News

Five PH Club Officers Nabbed For N10m Fraud

Published

4 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

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

News

Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.