The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Port Harcourt

  • Ex-Rivers lawmaker slumps, dies

    Ex-Rivers lawmaker slumps, dies

    A a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly between 2011 and 2015, Andrew Miller has died.

    Miller, who represented Opobo/Nkoro constituency, slumped and died in the early hours of today.

     The former lawmaker had earlier lost his wife in an accident at Saakpenwa-Ogoni, the headquarters of Tai Local Government Area of Rivers state.

    It was learnt that the ex-lawmaker was earlier sick, but later recovered, making him to drive to the Port Harcourt venue of penultimate week’s send-off in honour of an APC chieftain, Oji Ngofa, who is now Nigeria’s Ambassador to Netherlands.

    Miller, according to reliable sources, visited a hospital in the Rivers state capital on Wednesday for check-up, but slumped and later passed on.

    It was gathered that the APC chieftain’s death might be as a result of sudden relapse of the illness.

    The Publicity Secretary of APC in Rivers State, Chief Chris Finebone, who confirmed the former lawmaker’s death in a telephone interview yesterday evening, described it as shocking and that he would be greatly missed.

  • Alleged fraudulent bishop ends up in Enugu prison

    Alleged fraudulent bishop ends up in Enugu prison

    The Police Command in Enugu says a cleric, Bishop Ginika Obi, recently arrested over his alleged advance fee fraud involving over N500 million, has been remanded in Enugu Maximum Prison.

    The spokesman of the command, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Enugu on Tuesday.

    The bishop whose church/office is at Km 111, Enugu-Port Harcourt highway, Enugu, had been alleged to have tricked many people to pay huge amounts of money to him.

    He was said to have claimed that he would help his victims reap bumper financial dividends in return.

    Amarizu said Obi was arraigned on Oct. 11 in an Enugu Federal High Court presided over by Justice A. Liman.

    He said the suspect had been in prison custody since Oct. 12 and that further hearing on his case had been scheduled for Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.

    “His offences ranging from conspiracy and advance fee fraud were committed in conjunction with others now at large.

    “On Oct. 11, he took his plea after his 82 count charges of conspiracy and advance fee fraud was read to him.

    “He was later remanded in police custody based on the plea of his defence counsel to be brought to court on Oct. 12 for further hearing.

    “He was later remanded in prison custody as he could not meet his bail conditions,’’ the command’s spokesperson said.

    Amarizu said that the suspect’s arrest and arraignment followed several petitions against him and others now at large for allegedly swindling unsuspecting members of the public.

    He said that the bishop and his alleged cohorts disappeared without traces until the command, through intelligence, closed up on him in a hotel in Enugu.

    NAN

  • Wike’s aide visits The Nation correspondent’s family

    Wike’s aide visits The Nation correspondent’s family

    The Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, has described the late Rivers State Correspondent of The Nation, Mr. Precious Dikewoha, as a thoroughbred professional, who practised balanced reporting.

    Speaking yesterday during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased reporter in Port Harcourt, Nwakaudu said Governor Nyesom Wike received the news of the death of Dikewoha with shock and sadness, because he saw him a few days before his death during the meeting of Southsouth and Southeast governors at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    He said: “Precious Dikewoha was a dedicated reporter, who practised objective reporting.

    “He was a reporter, who stood for truth and ensured his reports were balanced. Precious Dikewoha proved that in the midst of anti-people reporting, a journalist can still use his pen to promote development, stability and peace.”

    Nwakaudu added: “He died young, but left in the sands of time a record of fairness, decency and objective reportage of issues as they concern Rivers State. His death is a loss to Rivers State, Nigeria and journalism.  As a media relations professional, I will miss Precious Dikewoha.

    “Governor Wike received the news of his death with shock and disbelief. He sends his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and professional colleagues of Precious Dikewoha.”

    He prayed God to protect the deceased’s family and grant it the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Dikewoha’s widow, Ayor Precious, thanked the media aide for the visit.

     

  • Rivers people believe in Nigeria’s unity – Wike

    Rivers people believe in Nigeria’s unity – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says Rivers people believe in Nigerian unity.

    He said that because of that they may not be part of any secession agenda.

    The Governor made this known at the 57th Independence Church Service, which held at Saint Mark’s Anglican Church in Port Harcourt.

    “God has blessed this country, we are not part of those who want to secede, Rivers State will never be part of that,” the Governor stressed.

    The governor, however, advised the Federal Government ( FG ) to ensure good governance to end the increasing agitation for self determination among ethnic groups in Nigeria.

