News
Indonesia To Execute 12 Nigerians, Friday
About 14 Nigerians convicted for drug trafficking, including foreigners will face the firing squad in Indonesia by Friday after authorities, yesterday, gave notice of their executions, despite protests from governments and rights groups, a diplomat has said.
The Deputy Pakistani Ambassador in Jakarta, Syed Zahid Raza, said the convicts, who include a Pakistani, could be executed around midnight, Friday after officials signalled the start of a 72-hour notice period at a meeting with diplomats.
Nationals from Pakistan, India, Nigeria and Zimbabwe are expected to be executed alongside Indonesians.
Officials say no Europeans or Australians will be included in the third round of executions under President Joko Widodo.
Indonesia sparked international outrage with its last batch of executions in April, 2015, when it put to death seven foreigners, including two Australians.
But Widodo has insisted Jakarta is fighting a war against drugs, and traffickers must be harshly punished.
Pakistan has so far publicly voiced the most concern about the upcoming executions, and its Foreign Ministry, yesterday, summoned the Indonesian Ambassador to Islamabad to convey their concerns about the case of their national, 52-year-old Zulfiqar Ali.
Activists say that Ali, sentenced to death in 2005 for heroin possession, was beaten and tortured into confessing and did not receive a fair trial.
Rights groups have also called on Indonesia to halt the planned executions, citing worries about irregularities with some convictions.
In a statement, Amnesty International urged “the country’s authorities to halt all executions and to take immediate steps to ensure that the cases of all those under sentence of death are reviewed by an independent and impartial body”.
Authorities have been making preparations, with death row drug convicts transferred to Nusakambangan island prison, where Indonesia puts convicts to death, and 14 prisoners reportedly placed in isolation, an unusual step before executions.
It was learnt that about 1,500 policemen were being deployed around Cilacap, the town closest to Nusakambangan, and visitors have been barred for a week, just as Muslim and Christian spiritual counsellors were seen crossing to the island.
Raza said Indonesian officials had informed diplomats from several countries and lawyers of the notice period at yesterday’s meeting in Cilacap.
He said officials did not mention a precise date or time for the executions but added: “It might be Friday at midnight.”
It is a legal requirement in Indonesia to give a minimum notice period of 72 hours before executions.
Authorities typically carry out executions just after midnight following the end of the notice period.
When contacted, the attorney general’s office, which oversees executions, would not confirm any details but its spokesman, Mohammad Rum said: “The time is approaching.”
There have also been concerns over the case of a female Indonesian drug convict, Merri Utami, who is among the group.
Rights group, the National Commission on Violence Against Women, say the former domestic worker was tricked into trafficking heroin.
Indonesia — which has some of the toughest anti-drugs laws in the world — executed 14 drug convicts, mostly foreigners, including two Nigerians in two batches last year.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
-
News4 days ago
‘God Sent Fubara To Liberate Rivers People’
-
Nation4 days ago
Ebonyi Community Petitions Nwifuru, Police Over Insecurity
-
News2 days ago
US Bans Underaged Children From Having Social Media Accounts
-
News2 days ago
Group Begins Mobilisation For Fubara
-
Business4 days ago
Food Vendors, Others Relocate To New Site At PH Airport
-
News4 days ago
Don’t Let Kanu Die In DSS Custody, Family Begs Tinubu
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
Easter: Diri Tasks Bayelsans On Love
-
Sports2 days ago
Ilechukwu Eyes NPFL Title After Win Against Heartland