News
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 Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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