News
Group Flays IAUOE’s Cover Up On Arrest Of Sex Abuse Suspect
A human rights group in Rivers State, the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign (CBRPAC), has accused the authorities of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), Rumuolumeni, of shielding a senior security officer of the university, Mr Mgbechi Wekwe, who allegedly abducted and defiled a 16-year-old girl in Aluu community on January 13, 2021, from submitting himself for prosecution.
The group insisted that it was the duty of the institution to hand over the wanted staff to the police for interrogation and prosecution, without further delay.
In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Prince Wiro, the group expressed worry that over a week after the Aluu Divisional Police Headquarters wrote to the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele, about the incident, the school authorities were yet to hand over the suspect to the police.
Wiro said the group was disturbed that the security personnel who has not been handed over to the police for investigation has been coming to work and taking refuge in the institution despite the weight of the allegation against him.
The group condemned the action of the school management for protecting the suspect even though it was clearly aware of and briefed over the incident.
According to the group, all efforts by the police to arrest the suspect, aside from writing to the vice chancellor, were being frustrated by seeming lack of cooperation on the part of the institution.
“The most disturbing aspect is that the suspect reportedly called the mother of the alleged rape survivor two days ago, and boasted that the school will not hand him over to the police as he enjoys the protection and love of some highly placed individuals in the university, and the chief security officer in particular.
“We call on the Visitor to the school and Governor of Rivers State Chief Nyesom Wike, the state Ministries of Education, Women Affairs and Social Welfare, and the general public to prevail on the university to hand over the suspect to the police”, the statement stated.
The group threatened to commence series of legitimate actions which may include peaceful protest to the university, if its management fails to hand over the suspect to the police on or before January 31, 2021.
When contacted on the development, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Ms Ngozi Okiridu, declined to comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, the mother of the 16-year-old alleged rape survivor, Mrs Kindness Edwin, accused Wekwe of abducting and defiling her daughter over her (mother’s) refusal to marry the 60-year-old security man.
In an interview with The Tide, Mrs Edwin Kindness, who is a widow, said Wekwe asked her hand in marriage, which she refused, adding that the accused was no longer comfortable with her decision to opt out of the marriage proposal.
Edwin alleged that the man threatened to kill her for opting out of the marriage deal, and accused her daughter of being the reason she opted out of the marriage deal.
She alleged that on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, Wekwe, in company of some boys, abducted her daughter at gunpoint in front of her workplace at Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area at about 6:00pm and took her to Rumuakunde, Emohua LGA, where she was defiled.
Edwin said she only saw her daughter on Friday, January 15, 2021, two days after the incident.
The widow said she made complaints to the police after her daughter told her what transpired.
Edwin called on well-meaning Nigerians to help her get justice.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi