Niger Delta

Mary Odili: Reps Panel Wants More Security For Judicial Officers

Published

4 years ago

November 19, 2021

The House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary has called on the executive to provide a more secure environment for judges to carry out their duties.
The Chairman of the Committee, Luke Onofiok (PDP, Akwa Ibom), made the call on Wednesday during the budget defence by the National Judicial Council.
The lawmaker also said the recent raid on the home of Mary Odili, a justice of the Supreme Court, must not repeat itself.
He called for a “secured environment for our judicial officials to operate without hindrance, without any fear of intimidation or harassment.”
Mrs Odili is the wife of Peter Odili, a former governor of Rivers State, who has been having a running battle with the anti-graft agency, EFCC.
Last week, the Nigeria Police Force paraded 14 persons as imposters who invaded the home of the jurist.
Onofiok also called for the deployment of technology to all the courtrooms across the country.
He said the deployment of technology “would make our courtrooms to be in line with what is obtainable in other climes.”
The outbreak of COVID-19 affected the sitting of the courts in Nigeria.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Mohammed, had in April 2020 ordered courts to shut down, except in urgent matters.
The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had promised that technology would be deployed to courts in line with COVID-19 guideline, however, in a special report, PREMIUM TIMES detailed how inadequate technology in courts slow down the administration of justice.
The committee also lauded the increase in the statutory allocation to the judiciary from N110 billion to N120 billion.
Onofiok said the committee was at the forefront of the clamouring for the increment in the budget of the judiciary. He added that the committee will also be pressing for an increase in the salaries of the judicial officers.
In his presentation, the Executive Secretary of NJC, Ahmed Saleh, lamented the impact of depreciating naira on the budget of the council. According to him, the capital component of its budget suffers when naira is weakened.
“The exchange rate of naira to dollar as of December 2020 was N380 to one US dollar. But May this year, the naira has further depreciated to N570 to one USD,” Mr Saleh said.
He stated that “due to this depreciation and inflation, we certainly cannot achieve total completion” of some of the capital projects in the 2021 budget.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.