Niger Delta

Ex-A-G Wants CRSHA To Check Gov’s Excesses

Published

6 years ago

July 24, 2019

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the2019 governorship election in Cross River State, Barrister Eyo Ekpo, has blamed the state House of Assembly for not initiating impeachment processes against Governor Ben Ayade, saying that the governor has
committed a lot of impeachable offences.
Speaking recently in Calabar, the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice under Mr Donald Duke, said it was unfortunate that members of the House of Assembly were turning a blind eye to the excesses of the governor, while allowing the state to drift.
Ekpo listed the governor’s offences as including, but not limited to, having four budgets without implementing any one, spending money without accounting for it, running government in secrecy, and calling his brother “co-governor” which has given the brother more influence in government than the elected deputy governor, a name that has no place in the constitution of the country.
“Look, we have had four budgets and he has not implemented any of them; he has been spending money without accounting, without publicly accounting for it. Look at how he has been running government, he calls his brother co-governor; his brother has more influence in government than the deputy governor; all these are impeachable offences,” Ekpo said.
Unfortunately, he lamented; “Nobody in the House will make a move to impeach him. Ayade will not and cannot be impeached even if he goes to Watt market and behead a man in the afternoon.”
The governor has been vilified recently by prominent persons in the state over his absence from the state despite the communal crisis and cult war which has so far claimed more than twenty lives in the last two weeks.
Other offences of the governor include secret acquisition of 9,000 hectares of land across the three senatorial districts which the House of Assembly has halted and the inability of the governor to pay all workers in the state despite the fact that he got over seven billion naira from the federal government, among other allegations.
But Ekpo was full of regret that the House of Assembly has been finding it difficult in checkmating the excesses of the governor, not to talk of initiating any impeachment processes, “at least to caution him.”

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

4 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

4 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

4 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.