A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced four persons to death by hanging over the gruesome killing of the former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada East Police Division, SP Bako Angbashim.

The presiding Judge, Justice Sika Aprioku, in a landmark judgment, last Thursday, found the quartet guilty of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group and robbery, saying the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Those sentenced to death by hanging are Robinson Sonabari, identified as a native doctor; Bright Okparawo; Precious Amaeze, popularly known as Selina; and Loveday Jack, also known as Ragged Excess. The court ordered that they be hanged by the neck until they are confirmed dead.

Justice Aprioku also convicted the sixth defendant, Samuel Nwadinma, and sentenced him to three years imprisonment for conspiracy.

The third accused person was, however, discharged and acquitted of the four-count charge.

In the same vein, the court discharged Famous Okechukwu, Samuel Uchendu, Oyekachi Ikonwa, Godbless Nnamdi and Marshall Daniel, who were earlier found guilty of membership of a secret cult group, on the grounds that they had already served the maximum terms prescribed by law in the correctional facility.

The court held that among those convicted was the native doctor who allegedly prepared the charm used in the killing of the late DPO.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the judgment, the lead prosecution counsel from the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Chigozie Amadi, alongside a representative of the police legal team, Celestine Dickson, commended the judiciary for ensuring that justice was served.

Dickson, who represented the Nigeria Police Force in the joint prosecution, expressed concern that officers saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property had increasingly become targets of criminal elements.

He, however, expressed optimism that the judgment would serve as a strong deterrent to would-be offenders.

Also reacting, the elder brother of the late DPO, Akasco Angbashim, who travelled from Nasarawa State to witness the judgment, said the verdict had healed a long-standing wound inflicted on the family since the brutal murder of their brother.

He commended the judiciary, the Rivers State Government and the police for their commitment to justice, stressing that the judgment sends a clear message that no individual has the right to unlawfully take another person’s life.

The four convicts were among 72 persons initially arraigned before the State High Court by a joint prosecution team comprising the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Rivers State Police Command over the murder.

During the trial, 61 accused persons, including the Eze Ekpeye Logbo, Eze Kelvin Anugwo, and a former Ahoada East Council Chairman, Cassidy Ikegbidi, were discharged and acquitted for lack of evidence, leaving 13 defendants to face judgment.

SP Angbashim was gruesomely murdered on September 8, 2023, during a police operation in Odemude community, Ahoada East Local Government Area.

His killing sparked tension in the area, prompting a joint security operation that led to the death of the suspected cult leader, David Okparanwo, popularly known as 2Baba.

By: King Onunwor

Rivers State Government says it is building a formidable fire service for the state that could fight fire and other emergencies anywhere it occurs.

This is as the government allayed fear over a minor fire incident which occurred at the state secretariat last Friday.

Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Special Duties, Mr Sokari George, stated this this while declaring closed a five day “Appliance operation training for newly employed truck drivers”, at the Rivers State Fire Service in Port Harcourt, last Friday.

The Permanent Secretary said the training was in line with the commitment of the Fubara’s administration to mitigate against destructive fire incidences with a view to protecting critical State infrastructure and also saving lives.

“We are building a formidable Rivers State Fire Service that could fight fire and any emergencies anywhere it occurs in the State.

“The Governor has directed that we have to mitigate against destructive fire outbreaks, we have to protect critical state infrastructure “he said.

He urged the newly employed drivers to brace up for the challenges ahead, assuring that  response time to any distress call will be minimal from now on.

He said having been absorbed into the civil service, it behooves on the new recruits to take their jobs seriously, adding that there must be a difference between when they were casual staff and now that they have been absorbed into the service.

George said the occasion was not only to equip them with necessary skills, but prepare them for a new work ethics in line with the policy of the present administration.

“We are here to tell the State that our governor is prepared to mitigate against emergencies, fire outbreaks and other emergencies that are life threatening,” he said.

Meanwhile, the State Government has allayed fears over a minor fire incident which occurred last Friday at the state secretariat.

Investigation by The Tide revealed that the fire occurred at the 7th floor of Block A, but was quickly put off before the arrival of the State fire service.

Eyewitness told newsmen that the incident was caused by electric surge.

George confirmed the incident but quickly added that there is no need for panic as it has been brought under control.

He said neither property nor lives were lost.

The Permanent Secretary also confirmed that the fire incident was caused by electric surge, stating that a fire service vehicle needs to be stationed permanently at the state secretariat especially with the ongoing renovation of the secretariat.

By: John Bibor 

The Federal Government has launched the Nigeria Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) Fund Programme, a two-year initiative aimed at accelerating economic diversification and strengthening long-term resilience beyond the oil and gas sector.

The initiative is designed to assess risks and opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape and to develop policy options that support structural economic transformation and climate priorities.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, while speaking at the launch, in Abuja, underscored the need for a strategic approach to Nigeria’s diversification agenda, emphasising that the country must place greater value on

its unique strengths while leveraging the right technologies and skills to drive sustainable growth.

He noted that effective economic diversification must be anchored on strong climate consciousness, stressing that Nigeria has the opportunity to grow its economy in ways that minimise environmental impact while strengthening resilience and creating jobs.

“Nigeria must place greater value on its unique strengths while harnessing the right technologies and skills to drive sustainable growth.

“Nigeria can grow its economy in ways that reduce environmental impact, strengthen resilience and create opportunities for its people,” Bagudu said.

In her remarks, the Director-General, National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Omotenioye Majekodunmi, said Nigeria’s transition beyond oil should be viewed as an evolution rather than a withdrawal from its energy leadership.

“Nigeria’s journey beyond oil is not a retreat from our status as an energy powerhouse, but an evolution into a green energy giant,” Majekodunmi said.

She said the collaboration with BOGA reflects Nigeria’s commitment to climate targets and a development path focused on fairness, funding and prosperity.

Also speaking, Head of the BOGA Secretariat, Sian Bradley, said the alliance is committed to supporting countries in planning a just and orderly transition away from oil and gas.

According to him, the program would support Nigeria’s first steps toward implementation of bold economic diversification pathways while advancing decarbonisation and emissions reduction.

On his part, the Executive Director of Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI), Olumide Abimbola, said the initiative would help Nigeria better understand the implications of global energy changes for revenues, jobs and industries.

“This initiative will help Nigeria develop a clearer understanding of what a changing global energy landscape could mean for our economy and what practical options are available to strengthen resilience,” Abimbola said.