News
OSPAC In Disarray As Court Remands Scribe
Palpable apprehension has gripped the leadership of the ONELGA Security, Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC) in Rivers State, following the arrest and subsequent arraignment of its Secretary General, Emeka Agbabere by a Port Harcourt Magistrate Court, last Monday.
The OSPAC scribe, who is facing trial for the kidnap of the Omoku Branch Manager of Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Oyedokun Johnson was arrested by men of the Department of State Services (DSS), last Saturday, following a tip off.
The two-count charge read to the accused in court include, “That you, Emeka Agbabere, adult, male and secretary of Official Security Planning and Anti-Crime Control (OSPAC), with others still at large on or about the 26th February, 2018, at Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, within the jurisdiction of this court, did conspire to lure and kidnap Oyedokun Johnson, manager of Unity Bank Plc, Omoku branch, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Law of Rivers State, 1999.”
Accordingly, count two reads, “That you, Emeka Agbabere, adult, male and secretary of Official Security Planning and Anti-Crime Control (OSPAC), with others still at large on or about the 26th February, 2018 in Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, within the jurisdiction of this court, did lure and kidnap Oyedokun Johnson, Manager of Unity Bank Plc, Omoku branch, held him in hiding inside your illegal detention cell and demanded that he disclose a privileged official information to secure his release, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (2) (b) of the Rivers State Kidnap Prohibition (Amendment) Law 2015.”
The Presiding Chief Magistrate, A.O. Amadi-Nna, Esq, after listening to the Prosecution Counsel, C.S. Eze Esq, directed the transmission of the two-count charge to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending receipt of legal advice from the DPP.
However, sources from Omoku told journalists that the docking of the OSPAC secretary general may have ended speculations and provided answers to questions on the lips of skeptics who have been wondering whether the group may have served as undercover cell for some smart people.
A source in the community, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, wondered why the CTC chairman would be superintending over a group that has been shielding criminals under a smokescreen.
According to the source, who described the embattled OSPAC Secretary General, Emeka Agbabere as a card-carrying member of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), said that his partisanship smacks of the height of betrayal.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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