Bassey Anthony, Uyo

AKWA Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has promised to complete all projects initiated by his administration.

Emmanuel spoke during the swearing in of local government chairmen and Vice Chairmen on Monday in Uyo.

He said: “You have been elected to serve your people diligently at a tough time. Serving the people at this time, according to the Bible, falls under the end times. Serving the people at this end time is a difficult task, you must bear that in mind.

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“We have only one government, one state and we are of one people. We are developing a state where we don’t place much emphasis on the party you belong to, but what you can do for your people, and what you can do to help us achieve our purpose.

“Political party is just a platform, but what matters most is God giving you that opportunity to serve. Every elected person is a servant of God, you must realise that and act that way. So I charge you to work towards our completion agenda.”

The governor admonished the council executives to stay focused and not to be distracted by negative criticisms and political propaganda.

By Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia 

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Monday presented N131,815,753,720 budget for the 2021 fiscal year to the House of Assembly.

The figure is 22.12 per cent higher than the 2020 revised budget.

Ikpeazu said the budget is targeted at recovering the state’s economy with a measurable growth path from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The budget projected N62 billion (47.51 per cent) for recurrent expenditure and N69 billion (52.49 percent) for capital expenditure.

Governor Ikpeazu said the 2021 budget was aimed at completing ongoing projects and programmes.

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According to him, new projects will mainly be in the form of COVID-19 responsive projects that would cushion the shocks of the pandemic and help the economy recover quickly.

Inspector General of Police (IG) Mohammed Adamu is scheduled to visit the state today (Tuesday).

Governor Ikpeazu, at the launch of the Abia State Crime Prevention and Management System (CPAMS), on November 16, inaugurated a nine—man committee to plan the IG’s visit.

According to sources, the IG would inaugurate projects such as the new Zone 9 administrative headquarters, the CPAMS headquarters, and others.

Ikpeazu’s Chief Press Secretary Onyebuchi Ememanka, who confirmed the IG’s visit, however said contrary to insinuations, the IG’s visit has nothing to do with the #EndSARS protest following rumours that the police chief would be visiting the state to access the impact of the protest in some police facilities.

By Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

A Magistrates’ Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has remanded Emeke Chukwuani (32) for rape.

It was gathered that the victim, a 23-year-old groundnut seller, was on her way home about 8pm when the suspect snatched her phone and ran into the popular Fatilami Park.

Narrating her ordeal, the victim said: “I was going home with my younger sister about 8.30pm when this man stopped us to talk to us. We continued to move but he followed us, snatched my phone and ran into Fatilami Park.

“We ran after him to give us our phone. Immediately we got to the photo stand, he grabbed my neck and we began to struggle. As we struggled, he was biting me everywhere including my private part, my ear, my cheek, my shoulder, my back and somewhere.

“My sister was shouting but nobody was there to help us. When my sister was trying to draw him away from my body, he broke a bottle on her head and she ran outside crying, while I was shouting inside.

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“It was when he hit my mouth with the bottle that I became unconscious and I woke later to see he had raped me. I was surprised when I heard gun shots and two persons came inside. He tried to run away but they arrested him. That’s when I realised they were policemen. They saved me and my sister.”

Chukwuani was arraigned on a one-count charge of unlawful sexual intercourse.

Police Prosecutor Inspector Chinedu Mbam said the offence was punishable under Section 358 of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

No bail application was made on the Chukwuani’s behalf as he had no lawyer.

Chief Magistrate B.I. Chukwu ordered that Chukwuani be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki. She also directed that the case file be sent to the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions for necessary legal decision.

Magistrate Chukwu adjourned the matter till December 11 for report of compliance.

By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa 

A housewife, Mrs. Eniye Zuokemefa-Peter, has been arrested for allegedly killing her husband, Enebraye.

Zuokemefa-Peter was a lecturer at the Bayelsa State College of Education, Sagbama, Bayelsa State.

Eniye was arrested, following petitions from the deceased’s family, and on complaints of previous threats to his life during domestic squabbles over infidelity.

It was gathered that the deceased was shot thrice by gunmen on Friday after transacting business at a Point-of-Sale (POS) on the old Assembly Quarters Road in Ekeki area of Yenagoa.

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A relative, who pleaded for anonymity, said Eniye had many times threatened to kill her husband for allegedly having children outside their marriage due to her inability to bear him a child.

The source said: “The marriage has been turbulent. The wife left home many times but they recently made up when he arrived at Yenagoa from a study trip abroad.”

It was also gathered that the deceased had many times been attacked in their home and he told his relatives and friends to hold his wife responsible for any harm which befalls him.

Sources also said the police are on the trail of four persons suspected to have killed Zuokemefa-Peter, who were last seen driving a red tinted Toyota car.

“The vehicle was seen moving suspiciously around the deceased’s residence, and the suspects were later seen sharing money at a drinking spot few meters from the crime scene,” a source said.

Police spokesman Asinim Butswat confirmed the arrest but said Eniye was arrested based on ‘previous threats’.

The Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide (IYC) had called on security agencies and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri to arrest Zuokemefa-Peter’s killers.

A statement by IYC President Peter Igbifa condemned the murder, describing it as barbaric, unacceptable and irresponsible.a

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka and Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Five persons sustained injuries in Monday’s accident involving a commercial tricycle and a truck in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The Nation gathered that the truck collided with the tricycle while driving against traffic.

Two persons also sustained injuries when a diesel-laden truck crashed at Nawfia, on the old Enugu Road.

The driver reportedly lost control while negotiating a sharp bend.

Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Andrew Kumapayi said no life was lost. He blamed the accident on loss of control.

He said: “About 12:46hrs yesterday, five people were injured in an accident involving a truck (EPE 587 XV) and a tricycle (GAL 547 QK) at Owerri Road, by City biscuit Company junction, Onitsha.

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“Six men and one woman were in the accident. The five who sustained injuries were rushed to the hospital by good Samaritans before the FRSC rescue team got to the scene.

“About 06:00hrs this morning (Monday), a diesel-laden truck (EDA 889 XA) crashed at Nawfia Sharp bend on the Old Road. The driver and his motor boy were rescued without injuries.

“FRSC rescue team, in collaboration with other security operatives, have barricaded the accident. Traffic was diverted to allow for trans-loading and clearing of obstruction.

“Officials and men of the Anambra State Fire Service were on ground with chemicals to prevent fire should the truck spill its content.”

 Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

ANAMBRA State has assured residents that ongoing road projects would be completed before the expiration of the Governor Willie Obiano-led administration in March 17, 2022.

Commissioner for Works Marcel Ifejiofor, during an inspection of the Nsugbe/Akpaka road in Anambra East, said the projects were critical to the development. He, however, regretted the slow progress most of the projects recorded following the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges within the year.

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Ifejiofor called on the Federal Government to expedite action towards fixing failed federal roads in the state, stressing that the undue pressure on state roads were because of the deplorable conditions of the federal roads.

He said: “Our interest is not to count the number of roads, but the positive impact a road makes on a people. We are impressed with Nevclinton Nigeria limited and other firms handling our projects because they are working according to specifications.

“We hope and believe people living in this area will smile this dry season because government will encourage the project handlers to continue the wonderful work being done here. We will ensure that every road we started is delivered.”