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CSOs Demand Re-Arrest Of Child Trafficking Suspects

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A non-governmental organisation, Centre for Justice, Empowerment and Development (C4J), Rivers State Response Team on Violence Against Women and Children, as well as other civil society organisations have demanded the immediate re-arrest of Chinyere Ohanyere, by the Imo State Police Command over the case of alleged child trafficking against her, and her suspected accomplice, Ngozi Egbuson Ebuzoaju.
The Tide reports that 55-year old Chinyere Ohanyere, popularly known as Madam Chichi, and Ngozi Egbuson Ebuzoaju, a nurse were arrested in October 2021 for alleged stealing and trafficking in two children suspected to have been stolen from a yet to be disclosed location in Rivers State, and are standing trial before an Owerri High Court in suit No. OW/54C/2021 between the Commissioner of Police Vs Ebuzoaju, and at Owerri Magistrate Court in suit no. OW/505C/2021 between Commissioner of Police Vs Chinyere and Anor.
The order was made in a statement signed and made available to The Tide by the Head, Communication/ Child Rights Officer (C4J), Maureen Udeagha last Tuesday.
The civil society groups also called on the Commissioner of Police, to ensure professionalism, due diligence and speedy investigation of the matter as returned to the state police command by the Office of the Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
Coordinator of the Rivers State Response Team on Violence Against Women and Children, Tombari Dumka-Kote, made the position of the groups known, in reaction to the statement credited to the office of the Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Cyprian Akaolisa and published in some national and online dailies, Tuesday.
Dumka-Kote, who spoke to newsmen on Wednesday, at the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Court Complex, during the resumed hearing on the matter, quoted the Imo State Attorney-General as saying the return of the case files to the police was for a holistic investigation to be carried out.
The human rights activist however, said the failure of the police to produce the woman who allegedly sold the children to the nurse, Ngozi Ebuzoaju Egbuson, nor the mothers of the children, should not be used as an excuse why suspects that are found to have been involved in a heinous crime of human trafficking should not be prosecuted by the State.
He called on the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command to resist being intimidated and blackmailed into covering up the findings of their investigation, and go ahead to make public and available to the courts, the original written and audio confessional statement of Ngozi Ebuzoaju Egbuson while in police custody.
‘This way, the State Police Command would free itself from the complicity and issue of poor investigation now beclouding the case in court”’ Dumka-Kote stated.
On her part, Maureen Udeagha, Head, Communication/Child Rights Officer at the Centre for Justice, Empowerment & Development (C4J) said the Imo state Attorney-General had always been quick in dishing out blames since his move to withdraw the case from court and stop the prosecution of suspects was rejected by civil society groups that raised the alarm.
Udeagha said in the phase of the recent development, the civil society community in the State were demanding the immediate re-arrest of Chinyere Ohanyere, who was arraigned separately on same matter, for child stealing and was granted bail, as well as one Chinelo, and others still at large.
She also insisted that the police investigation should be speedy and timely.
She agreed that a DNA test will resolve the puzzle about the claims of Chinyere Ohanyere that she conceived and gave birth to the children.
She said the civil rights community, Nigerians, as well as the international community are watching what the AG and the Imo State Government will make of the case.
Meanwhile, during resumed hearing of the case Wednesday, Hon. Justice I.M. Njaka adjourned ruling on the bail application brought before the court by Counsel to the accused, to the next adjourned date.
The court’s decision was based on the fact that both the State counsel, and lawyer representing the Imo state chapter of the African Women Lawyers Association both rejected the application by the defence counsel, informing the court that child trafficking was a very serious offence.
Although, the Attorney-General was not available to inform the court of the position of Imo State Government to return the case files to the police as expected both at the magistrate and High Courts of Justice.

By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

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Rivers

IYC Demands Apology Over Arrest Of Soboma Jackrich

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The Elders Council of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has demanded for an apology from the security agencies over the recent invasion of the residence of Ambassador Soboma Jackrich where two of his aides were killed.
The council said this in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Signed by Elder Afonya Horsefall, Chairman Ijaw Youth Elders Council, KalabariSekpangi, said the military, by the invasion has trampled on the inalienable rights of its leader.
According to the organisation, “the wanton destruction of his property and the killing of aides is repugnant to natural justice and must be restituted.
It stressed the need for the security agencies to be professional in their approach to security, adding that every action of the security agencies must be within the ambit of the law.
The group described Ambassador Soboma Jackrich as a prominent Ijaw leader who has contributed immensely towards the development of the Niger Delta and the relative peace in the region.
The IYC also called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara to come to the aide of the Niger Delta people by ensuring security and development in the region.

