News
Rape: Group Petitions Rivers CP Over Randy Pastor
A civil rights advocacy group has sent a petition to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, complaining against one Pastor Tony Titus Daniel for allegedly raping a 20-year-old girl.
According to reports, Mr. Tony Titus Daniel, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, and claims to be a pastor and General Overseer of Jesus Alive Word Refiners International Church at Elechi/Wokoma Street, Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt, conspired with his Personal Assistant, who is also a Choir member known as Miss Favour, and another lady to rape the victim.
The 20-year-old victim, who explained the reason she openly protested at the front of the church last Sunday, said Daniel and his Personal Assistant, Ms Favour, invited her to a place around Wimpey junction, Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, to resolve issues they were having with the pastor’s wife whose church was located in the compound she resides.
The victim, who is a hairstylist, said she obliged to meet them after Ms Favour, who is also her customer, persuaded her that the pastor’s wife would also be in the meeting.
The victim stated that she noticed the place was a Guest House upon arrival but was not suspicious of anything since Ms Favour was in the place.
The victim alleged that few minutes after she got inside the room, Daniel locked the door and increased the volume of the television set, while Ms Favour and the other lady, whom she does not know her identity, held her down on the floor against her will as the pastor raped her.
She further alleged that the pastor and his accomplices forced her to swear an oath with a substance suspected to be ‘juju’ not to reveal to anybody what transpired in the place or she dies.
Not able to bear the shame, betrayed and trauma arising from the rape, reports have it that she damned the oath, and openly protested at the front of the church after Sunday service to draw the attention of Nigerians to the alleged continuous harassment and threat to her life in the hands of the pastor even after the rape incident.
In the meantime, Counsel with a human rights advocacy group, the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, Festus Bonwin, told newsmen in Port Harcourt, that the group petitioned the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Eboka Friday, upon receiving a report from the 20-year-old girl, to demand a thorough investigation into the allegation made by the victim against the pastor.
Bonwin said the group was also asking that the police to provide adequate security for the alleged victim as feelers indicate that there are threats from some quarters against her.
Daniel was detained at Azikiwe Divisional Police Headquarters, Mile Two, Diobu, Port Harcourt, on March 18, 2020, after one Mr. Ndidi Austin stormed Daniel’s church, alleging that he caught his wife with the pastor in a hotel.
Daniel, however, denied the allegation, stating that the place Austin saw him and his wife was not a hotel.
As at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, had approved the petition filed by the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, and directed the Human Rights Desk at the State Police Command Headquarters, Moscow Road headed by SP Nnamdi Omoni to carry out proper investigation.
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.
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoIncreased Oil and Gas: Stakeholders Urge Expansion Of PINL Scope
-
News2 days agoFG denies claims of systematic genocide against Christians
-
News2 days agoUN Honours Ogbakor Ikwerre President General
-
Niger Delta2 days agoOtu Reiterates Commitment To Restor State’s Civil Service
-
News2 days agoStakeholders Tasks Fubara on recognition of Nwoga As Nzeobi of Egbema kingdom ….laud Tinubu for lifting Emergency in the state
-
Sports2 days agoPalace End Liverpool’s Invincibility
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoReps C’mitee Moves To Resolve Dangote, NUPENG Dispute
-
News2 days agoChina sentences former Agric minister to death