Niger Delta

Oshiomhole Petitions Edo Ex-Gov To EFCC

Published

15 years ago

December 10, 2010

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has presented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, with a report containing comprehensive details of doubtful public expenditures of the state government when Oserheimen Osunbor, a law professor served as Governor for 18-months before his ouster by the Court of Appeal on November 11, 2008.

Sources say that the report to EFCC is based on the “criminal aspects of the misdeeds during that regime and those identified to have perpetuated the crime.”

According to reliable sources, the report contains details of the criminal aspects of Osunbor’s tenure and how his regime received over N65billion as revenue from the federation account, but left a debt of about N10billion being unpaid receipts for jobs executed by government. The report further indicted Osunbor for mismanaging the N3billion which accrued to the state when Nigeria was granted debt forgiveness by the Paris Club.

And part of the sins of Osunbor is that he allegedly approved the N3billion for the Edo State Water Board, ESWB, to execute public water supply schemes across the state, but there was nothing concrete either at the premises of the board or at project sites to justify expenditure of the huge amount.

Headed by a Chartered Accountant, Mr. Husseini Elamah, who is now a Special Adviser to the Governor, the committee, which had other members like Mr. Mathew Urhoghide, a pharmacist, and Barrister Anselm Ojezua, indicted other top civil servants including the General Manager of ESWB, and three Permanent Secretaries, who are still serving in the Edo public service. The EFCC is expected to invite these civil servants who feigned “incompetence, naivety and ignorance”, for their administrative misconduct to explain their role in the looting of Edo State.

Osunbor indicting report was reportedly put together by the state’s legal team, and Edo government believed that only the EFCC can help the government bring to book all those who helped to squander the lean resources of the state under an illegal regime.

Ben-ose Ogbemudia, Benin

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.