The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Soludo shuts school, fires teacher over exam malpractices

    Soludo shuts school, fires teacher over exam malpractices

    Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has closed down Tower Primary School, Oba in Idemili South Local Government, over alleged involvement in examination malpractices during the 2023 Transition Placement Examination.

    Education Commissioner Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh announced the closure after a meeting to investigate exam misconduct case reported against a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teacher, Precious Chibuzo, who invigilated the exam at Umuogali Community Primary School, Oba.

    According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the ministry, Nnaemeka Egwuonwu, investigation carried out by the ministry, following reports from pupils of the school, showed that the Proprietress of Tower Academy, Oba, Kosisochukwu Igwe, connived with the pupils in the misconduct.

    “The proprietress sneaked into the examination hall, connived with the PTA teacher, took a photograph of the question paper, solved questions and supplied answers to the candidates.

    “Igwe, who admitted committing the offence, pleaded for forgiveness, while the PTA teacher, Chibuzo, who admitted committing the offence, had been dismissed.

    “The commissioner for Education has directed a resit of the examination for all the candidates involved at the centre.”

    “The resit examination to be supervised by the commissioner has been fixed for April 4 (today).

    “Tower Primary School, Oba remains closed till further notice, while the PTA teacher, Chibuzo, should not be seen around the school anymore,” Egwuonwu said.

    Pupils of Triumphant Cross Schools, Oba, have been rewarded for reporting the examination malpractice during the 2023 Transition Placement Examination.

  • Edo royal family petitions IGP over daughter’s death

    Edo royal family petitions IGP over daughter’s death

    Members of Ivhigbanakhu royal family of Fugar in Etsako Central Local Government of Edo State have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba. They urged him to direct the setting up of another team to re-investigate the death of their daughter, Mrs. Semira Uwaya, 35, mother of a two-year-old girl.

    The family members, through their lawyer, Joshua Igumah, in Benin, accused Semira’s husband, Promise Uwaya of Sabbo Iyakpi in Etsako West Local Government, now in police custody, of being behind her death, considering his activities a few days to the incident.

    It was learnt that the woman was okay, prior to hearing of her death on March 4.

    “The way the deceased’s husband handled the matter created suspicion.”

    The Nation gathered that the man reported his wife’s death at Sabbo Iyakpi Police Station, instead of informing members of her family.

    Semira’s husband, according to the police, claimed that his wife died around 2am on March 4, and that while feeling ill, he asked his brother, Sunny Nwaya, to take him to Hope Clinic, Jattu in Etsako West Local Government at 6am on the same day, demanding that he be admitted, while leaving his wife’s body at home, without informing her family.

    The husband, it was learnt, instructed his family members to take care of the body of his wife, after informing them that he tried to revive her, but she did not respond.

    The Nation gathered that the husband’s family members were planning to bury Semira, but her relatives got wind of the development and stormed the house. They prevented her husband’s family from taking her body out for burial.

    It was learnt that autopsy report showed that Semira died of suffocation, with finger marks on her face. The police were urged to go ahead with forensic analysis.

  • NDDC to include stakeholders’ needs in 2024 budget 

    NDDC to include stakeholders’ needs in 2024 budget 

    Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has promised to incorporate stakeholders’ needs in its 2024 budget.

    Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku said the commission must consult with its stakeholders to know their needs and include them at the drafting stage of the budget.

    He spoke at the Council Chambers of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) while on a working visit to the university. 

    Ogbuku was accompanied by the NDDC Executive Director (Finance and Administration), Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), Executive Director (Projects), Mr. Charles Ogunmola and other directors.

    Ogbuku, addressing members of the university’s Governing Council, said NDDC would incorporate the needs of major stakeholders in its 2024 budget. 

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Georgewill Owunari, hailed the NDDC boss for being an exemplary alumnus of the university. 

    The Pro-Chancellor, of the university, Senator Andrew Uchendu, commended the NDDC boss for identifying with his alma mater.

  • Imo LP accuses Uzodimma of shutting secretariat

    Imo LP accuses Uzodimma of shutting secretariat

    •Govt: allegation baseless

    Labour Party (LP) has condemned what it described as invasion and occupation of its secretariat in Owerri by suspected agents of Imo State Government.

    Reacting to the shutting of the secretariat in a statement yesterday, the party National Secretary, Mallam Umar Farouk, expressed shock about the invasion.

    The statement said: “The national leadership of the Labour Party is shocked over the invasion and occupation of its secretariat in Owerri today (April 3) by the agents of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, including thugs and unauthorised policemen drafted from the Government House.

    “Such illegal occupation was akin to similar invasion on the same secretariat on March 15.

