The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Hearing in Fubara’s CoS’ motion against arrest warrant suffers setback

    Hearing in Fubara’s CoS’ motion against arrest warrant suffers setback

    Hearing of motions on notice filed by Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, seeking an order vacating the arrest warrant against him and others, could not proceed yesterday.

    The matter, which was on number six on the day’s cause list before Justice Emeka Nwite, was subsequently adjourned till March 4.

    The development occurred shortly after counsel for the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Simon Lough, SAN, told the court that he had not been served with Ehie’s motion filed by Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports, on Sunday, that Justice Nwite had fixed yesterday for the hearing of two applications filed by Aladedoye and Femi Falana, SAN, on behalf of Ehie and five others declared wanted by the police.

    Read Also: EFCC quizzes ex-Gov Ahmed over alleged diversion of N10bn

    The judge had, on January 31, issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Ehie and others over their alleged involvement in the burning of part of the Rivers House of Assembly on October 29, 2023.

    Those ordered to be arrested along with Ehie (1st defendant) are Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benneth, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri and Chibuike Peter also known as Rambo, as 2nd to 6th defendants.

    Justice Nwite gave the order while delivering a ruling in an ex-parte application brought by Lough.

    The court granted the ex-parte application on the grounds that the six defendants had been at large to stand their trial in a seven-count charge preferred against five other suspected arsonists currently being prosecuted before a sister court.

    While Falana filed a motion seeking an order to set aside the January 31 order, Aladedoye filed an application for a stay of execution of the arrest order.

  • Tompolo clinches ‘Courage in Leadership’ award

    Tompolo clinches ‘Courage in Leadership’ award

    • ’Tantita targeting 2m bpd oil output’

    Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a private firm contracted by the Federal Government to protect Nigeria’s crude oil pipelines, says it is targeting an output of two million barrels per  day in the fight against oil theft.

    Chairman of the company, Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a. Tompolo, made this known at The Sun Newspaper Awards 2024 ceremony, held in Lagos, where he clinched the ‘Courage of Leadership Award’.

    Receiving the award, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, media consultant to Tantita, said the firm was targeting two million barrel per day output for the country.

    Stating that Tantita, in collaboration with the nation’s security agencies, has discovered several points of illegal activities, it noted that three vessels have been impounded as of this year.

    He thanked the news medium for recognising their efforts, saying it would spur them to intensify their efforts.

    “Since the Federal Government asked Tantita Security Company, which High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo is the chairman, to protect our oil facilities, he has been making waves in the job he has been doing. So this award didn’t come to us as a surprise.

    “He has asked us to inform Nigerians that they should be rest assured that he would continue to do the job, and he is going to increase the barrels to two million per day.

    “Tantita is not alone in carrying out this job. They’re doing this job with the Nigerian military, and the military is also doing its best. It has been in synergy between Tantita and the military and the Civil Defence Corps as well. The synergy will continue by God’s grace. We will hit the mark that we have been clamouring for.

    “We’ve discovered a lot of points that illegal activities were being done in the creek. Vessels were seized, and just this year, we’ve impounded three of them. And we will continue to do the job. We are going to block all loopholes, and nobody will be able to involve in the illegal activities,” he said.

    The Managing Director of the Sun Newspaper, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, presenting the award, hailed Tompolo and his security firm for the reduction in crude oil theft and increased production.

    “In deciding who wins our award, it takes a lot of vigorous processes. We examine all the pros and cons so that when we come out, we can defend any decision we’ve taken.

    “Talking about Tompolo, he has done very well in curbing oil theft. Oil theft is a problem in Nigeria, and the government also knows this and says it. For the government to have confidence to say Tompolo, come and do this job, it’s something that is worth commending.

    “So far, he has done well and the result is that oil theft has reduced, Nigeria’s production has increased, and that means more money for Nigeria.

    “Yes, it’s for all Nigerians to support whatever that will curb oil theft. Because if it’s not curbed, the country will be bleeding, and when the country bleeds, we lose money, we lose resources and we will be looking for money to do what we’re doing.

    Read Also: Why we cannot sell cement below N7,000, by Dangote, Bua, Lafargea

    “So it’s for everyone to support whatever that will stop that theft in the oil sector,” he said.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, who received the ‘Most Impactful Royal Father of the Year’, promised to continue praying for more achievements by the former Niger Delta freedom fighter from the throne of Oduduwa.

    “I want to use this medium to congratulate Government Tompolo for what he’s doing in terms of security, securing the pipelines from vandalism and also theft of crude oil.

