Niger Delta

FG Rejects Delta’s Claim Of $15m Bribe

Published

12 years ago

July 12, 2013

The Federal Government on Wednesday gave reasons why the Delta State Government should not claim the $15 million said to have been received by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from an agent of former Governor James Ibori in 2007 as a bribe .
The Government said the state had once distanced itself from the sum when it deposed to an affidavit stating that it had not lost any money when Ibori was being investigated by the EFCC.
The money was kept in the Central Bank of Nigeria as an unclaimed property since August 2007, but an Abuja Federal High Court, presided by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, on July 24, 2012, granted an interim order forfeiting the cash to the Federal Government.
And at a hearing in the legal dispute over the controversial cash on Wednesday, EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), argued that it was already too late for state government to lay claim to the $15 million.
Jacobs said, “It is too late for the Delta State Government to lay claim to the money because of their own action. When the EFCC was investigating Ibori, the Attorney-General of Delta State filed an action against the EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation, stating that the Delta State Government account should not be investigated.
“What is interesting is that they deposed in their affidavit that no money was lost by state government; that the Attorney-General of the state had investigated and the account was proper.”
The EFCC lawyer further argued that the state government ought to have filed charges against Ibori, if it was certain that the $15 million belonged to it.
“When Ibori was convicted in London, the judge stated that he was convicted for money laundering. The Attorney-General of Delta State did not deem it fit to file any charge against Ibori for this money which they claim is theirs.We are saying that if the money is released to Delta State, it will be returned to Ibori,” Jacobs added”
Jacobs stressed that the state has not placed any evidence before the court to prove that the $15million belonged to it.
Arguing that the money belonged to it, the state through its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Ajuyah (SAN), noted that money recovered from two other governors – Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and Diepreye Alamieseigha of Bayelsa State were returned to the states.

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.