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Tag: Port Harcourt

  • 28-yr-old in court over alleged N2.5m theft

    A woman, Elizabeth Inko-Dokubo has been arraigned before a Rivers State Magistrate Court Sitting in Port Harcourt, the State Capital for allegedly stealing the sum of N2.5 million, from a telecommunication company “Qtel Multi Communication Limited”.

    The 28-year-old who was a former staff of the company, who is the complainant in the matter had allegedly converted the sum into her personal use while working with the firm.

    The Prosecutor, Inspector Wilson Isaiah told the court that the suspect committed the crime at No. 110 Ogbunabali Road Port Harcourt between March 2015 and July 2015.

    Isaiah said the offence breached section 390 (9) of the criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. II Laws of Rivers State Nigeria.

    The suspect pleaded not-guilty to the single count charge of stealing levelled against her and was granted bail in the sum of N200,000 only, with one surety in like sum.

    Read Also: Police nab 16 suspected kidnappers in Ankpa

    Her legal representation had earlier urged the court to grant her bail, submitting that the charged against her was bailable even as the crime is what the court could hear.

    He pledged to ensure the accuse was present in court in each adjourned date until the charge is disposed of.

    The presiding magistrate, Solaris Andrew-Jaja later adjourned the case till October 30, for hearing.

  • 2019: Buhari not jittery over Atiku, APC govs declare 

    Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday declared that President Muhammadu Buhari and the party are not jittery over the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the main opposition Presidential candidate in 2019 election.

    Atiku was elected by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as its Presidential flag bearer during the party’s national convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Sunday.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after leading four governors of the party to a closed-door meeting with President Buhari over the just concluded party’s primaries, Chairman of the APC Governors Forum and Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, was optimistic that Buhari would be reelected in 2019.

    Other governors at the meeting attended by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, included Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi); Abdullahi Gamduje (Kano); Kashim Shettima (Borno); and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos)

    Also at the meeting was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

    Okorocha said that the party had no reason to lose sleep over Atiku’s emergence.

    According to him, the party has concluded not to engage in any verbal attacks with any candidate in the forthcoming election.

    He said that the APC governors were at the State House not only to congratulate Buhari for being elected as the party’s presidential candidate, but to also request for a date when they would bring all the party’s governorship candidates to him to show their readiness for the 2019 political battles.

    He added “For the Governors to come together with our followers and supporters to further inform the world for our readiness to deliver him in 2019 election.

    “This is just basically the message we have come and to say that Mr. President is more than ever ready for the entire exercise.

    “Our election this time will not engage on castigations or talking. We will be taking on issues, Nigerians are tired of political abuses, what we want to be talking about is issues, the tract records of people involved in our elections.

    “Nigerians are very wise now, before they elect anybody they will ask questions, what has been your tract records, who were you before, who are you now and everything about you. And for that reason we are confident that in 2019, APC will go through.

    “We have also looked at the issues concerning our primaries, in every democracy, you should expect a kind of disagreement and we have kindly requested that something be done to bring warring factions together so that we can have a united party to face the challenges ahead and we are happy that will soon take place.

    “Most of the problems have been resolved except for one or two states where we have issues and where it becomes more difficult, we ask for Mr. President’s intervention in the matter.

    “We are talking about reconciliation, what is important to us is that we must never go into this battle, a divided family and we want to make sure that all governors are intact, all national assembly members are intact while going into this battle. We will never speak differently, we will speak as members of the party.” he said

    On whether the controversy surrounding the Zamfara State APC primaries was part of the discussion, he said, “Zamfara is one of the issues that we have addressed also.”

    Asked whether the APC was jittery because of the emergence of for Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the Presidential candidate of the PDP and his tough stance since he emerged, he said that the party was not jittery at all.

    He said, “I don’t know about talking tough, we can’t be jittery and history is there to speak, history is very important and it is there to speak so like I said we are not going to engage in this verbal war with anybody, we will be talking about issues. If we say look, you are not good, we tell you what we can do and we cannot do and what others cannot do.

    “APC is not going to join in those talk shop but right we are discussing issues of what our party can for our people.”

    On what was the President’s response, he said, “The President is quite happy with the whole outing and he is looking for a date to invite the governors, in fact, he will give us a date to celebrate him and tell the world our joy and happiness that he emerged as our Presidential flag bearer which is victory assured 2019.”

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha described the APC governors meeting with the President as a welcome development.

