Niger Delta

Bayelsa CJ Pardons Eight Awaiting Trial Inmates, Donates Palliatives

Published

6 years ago

April 17, 2020

Chief Judge of Bayelsa, Justice Kate Abiri, has granted pardon to eight Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATI).
The Tide correspondent reports that Abiri pardoned the inmates while performing Jail Delivery Exercise yesterday, to decongest the correctional centre amidst the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world.
Five of the inmates were released immediately, while three others were granted bail at Nigerian Correctional Service, Yenagoa, the state capital.
The chief judge also donated food items and toiletries to inmates as palliatives in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
She said: “We were here, precisely in October 25, 2017. The purpose of the Jail Delivery is to decongest the prisons.
“Prisons get congested through the years; it is regular visits to the prisons that will help in the need to decongest.
“It is discovered that some persons (inmates), who are awaiting trial ought not to remain in custody where matters for which they are charged are not murder cases or armed robbery.
“However, if they are, where it is discovered that the prosecution of the cases are moving at slow pace or not heard at all for one reason or the other, bail can be granted.
“Today’s exercise will be looking at such cases as well. There are also those who were granted bail by the courts but could not perfect their bail conditions. Bail of such inmates can be reviewed.
“Some who have stayed almost the period they could have served if convicted, may be released.
“Any inmate so released is advised to turn a new leaf and become useful to themselves and the society at large,” she said.
Abiri said this year’s jail delivery exercise was also necessitated by the prevailing circumstances of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
“As a result, there is a very urgent need to decongest the prisons as much as possible to forestall any eventuality, which we don’t pray for,” she said.
Abiri, said the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody) Special Provisions Act Cap C40 Laws of Bayelsa, empowered the State Chief Judge to release under certain circumstances, persons detained in prison in the state.
In his address, Deputy Controller of Corrections, in charge Yenagoa Custodial Centre, MrAmayo West, commended the chief judge for the visit.
He said the inmates were in high spirit, knowing that she was a humane and kind mother to all.
“Sincerely, since my assumption of duty here, my inmates have been calm. They are behaving well, and therefore, need your assistance of having legitimate freedom.

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

7 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.

Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.

Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.

He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.

Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.

In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families

Published

7 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.

Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.

“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.

Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.

“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.

Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.

Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.

He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.

“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.

Niger Delta

Delta Legislative Assembly Impeaches Leader Over Gross misconduct

Published

7 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Leader of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm, Rt. Hon. Ajero Prosper Okeoghene, has been impeached over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The impeachment of the ousted leader was signed by 12 out of the 18 councillors that attended the plenary at the legislative chamber of Ughelli North on Wednesday.

The Councillors alleged that the former House leader breached the constitutional requirement to lead the 8th Assembly.

According to the statement, “We the undersigned Councillors of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative House of the 8th Assembly have watched with keen interest the activities of the present Leader of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper, and having thoroughly gone through it, we decided to as a matter of urgency, resolved to impeach him in line with the relevant Delta Local Government Law 2013, as Amended, and other Legislative practices/convention.

“Furthermore, to the above therefore, we are constrained to state unequivocally that Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper lacks the ability to move this Eighth (8th) Assembly to the next level and as such should step outside for another to reinvigorate this present Assembly.

“Having satisfied the constitutional requirement of 2/3 majority, motion for his impeachment and removal as leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved.

“His impeachment was as a result of Misappropriation of funds, inability to pilot the affairs of the house, high-handedness, gross misconduct and refusal to call plenary as at when due and his excessive drunkenness.

“The motion for his impeachment was moved by Hon. Onome Isherhe, Councillor representing Ughelli Ward 12, and seconded by Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, representing Orogun Ward 3, respectively.

“The motion for a new Leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved by Hon. Collins Oghenebrorhie Arhiakpore, the Councillor representing Agbarha Ward 2 and seconded by Hon Felicia Diedjomaho, the Councillor representing Agbarho Ward 1″, it stated.

Amongst the Councillors that signed the impeachment are Hon. Orido December, Hon. Victor, Hon. Igogono Goddey, and Hon. Felicia Diedjomaho.

Others are Hon. Inana Oke Festus, Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, Hon. Collins Arhiakpore, Hon. Joseph Friday Obara, Hon. Onome Isherhe, and Hon. Palmer Israel.

The new Leader of the Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm is Rt. Hon. Solomon Oghenero Agbini, the Councillor representing Ogor Ward 1.

All efforts to contact the impeached leader, Okeoghene, were not successful as calls to his line were not answered or returned as of the time of this report.