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N120bn Bribery Allegation: IGP Slams N5bn Suit Against Misau

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The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris has instituted a N5billion defamation suit against Senator Isah Misau, whom he said raised sundry corruption allegations against him in the media.
The IGP, in the suit he filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, insisted that Misua who is representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, greatly tarnished his public image. For instance, the IGP told the court that Misau had in a news report entitled “Police Officers Pay Bribe for Special Promotion—Senator”, published in the Daily Trust of August 10, quoted thus:
“You are talking about N500,000, it’s beyond that. A serving police officer aware of the trend has told me that they pay as much as N2.5million to get special promotion.
Other sources have also confirmed to me. So it is nothing but fact.” He told the court that the lawmaker had in other reports that were published in the same paper on August 22 and 26, , entitled , “Bribe for Promotion:
“Senator asks DSS to probe Police, PSC”, and “Senator accuses IGP of collecting N120 billion from oil firms, others”, accused him of perpetrating bribery and corruption in the Nigerian Police Force.
The plaintiff insisted that Misau’s allegation that he collected payment for special security service rendered by the police to corporate bodies, oil firms and highly placed citizens, was false and malicious. He said that Misau accused him of nepotism by alleging that he not only favoured officers of his Nupe extraction, but that he also appointed one Moses Jitoboh who was out of field of operational service to that of political service for close to 20 years, as Adamawa State Police Commissioner.
Consequently, the IGP, aside asking for N5billion as aggravated and exemplary damages, further prayed the court to compel Misua to tender public apology to him in two widely read national dailies. He is also seeking for an order of injunction restraining Misau (defendant), by himself his cohorts, servants or otherwise, from further publishing, causing to be published, the said words similarly defamatory of the plaintiff.
The IGP told the court that allegation that he collected as much as N15million from police officers seeking favourable posting, depicted him as a corrupt public officer.
He said that words Misau used against him were “offensive” in their natural and ordinary meaning.
According to him, the words were understood to mean that the plaintiff collects huge sums of money from police officers for postings or promotion, that the plaintiff is involved in crimes and criminality of bribery and corruption, nepotism, that the plaintiff makes undue gain of N10billion monthly from oil companies, banks and wealthy individuals without paying same into government coffers, and that the plaintiff is incompetent to run the Nigeria Police Force.
The police boss told the court that his reputation has been seriously damaged, saying he has suffered and still suffering considerable distress, loss of reputation, embarrassment, shame, odium, anxiety, anguish, opprobrium and injury to his feelings.
The IGP said he was being shunned by some friends, colleagues, members of the Armed Forces, senior government officials, International bodies and being hated by some members of the public and seen as a corrupt and incompetent person to run and manage the Nigeria Police Force.
He averred that the said publications by the Senator concerning him has seriously lowered his reputation, esteem, integrity and reputation in the eyes of well- meaning Nigerians, some senior government officials, as well as before local and international communities.
Meantime, the suit has been assigned to Justice Jude Okeke who has okayed for hearing on November 13. It will be recalled that Misau was on October 19, docked before the high court for making “injurious falsehood” against the IGP and the Police.
The lawmaker however pleaded not giulty to the five-count charge that was endorsed by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, even as he was granted bail by the Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello to the tune of N5m with two sureties in like sum.

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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