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Family Demands N1bn Over SARS Killing Of 27-Yr-Old UNIPORT Undergraduate
The family of a 27-year-old final year student of University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, late Mr. Solomon Yellow, allegedly killed by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, popularly called SARS in March, 2019, has demanded the payment of the sum of N1billion as compensation and damages by the police.
The family also demanded that those officers who allegedly killed and deposited the body of late Solomon Yellow at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital mortuary be made to face the full weight of the law as justice for the family.
The representative of the family, Barrister Hannah West, who spoke on behalf of the petitioner and father of the deceased, Chief Dominic Daobu Yellow, made the position of the family known when she appeared before the panel, yesterday, to testify in evidence at the resumed sitting of the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry Investigating the alleged Acts of Violence, Torture, Brutality, Murder and Violation of Fundamental Rights of Citizens committed by officers, men and operatives of the Nigerian Police Force in the state.
West, who narrated how his younger brother, late Solomon Yellow was allegedly killed by operatives of SARS at Rukpokwu in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, told the commission that his late brother was last seen on March 13, 2019, and that he was declared missing by his fellow students at the University of Port Harcourt.
She further told the panel that the family got the information on how his younger brother was killed through a fellow detainee at SARS Station, adding the family was informed that his elder brother was taken to Port Harcourt Maximum Prison, when they went on search and rescue mission.
According to her, the alleged detainee, Mr. Chuks, told his elder brother that late Solomon Yellow was killed by SARS operatives on March 14, 2019, and that his body was deposited at the UPTH morgue, adding that when they got to UPTH morgue, they discovered the deposited body of their younger brother.
She listed the names of the officers who deposited his brother’s corpse at the mortuary as Samuel Sunday, who was the team leader, Friday Ikuku, and Austin Wilson, and prayed that the full weight of the law be served on them to serve as a deterrent to other police officers who may likely commit the same crime in future.
She explained that details of the police investigation based on the petition the family sent to Force Headquarters were not made available to them, despite the fact that the family spent over N1million to secure justice in the matter.
“We went to SARS severally but no success. They were unable to tell us the whereabouts of my younger brother but we got to know that he was late through one of the SARS detainees.
“The loss of our younger brother is irreparable but we seek for full weight of justice to be served on those identified SARS officers who took my brother to UPTH morgue”, she begged.
Although the trial did not commence without some legal hitches from the police legal team led by Superintendent of Police Imegu Gladys, who consistently opposed the hearing of the evidence on the grounds that they were not served, saying that proceeding with such evidence without proper service to the police was amounted to an ambush on the police.
However, it took the intervention of the Chairman of the panel, Justice Chukwunoye Uriri (rtd) to overrule the police counsel based on the established norms of the commission with regards to giving evidence.
The chairman, in his ruling, adjourned the matter to Tuesday, December 1, 2020, for cross-examination and continuation of the matter by the police legal team.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will ensure the delivery of developmental projects and the prevalence of peace in all parts of Rivers State.
The Governor emphasized that the achievement of these lofty ideals can only occur through the unwavering contributions of all Rivers stakeholders.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 10.7-kilometre Egbeda–Omerelu Road constructed by his administration, the governor said Rivers State can only move forward when its people choose unity over division.
He assured Rivers people that development projects would reach every part of the State but cautioned that progress cannot thrive where conflict persists.
Reflecting on the project, Governor Fubara recalled that the road was a promise he made during the inauguration of the first phase about a year ago.
“We made a promise that we were going to do this project, and today I am happy that the government has fulfilled that promise made to Emohua people, Egbeda community and Omerelu people,” he said.
He noted that the essence of governance is service to the people, adding that responding to their needs is a core responsibility of any administration.
“We decided to do this because you know where we are coming from, and if we don’t tell our story, many won’t know what we are doing. Even in the face of tribulations, we have remained focused on delivering the dividends of democracy. We will continue to serve our people with respect and honour,” he affirmed.
Governor Fubara also reiterated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pledging to back all groups working towards securing the President’s victory in 2027.
Giving technical details of the project, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, explained that the contract was awarded on October 27, 2024, to Messrs Johnson Roadworks Limited.
He said the road links communities in Emohua and Ikwerre LGAs and shortens travel time for motorists commuting from Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Omoku through Egbeda to Owerri in Imo State.
He added that the infrastructure features a 12-metre clearing width and an 8-metre asphalt surface, comprising a 50mm binder course and a 40mm wearing course. It is complemented by 24 kilometres of drainage channels with a 1.05m² cross-sectional capacity to ensure durability and efficient water flow.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, described the road as a crucial link for surrounding communities, significantly easing movement for residents.
He praised the governor for demonstrating continuity and consolidation and prayed for God’s strength to enable him to achieve even more for the people.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara says Rivers State remains the best investment destination for investors in the oil and gas sector.
Governor Fubara stated that since the economic development of Rivers State is closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry, his administration has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government and host communities to protect natural assets in the sector.
The Governor stated this during the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation Oil and Gas Roundtable in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, he pointed out that since the economy of Nigeria relies substantially on the oil and gas sector, his administration will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ramp up production.
“The Nigerian oil and gas sector is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, contributing over 90% of Federal Government’s foreign exchange earnings. Similarly, Rivers State, home to numerous national and multinational oil and gas companies, is the centre of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, with the State’s oil and gas resources generating over 40% of the country’s revenue.
“?Considering this, the survival and economic development of Rivers State are closely connected to the growth of the oil and gas industry. That is why, since the beginning of this administration, we have focused on safeguarding the national oil and gas assets in collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, communities and other stakeholders, and we will maintain this commitment for as long as it is necessary.
“Furthermore, we have established and maintained a conducive, peaceful, and secure environment for companies to open and flourish in the State as part of a strategic plan to stimulate our economy, generate jobs, and enhance the well-being of our citizens.
“We therefore recognise and applaud the vital role that indigenous companies are currently playing in bridging gaps and advancing the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry,” he stressed.?
Governor Fubara affirmed that Nigerian-funded companies can only succeed and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s economic prosperity when challenges that limit the nation are effectively tackled, and expressed his administration’s stand to support indigenous organisations such as the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation.
Declaring the roundtable open, the Governor assured the Nigerian-Owned companies in the oil and gas sector, that “we are ready and willing to respond positively to any administrative, policy, or legislative recommendations within our jurisdiction as a subnational State.”
The Founder of the Nigeria and Entrepreneurship Summit and Honours (NESH) Foundation, Mr Emeka ugwu-Ozu, disclosed that the summit, held only in an oil and gas producing place, is a forum for all in the industry to brainstorm and suggest best practices for local players.
“This roundtable discussion takes place in only oil and gas producing states, and it is intentional. And that is to make sure that sooner, it becomes like what we say is the equivalent of Houston in the United States of America.
“I would say that from what I have seen so far, Rivers State is back and open, safe and good for business. The oil and gas players should come and see what we have seen,” he said.