News

Five PH Club Officers Nabbed For N10m Fraud

Published

5 years ago

June 28, 2021

The Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned five members of Port Harcourt Club 1928.
Arraigned were former President of the Port Harcourt Club 1928, Chief Diamond Tobin-West, four other officers, including Chief Morrison Ifeanyi Asimole; Telema Osazuwa; Christian Kenechukwu Okoli, Tonye Azike, and a firm, Afro-Rivers Nigeria Limited, before Justice P.I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N10,170,120.00 only.
The six suspects were arraigned, last Thursday, on 18-count charges bordering on conspiracy and money laundering, contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended.
Count two of the charges read, “That you, Chief Diamond Tobin-West, Chief Morrison Ifeanyi Asimole and Telema Osazuwa, while acting in your capacities as Officers of Port Harcourt Club 1928, on 12th day of February, 2018, in conjunction with Afro-Rivers Nigeria Limited, at Port Harcourt, in Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this court, directly and indirectly, took possession of the sum of N1,200,000.00, money which to your knowledge formed part of the proceed of an unlawful act, and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended”.
Count 10 reads, “That you, Chief Diamond Tobin-West, Chief Morrison Ifeanyi Asimole and Telema Osazuwa, while acting in your capacities as Officers of Port Harcourt Club 1928, on the 13th day of November, 2019, in conjunction with Afro-Rivers Nigeria Limited, at Port Harcourt, in Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this court, directly and indirectly, took possession of the sum of N1,062,120. 00, money which to your knowledge formed part of proceed of unlawful act, and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.”
They all pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges preferred against them.
Based on their pleas, prosecution counsel, S.M.H. Ibekwute, told the court that he was ready for trial, and prayed that the suspects be remanded in a correctional facility.
However, counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 5th defendants, R. Wanogor pleaded that his clients be admitted to bail on terms of an earlier administrative bail offered them by the EFCC.
He informed the court that he had a short notice to file a bail application for his clients, and sued for an oral consideration of the bail application.
Counsel for the 4th defendant, M.O. Azike, and counsel for the 3rd and 6th defendants, B.C. Egbe, adopted the position of Wanogor, and prayed the court to admit their clients to bail.
Ajoku, after listening to the submissions of the prosecution and defence counsel, adjourned the matter till July 12, 2021, for consideration of bail applications, and remanded the defendants in EFCC custody.
Troubles started for the defendants, who were executive members of the immediate past Management Committee of Port Harcourt Club 1928, when a petitioner alleged that they embezzled and diverted the club’s funds for their personal uses.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

Here is a clean, professional, publication-ready edit of your report with improved flow, clarity, and SEO strength while retaining all facts:

News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.