News
Late Mechanic: Police Make U-Turn, Apologise Over Fake Autopsy Claim
The Rivers State Police Command has apologized over what it termed misleading statement on the cause of death of late Ikoku mechanic, Chima Ikwunado, who died in the custody of operatives of Eagle Crack Unit of the state command.
It would be recalled that the Pathologist of the Rivers State Police Command, Musa Stevens, who performed an autopsy on the body of Chima at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) mortuary, last Monday, had clarified that there were no incisions or cuts to show that previous autopsy had been done on the late mechanic’s corpse to determine the cause of death.
Speaking to newsmen, spokesman of the state police command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said the statement he earlier issued claiming high sugar level as the cause of death of the late mechanic was sequel to the report of interrogation produced by SP Benson Adetuyi, who was the commander of the E-Crack Unit.
Omoni further said the command was startled and embarrassed that the E-Crack Commander could lie to the Commissioner of Police and Force Headquarters in the manner concerning the death of a detainee in his custody.
‘’When this incident happened, we called SP Benson Adetuyi as the video went viral, and asked him what happened? He said ‘they were investigating a case of armed robbery’. He said that ‘the suspects were intercepted and taken to the station’. He also said that ‘they were interrogated and detained in the cell; and that in the cause of interrogation, Chima eventually died in custody’.
“He (Adetuyi) said when he took him (Chima) to the hospital, autopsy was conducted and it was revealed that he died of high sugar level. I am quoting him. That was what he said that day. So, based on that, when I was interviewed on radio, I made reference to him that that was what he told me.
“The same man told the CP (Commissioner of Police) the same thing. When the Force (Police) Public Relations Officer (PRO) called him and his team, all of them to Abuja, he also said the same thing. So, we are startled when we got to know the other day that no autopsy was earlier conducted.
“I mean we were thrown aback. In that my statement, I equally said that we are not going to rely 100 per cent on what he told us, that the CP had ordered full scale investigation into the matter.
By: Dennis Naku
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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