Niger Delta
Journalist In Police Net For Alleged Blackmail
A practising journalist-cum contractor in Rivers State, Mr. Innocent Amadi, appears to have shot himself on the leg this time around in his crass ambition to get-rich quick.
The ‘’Independent Monitor Newspaper’’ reporter, who specialises in blackmailing his victims into submission for the purposes of extorting huge amounts of money from them, was, last Wednesday, caught red handed by the police in the civil service commission, while trying to perfect a scam operation.
The Tide learnt that he is now cooling his feet in the police cell awaiting trial.
According to an eyewitness account, the journalist made himself available to a plot to steal copies of Eze Mike Elechi’s certificates and other documents at the State Civil Service Commission, which Chief Okechukwu Okah’s group claimed, were fake in order to implicate and embarrass the former permanent secretary with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Tide gathered that Amadi equally went to Elechi and played out the rehearsed storyline, urging his victim to part with a specific sum of money in order to ‘’kill’’ the story to avoid the embarrassment.
However, Elechi smelt a rat and told him that he was not interested as he was sure his certificates were real and genuinely earned.
The sources further narrated how the suspect, who has benefited a lot from his latest victim, suddenly turned to Judas Iscariot, and pitched his tent with Okah’s camp, which had assembled some journalists and directed them to procure Elechi’s documents at the CSC for the purpose of blackmail and character assassination.
According to sources, the Okah’s camp also planned to use such publication to further their court case against Elechi, alleging he became permanent secretary fraudulently.
The journalist eventually approached an administrative officer in charge of the Records in the civil service commission (name withheld) for the deal, lured the young man with his company’s (Ideca & Sons Service Nig) Polaris Bank cheque: No 47923729 valued at N50,000.00, promising to issue another cheque with an increased figure at the end of the deal, when all the service records of Elechi have been procured.
The storekeeper accepted the offer and started bringing out the documents in piece-meal but became dithery, and decided not to cash the cheque on September 17, 2020, but rather informed the CSC authorities, for necessary action.
The authorities, it was learnt, asked him to play along with the suspect and his group to a logical conclusion.
“On Monday, October 26, 2020, the duo agreed to meet at the civil service commission to conclude their transaction but the coast was not clear, and it was postponed to Wednesday, October 28, 2020.
“At this point, the authorities of the CSC felt it was time to call in the police to pick the culprit, especially with all the evidence gathered, including the video/audio recording gathered of their conversations.
“And so, on the D-Day, the police laid ambush at the civil service commission, and the traitor eventually surfaced, collected an envelope containing all the documents needed, and was happily hurrying out when he was arrested and forced into the police van after a fierce struggle.
“The Omerelu-born journalist in Ikwere LGA of Rivers State, in his confessional statement to the police, confirmed that his master, Chief Okechukwu Okah, assembled some journalists with a mouth-watering offer, and contracted them to procure the documents in order to use same to make a publication to boost his court case against Elechi”, the source added.
When contracted, Eze Mike Elechi, said that has left Innocent Amadi with his conscience and God, and urged the government to go to any length to unravel all the reasons why some people storm the office to steal the records of retired and serving officers of the state civil service.
The suspect was later arraigned before a Magistrate Court, where he was granted bail after taking his plea.
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.