    “In as much as you continue to have bad governance, people will continue to agitate across the country, we give God the glory that we are still one, despite the agitations and challenges,’’ he added.

    He called for justice and equity for all citizens.

    He also advised Nigerians to always speak out against injustice.

    Gov. Wike noted that politicians sometimes behaved irrationally because of their thinking that they could always manipulate election results to suit their purpose.

    The Governor called for enhanced security and a purposeful justice system for all federating units.

    He stated that such gesture will give all Nigerians a sense of belonging and reduce the palpable tension across the country.

    Wike reiterated the call for an investigation into the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Rivers.

    In his sermon, the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev Innocent Ordu, noted that Nigeria had developed despite the challenges facing it.

    The Bishop called on Nigerians to respect the constitution of the country and constituted authorities.

    He also charged them to work for the development of the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independence Church Service attracted top government functionaries, security agencies and traditional rulers

  • Senate reassures on national unity

    Senate reassures on national unity

    The president of Senate, Bukola Saraki, has reassured of the National Assembly’s commitment to security of all Nigerians.

    Saraki stated this in a paper presented at the 13th Guild of Editors’ Conference and Extraordinary Convention on Friday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    He spoke on the theme: “Legislative Efforts and Focus on Pro-poor Issues: National Assembly Perspectives.”

    Saraki, who was represented by the Chairman of Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, assured that the NASS was alive and sensitive to its constitutional responsibilities and roles.

    He said the lawmakers would continue to create the enabling environment to produce “the greatest access to opportunity in a united and prosperous nation’’ for generations yet unborn.

    The Senate president commended the editors “for the new path and direction’’ the forum was carving for the journalism profession.

    According to him, the media is deeply involved in standing up against autocracy in whatever guise, a position shared by NASS.

    NAN

  • Court remands four suspects for alleged cultism  

    Court remands four suspects for alleged cultism  

    A chief magistrate court in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, Thursday remanded 18 year old Chibueze Igbokwe in Prison custody over his alleged involvement in cultism and its related activities.

    The incident reportedly took place at the Trans-Amadi slaughter market area of the state on September 8, 2017.

    Also remanded with Igbokwe are Ndubuisi Elegbua (22), Inyang Asuquo (24) and Stanley Chukwu (20).

    The suspects allegedly belong to Junior Vikings (a.k.a J-Verse) and Iceland cult groups.

    They are charged with three count charge bordering on secret cult and its related activities.

    The prosecutor Wilson Isaiah, a police Inspector, told the court that the charges are contrary to sections 6(1) and 1(1) of the secret cult and similar activities (prohibition) laws No. 6 Rivers State of Nigeria, 2004.

    According to the charge sheet, the suspects at about 9:30 pm, August 16, 2017 did participate in the activities of a secret cult known and called Junior Vikings and Iceland at about at plot 3, Slaughter, Trans-Amadi Port Harcourt.

    The charge was not read out to them and they did not take any plea.

    They were not represented by any Lawyer. The magistrate Sokari Andrew Jaja ordered that they be remanded in Prison Custody, while the case file should be sent to the Department of public prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

    He adjourned the matter till September 27, 2017 for report of DPP advice.

  • Adiele 19, others in custody over alleged trespass   

    Adiele 19, others in custody over alleged trespass   

    A Rivers state magistrate court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital Tuesday ordered the remand in prison custody one   Daniel Adiele, over alleged illegal entering into the premises of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in Port Harcourt.

    The incident reportedly took place at D-Line sub-Station office of the Corporation about 2:30am, between August 1, and 15, 2017.

    Adiele aged 19, was remanded together with, Innocent Ogar (27), Emmanuel Moss (24),  and Abraham Egonatun(30).

    The suspects allegedly entered into the railway with intent to cause confusion and injury to the railway.

    The prosecutor Wilson Isaiah told the court that the offence contravenes sections 249(D) and 509 of the criminal code cap 37 Volume II laws of Rivers state of Nigeria 1999.

    They pleaded not guilty when the two count charge were read out to them.  They were not represented in court by any Lawyer.

    The charge sheet obtained by this reporter read, “that you Daniel Adiele (m), Innocent Ogar (m), Emmanuel Moss (m) and Abraham Egonatun (m) of no fixed addresses at various times between  August 1,  2017 and August 15, 2017 at about02:30 am in Port Harcourt, in the Port Harcourt magisterial district did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by unlawfully entering into the Nigeria Railway Corporation sub-station at D-line,  Port Harcourt without reasonable cause and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 249(d) of the criminal code cap 37 Vol. II laws of Rivers state of Nigeria 1999.