    “It has increased to 1.6 million barrels now, from less than 700 to 800 thousand, but we’re imploring that they should do more and increase it to 2.6 to 3 million barrels so that the effect of dollar and the pressure of dollar will come down in Nigeria.”

    Niger Delta environmentalist, Sheriff Mulade, described Tompolo as a “patriotic” Nigerian who is determined to salvage the country’s economy from declining.

  • Edo APC primary: Osunbor demands cancellation of results

    Edo APC primary: Osunbor demands cancellation of results

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Edo State, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, has urged the national leadership of the party to cancel the result of the primary. 

    He called on President Bola Tinubu to wade into the crisis, following what he described as flawed shadow poll conducted at the weekend. 

    Osunbor said the primary should be cancelled because it produced three candidates.

    He spoke with reporters in Iruekpen, his hometown. 

    Osunbor said: “On Saturday, 27th, February 2024 all registered members of APC across Edo state came out to vote for their preferred candidate for the 21 September governorship election. 

    “To their disappointment, the election did not take place anywhere that I know of across the 18 Local Government areas of Edo State. The party officials deployed from the Abuja office of the  Natiional Organising Secretary to conduct the elections at the various wards and Local Government areas of Edo State were kept in hotels in Benin. 

    “There is no record or video of any of them preforming their assigned roles in the election at their respective designated points.

    “Specifically, in my own Ward 6 of Esan LGA, where over 200 members assembled and were eagerly waiting, no electoral official of the party turned up.

    “Infact, there was no election anywhere in Esan West and other LGAs including Akoko-Edo  and Etsako West. I was aghast and in disbelief when I saw a video of the purported result of Esan West election being announced by a lady said to be a retuning officer.

    “What we saw on television was not result of election but allocation of votes by some persons in Benin to each of the aspirants.

    “In the end, two candidates have been announced as winners. Sen. Monday Okpebholo and Hon. Denis Idahosa in a primary election that was never held or was not conducted in accordance with the law and guidelines. This charade confirms the widespread suspicion that there is a deliberate plan by some people to create crises in Edo state APC, instigate bitterness among the members and set the public against the party in order to aid the victory of the presumed PDP candidate.

    “They are labouring to present a weak APC candidate that will be easily over-run and defeated by the presumed PDP candidate during the election. They are not working in the interest of APC but of PDP. We must avoid a repeat of the scenario which lead to the defeat of APC in 2020.

    “I hereby appeal to his excellency President Bola Tinubu to: Cause an investigation to be instituted into the allegation that this sham of a primary election and the crises it has generated have been induced by gratification given and received by the principal actors to damage APC and pave the way for the emergence of the PDP candidate in the election.

    Read Also: Kwara APC, PDP trade words as Tinubu upgrades health facility

    “Order the….election which has produced two or four candidates, if you add Prince Clem Agba and Hon Anamero Dekiri who have each claimed victory. The primary election cannot stand the test of legal scrutiny but rather will jeopardize the chances of APC. 

    “This is, in fact, their true intention and desire. There has been a brazen disregard of the Party Guidelines, Party Constitution and the Electoral Act, which may prove fatal in the event of litigation. 

    “Order another primary election to be conducted ahead of the 24th February deadline set by INEC. Different officers should be assigned to conduct the fresh primaries.”

  • Kinsmen to Jonathan, others: intervene in Ogbia crisis

    Kinsmen to Jonathan, others: intervene in Ogbia crisis

    Stakeholders from Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State have called on prominent indigenes, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, to intervene in the leadership crisis rocking Ogbia Brotherhood.

    Ex-President Jonathan is one of the prominent indigenes of Ogbia Council.

    The umbrella body of Ogbia sons and daughters has been thrown into crisis, with series of failed settlement moves.

    The litigants have approached the court in suit No. OHC/13/2023 to sack the interim executive and give order for the appointment of substantive executives for the group.

    The case came up yesterday at the Ogbia High Court sitting in Yenagoa, with Felide Zimughan Esq. appearing for the claimants and Earnest Omilole Esq. appearing for the defendants.

    The presiding judge of Ogbia High Court, Justice S. W. Amaduobogha, however, adjourned the matter till March 28.

    Traditional rulers, chiefs, women and youths, who were at the court, called on contending factions in the crisis to withdraw the case and settle out of court for a substantive leadership of the Ogbia Brotherhood.

