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Court Strikes Out Case Against Rivers LG Boss, 4 Others

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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

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

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198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

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A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.
Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.
He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper,  7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.
He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin.  This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.
“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education.   We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”
Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic,  “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.
The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.
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Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council  trains tra 1,000 teachers

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The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.
This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies
The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.
He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.
Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.
“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.
“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.
On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.
Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.
He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.
 Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo
Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.
He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.
He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.
According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.
Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.
She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa
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RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

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The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.

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