News
Dissolve LGSC Board, Others, RVHA Tells Wike
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday recommended the dissolution of the Local Government Service Commission and Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission even as the Local Government Service Commission shunned the lawmakers’ invitation to appear before it to defend allegations of abuse of due process in recruitment and promotion of staff.
The Assembly took the decision alleging that the two Commissions’ boards were not capable of administering the offices.
They alleged that the two commissions were involved in official misconduct, illegal employment and rapid promotion of some favoured staff.
The lawmakers had in their previous sitting hinted the Chairman and members of the Commission to appear before them yesterday, but were shocked to realise that the members of the Local Government Service Commission did not honour the invitation.
While deliberating on the issue, the Leader of the House, Hon. Martins Amaewhule said it was obvious that members of the Commission have shown serious act of negligence in their action.
He said their action in not honouring the invitation amounted to misconduct, adding that they conducted their activities contrary to the oath of office they swore to.
According to him, “a situation where the commission will begin to employ staff outside known law without following due process is unacceptable.
“The Commission employed and promoted the same person within two years to five grade levels. It is not acceptable and the House should do something about it”, he said.
He disclosed that the petition shows that the commission embarked on illegal transfer, employment, promotion and withholding of facts.
Amaewhule said it was clear that the board lacked the capacity to administer the commission and has become a tool of victimisation.
“Civil servants, local government staff were victimised, demoted and transferred illegally without following due process.
We will not fold our hands and refuse to take decisions because they were not here. If we do that, then we are not doing justice to the people we are representing”, he said.
Members who spoke on the issue include, Hon. Jones Ogbonda representing Port Harcourt 1 and Hon. Farah Dagogo. They suggested that the House should issue warrant of arrest to members of the Commission to appear before it.
Hon. Ogbonda, in his contribution, expressed sadness that the commission, which was set up by law and appeared on the floor of the chamber for confirmation could ignore the same House by choosing not to honour her invitation.
According to him, “It beats my imagination that members of a commission set up by law and that appeared before the floor for confirmation could slight the same House by choosing not to honour the invitation of the House”.
The lawmaker noted that the House has done what it ought to do by extending invitation to members of the commission, stressing that fair hearing does not mean that one must be heard, but that opportunity was given to be heard.
He, however, noted that under section 129 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the House has powers to issue warrant of arrest but will not plead for that now, as he urged other members to support the dissolution of the commission’s board.
On its part, the House said it was obvious that the Commission engaged in illegal recruitment of staff and irregular promotion of staff.
Hon. Awaewhule noted that a junior staff was promoted two times in a year ahead of his superiors.
“It is obvious that members of the commission conducted themselves in a manner that does not befit them to continue to remain in office”.
While giving his ruling, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Ibani said that it was obvious that the House’s view was that the commission be dissolved.
Meanwhile, the Rivers House of Assembly, on Wednesday, screened and approved nominees for the state’s Civil Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission and State Independent Electoral Commission.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Ikuinyi Ibani, made this known at the plenary of the House in Port Harcourt.
Ibani said that the names of the nominees, as submitted by Governor Nyesom Wike, were screened and found to be qualified and experienced to handle the affairs of the state.
“The candidates are experienced through their curriculum vitae and their past records of service. They should be approved as members of the commissions.
“We have heard from their answers to various questions asked them by this House and we believe that they will serve the interest of the state and not their own interest if appointed.’’
Hon. Martins Amaewhule (PDP- Obio/Akpor Constituency 1), supported the approval of the nominees, saying that those nominated for the Judicial Service Commission were qualified and experienced to serve.
Amaewhule said that the candidates screened to serve the state should know that they were nominated to stand for justice.
He also said that they would be removed if they derailed from their assignments.
Hon. Uwaji Nathaniel (PDP- Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Constituency 11), said that the nominees for the State Electoral Commission were not of questionable character and should be approved by the House to serve the state.
The House unanimously approved all the nominees for the various commissions.
The nominees for the State Judicial Service Commission are Prof. Nsirim Nduka, Mr Osima Ginah, Mrs Assa Nwinia and Mr Friday Abigo.
The nominees for the State Civil Service Commission are Chief Oris Onyiri, Chief Mike Elechi, Mr Godspower Nwogu, Mr Tony Philmore and Mrs Sotonye Fulton.
Those for the State Independent Electoral Commission are Dr Chimaroke Mgbah, Mr Kombo Johnson, Dr. Ebirien Fubara, Dr A. Nwaido and Retired Justice U.I Uriri.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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