Niger Delta

Delta Assembly Gets New Speaker

Published

15 years ago

May 20, 2010

Speaker of Delta State of Assembly, Hon. Barrister Martin Okonta has formally vacated his position as Speaker of the State Assembly yesterday, leading to a major change in its leadership structure.

The Deputy –Speaker of the House, Hon. Basil Ganagana, representing Patani Constituency has been appointed as the Acting- Speaker of the House pending the out come of the Notice of Appeal filed by Okonta, representing Ika South Constituency, at the Supreme Court, requesting it to upturn the verdict of the Appeal Court which ruled against him.

The Speaker said the decision to step aside is in line with the verdict of the Abuja division of the Appeal Court which removed him as member representing Ika South Constituency, and the need for to pursue his Doctorate Degree programme

It could be recalled that one Mr. Kingsley Nonye Phillips of the Peoples Democratic Party had dragged Okonta and INEC to the lower tribunal challenging the substitution of his name with Okonta.

Phillips also challenged the decision of the lower tribunal which earlier struck out Phillip’s petition for lack of merit, saying that the petitioner failed to convince the tribunal that his name was substituted by the INEC for that of Okonta.

In the Court of Appeal judgment, read by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, the court held that the election was in contravention of section 34 of the Electoral Act, 2006.

At the resumption of the plenary sessions of the House, Okonta , while reading from a prepared text said to the chagrin of members that, “ I wish to inform you that because of the subsisting legal battle at the Supreme Court coupled with my Doctorate Programme (PHD) in law, I will be slightly away. However, in the interim the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Basil Ganagan will hold fort for me till I come back. I plead with you to co-operate with him and keep the team spirit alive.”

The House which resumed sitting after one month of recess also discussed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s letters to the House, seeking their approval of the House for the appointment into State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Bill to Approval for the Uniform Colour Scheme for Taxi in Delta State and other matter of urgent importance.

Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Okonta, had approached the Supreme Court with a Notice of Appeal, requesting it to upturn the verdict of the Appeal Court which ruled against him.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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.