Rivers

PHEDC Staff Charged For Defrauding Company

Published

5 years ago

July 14, 2021

A staff of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company and an accomplice have been charged before a Chief Magistrate Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, presided over by Chinwe Nsirim, for diverting money belonging to Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company ( PHED) to their personal coffers.
The two suspects, Emmanuel Alabo,first defendant, and Alabo Wokoma, second defendant were on Monday arraigned on two-count charges of conspiracy and theft of the sum of six hundred and forty nine thousand one hundred naira,(N649,100) only belonging to the Port Harcourt, Electricity Distribution Company, (PHEDC).
The charges read that, in the month of April, the two suspects at Easy Pay International Company Limited, Port Harcourt, did conspire among themselves to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516 of the criminal code law cap 37 Vol 11 Jaws of Rivers State 1999.
That the suspects and others now at large by 13th April 2020 to 30th March 2021 in the same place, time and in the same magisterial district did use Wokoma Alabo Ibinabo’s GTBank account number, to steal the said sum of money belonging to PHEDC and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 390(6) of criminal Code Law cap 37, Vol 11 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria.
The presiding Magistrate, Chinwe Nsirim however adjourned hearing of the case to the 26th of July 2021, after granting the bail application of the lawyers of the first and second defendants.
Speaking to newsmen after the court session, the Acting Corporate Communication Manager of PHEDC, Chioma Chinwe, said the charging of the suspects was a reiteration of PHEDC management to stamp out corruption from the system. She advised the general public to be vigilant against the antics of fraudsters parading as PHEDC agents, and urged the teeming customers of the company to pay their bills to designated accounts.

By: Enoch Epelle

Rivers

NUJ Frowns At Appointment Of Non-Journalists Into Media Related Offices

Published

1 second ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has strongly rejected the appointment of non-journalists and unqualified individuals into media-related positions in the state, describing the development as inimical to professionalism and detrimental to democratic governance.

This position was part of resolutions adopted at the State Congress held at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Port Harcourt, recently.

It was part of the communiqué drafted by a committee headed by Comrade Giadom Martins, which had Dr. Boma Waribor as Secretary, and Comrade Tonye Nria Dappa as Member.

The communique was co-signed by the State Chairman and Secretary of NUJ, Comrade Paul Bazia-Nsaneh, and Dr. Ijeoma Tubosia, respectively.

Congress, through the communique, expressed concern over what it described as increasing infiltration of unqualified individuals into strategic media offices at state and local government levels.

It also noted the engagement of non-communication professionals in the media units of the 23 Local Government Councils and directed that such appointments be reviewed within seven working days.

According to the statement, only trained and practising media professionals should occupy sensitive communication roles in government establishments.

The Council stated that the presence of unqualified individuals in the media space has contributed to declining public trust, misinformation and unethical practices, warning that the trend poses dire implications for good governance and national security.

The NUJ, via the statement, also frowned at the appointment of Chief Press Secretaries from outside Rivers State who are largely unknown to the Council, stating that such actions undermine the competence of seasoned media practitioners within the state.

The Union further condemned unprofessional conduct, including mud-slinging and cyberbullying on social media under the guise of journalism and noted that such practices violate ethical standards and tarnish the image of the profession.

Going forward, Congress resolved that the appointment of non-practising journalists and non-public relations professionals as Commissioner for Information, Chief Press Secretaries and Press Secretaries is unacceptable, stressing that such offices require demonstrable professional competence and ethical standing.

It also clarified that only the Office of the Governor is structured to have a Chief Press Secretary, while other public offices should designate Press Secretaries or Press Officers.

On capacity building, the Council urged the State Government and relevant institutions to institute regular professional training programmes for media and press assistants to strengthen strategic communication and uphold ethical standards in public information management.

By: King Onunwor

Rivers

BSN Tasks Ogbas on Bible language

Published

3 seconds ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) Rivers/Bayelsa Area, has called on the people of Ogba ethnic nationality in Ogba Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area to expedite action towards the translation of the Bible into their language.

