News

Late Mechanic: Rivers CP To Disclose Autopsy Result

Published

6 years ago

February 24, 2020

The embattled Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura is expected to address the media and the public, this week, as the result of the autopsy conducted on late Chima Ikwunado has been handed over to the homicide unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
The commissioner had shelved an earlier scheduled news briefing, last week, for undisclosed reasons, though spokesman of the Police Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, later told newsmen that his principal (CP) would address the media after the autopsy report done on late Chima Ikwunado had been released and the investigations concluded.
When contacted on telephone, yesterday afternoon, Omoni, said it was very likely the CP would address the press, this week, as soon as the investigations are concluded.
Asked if the command has taken delivery of the autopsy report conducted on the late mechanic, he said, “I will confirm that today (Monday). Very likely the CP will address the press this week after our investigations are concluded.”
It would be recalled that the Pathologist engaged by late Chima Ikwunado’s family, Dr. Cornell Chukwuegbo, had confirmed to The Tide in a telephone chat that the report of the autopsy was being submitted to the police by the attending pathologist as at press time, last Thursday, noting that the autopsy report was not for public consumption.
Chukwuegbo further said that autopsy reports are not made public except through the appropriate channels, and asked our reporter to apply through the normal channels in order to get a copy.
However, the Chairman of Ikoku Spare Parts Dealers, Anthony Alarobole, confirmed, yesterday, that the lawyer to late Chima Ikwunado’s family has been contacted to apply for a copy of the autopsy result.
“Yes, I have to tell you authoritatively that my Doctor (the pathologist) called to tell me that the results are there (with police) already, and I have informed the lawyer to apply for a copy. So, she (the lawyer) said by Monday (today), she will apply through the process, and it will be given to her.
“So, we will know what it is like. But all he (the pathologist) told me is that it is there, and it is nothing far from what all of us saw”, Alarobole stated.
It would be recalled that the matter of the autopsy report has been a sore point after the police image maker said the Commander of the E-Crack Unit, Superintendent Benson Adetuyi, told the Rivers State Police Command that an autopsy was conducted on the late mechanic after he passed on in the custody of the Eagle Crack Team.
The outrage that followed has refused to die down as many have called for the police to parade and prosecute Benson Adetuyi, now redeployed from the E-Crack Unit, even as some have also called for the resignation of the state police commissioner.
In a related development, elder brother to late mechanic, Anthony Ikwunado, has said that the family was under pressure to drop the demand for justice, saying that the family was called for a closed-door meeting with the police commissioner after a court notice was served on him which the family and Ikoku Spare Parts Dealers instituted against the police, last Wednesday.
“They called us, even we met the CP and he said we should try and settle this matter amicably without going to court. The OPM (referring to the General Overseer of the Omega Power Ministries) has called me that my people are still in the court. But I don’t know. The masses are still involved. It is not only one family.
“The (Chima’s) Ohanaeze Ndigbo and all the rest of the groups have to come together, if we want to resolve the matter. We want justice for Chima and nothing. Those people that killed my brother will have to face justice”, he added.
He insisted that the family has no plan to withdraw the case against the police as being insinuated in some quarters, saying that they would pursue the case to a logical conclusion.
Anthony also confirmed that the autopsy report was submitted to the police, last Thursday, saying the family’s lawyer will apply to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Ministry of Justice for a copy of the autopsy report.
Meanwhile, a university teacher and public affairs analyst, Dr. Kenneth Nweke has said that the death of Ikoku mechanic, Chima Ikwunado, and the torture of four of his colleagues by the E-Crack Team of the Rivers State Police Command should serve as a lesson that should form part of the police reform in Nigeria.
Nweke, an associate Professor of Political Science at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE) stated this in Port Harcourt while reacting to the backlash from the public, especially the civil society organisations (CSOs) in the media to Chima’s demise.
He described public reactions as welcome in order to check excesses of the police, noting that the action of the police was bad enough.
Nweke, however, said that the criticisms from the public should be taken with restraints in order not to create a situation where people would completely lose confidence in the security architecture in Rivers State in view of the sensitive nature of the matter.
“While I want to applaud those who made efforts in this direction to also help in unravelling some of the mysteries in the Eagle Crack Team (police) in order to strengthen the security architecture in the state, I wish to advice also that in view of the sensitivity of this matter, we need to also exercise some restraints in the manner this case is going because any society that the people have lost confidence in the security architecture, that society, of course, is drifting into anarchy, and I think that the responsibility of government at all levels is to protect lives and property.”

By: Dennis Naku

News

Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD

Published

20 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has sued for patience on the ongoing installation of the state’s new independent power project.

The Tide gathered that the 60-megawatt gas turbine project, which installation commenced in October this year, was earlier scheduled to be completed by December but suffered logistics related delays.

The governor called on people of the state to have an open mind about the project, which he said now requires a new completion date due to unforeseen challenges.

?The Tide further reports that the State’s Chief Executive who undertook an on-the-spot-assessment of the project at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area on Wednesday, said like other citizens of the state, he was also disappointed that the December completion deadline could not be met.

However, he stated that his reaction to the delay had been that of understanding rather than being angry as had been noticed, particularly on the social media.

?”You can see I’ve gone round the whole facility. It was based on the working agreement and information available at my disposal that I gave the December date. But as it is with every human endeavor, we must all have an open mind, when it comes to issues, particularly technical matters like this.

?”I am as disappointed as any other Bayelsan because I believed that we were going to celebrate the 2025 Christmas with our own independent power, but it turned out not to be so.

?”I call on Bayelsans to have an open mind. These technical experts are working virtually 24 hours, but delays like this will certainly come”, he said.

He implored the people 9f the state to appreciate the work of the engineers, stressing that a minor mistake was capable of jeopardising the millions of dollars expended on the project.

?”For 29 years Bayelsa has been in darkness or has endured epileptic power supply. Now that we are getting close to the day of liberation, some people have become impatient.

“Let us not behave like the proverbial tortoise in the prison for years that asked to be released immediately as the place was smelling the moment he knew it would regain freedom the next day”, the governor added.

?The Bayelss Governor gave a thumps up to the technical partners, Jampur Group, and its team on ground as well as the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, saying they were working round the clock to ensure the job was completed.

?”Those who have been following me on this inspection would know that work has not stopped even for one day since it started. I am sure the job is more than 90 per cent complete. So let us hold our fire.

“Engineer Olice, I am not putting you under any pressure. From the reports I have, Olice is one of the best electrical engineers in Nigeria”, governor Diri said.

The governor, however, hinted that the government was looking at inaugurating the project during its sixth anniversary in February.

The MD of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Kemenanabo, who also spoke, said the state was on the right track towards actualising the project and assured that the alignment of the entire system, including the gas generator and alternator were on course.

He also stated that the remaining two turbines would be delivered to the project site in a few days.

?Speaking on behalf of the Jampur Group, Mr. Sherrif Abu-Anif said the company was in good position to meet its own end of the bargain and appreciated the state government for playing its part very well.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

News

Akpabio Withdraws All Defamation Suits After Priest’s Sermon

Published

21 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.

Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.

He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.

“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”

In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.

In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.

Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.

Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.

The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.

With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.

News

‘Best Way To Show Gratitude Is To Deliver Tinubu in 2027’

Published

21 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.

Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.

“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”

Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.

He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.

“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.

Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.

In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.

She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.

Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.

“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.

In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.

He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.

The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.

Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.

Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.

Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.

By: Taneh Beemene