News
Police Arrest Fake Lawyer In Omoku
A middle-aged man, Mr. Ijeoma Smith Elemosah has been arrested by the Omoku Divisional Police Command, Rivers State, for allegedly impersonating and parading himself as a lawyer.
The suspect, who hails from Obie Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) in Rivers State has also confessed to the crime following his arrest and transfer to the Commissioner of Police, Monitoring Unit, in Port Harcourt for further investigation.
The Tide investigation revealed that the suspect ran out of luck in his alleged shoddy deal, when the Paramount Ruler of Obie Community, Chief John Ochonma attempted to impose him on the community as a Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, without formal dissolution of the incumbent executive of the CDC and proper election of a new one.
The suspect was said to have issued threats to the incumbent CDC Chairman in the community, Mr. Gift Dappa and other members, resulting in a petition by the CDC to the Police to investigate the high handedness of the suspect, who also served as the Public Relations Officer of the incumbent CDC.
The bubble, however, burst when the Omoku Divisional Police Command, on a tip off, wrote the authorities of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) and the Council of Legal Education, Nigeria Law School, Enugu campus, to assist verify the claims of the suspect as having graduated from the two institutions.
In a reply letter from, the RSUST Senate, dated 17th June, 2014, with ref CB3383/RVS/OM/Vol2/88 signed by the Principal Assistant Registrar, Senate, C.M. Ewhorlu, the school stated that the name of the suspect was not captured in the school data base.
“We regret to inform you that we have searched our record and found that the name of this candidate is not captured in our database as a student of this University”, the letter stated.
Similarly, the Council of Legal Education, in a response letter, signed by, Deputy Director general of the Council, H.E. Osamor, stated that the name of the suspect was not found in the council’s record, as a former student.
In his reaction, the Chairman of the Ahoada Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Barr. C.N. Obulo, also disclosed that he had no hint of the suspect as a practicing lawyer under the branch.
Barr. Obulo condemned the suspect’s act, and described it as a mockery of the legal profession.
The NBA boss further stated, the Branch was making efforts to fish out the likes of Elemosah for punishment.
Some members of Obie Community, who spoke with The Tide, expressed shock over the act of the suspect.
A traditional ruler in the community, Chief Allen Eze, said the community was surprised over the twist of events as everybody knows the suspect as the first “Lawyer” from the community who had been practicing over the years.
Eze, who is the treasurer of the Obie Council of Chiefs, blamed the Paramount ruler for the impending crisis in the community.
He said the Paramount Ruler was insistent on imposing the suspect as CDC Chairman against the popular wish of the people.
When contacted, the Paramount Ruler of Obie Community, Chief John Ochonma, was apprehensive, and refused to talk to this reporter, claiming that the Police was already on top of the situation.
Meanwhile, the Police Public relations Officer, Rivers State Command, DSP Ahmad Mohammed confirm the arrest, and stated that further investigation in the matter was ongoing.
Taneh Beemene
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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