Chairman of the Bible Society of Nigeria, Rivers/Bayelsa Area, Elder Omoni Ayo-Tamuno, made the call recently while presenting a Special Membership Certificate to the Bishop of Egi Diocese, of the First African Church, The Rt.Rev. Boma Nathaniel, and his Wife, Mrs. Ifuroyika Williams at the First African Church Mission Cathedral, Erema, in Ogba Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers state.

Elder Ayo-Tamuno said the call became necessary in view of the fact that the translation has taken a long time without completion.

He said, “although information at my disposal makes me to understand that the New Testament is at its final stages of completion, it is not acceptable that given the huge population of Christians and churches in the area, it’s still not complete.”

The Chairman, therefore, stressed the need for unity among the Christian community to complete the translation project.

Elder Ayo-Tamuno further stressed the importance of thorough work to come with the translation that will be well accepted by the generality of Ogba people.

“This is crucial because experience has shown that a number of translations made in some languages are not well accepted due to lack of adequate care in the translations” , he explained.

He, therefore, declared that “the BSN has a long history of its translation in Nigerian Languages being well accepted as a result of due diligence, in-depth research work, coupled with well qualified and competent manpower”, adding that “the Society will always welcome request to translate language Bibles in Nigeria”.

Ayo-Tamuno congratulated the Bishop and his wife for being the first in Ogba land to register as a Special Member and appealed to the Bishop to direct Churches under his Diocese to cooperate with the BSN.

Speaking after the presentation, the wife of the Bishop, Mrs. Ifuroyika Williams, who received the certificate onbehalf of her husband, thanked the Society for the honour accorded them and promised that the Diocese will support the Society to achieve its aims and objectives.

By: John Bibor

Rivers

Group Petitions RSG, Security Agencies Over Insecurity

Published

8 seconds ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

A group under the aegis of Concerned Citizens for Peace, Safety and Lawful Coexistence in Rivers State, has petitioned the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, calling for urgent security intervention over alleged mob violence linked to some commercial motorcycle operators in Rivers State.

The petition, addressed to the Rivers State Government and security agencies, expressed concern over what it described as a disturbing trend of coordinated mob actions and armed intimidation reportedly involving certain Hausa-Fulani motorcycle riders in parts of the state.

The group noted that Rivers State has a long history of peaceful coexistence among ethnic nationalities, stressing that many Hausa-Fulani residents are law-abiding and legitimately engaged in trade and commerce.

However, it alleged that some youths operating within the commercial motorcycle sector have formed clusters that mobilise violently in defence of their members, sometimes resisting lawful arrest and engaging in acts of vigilantism.

Citing an incident in Rumualogu Community, the petitioners alleged that a dispute between an indigene and a motorcycle rider escalated after a large number of riders reportedly mobilised into the area, creating tension and fear among residents.

They further claimed that the situation intensified when some individuals allegedly retrieved a firearm, while also accusing motorcycle groups of blocking roads and obstructing security operatives during traffic-related incidents.

Another incident was reported in Igwuruta, in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where over 40 motorcycle riders were alleged to have stormed Omuolu Omuwei Community armed with daggers and other weapons.

According to the petition, the attack reportedly led to the killing of a youth leader and a community secretary in what was described as one of the most alarming cases of organised violence in the area.

An eyewitness account cited in the report claimed that scores of riders mobilised within minutes, allegedly overpowering local security operatives and issuing threats of mob action.

The group said the recurring pattern includes rapid mobilisation, coordinated use of motorcycles, alleged possession of weapons, resistance to security agencies and threats of extrajudicial actions, warning that such trends could undermine public confidence in law enforcement.

It cautioned that failure to address the situation decisively could trigger retaliatory violence, heighten ethnic tension and threaten economic and social stability in the state.

The petitioners therefore called for reinforced security deployment, thorough investigation and prosecution of those found culpable, stricter regulation of commercial motorcycle operations, enforcement of weapons laws, proper registration of operators and engagement with community leaders to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

By: King Onunwor