    He said, “It is a welcome development, we are one big family in a contest there is bound to be winners and losers but in the spirit of the game of politics which is like any other sports, after the game is over, whoever has emerged victorious must be magnanimous and gracious in his victory and whoever has lost out will also accept it in the spirit of sportsmanship.

    “So, this is a welcome move, our governor who is the Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, has spoken rightly all the things that are in motion to ensure that we quickly heal the wounds and bring the family together for a greater task ahead.

    “We are a government that has credibly performed this morning I had the privilege of laying before the council a compendium of the policies, the programmes and the projects initiated and implemented by this government in two and half years. A total of one thousand and forty two page documents, not stories, facts of what we have been able to achieve.

    “I think we are set to record, this campaign will be driven by issues, this campaign must be predicated on what you are able to bring to the table for the people of Nigeria. It is not going to be a noisy campaign, anybody that is preparing for noise should be prepared to receive defeat in February of 2019,” he said.

  • Saraki’s performance at convention indicates rejection – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) says the poor performance of the Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Election Convention was an indication of his rejection.

    Mr Yekini Nabena, the APC acting National Publicity Secretary stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He added that Saraki’s poor performance at the convention held in Port Harcourt was a befitting end to Sarki’s ambition.

    “With a miserly 317 votes, behind Aminu Tambuwal’s 693 votes and Atiku Abubakar’s 1,532 votes, the PDP delegates have given clear indication that they are fed up with Saraki’s political style.

    “When a leader cannot be trusted, cannot be relied upon, and cannot keep agreements, the people take due cognizance and records of these actions and respond with their votes at the appropriate time,” he said.

    Nabena wondered how someone who emerged as President of the Senate through conspiracy with members of the opposition party and against the wishes and interests of his own party could be trusted to be elected as the presidential candidate of a party.

    He added that throughout Saraki’s tenure as President of the Senate, it has been one confrontation between the Assembly leadership and the Executive or other arm of government.

    Nabena recalled that the confirmation of executive nominees sent to the Senate for confirmation and the annual national budgets had been delayed unnecessarily.

    “For instance, the supplementary budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2019 General Elections is continually delayed due to Saraki’s selfish political machinations.

    “A selfish Saraki will rather than perform his constitutional legislative functions by ensuring timely consideration and passage of Executive Bills, sabotage the efforts of the Executive in furtherance of his treacherous politics.

    “Having sabotaged the President Muhammadu Buhari government while in the APC, he later showed his true colours by formally joining the opposition PDP.

    Read Also: Bindow for Buhari as Fayose threatens to quit over Atiku

    “However, in doing so, Saraki must do the needful by giving up the Senate President position,” Nabena said.

    He added that Saraki should be a distinguished Senator in name and in deed, saying that he cannot continue to preside over the APC-dominated Senate as a member of the minority PDP.

    “The delegates of the PDP have rejected Saraki as their presidential candidate.

    “Let the Senators also do likewise by rejecting the greedy, deceitful and unreliable President as their leader,” Nabena said.

    He added that a new President of the Senate, free from all allegations of criminality was needed now.

  • Fayose threatens to leave PDP over Atiku’s emergence

    Outgoing Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose on Friday threatened to quit the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over the outcome of the national convention.

    He is believed to be unhappy with the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential flag bearer at the primary held at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Fayose, who is the Chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum, supported Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal at the national convention.

    The Ekiti helmsman alongside his Rivers State counterpart Nyesom Wike rallied support for Tambuwal at the national convention.

    Fayose, in a six-paragraph statement sent to reporters on Monday said he would continue with consultations and watch how events unfold in the umbrella party.

    The statement which the governor personally signed was entitled: “Re: PDP National Convention.”

    The statement read: “We have no regret aligning with Governor Wike to support Governor Tambuwal for the presidential ticket and no apologies either.

    “We kept the party alive and strong when most men became ladies. We never compromised. If any group feels it can do it alone, we will see how far they can go.

    “I may renounce my membership of the party if the need arises.

    “In the main time, myself and others will continue with our consultations while watching the turn of event.

    “We cannot but appreciate leaders that have intervened so far, but this release became necessary to avoid fresh crisis or misrepresentation.”

    It remained unclear why Fayose wants to quit his beloved party as he gave no cogent reason in the statement.

    Read Also: ‘Stop using traditional rulers as fire fighters’

    Fayose had earlier declared interest in the Presidency but later withdrew before the official sale of nomination and expression of interest forms.