    A revered compound chief at Otuabagi community, Chief Joseph Joshua, stressed the need for the constitution of a substantive executive for the umbrella body of Ogbia people.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Gani Adams writes southwest governors, Ooni, others

    He said based on the constitution of Ogbia Brotherhood, the current caretaker leadership is illegal, having stayed in office since 2019.

    Joshua expressed worry that the matter even got to the court, calling on Jonathan and other well-meaning indigenes to intervene.

     to ameliorate the lingering crisis.

    The community leader, who said the crisis was an issue that could have been resolved, urged parties to put the interest of the body ahead of other personal considerations.

    Joshua hoped that eventually, the matter would be settled in the interest of Ogbia people.

    A prominent indigene, Dr. Dorcas Agboge, expressed frustration about the ongoing court case, saying it was a matter that should be resolved among Ogbia people.

    She said Ogbia Brotherhood should be used to foster the interest of Ogbia people and not those of a few persons, adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure peaceful resolution of the issue.

  • Tinubu to inaugurate Geometric Power Plant Feb 24

    Tinubu to inaugurate Geometric Power Plant Feb 24

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to be in Abia State on February 24 for the inauguration of Geometric Power Generation Plant in Osisioma Local Government.

    The inauguration is expected to boost power generation and make business thrive in Aba, its environs and other areas.

    Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, made this known at the Government House in Umuahia while briefing reporters in company with his Land & Housing and Education counterparts after this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

    He said the President is expected to be in the state to inaugurate the project.

    Kanu said inaugurating the power plant was a dream come true for Geometrics and Abia State Government.

    “The state government has worked assiduously behind the scenes to ensure that the project is realised because when the plant comes on stream, it will benefit our people.”

    The power project, the information commissioner said, underscored the commitment of the state government to boost economic fortunes of the state through encouragement of private sector investment in infrastructure.

    “Governor Otti as the former Managing Director and CEO of the defunct Diamond Bank PLC was involved in the Geometric Power Project right from its conception.”

    Read Also: Wike to Abuja residents: no going back on outstanding ground rent

    Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche, said she took the opportunity to emphasise that no school had a right to charge extra fees outside of the fees duly authorised by the state government.

    She advised parents to report cases to the Ministry of Education.

    Speaking about the proposed Arungwa Trailer Park, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, said the project was meant to decongest traffic around Osisioma roundabout, Umuika junction and Owerinta bridge areas as well as generate revenue for the state.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Sir Chris Onwuegbu and the state Director of Information, Mrs. Ugochi Ihediwa, were present at the briefing.

  • Diri hails elders for stand against threats

    Diri hails elders for stand against threats

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has hailed the elders and people of the state for their stand against threats and intimidations during the November 11, 2023 governorship election.

    He said there were threats to lives of the people that refused to look the other way of the opposition, but noted that the people stood their ground to defend their mandate.

    The governor spoke yesterday at the Douye Diri Peace Prize and Leadership Lecture/Book Presentation in Yenagoa.

    He said former President Goodluck Jonathan, elders and the people of the state stood by him.

    He said: “All leaders did what was expected both at home and abroad. This victory was not only because the governor worked hard, but also because the people knew what they wanted.

    “Peace and unity have eluded this state for some time; lives were being threatened because of those who failed to do the bidding of the other party. Now that we have come to enjoy some level of peace and unity, we will not want to lose it.

    “We could not achieve anything because we were so factionalised, hence a committee headed by the late Inatimi Rufus Spiff was set up and they went a long way to reconcile all the leaders and political stakeholders. We have no other home to go to apart from Bayelsa.

    “Once again Niger Delta has to sit up, it is not yet Uhuru. We will give our support to the development of the state.”

    Diri said it is unfair for Bayelsa to have eight local governments “when all the resources come from here.”

    “Is that the country we want to continue to run?”

    Speaking further, he alleged that the Federal Government had carried away the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), claiming that most of the communities had gone into extinction and more were still being threatened because of the activities of the multi-national companies.

     Sunday Katung, said the people of the Niger Delta should reject being described as militants when they are fighting for what belongs to them.

    Katung decried the ecological problems in Bayelsa State and called for more attention both from the Federal Government and the international communities.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Gani Adams writes southwest governors, Ooni, others

    He said: “To change this tide and put the Ijaw nation in its rightful place, there is need to take advantage that the global community offers in harnessing our human resources and addressing challenges.

    “This can be achieved by the networks of the relevant stakeholders, organised private sector, civil society organisation, mass media and other stakeholders towards raising the banner of advocacy and social responsibilities.”

