News
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 Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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