By: John Bibor

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Rivers

Fubara Has Demystified Governance-Elder Statesman

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As Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration is set to mark itsone year anniversary, an elder statesman, Sir Fubara Hart, says governance in Rivers State under the governor has been demystified.
Hart, two-time House of Representatives aspirant, therefore, called on Rivers people to rally round the Governor in show of support to achieve the desired objective.
Hart, in an interview in Port Harcourt, said under Governor Fubara, infrastructural development and human capital development are given .maximum attention they deserve for the wellbeing of the citizenry.
He said available evidences abound in the State, judging from the thanksgiving rallies organised by the Simplified Movement, saying it is a strong indication that Rivers people are pleased with the wave of development in the State.
He noted that the spread of projects across the nooks and crannies of the State, unlike in the past, has endeared the Governor to the people who are celebrating him.
Hart said under Governor Fubara, Rivers, people can feel a sense of belonging, as governance is being given a human face through the distribution of social amenities across the board.
He maintained that it would be appropriate to support Governor Fubara, rather than distracting him, saying Governor Fubara has shown his determination to change the fortunes of the people, especially the unreached, among the populace .
“In the past, it wasn’t like this, a scenario where one man divided and cornered the wealth of the people is over. Rivers people are pleased, being carried along and being allowed to contribute to the growth of the State.
The multi-billion naira Port Harcourt Ring Road; Trans-Kalabari road project; the low cost housing units; Songhai farm rehabilitation; and job creation can be described as the monumental achievements Governor Fubara has recorded.
“Gone are the days projects are sited in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area alone. Rivers people can now see projects in all parts of the State. We appeal to detractors to allow Governor Fubara serve his people, give him maximum cooperation as it was given to Wike and others who had ruled the State. Others ruled for eight years, so nothing will stop our own.
Governor Fubara is one of the best things that has happened to Rivers State, as his peaceful disposition, accessibility and open-door policy are hallmark of leadership. He came for Rivers people, as seen in his actions and conduct. Anyone fighting him is an enemy of Rivers people and should be jettisoned,” he said.
Hart said the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili was right by endorsing Governor Fubara as the political leader of the State as provided in the PDP Constitution.
The PDP meant well by enshrining it in his Constitution, which the All Progressives Congress (APC) borrowed to implement.
The elderstatesman, therefore, appealed to all PDP members to respect the party’s Constitution as it is supreme.
He urged the 27 lawmakers led by Hon Martin Amaewhule to know that they are no longer lawmakers in the eyes of the law as any law made by them cannot stand.
While urging them to desist from being used by one selfish politician to destablise the peace existing in the State, Hart pleaded with the Governor to remember Bonny Local Government Area in the award of road projects, as Bonny internal roads are begging for attention.

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Monarch Lauds Fubara Over Solicitor-General’s Appointment

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The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, King Leslie Eke, has praised the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over the appointment of Mrs Ibiwari Charity Clapton-Ogolo as Permanent Secretary and Solicitor- General of the State.
Eke  said this at a press briefing to mark his birthday at his palace in Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
He said Clapton-Ogolo being a seasoned lawyer will do as expected in an attempt to project and defend the interest of the people.
According to him, such opportunity will also reduce the work-load on the office of the Attorney -General of the State.
The traditional ruler also said the appointment will aid in prompt delivery of justice in the State.
The appointment, he noted, has further demonstrated the Governor’s strength in governance of the State and not weakness as argued in some quarters.
He said those who are not in tune with the modern ways of governance will always be at the sea at each step taken by Governor Fubara.
The Governor, he further explained, is full of wisdom and is prepared to better the lots of Rivers people.
“I am at home with the Governor’s leadership style. He is calculative and he always hits the nail on the head. Well, people are free to say anything they like, but for me, the Governor is a goal getter”, he said.
He re-emphasised the intention of the entire Evo Kingdom’s undiluted support for the present administration as he prayed God to continue to guide and direct the Governor aright in order to enable him deliver credibly on the mandate given him.
It would be recalled that the State has for some time operated with only the office of the Attorney-General of the State until the recent appointment of the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of State by Governor Fubara.

By: King Onunwor

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