    The Director General, ‘Yes Diri’, who is also the host, Gentle Emelah, said there is no better time than now to start the noble process of projecting the Ijaw Nation for Global Representation, even as the country is passing through its most turbulent times in history.

    Emelah, who is also the state commissioner for Education, said the essence was to truly and urgently challenge themselves to strengthen the building blocks that project the Ijaw nation for global representation.

    Speaking further, he said the theme of the lecture was purposely and painstakingly crafted to awaken, galvanise and harmonise the expertise, passion, entrepreneurial orientation and professional capacities of the Ijaw.

  • Residents, business owners decry epileptic power supply in Enugu

    Residents, business owners decry epileptic power supply in Enugu

    • Situation beyond us, says EEDC

    Residents and business owners in Enugu metropolis have lamented power outage in the city, saying their businesses are fast crumbling.

    The capital city and its environs have been witnessing unusually prolonged power outage that has thrown the metropolis into darkness, with a few places having epileptic supply.

    While residents cry out over the continuous outage at a critical season of excessive heat, some business owners, especially hoteliers, printers, beer parlour operators, among others, who spoke about the development yesterday, bemoaned the power outage, noting that businesses were folding up over the development.

    They said they were losing customers over their inability to buy diesel at the current pump price of N1,300 per litre to provide power for their businesses and offices.

    A printing press owner on Edinburgh Road, Ogui New Layout, Enugu, who identified himself as Anayo Okenna, said he had consistently run at losses due to overspending on diesel.

    Okenna said: “All the printing jobs I collected since January have been stalled because what I charged my clients is far less compared to what I’m spending to produce the books.”

    Reacting to the development, EEDC Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, said the poor power supply experienced by its customers across the Southeast is beyond the organisation.

    The company attributed the situation to low energy generation, which had resulted in a drop in power supply availability.

    “The worst is in the past two weeks where you can hardly find power within the day. Within the period, I was spending about N45,000 daily on 40 litres of diesel just to work.

    “The situation is quite frustrating. I must tell you. I don’t know what the matter is with Nigeria. Nothing seems to be working again.”

    A manager in one of the hotels operating in the city, Sandra Isife, lamented that her hotel spends an average of N250,000 daily to purchase diesel to provide electricity for customers.

    She said after managing to pay workers their January salary, the hotel owners can no longer continue with such spending, as it is no longer sustainable.

    “You can’t imagine that any night you have only three guests, you will also run your generator as if you have 50 guests. That’s where our problem lies,” she added.

    She expressed fears that if Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) does not immediately restore constant power supply to the city, hotels and other business owners may be forced to lay off workers due to the high cost of keeping their business afloat.

    A welder, Ugochukwu Nwobodo, said he had not worked for almost two weeks since the EEDC began epileptic power supply, adding that the situation was compounding economic woes of the people.

    A resident of Ikirike in Idaw River Layout, Ijeoma Nebe, said since harmattan season stopped, she and many others had hardly enjoyed sound sleep because of the extreme heat.

    Read Also: Wike to Abuja residents: no going back on outstanding ground rent

    “You can imagine that we didn’t watch this past AFCON tournament. Even on the day Nigeria was playing finals with Ivory Coast, there was no electricity. What is even infuriating enough is the fact that we no longer sleep because of heat,” she said.

    Reacting to the development, EEDC Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, said the poor power supply experienced by its customers across the Southeast is beyond the organisation.

    The company attributed the situation to low energy generation, which had resulted in a drop in power supply availability.

    The Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, who made this known to reporters, appealed to customers to bear with them.

    He said the development had resulted in low generation, leading to reduction in the quantum of daily megawatt hour (MWH) of energy allocated to distribution companies nationwide, thereby impacting the quality of service to its customers.

    “We understand the inconveniences this situation has caused our esteemed customers and appeal for their understanding, as it is beyond us,” Ezeh said.

    “We can only distribute what is allocated to us. Effort is being made by the stakeholders in the power sector to address this issue, and we hope this yields positive result so that normal distribution will return,” he added.

  • Ex-PDP spokesperson remanded for alleged defamation

    Ex-PDP spokesperson remanded for alleged defamation

    A social media critic and member of the Interim Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State chapter, Chika Nwoba, has been remanded in prison custody by an Abakaliki Magistrates’ Court.

    Nwoba, a former spokesperson for the party, was arraigned by the police yesterday on a three-count charge following his arrest on Sunday.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Gani Adams writes southwest governors, Ooni, others

    His arrest followed a petition by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Oguzor Offia-Nwali.

