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Rivers Governorship Tussle: Omehia Suit Against Amaechi Suffers Fresh Setback

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The Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Port Harcourt, Wednesday struck out some contentious paragraphs bordering on criminal allegations in the petitions filed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Sir Celestine Omehia against the victory of Governor Chibuike Amaechi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the April 2011 governorship elections in the state.

The APGA governorship candidate had on January 30, 2012 through his counsel, Barrister James Ejike brought an application in form of a petition alleging that the PDP used the police, the Joint Task Force (JTF), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political thugs to rig the governorship elections in favour of Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

In an unanimous ruling on the application, at the resumption of the tribunal, the three-man panel  led by its Chairman, Justice Abdullahi Liman struck out the application for lack of merit, noting that the criminal allegation of rigging brought against the police, JTF, INEC and political agents by the petitioner could  not be sustained.

The tribunal ruled that paragraphs 10(1), 25 and 12 amounted to an infringement of fair hearing of the accused persons, adding that the accused persons were not given the opportunity to respond to the allegations as sought by the petitioner in the petition.

According to him, the petition was incompetent and offensive as the  persons mentioned therein were not originally joined in the petition before the tribunal.

Justice Abdullahi Liman, therefore, used the opportunity to announce that the period of pre-trial hearing had been closed following the ruling on the applications on the criminal allegations before the tribunal.

Before the ruling on the application, counsels to Governor Amaechi, Deputy  Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru, Barrister Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), and PDP, Barrister Nathaniel  Oke (SAN) respectively and INEC’s counsel, Barrister Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) had urged the  tribunal to strike out paragraphs 10,11, 25 and 12 as contained in the petitioner’s application.

They argued that it would be contrary to the tenets of justice and fair hearing if the accused persons were not given the opportunity to be heard, adding that in law when individuals were named in criminal matter, they must be joined as parties in the matter or such paragraphs be struck out.

The tribunal upheld this argument and prayer in its ruling. Earlier in an interview with journalists, Counsel to Governor Amaechi and  Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru, Barrister Ifedayo Adedipo said by the ruling, all the issues bordering on the criminal irregularities had been foreclosed, adding that what it meant was that the petitioners would now look for another grounds to prove their case before the tribunal.

Besides, the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal rejected the election result sheets tendered by All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Sir Celestine Omehia as an evidence before it.

The tribunal rejected the result sheets following an objection raised by INEC counsel, Barrister Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) who drew the attention of the  tribunal to  purported certified copies of INEC result sheets, noting that the result sheets tendered by Sir Celestine Omehia did not comply with the provisions of the law as provided in section 104 of  the Evidence Act.

He noted that the act provides that for a document to be termed as a certified document, it must have certain features which, according to him, must contain the name of the certifying officer, designation, date and a covering note from the officer.

He posited that the purported INEC result sheets tendered by Sir Celestine Omehia and his counsel did not meet the specification as stated in the Evidence Act, and urged the tribunal to reject the result sheets.

Ruling on the objection, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Abdullahi Liman sustained the objection as raised by  INEC counsel, Barrister Emmanuel Ukala and directed the counsel to Omehia to submit  fresh result sheets in line with the provisions of the Evidence Act.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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