News
Rivers Monarch Denies Ordering Mob Attack On Court Bailiff
The Paramount Ruler of Ibaa and Obelle communities in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Wobodo Sunday-Jonah, has denied media reports that he ordered some thugs to beat up an Appeal Court bailiff who was in his palace to serve him court processes.
The monarch said the allegation was untrue, and a malicious attempt to discredit him by some enemies of the community.
Sunday-Jonah, who gave the explanation while speaking to journalists at Ibaa over the weekend, described the local tabloid publication as “a bunch of falsehood, which lacks professional ethics”.
The monarch expressed surprise that the bailiff identified as Mr Aakoo Nwiyereka, who served him appeal process in his Port Harcourt residence, would around to claim that he visited his palace in Ibaa to serve him another court process.
He added that the publisher of the local tabloid displayed lack of professionalism, without even bothering to hear his own side of the story before going ahead to publish the falsehood, which according to him, negates the ethics of journalism practice all over the world.
It would be recalled that the bailiff had, in an interview with the publisher of the local tabloid, claimed that he was beaten by some boys he described as ‘Palace Devil Boys’ acting on the instructions of the Uvuahu monarch.
He further claimed that the boys were paid to eliminate him.
The bailiff also claimed that the boys forced him into a nearby bush and inflicted machete cut injuries on him, adding that if not for the intervention of a lawyer, who pleaded that he be freed.
The monarch, however, regretted that the local newspaper publisher and the court bailiff would allow themselves to be used by some individuals, who failed in their quest to clinch the stool of the Nye-Nwe-Ali Uvuahu, to reduce the noble profession to such pay-as-you-go trading business.
“I am insisting that he never sent anyone or got report of any bailiff attacked in my palace.
“I don’t have ‘Palace Devil Boys’. The Rivers State High Court bailiff that I know came to my Port Harcourt residence with Fyman Ohaka and Promise Ezekwu to serve me Notice of Appeal. Why he came with those men is what I don’t know, and he handed over the paper to me, and I signed it.
“I’m surprised to hear from him again that he was in my palace in my home town to serve me another Notice of Appeal. It is strange to me. Besides, I don’t have ‘Palace Devil Boys’”, he stated.
Sunday-Jonah while cautioning Fyman Ohaka over his comment, issued seven days ultimatum to the court bailiff, and the publisher to retract the publication or be ready to face legal action.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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