News

Court Strikes Out Case Against Rivers LG Boss, 4 Others

Published

11 years ago

March 18, 2015

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, struck out a suit brought against the Chairman Caretaker Committee, Etche Local Government Area of the state, Hon Charles Anyanwu and four other members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the Nigerian police for lack of jurisdiction.
The accused persons were however rearrested by a detachment of armed policemen, who stormed the court immediately the judge struck out the case.
Charles Anyanwu and the others were arraigned on a one-count charge of unlawful possession of one pump-action rifle in suit No PHC/PH/42C/2015 before Justice Lambo Akambi
The prosecuting police officer, DSP Paul Idenyenmm, O/C legal prosecution, State CID, Port Harcourt told the court that the accused, Charles Anyanwu aged 44, on the 7th day of February, 2015, at Ulakwo, Etche in Port Harcourt judicial division of Federal High Court, did unlawfully have in possession, one pump action rifle which is a prohibited fire arm without license.
The prosecution alleged that the accused committed an offence punishable under section 27(7) of firm arms Act cap F28 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004.
The defence counsel led by B.E .I Nwofor (SAN) and other 14 counsels in their submission, opposed the charge brought by the prosecution on the ground that the section quoted does not exist in law, and as such, can not be heard by the court.
The Senior Advocate told the court that section 27 of the firearms Act cap F28 does not have up to sub-section 7, rather it stopped at subsection 5.
He, therefore urged the court to strike out the matter as lacking in merit and defective, and queried the jurisdiction of the court to hear such matter.
The prosecuting counsel led by D Deinwigwe (SAN), however, did not oppose the argument of the defence counsel on the defect of the charge brought against the accused before the court.
The prosecution later applied to the court for the withdrawal of the charge which the court granted.
The trial judge, Justice Lambo Akanbi, after hearing the submission of both the prosecuting counsel and the defence upheld the arguments of the defence counsel, and struck out the charge for lack of merit and jurisdiction.
Other accused persons arraigned along side, Hon Charles Anyanwu, include Hon Tony Gboms, Alhaji Onurukwe, Prince Adiele Sam Wobo, Bestman Amadi and Boch Nsirim.
Meanwhile, an Elder statesman and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Prince Emma Anyanwu has been allegedly dragged to a juju shrine in Ahoada East LGA of the state by his elder son, Hon Charles Anyanwu.
Hon Charles Anyanwu is the chairman, Caretaker Committee (CTC) for Etche Local Government Area and also the first son of the elder statesman.
The Tide learnt that the trouble between the CTC chairman and his father was the former’s membership with the All Progressive Congress (APC).
The Tide further learnt that Charles Anyanwu dragged his father to the shrine for allegedly by hiring thugs to destroy the fence and building under construction situate along Ulakwo (I) road.
The Tide also learnt that prince Emma Anyanwu had last year ordered some thugs to de-roof a building belonging to his son for allegedly hoisting APC flags and banners in his compound. It was gathered that it was such provocation that prompted Charles to buy a property outside the compound to erect his own building in the community, which was also destroyed by unknown thugs allegedly hired by his father.
A source, who spoke to The Tide, on condition of anonymity said that Prince Emma Anyanwu became angry upon hearing from a messenger that he has been summoned to appear before the shrine on a date yet to be decided.
According to him, the messenger of the shrine also told him not to enter into the disputed building until the matter was decided and resolved amicably.
However, Prince Emma Anyanwu, not satisfied with the development to save his reputation and image before his political associates, reported the matter to the state police command, which immediately swung into action, and arrested the CTC chairman his first son.
The source blamed the development on political intolerance and lack of maturity among the political class in the state and the nation at large.

Family members of victims of 2014 Nigeria Immigration recruitment tragedy who got automatic employment from President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, last Friday. Photo: NAN

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days 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.