News

Court Grants EFCC Leave To Prosecute Hembe

Published

14 years ago

May 12, 2012

An Abuja High Court yesterday granted the
request of the EFCC to arraign Herman Hembe, the former Chairman of the House
of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and Other Financial
Institutions.

Justice Abubakar Umar also granted
permission to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arraign
the former Vice Chairman of the committee, Chris Azubogu, over corruption
charges.

The EFCC had, through its Counsel, Mr
Onjekwu Obe, filed an application for leave to prefer a two-count criminal
charge against the duo, under section 185 (d) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Obe said the application for seeking leave
of the court to prefer a criminal charge was made under Section 185(B) of the
Criminal Procedure Code.

He said, “I hereby apply for leave to
prefer a criminal charge against the above named accused persons.

“Attached herewith are the following
documents: a copy of the charge in respect of which leave is sought, and a
verifying affidavit.

“Others are names and addresses of the
witnesses, statements of the witnesses and that of the two accused persons and
other documentary evidences.”

In his ruling, Umar granted the
application, and said that from the proof of evidence presented by the EFCC,
Hembe and Azubogu are to be arraigned on Thursday, May 17.

“The application to prefer a criminal
charge against Hon. Herman Hembe and Hon. Chris Azubogu has merit,” he added.

Obe told newsmen later that with the
consent given by the judge, Hembe and Azubogu would now be arraigned on May 17
on a two-count charge, bordering on misappropriation of public funds.

He said that the EFCC investigations
revealed that Hembe and Azubogu were the two key actors in the N44 million
fraud allegation rocking the House of Representatives Committee on Capital
Market and Other Institutions.

The EFCC counsel added that investigations
also revealed that the two had confessed that they did not attend the workshop
for which they collected money from the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC).

He also said that investigations further
revealed that Hembe and Azubogu collected Estacode from SEC to attend a
capacity building workshop in the Dominican Republic but never did.

Their confession, the counsel said, came on
the day the EFCC launched a probe into the N30 million hotel bill allegedly
incurred by SEC’s Director-General, Ms Arunma Oteh.

“EFCC has enough evidence to present to
court and is ready to begin its case,’’ the counsel said.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

17 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

18 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

18 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.