    He was also said to be considered as the party’s presidential running at a time but the loss to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the July 14 governorship poll has put a dent on the ambition.

    Fayose joined the PDP before the 2003 governorship poll which he won but had been in and out of the party at various times.

    His supporters joined All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Progressives People’s Alliance (PPA) after his impeachment from office while he had a working agreement with the Action Congress (AC) in the 2009 governorship rerun election.

    Fayose defected to the Labour Party (LP) in 2010 and ran as the Ekiti Central senatorial candidate in the 2011 general elections but lost to Senator Babafemi Ojudu.

    He returned to the PDP in 2012 and ran again as its candidate in the 2014 governorship poll which he won.

    Fayose, at various times, had boasted that he would never leave PDP but his latest threat to quit has been causing ripples since it broke Monday evening

  • Jang congratulates Atiku, pledges total support

    Former Plateau governor, Sen. Jonah Jang, has congratulated Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for picking the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 general elections.

    Jang, who also contested alongside Atiku and 10 others, said in a statement issued on Monday in Jos that the victory was well-deserved and he would support the party’s candidate to win in 2019.

    Our reporter reported that  Atiku polled 1,532 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Aminu Tambuwal, who had 693 votes at the party’s elective convention held in Port- Harcourt.

    Read Also:Bindow embraces Buhari as Atiku’s victory divides Adamawa

    “On behalf of my campaign team and teeming supporters, I hereby congratulate Atiku Abubakar for a deserved victory and accept in totality the outcome of the Primary Elections.

    “As a loyal member and responsible stakeholder of our party, I hereby pledge to support and work for the actualisation of the anticipated Atiku Abubakar presidency; a presidency which I strongly believe will have answers to the multifaceted problems confounding the current occupant of Aso Rock, ” Jang said.

    The former governor urged Atiku to pay special attention to the challenges confronting the people of Middle Belt, particularly the countless killing of innocent citizens by ” faceless” gunmen, when he becomes president.

    He advised the candidate to make the security and welfare of the middle belters his top priority.

    Jang commended the Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee and the Dr Ifeanyi Okowa-led Convention committee for organising a hitch-free and transparent convention.

  • How Atiku won the ticket in Port Harcourt

    Alhaji Atiku Abubakar emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Port Harcourt yesterday after defeating 11 opponents during the primary election involving 3,274 accredited delegates at the Adokiye Amaesimaka Stadium in the Rives State capital.

    Atiku polled 1,532 votes to Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s 693 votes.

    Other aspirants performed as follows: Senator Bukola Saraki 317 votes; Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso 158 votes; Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo 111 votes; former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido 96 votes; Senator Ahmed Makarfi 74 votes, Former Minister Tanimu Turaki 65 votes; former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa 48 votes; Senator David Mark 35 votes; Senator Jonah Jang 19 votes and Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed 5 votes. There were 68 void votes.

    The convention, which started at 8:50 p.m. on Saturday when it was delared open by National Chairman Uche Secondus came to an end with the announcement of result by Chairman of the Elective National Convention Planning Committee Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta)at 12:44 p.m. yesterday.

    Akwa Ibom State had the highest number of delegates (151) with Ogun State the lowest with only 21 as a result of the unending litigation and factions.

    In his acceptance speech Atiku described the primary election as the most credible, transparent, free and fair, in the history of PDP, while lauding ex-President Obasanjo for giving him the opportunity in 1999 to be his deputy.

    Atiku also lauded Wike, Rivers government and the people of Rivers state on their support for the successful convention, while assuring that he would not fail and would not be found wanting.

    The presidential candidate of PDP said: “Today (yesterday), we are witnessing a landmark event, in the sense that since the rebranding of our great party, the PDP, and since the return of democratic governance in this country, we have just witnessed the best, the most credible, transparent, free and fair primaries.

    “Let me also commend my fellow competitors or aspirants for displaying a sense of unity, a sense of purpose and a sense of commitment. This is a very rare event.  My fellow compatriots have really shown that the interest of the party and that of the people of this country is paramount and more important, than our individual interest. I want to pay a tribute to each and everyone of them and to assure them that I am ever ready to work with each and everyone of them, for the realisation of the victory of our party in the forthcoming elections.

    “I cannot do it alone. I need your support. I need your assistance. I need your understanding and I need your participation. It is not a one man’s job. It is a collective responsibility and I am prepared to listen to you, to take your advice, to consult with you, to work with you. Together we will succeed and after we have succeeded, we shall be partners in the success.

