A verdict from the Rivers State High Court has determined that Celestine Omehia is not recognized as a former governor of Rivers State, and therefore, he is not entitled to the pensions allocated for former governors and their deputies.
After the conclusion of Peter Odili’s tenure, Celestine Omehia assumed office as governor of Rivers State on May 29, 2007. However, his tenure was cut short after Rotimi Amaechi contested the primaries that led to his emergence as governor. Subsequently, Governor Nyesom Wike initiated a process to de-recognize Omehia as a former Governor of the state in 2023, despite initially endorsing a law that granted him recognition.
Following a lawsuit filed by Omehia, a court has now upheld the decision to de-recognize him as a former Governor of Rivers State. Justice Daketima Kio, in a 97-page judgment, affirmed the state government’s stance and dismissed the counterclaim demanding that Omehia repay N695 million. The court found the counterclaim lacking in merit as Omehia had not compelled anyone to disburse the funds to him.
