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Alleged Murder: Summon NIMASA Chairman, Petitioner Urges Commission
A retired Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Martins Agbana has urged the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry Investigating Alleged Acts of Violence, Torture, Brutality, Murder and Violation of Fundamental Human Rights of Citizens committed by officers, men and operatives of the Nigerian police sitting in Port Harcourt to summon the Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigerian Maritime Security and Safety Administration, Honourable Asita O. Asita, to come and explain his role in the alleged killing of an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad-hoc staff, late Mr Michael Abadume during the March 2019 governorship election in Akinima, Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.
Agbana, who is currently the chief security officer (CSO), to the Ahoada West made the appeal when he appeared before the panel, last Monday, to give evidence, adding that inviting Honourable Asita to explain the circumstances leading to the alleged killing of the INEC ad-hoc state in the area was necessary to assuage the feelings of the people.
According to him, the police attached to the NIMASA boss during the said election, allegedly murdered the late INEC ad-hoc staff at about 3am at a collation centre in Akinima, the headquarters of the LGA.
He told the commission that a petition was sent to the Force Headquarters in Abuja and a signal sent to the State Criminal Investigating Department (SCID), adding that few arrests were made, arguing that leaving the principal actor to be moving freely in the society without any molestation amounted to injustice and abuse of due process.
“Soon, another election will be held again, and if nothing is done, people will assume they can kill again, and go scout free”, he stated.
Martins also informed the commission that efforts made to get justice in the matter went without success, saying that what the people in the area want was nothing but justice.
Ruling on the matter, the presiding Chairman of the commission, Justice Chukwunoye Uriri (rtd), after listening to the evidence given by the petitioner, adjourned the matter to December 30, 2020, for continuation.
Meanwhile, the people of Egwebe Asarama in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State have urged the state government to remedy the wanton destruction the community suffered in the hands of the police on March 7 this year.
The Paramount Ruler of the community, King Gabriel Ugbokikwani Ogbologwung, made the demand when he appeared before the commission of inquiry, last Monday, to give evidence, adding that the entire community was destroyed by armed police operatives on that faithful day.
He alleged that the armed police operatives executed the act on the orders of the chairman of the local government area because of a boundary dispute the Egwebe community and the council chairman’s community.
According to him, his people woke up on that black day at about 7am, and saw that the entire community invaded by armed police men, including unidentified hoodlums, who set houses, and cars ablaze.
“When we asked, the response was that they came looking for hoodlums on March 6 and 7.
“The wanton destruction was enormous. We cannot quantify the huge loss in terms of monetary value because it will run in millions of Naira. My palace was destroyed, my houses and my father’s building was destroyed. The whole Owo family household was razed completely”, he narrated.
The matter was later referred to the conference by the commission as the police claimed that they had no witness to call since no officer of the Nigerian Police Force was mentioned by the petitioner as accomplice in the purported crime.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.