    “Let me also pay my tribute to the members of the National Convention Planning Committee. This is one of the most innovative electoral processes that this party has ever taken, since the inception of this party in 1998. I believe we have learnt quite a lot from the conduct of this exercise. I also believe that we can continue to improve on what has been achieved in the last few days in Port Harcourt.

    Speaking on behalf of the eleven presidential aspirants, Saraki promised that all of them and their teeming supporters would work with the newly-elected presidential candidate of PDP, with the national convention ending at 1:28 p.m.

    The convention was, however, marred by near stampede, caused by overzealous security personnel and poor accreditation, especially of reporters.

  • Group seeks votes for Atiku

    A political group,  under the aegis of Atiku Care Foundation (ACF),  has appealed to delegates at the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), to vote the former Vice President (VP), Abukakar Atiku the Presidential Flag bearer of the party in the next year’s general elections.
    In a statement in Port Harcourt  the Rivers State capital on Saturday, by the National chairman of the group,  Aliyu Bin Abbas expressed the passion of the former VP for an opportunity to addressing burning issues of the country, especially insecurity, hunger and unemployment and appealed that the party consider him mist credible to represent it in the 2019 polls.
    He said,  “We passionately appeal that all the PDP Delegates must avoid making any mistake but have a mind of their own to choose the right candidate in Atiku Abubakar.
    “We plead with the delegates to look out for PDP presidential aspirants with proven track records of successes in their private and public lives as well as experience.

    Read Also: Atiku condemns renewed violence in Jos

    “Delegates should without bias elect Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential  candidate for he has demonstrated profound ability in that regard.” he stated.
    According to him “Atiku possess an unbiased  love for the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria and has demonstrated profound ability  to create Jobs, which is the burning desires of our teeming youths due to the rising unemployment rate  in the country.
    “Atiku’s immense understanding on how to grow and stabilize the economy of our great country Nigeria as demonstrated in past stand him out. He is one of the foremost advocates of true federalism.
    He possess the capacity  to address the insecurity challenge  of Nigeria, to end hunger and ethnic/religious division in the country.”
    Speaking on the state of the nation, he said, “the entire state of the nation has been that of sorrow,  dictatorship  and hardships. Nigerians more than ever before yearn for PDP to come to their rescue. PDP must rise to the occasion  and deliver on this yearnings of the people by fielding a presidential candidate  that fits the popular will of the people.” he insisted

  • 2018 PDP Convention: Wike welcomes delegates

    Ahead of the 2018 PDP National Convention, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has welcomed all delegates of the party to the state .

    In a statement signed by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Governor Wike assured the delegates of a memorable stay in the state.

    He said: “The good people of Rivers State are most delighted and honoured to play host to the distinguished National Delegates of our great party as we elect our Presidential flagbearer this weekend and collectively work towards rescuing our nation from the brink of collapse.

    Read Also: Buhari meets Anyim, Uduaghan, Marafa in Aso Rock

    “As we gather for this all-important national convention, I assure all delegates of our great party of their security before, during and after the convention. Working with the security agencies and other stakeholders, we will ensure that your stay in Port Harcourt is memorable. ”

    The statement further quoted the Rivers State Governor as saying: “Once again, I welcome all delegates, journalists, observers and other visitors to Rivers State, the Treasure Base of the Nation. While you are here, enjoy the peace, love, cuisine, heritage and hospitality of Rivers State and her people.

    “I pray for journey mercies as you return to your respective destinations. I welcome you.”

    The National Convention of the PDP hold between October 6 and 7, 2018 at the Adokiye Amasiemaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

  • Army bursts illegal oil depot in Rivers

    ..Impounds  16 trucks

    …arrests one

    The operatives of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt,  has uncovered an illegal oil depot,  in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    The landmark discovery was made October 2, 2018, 16 40,000 litre capacity trucks parked in the premises awaiting loading were impounded as one of the operators was apprehended and taken in by the team of Soldiers that uncovered the illegal deal.

     The illegal loading bay was operated at  the facility used by the defunct Union Dicon Salt  located in Macoba, close to the Naval Dockyard,  in Port Harcourt metropolis.

    Briefing newsmen shortly  after touring  round the facility to figure out how the shady activity was carried out by the oil thieves, the Army spokesman  Aminu Iliyasu, a Colonel  said that the bursting of the  illegal petroleum loading depot followed a “discreet information.”

