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Aluu 4: Suspects’ Trial Suffers Setback
The trial of the eleven suspects including the traditional ruler of Aluu community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Alhaji Hassan Welewa who allegedly killed four students of University of Port Harcourt, Choba, on October 5, 2012, suffered a major setback yesterday.
The trial judge, Justice T.S.Orji said she was declining jurisdiction to abjudicate on the matter because of her family ties with the parties involved in the murder case.
Justice Orji’s decision to withdraw from the matter as well as return the case file to the state Chief Judge, Justice Iche Ndu for reassignment to another judge was heightened yesterday when she noticed that the third accused person, Ikwuchukwu Louis Amadi did not have a lawyer to defend him.
Although, the prosecution team from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) led by Barrister I Otorubio and other lawyers announced their appearance in the matter, the judge became more worried when she noticed that no counsel appeared for the third accused person.
The trial judge, who was not comfortable with the development, said she would rather return the case file to the Chief Judge than assume jurisdiction and proceed with the trial, adding that she would not take sides in the matter.
According to her, it was safer to send the matter back to the Chief Judge for re-assignment than favour any party in this matter, adding that her hands were tied in the case because she had close relationship with the accused persons and victims in the matter.
“I am related to the victims by birth and some of the accused persons by marriage. I know the accused persons, the victims I know. My hands are tied in this matter. Iam sitting between the devil and the deep blue sea”, she declared.
Justice Orji averred that her decision to return the case to the Chief Judge should not be misconstrued as lack of competence to handle the matter but because of the sensitive nature of the case.
She opined that the case had received widespread publicity and had attracted much attention, adding that the image of the judiciary had to be protected.
‘It is a matter that has attracted widespread publicity, the judiciary wants to maintain its image. It is not a matter of incompetence, but because of its sensitive nature”, she added.
She expressed confidence in the state judiciary to handle every case, stressing that the vital point in the Aluu case was not that justice should be done, but it must be seen to have been done, insisting that she would not satisfy anybody to circumvent justice.
It would be recalled that on October 5,2012 at Aluu, near Choba, four students of the University of Port Harcourt, Ugonna Obuzor, Lloyd Toku Mike, Tekenah Elkanah and Chadika Biringa were allegedly murdered by persons identified as residents and indigenes of Aluu community.
The suspects were arrested afterward and arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court presided over by Emmanuel Woke who remanded the accused persons in prison custody for lack of jurisdiction.
The case was subsequently transferred to the High Court based on the advice of the DPP.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the sitting, counsel to one of the accused persons, Mr Kennedy Amos said the Bar was pleased with the decision of the judge in the interest of justice and to avoid casting aspersions on the judiciary.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.