News
Rivers School Expels Three Students Over Alleged Gang Rape
Controversy now trails the expulsion of three male students over the alleged gang rape of a female student by the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology even as an advocacy group, the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, has called on the Rivers State Police Command to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book.
The Secretary, Board of Trustees of the group, Prince Wiro, in a statement, in Port Harcourt, disclosed that information available to the group suggests that the three male students: Ferdinand Bruce Gospel, Chim Gozirim Sunday Steve and Nadum Sampson, all in final year, were arrested by the institution’s security operatives but failed to hand over the suspects to the police prior to their expulsion.
Wiro disclosed that during an interview by the group, one of the students accused of participating in the gang rape, Sunday Steve, indicated that the students were not invited by the police, and therefore, were not given fair hearing.
He, therefore, called on the police to investigate the matter with a view to unravelling the level of culpability of the expelled students, and if found wanting, the suspects should be made to face the law.
Wiro asserted that allegation of rape cannot be investigated and concluded by the school authorities without recourse to the police, considering the magnitude and nature of the alleged crime.
However, Sunday Steve, has absolved himself and the other two students of any involvement or complicity in the alleged crime.
In an interview, Sunday Steve maintained that they did not gang-rape ‘Bianca’ or any other female student in the institution contrary to claims by the school management that the female student was gang-raped inside the boys’ hostel.
He explained that the moment the matter was reported, the security outfit in the school arrested him and another accused student, and allegedly subjected them to severe torture without telling them what offence they had committed.
Sunday Steve said they were later released after hours of detention by the school security personnel.
He stated that the school did not give them fair hearing and they were not invited by the police for interrogation.
In his reaction, the Provost of the institution, Prof Franklin Nlerum, maintained that the college followed due process in the expulsion of the students, and also gave them the opportunity to defend themselves.
Nlerum claimed that the matter was also reported to the Divisional Police Headquarters at Sani Abacha Road, in the Phase 3 axis of the New GRA, Port Harcourt.
A statement signed by the Registrar of the institution, Kuapie Ndee-Ue, which was made available to The Tide, read: “The academic board at the 57th regular meeting held on Thursday, December 17, 2020, approved the expulsion of the following students from the college for their involvement in rape and cultism with immediate effect.
“Ferdinand Bruce Gospel (EMT/17/096) Department of Emergency Medical Technology Year 3; Chim Gozirim Sunday Steve (HIM/17/038) Department of Health Information Year 3; and Nadum Sampson, DS/16/024 Department of Dental Surgery Technician Year 3”.
The statement directed that “the students should not be seen around the campus for any reason or occasion, and the expulsion tag should be written expressly on each of the expelled student’s column in the result sheets to prevent any attempt to release their results or subsequent release of the certificate to the culprits. All Deans of schools, Heads of Department, Exams and Records, ICT unit are to ensure strict compliance to the directive”.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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.