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Re-Arrest Of Ritual Murder Suspect Excites Banigo …As Court Remands Dike In PH Prisons
The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has expressed gladness at the re arrest of fugitive Ifeanyi Chukwu Maxwell Dike by the Nigerian Police.
In a statement in Government House, Port Harcourt, Banigo said although it was gratifying to note that the felon has been recaptured, the police must carry out a detailed investigation to ensure that all those culpable in the gruesome murder of little Miss Victory Chikamso Nmesu, no matter how remotely connected or highly placed, face the full wrath of the law.
“I am a mother, and I know what it takes to go through the three trimesters of pregnancy and the excruciating pain of labour. So, I don’t want to hear any ‘Mungo Park Story’. Everybody involved in this devilish act must be made to pay”, Banigo said.
She commended the police for putting their acts together to apprehend the suspect, and urged them not to delay in bringing him and his cohorts to book, stressing that justice delayed was justice denied.
Banigo, who reiterated the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration’s commitment to safeguard lives and property in the state, advised parents, guardians and caregivers to take necessary steps to keep their children, especially the girl-child safe.
However, the embattled ritual murder suspect, Ifeanyi Chukwu Maxwell Dike has been remanded in prison custody by a Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate’s Court in the Rivers State capital for lack of jurisdiction.
The Presiding Chief Magistrate, Court 7, A. Amadi-Nna Esq., while remanding the accused, yesterday, said the court could not entertain the matter based on the grievous nature of the charge brought against him, and adjourned the matter sine-dine.
The chief magistrate, however, ordered that the case file be sent to the Chief Registrar for onward transmission to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice, and further ordered that the murder suspect be remanded in prison custody while the DPP’s advice was being awaited.
The Tide reports that Ifeanyi Chukwu Maxwell Dike, aged 24, was arraigned by the police on one-count charge bordering on alleged murder of an eight-year old girl, little Victory Chikamso Nmesu on charge sheet No. PMC/1897c/2017.
The Tide gathered that the offence is punishable under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. 11 laws of Rivers State of Nigeria.
Earlier in an interview with newsmen, the prosecution counsel, Superintendent of Police, Enoch George, who led the police legal team to the court, told journalists that their expectation on the matter and evidences at their disposal would certainly bring justice and equity to bear on the accused in order to deter would-be criminals in the society.
Also speaking, counsel to the accused, Mr. Lezina Amegua said they were prepared to adequately represent their client on the matter, adding that laws were not swayed by emotions nor justice determined by mere feelings.
He averred that the court was right in its decision to decline jurisdiction, and added that they will await the DPP’s advice before the next line of action.
The Tide reports that Ifeanyi Chukwu Maxwell Dike was conveyed to court on an air-conditioned Toyota Hiace bus with registration number FG128-F80 amidst tight security within and outside the Rivers State Judiciary Complex.
The Tide further reports that the incident caused heavy traffic around the Bank Road axis of Port Harcourt as many people trooped out to have a glimpse of the world most notorious young man of the moment.
The Rivers State Police Command, had last Monday, paraded Ifeanyi Chukwu Maxwell Dike before newsmen after he was transferred from Plateau State Police Command where he was arrested for robbery.
The state Commissioner of Police, Zaki Mohammed Ahmed while briefing journalists said Dike’s re-arrest was made possible by God Almighty through numerous prayers and concerns following his escape three weeks ago.
Ahmed promised that the command will remain resolute in its avowed determination to rid the state of criminal elements, even as he solicited unalloyed support from members of the public in crime fighting.
Earlier in an interview, Ifeanyi Chukwu Maxwell Dike had told journalists that he gave his elder sister’s phone number to the police in Plateau State because he was tired of hiding.
He also claimed that nobody aided his disappearance from the Rivers State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), three weeks ago.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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