in Rivers State.
It is instructive to state that the likes of Zaccheus Adangor were positioned in the Rivers state executive council to undermine the governor on behalf of the former governor. And he did that numerous times. As a fact, he openly admitted that while he was a member of the Rivers state executive council, he was not loyal to the governor but to the former governor.
This is what happens when people get blinded by selfish ambitions. As a law professor, he must stand on equity, fairness and justice, not vice versa. By his actions, he has brought disrepute to the legal profession. This is a shame and why Nigerians should not take him seriously.
His diatribe against the governor of Rivers State is noted. But it can’t change that this is a fight to control the state’s resources. There is an executive governor of the state. His name is Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution stipulates an executive governor’s powers and responsibilities.
I wish to state that no amount of blackmail or intimidation can deter the governor from carrying out his roles and responsibilities as the executive governor of Rivers State. This much Professor Zacchaeus Adangor and his co-travellers must come to terms with and give peace a chance in Rivers state.

Thomas wrote this piece from Lagos.

society

Police Officers Detained as Family Property Dispute Sparks Demolition Controversy in Lagos

Published

2 days ago

June 2, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Police Officers Detained as Family Property Dispute Sparks Demolition Controversy in Lagos

By Ifeoma Ikem

A property dispute within the Omotayo-Ojo family has taken a dramatic turn following a controversial demolition exercise at a residential building in Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos State, which reportedly left tenants displaced and led to the detention of some police officers allegedly involved in the operation.

The property, located at 23B Loveall Street, Ikosi-Ketu, has been the subject of a prolonged ownership tussle since the death of its owner, Chief Oludola Omotayo Ojo, the Babaalaje of Imesi-Ile, Osun State, in 2019.
Residents said tension erupted when a group of individuals, accompanied by security operatives, stormed the premises and commenced demolition activities.

According to eyewitnesses, portions of the building were pulled down while tenants rushed to salvage their belongings from affected apartments.

The residents alleged that windows, doors and roofing sheets were damaged during the exercise, exposing parts of the building to the elements and causing significant losses to occupants.

At the centre of the dispute is Mrs Mojisola Omotayo Ojo Alolagbe, who claimed that the property was allocated to her by her late father during his lifetime as a source of financial support.

She alleged that some family members had persistently challenged her ownership claim despite ongoing legal proceedings relating to the administration of the deceased’s estate.
Alolagbe further claimed that the latest incident was part of a series of attempts to wrest control of the property, citing previous cases of alleged vandalism and partial demolition in November 2025, January 2026 and February 2026.

The situation escalated further when reports emerged that police officers allegedly involved in the demolition were later apprehended and conveyed in a Black Maria vehicle over questions surrounding the legality of their participation in the operation.

Sources familiar with the matter said those behind the demolition had initially claimed to be acting on approval from the Lagos State Ministry of Lands. However, the authenticity and extent of such approval could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

The development has generated concern among residents and community members, who questioned the involvement of security personnel in what they described as a civil matter.

Some tenants, who said they had recently renewed their tenancy agreements, lamented the destruction of their property and appealed to the authorities for protection and possible compensation.

They also called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the demolition, insisting that the rights of all parties involved should be protected.
Stakeholders have urged the Lagos State Government, security agencies and the judiciary to intervene and ensure that the dispute is resolved through lawful means to prevent further escalation.

The controversy has continued to draw public attention, raising concerns over property rights, estate administration and the role of law enforcement agencies in civil disputes.

society

UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin

Published

4 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin.

May 30, 2026 – As the month of June gathers momentum, the *United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA*, a sovereign nation has unveiled a series of vital guidelines and preparatory packages to ensure citizens and stakeholders run the *ATC Exchangeability* process effectively.

In an official update, the *President of Atlantic Crown Limited, Empress of Attica Empire UKA*, confirmed that the *Final Test Run of ATC Exchangeability* is scheduled for the month of June 2026. The exercise marks a key phase ahead of the *Official Exchangeability Window, set to run from July 2026 to February 2027*.

### Key Highlights from the Presidential Briefing
1. *Final Test Run – June 2026*
The test run is designed to validate systems, procedures, and user readiness before full activation. Citizens, partners, and designated participants are urged to follow all official advisories released by UKA authorities during this period.

2. *Official Exchangeability Period*
Following the successful completion of the June test run, the Official Exchangeability will commence in july 2026 and we are Expecting Full Exchange ability between July Ending, 2026 to February 2026.

UKA stated that detailed schedules, eligibility requirements, and step-by-step instructions will be communicated progressively through verified UKA channels.

3. *Benefiting Packages for June*
In line with UKA’s commitment to citizen empowerment, the month of June will feature “benefiting packages” aimed at education, preparation, and seamless onboarding. These packages are intended to equip the people of UKA with the knowledge and tools needed for effective participation.

4. *Commitment to Transparency*
Addressing the nation, the Empress of Attica Empire UKA emphasized:
_“Final Test Run of ATC Comes up in The Month of June, As We Prepare For The Official Exchangeability, Between July 2026 To Feb 2027. All Information Will Be Communicated.”_
UKA reaffirmed that only information released through official UKA platforms should be regarded as authoritative.

The United Kingdom of Atlantis is encouraging all citizens, representatives, and interested parties to remain alert to official communications, attend designated orientation sessions, and avoid unofficial sources. UKA’s dedication to order, clarity, and the collective benefit of its people as the nation moves into this significant phase.

For updates, advisories, and participation guidelines, citizens are advised to monitor official UKA communication channels.

United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA, is a sovereign nation, committed to national development, citizen welfare, and structured economic participation through initiatives such as ATC Exchangeability.

society

Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

Published

5 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms and improved security efforts as the President marks three years in office.

In a goodwill message on Thursday to commemorate Tinubu’s third anniversary as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Buratai said the administration had taken courageous decisions that would leave a lasting impact on Nigeria’s development.

According to him, President Tinubu broke a long-standing cycle that had hindered national growth by removing fuel subsidy and implementing foreign exchange reforms aimed at stabilising the naira and strengthening the economy.

He noted that the reforms were beginning to yield positive results, citing the global acceptance of Nigerian debit cards, the gradual revival of local refineries, access to student loans, and ongoing road and infrastructure projects across the country.

“The FCT Administration has also recorded remarkable progress, completing major road projects that remained unfinished for over 16 years,” Buratai stated.

The former army chief also praised the administration’s security efforts, saying renewed military offensives against insurgents, terrorists and bandits had led to notable successes across various parts of the country.

He specifically lauded recent joint operations involving Nigerian and United States forces against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, as well as intensified counter-banditry operations in the North-West.

“We have seen notorious ISWAP commanders being neutralised. I congratulate the Commander-in-Chief, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and heads of intelligence agencies for their efforts,” he said.

Buratai, however, acknowledged that challenges remained, stressing the need for more aggressive military operations and intelligence-driven strategies in the coming year.

While urging Nigerians to remain hopeful, he said celebrating the President’s achievements did not amount to ignoring the difficulties facing the nation.

“Because you truly care, you have shown the courage to trade short-term comfort for long-term hope. Nigerians need your reassurances, and that is why we remain optimistic and full of confidence,” he added.

The retired military officer reaffirmed his support for the Tinubu administration and expressed confidence that the foundation being laid by the government would deliver a brighter future for the country.

He also prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom, strength and good health for the President as he continues to lead Nigeria.