    “That you Daniel Adiele (m), Innocent Ogar (m), Emmanuel Moss and Abraham Egonatun (m) of no fixed address on the above date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district did attempt to wit: injury to Railway and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 509 of the criminal code cap 37 Vol. II laws of Rivers state of Nigeria 1999.”

    The presiding magistrate, Sokari .D Andrew-Jaja ordered that they be remanded in Prison custody and their case files  be sent to the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.

    He adjourned the case till November 2, 2017 for report of DPP advice.

  • Court remands 32 suspected IPOB men in prison

    Court remands 32 suspected IPOB men in prison

    A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday remanded 32 suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in prison

    The suspects were arrested after they allegedly engaged in a bloody clash with security operatives during which a policeman was killed, his rifle taken away and three others injured.

    The Tuesday afternoon attack at a military checkpoint in Obehie, Abia State moved to Oyigbo Junction in Port Harcourt where the policeman was shot dead. Three other policemen were injured and two Police vans burnt. Three police weapons and 68 live ammunition were carted away, among others.

    The 32 suspects were arraigned for murder, armed robbery, unlawful assembly and treasonable felony, among others.

    The Magistrate declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case files be transmitted to the office of the state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

    Magistrate Amadi Amadi-Nna adjourned the matter indefinitely.

    Efforts by the accused lawyers to make the court turn down the case file for reassignment to a high court failed.

    The lawyers said the charge against their clients were trumped up, and urged that they be disregarded and the defendants be discharged.

    They lashed the police for charging them before a court that lacks the powers to prosecute.

    The prosecution, led by Enoch Gorge, a Superintendent of Police, objected to the submission and urged the court to use its discretion in the charge.

    George told reporters later: “We are aware that the court lacks jurisdiction in the matter but we are here on remand proceeding.

    “The defence counsel canvassed that the charge be struck out and the suspects discharged just like that but we objected on the grounds that the charges pressed on them are heavy.”

    He assured the public that the Police would ensure that the seven-day deadline provided for by section 304 of Administration of Criminal Justice Administration to transmit the case file to the DPP would be kept to ensure that justice was done to both the defendants and the society.

    The charge was not read out to the accused persons.

    The 23 suspects arrested over the Tuesday afternoon fracas were charged with treasonable Felony. The nine arrested for the murder of the policeman and on the second day were charged with murder, armed robbery, unlawful assembly among others.

  • ‘Army not directly involved in Oyibo crises’

    ‘Army not directly involved in Oyibo crises’

    The Nigerian Army says it is not directly involved in ongoing operation to restore law and order in Oyibo Local Government Area of Rivers.

    Col. Aminu Iliyasu, Spokesman of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    Iliyasu said the army only assisted the police on Tuesday following violent clash between members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Hausa community.

    According to him, troops has since been withdrawn to strategic locations while the police are now fully in control of the situation.

    “Some persons are just trying to stir up tension by insinuating that the army was involved in shootout with IPOB members in the early hours of Thursday.

    “If any security agency had shootout with anyone; then it is definitely not the army that took part in the shootout.

    “This is because the army has since withdrawn troops on Tuesday after normalcy was restored to enable the police to discharge their constitutional mandate.

    “However, soldiers are currently on standby in case the situation escalates beyond what the police can handle. It is only in that situation that the army will intervene,” he said.

    The spokesman said that no arrest was made by the army during its brief intervention in the clash that ensued between IPOB members and the Hausa community.

    He said that relative calm had been restored with social and economic activities returning to the area.

  • Enugu explosion caused by battery spark – Police

    Enugu explosion caused by battery spark – Police

    The Enugu State Police Command said on Wednesday the Monday explosion in a market on the outskirts of Enugu was caused by a battery spark.

    The command’s Spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, disclosed this in a statement in Enugu.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Sept. 11, at about 8 p.m., an alleged explosion rocked the scrap section of a former New Artisan Market on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road on the outskirts of Enugu.

    The command immediately dispatched its Explosive Ordinance Department ( EOD ) to the scene to ensure that the area was safe and secure for all.

    Amaraizu said that a heavy-duty battery negative and positive in the scrap had contact with metal scrap leading to the explosion.

    “The preliminary investigations have revealed that there was a fire contact with the battery at the scrap site of the former market,’’ he said.

    The spokesman, however, said that the investigations were still ongoing to unravel the incident to forestall future occurrence.

    NAN reports that although no life was lost in the incident, the spark caused minor destruction in a nearby food shop and two vehicles parked near the shop.