    “Unlike the March invasion, when no reason was given by the state government on why it took such unlawful action against our political party, this time, they said the action was due to a court order. But as at the moment, no such order to our knowledge was given. No order has been presented to us by the court or their agents. The policemen occupying our secretariat have not even shown us the order. At the moment, our officials and workers have been barred from accessing the secretariat.

    “We have contacted the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on the development, and it has been confirmed that the Force is not aware of any security breach whatsoever in the state to warrant the occupation of our secretariat. 

    “The Nigeria Police has also informed us that it has not detailed any officer to the Labour Party secretariat in Imo State, and that the officers might have been drafted from the State House.”

    The state government described the allegation as baseless.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, told The Nation that the police leadership in the state did not report to Governor Uzodimma.

    He said: “It is an unfounded allegation. I hope you know that the LP in Imo State is fighting internal war.

    “The police leadership in Imo State does not report to the governor. LP should desist from indiscriminate finger pointing.”

  • Court grants leave to serve Umahi, others notice of petition

    Court grants leave to serve Umahi, others notice of petition

    The National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Abakaliki has granted an ex-parte order to candidates of the Labour Party (LP) Linus Okorie and Eze Emmanuel, to serve Governor David Umahi and Emmanuel Uguru notice of petition and processes.

    Okorie is the senatorial candidate of the LP for Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone, while Eze Emmanuel is the candidate of the LP for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency.

    Okorie, a former House of Representatives member, is challenging the victory of Umahi as the Ebonyi South senator-elect.

    Similarly, Emmanuel is challenging the victory of Uguru as the House of Representatives member-elect in the February 25 election.

    Counsel for the plaintiffs, Victor Nwonu and Friday Ogazi, who appeared for Okorie and Eze, alleged that the defendants, Umahi and Uguru, had been evading service of the notice of petition and processes and that efforts to get them served had proved abortive.

    Nwonu said: “Our application today was to serve the respondents, Governor Umahi and the All Progressives Congress (APC). You know it is difficult to access the governor because of his security aides.

    “We also sought the leave of the court to serve the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and APC at their Abakaliki office addresses, rather than serving them at their Abuja offices. The court granted our applications.

    “We also filed an ex-parte order to inspect the INEC electoral materials some time ago and the court granted it.”

    Ogazi said: “We sought the leave of the court to serve the 1st respondent, Uguru, by other means because since we filed the petition, he has been avoiding service and efforts to get him (Uguru) proved abortive.”

    The presiding judge, Justice Mabel Omovie Ogheneyerowo, ordered that the defendants, Governor Umahi of the APC be served at the APC secretariat at Akanu-Ibiam International Conference Centre, Abakaliki.

    She also ordered that INEC be served at its office at 10, Town Planning Road, Abakaliki.

  • Abia NSCDC parades six suspected oil thieves

    Abia NSCDC parades six suspected oil thieves

    The Abia State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded six persons suspected to be oil thieves.

    The command also impounded trucks used in dealing on illegal petroleum products.

    Parading the suspects before journalists at the command headquarters in Umuahia, the state capital, NSCDC Commandant, Paul Igwebuike disclosed that the six suspects were arrested at Gasline, by Iheoma, Uratta, Aba, Abia State following a tip off from the command’s intelligence.

    “Although I am just few days in the State, but from the day I assumed duty, I made it clear that our activities will be intelligence driven and it is paying off already.”

    According to the NSCDC Commandant the activities of the suspects and their partners in crime constitute economic sabotage against the nation and must not be allowed to foster.

    “We are fully poised to carry out the Corps’ mandates and the zero tolerance directives of the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi against all forms of illegal dealings in petroleum products and vandalism of critical national assets and Infrastructure of government,” Igwebuike reassured.

    Igwebuike gave the names of the suspects as Tochukwu Onwuzurigbo (48yrs)(M) from Enugu State, Ezechi Emeka (41yrs) (M) from Enugu State, Maduakolam Uzoije (25yrs) (M) from Uratta, Abia State, David Lazarus (24yrs) (M) from Anambra State, Chukwuebuka Onwuzurigbo (18yrs) (M) from Enugu State and Abuchi Eze (35yrs) (M) from Enugu State respectively.

  • Wike nominates new Rivers electoral commission chairman

    Wike nominates new Rivers electoral commission chairman

    RIVERS State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has nominated Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), as the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

    The governor disclosed the nomination during a state banquet held in Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday night in honour of the renowned jurist, who had just retired from the state judiciary.

    Wike in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, explained that the nomination of Justice Enebeli to head the state electoral umpire was in appreciation of his immense contribution to the development of the justice system in the state.