    He spoke on behalf of the General Officer Commanding (GOC),  6 Division,  Major-General Jamil Sarham and said that the activities of illegal oil bunkerers have become  too daring  and have negatively affected lives of members of the public, just as it is affecting the economy of the nation.

    He said,  “With these activities going on in this area,  it means that some people would be super-rich  and some another people will remain super-poor”.

    He described the activities as a serious economic sabotage and environmental pollution dangerous to human lives.

    Read Also: Suspected robbers terrorize Rivers residents

    “When the adulterated product is supplied to members of the public,  it endangers the lives of Nigerians.  If we don’t talk,  it would consume everybody.

    “It is a serious economic sabotage and has dangerous health implications   The 16 trucks were  found in the premises. Ten of the trucks were already loaded with products”, he said

    He warned those involved in the economic sabotage to stop,  or leave the States  under 6 Division, vowing to prosecute any person caught indulging in oil theft.

    He added that whatever is the outcome of the investigation, suspects and exhibits  would be handed over to sister security agencies for further investigation.

    Earlier, Lt. Col. Ibrahim Buhari, Commanding Officer, 29 Battalion, in 6 Division, said 10 of the 16 trucks had already been loaded with products ready for the wee hours of the night to move along with other trucks that  bought genuine products from a legal tank farm being  operated next to the illegal depot to beat security on highway.

    Six power generating sets and different sizes of host were among items recovered at the depot.

    Registration plate numbers of the vehicles were discovered to have been deliberately detached from the trucks, however two of the plate numbers found rested on two of the trucks were marked,  RUM 346 KA and DEG 512 XA.

    The Army said the trucks would be later moved to the Barracks were they would later be formerly handed over to the operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),  for  the prosecution of the suspect and possible appearance of the owners of the trucks, who would want to come to claim their property.

  • EFCC recovers over N1.5b, others in P/H in nine months

    …also 283 oil theft  trucks, forfeited 59 

    The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday said that it has recovered a total sum of N 1, 592,568,524.38 in their operations between January and September,  2018.
    The Anti-Graft agency also disclosed that it equally recovered a total of $678,354.80 (U S) as well as the sum of 5,254 Euro within the period under review.
    The head of operation of the agency in Port Harcourt zone, Mr. Nnaghe Obono Itam who disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital  yesterday also said a total number of 283 trucks laden with illegal petroleum substance were apprehended and handed over to them by the Army in the period.
    Itam said laboratory test conducted by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC), on the products confirmed that 121 of the trucks were loaded with adulterated diesel, 39 of them has high pour Fuel oil(HPFO) and  low Pour Fuel oil(LPFO), whereas 31 of the vehicles were Kaden with waste/lube oil,  among others.
    He however noted that 59 of the truck with estimated quantity of 1, 013.7 metric tons(1,180,00 litres) of the petroleum product(diesel, kerosene and crude oil),  have been forfeited to the Federal Government after investigation.

    Read Also: EFCC, INEC partnership targeted at opposition – Wike

    However the commission is worried that the owners of the trucks have not shown up to claim their property since the vehicles were impounded.
    Itam equally expressed challenge in prosecuting the drivers who he said are presently on Army bail. According to him the Army officers who arrested the drivers and impounded the trucks have equally refused to liaise with the legal department if the commission for proper statement to enable them commence prosecution of the  suspects.
    He said,  “It is pertinent to note that some of the owners of the trucks are yet to report to claim ownership of their trucks.  This may be due to the fact that the drivers after their release by the Nigerian Army never reported the incident to their respective owners.
    “Some owners that reported assisted the commission in the arrest of their drivers. Charges have been prepared against the drivers and they will be arraigned in court soon.” he stressed.
    Expressing handicap in the their investigations said,  “The commission in locating the owners who are yet to claim their trucks is currently liaising with various states’ motor licencing agencies for registration of the trucks. The ones without owners will be published on the newspapers before their final forfeiture.” he said.
    Speaking further said,  “The arresting officer of the Army who are key in the successful prosecution of these cases in court are yet to report for statement despite several appeals.” he expressed.
    However when contacted,  the spokesman of 6 Division, Nigerian Army Bori Camp Aliu Illiyasu, where the concerned Army officers are attached to fie reaction on the allegation, denied any suspected  plans by men of the  Army to frustrate the process of justice delivery,  but promises to find out what went wrong and them get back to the Reporter, but to no avail; at least as at the time of filing this report.