    Nwali had in a petition alleged that Nwoba in a series of posts he made on social media, defamed him, threatened his life and falsely accused him of fraud and diversion of state government funds meant for empowerment of hawkers.

  • Terror financing: Group accuses cleric, ex-security officer of smearing Northern Senators

    Terror financing: Group accuses cleric, ex-security officer of smearing Northern Senators

    The Citizens Initiative for Security Awareness (CISA) has accused an Abuja-based cleric and a retired officer of sponsoring falsehood on terrorism financing against a lawmaker.

    At a briefing in Abuja on Friday, CISA Assistant Coordinator (North), Kabeer Salami described the two men as “ethnic jingoists” on a mission to disunite Nigerians.

    The organisation said the duo was desperately working towards pitching Northern Senators in the 10th National Assembly against citizens by insisting that one of them is financing the activities of bandits and terrorists.

    Salami advised the Presidency, the Senate, security heads and the people to ignore groups that promote fake news, hate speech and sentiments to possibly influence mob attacks and extremism.

    “We urge the Nigerian leadership not to allow any organisation engaging in frivolities to distract them from attending to essential legislative and national matters,” he noted.

    CISA stated that it was horrified about the actions of some individuals who disseminate news stories which are apparently divisive without painstakingly verifying the credibility.

    “It is the most unfortunate that some unpatriotic Nigerians, buoyed by their diabolic intents, are not leaving any stone unturned in their quests to polarize the country and incite Nigerians against fellow citizens.

    Read Also: Bauchi police declare controversial Islamic cleric wanted

    “It would be recalled that in the build to the general elections, the same led other groups in anti-Tinubu hateful campaign. Public records show how they insisted Tinubu posed a great security threat to Nigeria’s democracy and the cohesion of the APC.”

    CISA charged security services to arrest and prosecute any group attempting to defame other Nigerians through reckless comments and actions that could lead to ethno-religious conflict.

    “Citizens must shun ethnic champions and pseudo-religious leaders bent on polarizing us. We cannot allow them to pitch us against one another, just as they are trying to do now – setting the elite, including Northern Senators, against the general public,” Salami added.

  • Obi Cubana unveils Hammer Games for youths

    Obi Cubana unveils Hammer Games for youths

     In a significant move at the intersection of entertainment and technology, the chairman of the Cubana Group, Obinna Iyiegbu popularly known as Obi Cubana has launched a gaming platform ‘Hammer Games’.

    It is an immersive platform designed to inspire creativity and adventure among the youth.

     This initiative aims to amplify Nigerian and African culture, showcasing the talents and energy of the continent’s youth.

     “Hammer Games” offers a unique and authentic African gaming experience through a highly interactive mobile and web-based platform.

     Obi Cubana emphasized: “Apart from the interactive features, the ability for users to withdraw their rewards immediately after winning makes Hammer Games stand out.”

     The platform focuses on providing users with an immersive and rewarding experience, rooted in the adventurous spirit of Africa. Hammer Games, committed to security and regulatory compliance, ensures a safe gaming environment.

    With CAC registration, trademark, anti-money laundering compliance, and approval from the Nigerian Lottery Commission, the platform prioritizes user safety.

     To kickstart its presence in the gaming industry, Hammer Games launches with three sub-games: Odogwu Hunter, Hammer Spin, and Hammer Jackpot.

    Odogwu Hunter is an adventure game embodying the African spirit, requiring skill and strategy for victory.

    Hammer Spin offers a spin-and-win adventure, while Hammer Jackpot features daily and weekly draws with substantial prizes.

    Cubana’s foray into online gaming merges hospitality and technology, creating a unique fusion of entertainment and community-building.

    Cubana said: “Hospitality is all about creating memorable moments, and Hammer Games is a gateway to build on that.”

    Read Also: Why entrepreneurship is  key to human development, by Obi Cubana

     The platform aims to provide exciting gaming experiences and a sense of togetherness.

     Beyond gaming, Hammer Games distinguishes itself by committing to community development.

    The platform opens its APIs to developers, providing grants and funding opportunities to support African game developers. Players achieving milestones receive awards and physical gifts, contributing to community and human capital development.

     As part of pre-launch activities, the Odogwu Hunter Avatar has been unveiled on Hammer Games’ social media platforms.

     The launch of Hammer Games promises to be a novel era in gaming, seamlessly blending technology, culture, and entertainment, enriching the gaming community in Nigeria and beyond.