    He said: “On Monday, I will recommend you to the State House of Assembly to be the Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. So, you should not say you are not going to be relevant.

    “You have sacrificed; you have worked for this State. Look at the number of judgements you churned out, look at what people are talking about you, including the Body of Senior Advocates, the Nigerian Bar of Association, NBA, the Attorney General.”

  • Police confirms arrest of Abia vigilant personnel for alleged murder

    Police confirms arrest of Abia vigilant personnel for alleged murder

    THE Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the arrest and detention of an operative of the state vigilante service popularly known as Bakassi.

    The Abia State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna in a telephone interview with our correspondent also confirmed the detention vigilante personnel attached to a popular fast food in Umuahia, the state capital.

    Ogbonna gave the name of the suspect as Ernest Udemezeugo, aged 48 years old, while the deceased was identified as Izuchukwu Mbakwe, 29 years old.

    While report about the incident was still sketchy at the time of filing the report, it was gathered that the Bakassi personnel killed late Mbakwe, a staff of the fast food located near a popular roundabout in Umuahia for allegedly stealing Nokia Phone.

    Reports have it that the late Mbakwe who hails from Okaiuga Nkwoegwu in Umuahia North local government area of the state just returned to the country from Dubai.

    According to reports, the deceased who didn’t want to remain idle sought for job at the fast food and later got employed, where he worked until the unfortunate Incident.

    It was gathered that troubled started when a Nokia Phone got missing at the restaurant and a check on the camera reportedly showed that the late Izuchukwu knew about the missing phone.

    According to reports, late Mbakwe was dragged outside and handed over to the Bakassi officer who threatened to shoot him, which he eventually did.

    Our correspondent gathered that the deceased staff of the fast food was shot in the thigh by the vigilante personnel.

    The deceased was said to have died at the hospital where he was admitted for medical attention.

    Mbakwe was said to have lost a lot of blood before he could be taken to the hospital.

    The Police PPRO said “it is a very unfortunate Incident. The corpse of the young man is in the morgue.

    “The suspect behind the dastardly act has been arrested and firearm used (in carrying out the crime) has been recovered, while investigation has commenced.”

    “We appeal for calm from the members of the public and as assure them that justice must be done.

    “We are also consoling with the family of the deceased.”

  • Alleged defamation: Enugu APC chairman demands N2bn damages from ex-publicity secretary

    Alleged defamation: Enugu APC chairman demands N2bn damages from ex-publicity secretary

    The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Barr Ugochukwu Agballah has given the former publicity secretary of the party in the state, Mr. Charles Solo Ako, 48 hours ultimatum to retract, apologize and pay him the sum of N2 billion being damages for an alleged defamatory publication he made in the media.

    In a letter to Charles Solo-Ako, by Agballah’s solicitor, Vincent Chieyine, Esq., dated March 30, 2023, and sighted by journalists in Enugu, weekend, the state chairman of APC accused the former publicity secretary of maliciously publishing so many defamatory statements against him.

    He stated that the former publicity secretary accused him, Agballah, of “converting the All Progressives Congress party into a private company-like status, embezzlement of party funds, exclusion and sidelining of the State Executive Committee (SEC), State Working Committee (SWC) and members of the party in the running of the affairs of the party.”

    The letter also alleged that the former publicity secretary falsely published that Agballah “diverted funds meant for the delegates of the APC for the presidential primary election and the money provided by the party for the 2023 general elections,” among other allegations.

    Chieyine wrote, “For the avoidance of doubt, our client neither received the alleged sums nor misappropriated nor embezzled the above stated funds as alleged in your publication or otherwise.

    “Your publication is a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image and reputation of our client and blackmail him before the All Progressives Congress (APC), its leadership, members of the party and the general public.

    “It is quite evident that your defamatory publication was as a result of your removal from the office of Publicity Secretary of the party (which you had been illegally assuming and usurping for long) by the State Working Committee and ratification of same by the State Executive Committee on the 28th of March, 2023.”

  • APGA deputy governorship candidate reportedly resigns after losing election

    APGA deputy governorship candidate reportedly resigns after losing election

    From Sunny Nwankwo,
    Umuahia

    THE deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State and member representing Aba South State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Ichita has reportedly resigned his membership of the party.

    Ichita in a letter dated March 24, 2023, addressed to ward chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Enyimba Ward 3, Aba South local government area titled, “Resignation of Membership of APGA” which was obtained by our correspondent, could not state his reasons for resigning from the party less than one week after the party lost the Abia State governorship and House of Assembly elections to the Labour Party.

    The letter to the Enyimba Ward 3 chairman read “I write to inform you of my resignation as a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with effect from the date of the receipt of this letter.