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Court Jails Two For Vandalising PHED Facilities

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A Magistrate Court in the Eket Chief Magisterial District at Eket in Akwa Ibom State has sentenced two vandals of facilities of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc to four years imprisonment each.
The convicts would serve their terms at the Nigerian Correctional Services, Eket.
The convicts: Aniekan Samual Sampson, and Akaninyene Samuel, had on November 3, 2021, vandalised and stolen cables identified to be XLPE Cables from the UDOFA QIC Sub-station of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc.
The culprits were sentenced for offences punishable under Section 556(1)(1) of the Criminal Code Cap. 38 Vol. 2 Laws of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 2000.
The judgement comes as a relief for PHED in the pursuit of justice over the years.
Reacting to the judgement, the MD/CEO of PHED, Dr Henry Ajagbawa, said it was the best news he has received of recent, and gave kudos to the Judiciary, noting that this was the beginning of a new dawn in the fight for justice against business and economic sabotage in the energy sector.
He affirmed his belief that the judgement was the antidote needed to combat the existential threat of vandalism and energy theft in the country.
Ajagbawa harped on the fact that any individual or group of persons involved in vandalism or energy theft would not be spared.
Earlier while speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of a media parley, the MD/CEO of PHED, Dr Henry Ajagbawa, prayed governments at all levels to establish focused and consolidated legislation to help expedite judicial processes involving criminals and criminal activities in the energy sector with a view to ensuring that justice was delivered to offenders expeditiously.
It would be recalled that PHED has suffered huge losses with over 210 transformers of various sizes and other electrical accessories have been vandalised by criminals over the years.
In another development, the Port Harcourt DisCo has lamented the incessant assault suffered by its staff in the hands of members of the public, and warned that persons or communities who assault staff of PHED would suffer the consequences stipulated by the organisations in-house rules and be prosecuted for justice.
In a statement signed by the Head, Corporate Communications, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc, John Anonyai, said that the recent assault caused severe injuries of a staff of the company, Mr Itoro Essienobom in Uyo.
The incident occurred at Oron on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, where two fierce looking men indebted to PHED attacked the lines worker simply because he advised them to make payment to avert possible disconnection.

By: Nelson Chukwudi

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Tinubu Signs Bill Unifying Retirement Age For Judicial Officers

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Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday signed his first piece of legislation as President, when he assented to a constitutional amendment bill bringing uniformity to the retirement age and pension rights of judicial officers in the country.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, yesterday.
The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu assents to constitutional amendment Bill on uniformity in retirement age of judicial officers’.
The statement read in part: “In exercising the powers vested in him under the 1999 Constitution as amended, President Bola Tinubu yesterday at the State House assented to a fresh amendment of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“President Tinubu signed into law the ‘Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) (No.37), 2023’ presented by the outgoing 9th National Assembly”.
It added that “With the signing of the Constitutional amendment Bill, retirement age and pension rights of judicial officers have been effectively brought into uniformity and other related matters”.
While signing the amendment Bill into law, Tinubu pledged his administration’s dedication to strengthening the judiciary, ensuring the rule of law, and empowering judicial officers to execute their responsibilities effectively.

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Democracy Day: FG Declares Monday Public Holiday

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The Federal Government has declared Monday, June 12, as a public holiday in commemoration of 2023 Democracy Day celebration.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, on behalf of the Federal Government.
While congratulating Nigerians on the occasion, Akinlade stated that the country’s democratic journey has encountered stormy and smooth sails, just like in many other climes.
She said, “But the ship of State, its institutions and most importantly, the Nigerian people have remained steadfast on the tenets of democratic governance.”
“On this memorable occasion therefore, Nigerians and friends of Nigeria are invited to appreciate the progress that has been made, celebrate the milestones covered and look forward to a better future for the country’s democracy.
“The Permanent Secretary wishes all Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day celebration, “ the statement added.

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RSHA Screens Five For Commissioners, Today

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Five commissioner nominees are to appear before the Rivers State House of Assembly, today for screening.
The nominees include Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, Barr.(Mrs) Inime Aguma, Hon Nwafor Uchechukwu, Dr. Kenneth Chisom Gbah and Hon. Henry Ogiri.
In a statement signed by the Acting Clerk of the House, Dr. Emeka Amadi, the five commissioner nominees are expected to appear before the lawmakers by 10am.
The nominees are also requested to submit 40 copies of their original credentials to the office of the Acting Clerk on or before 9am, today.
Four commissioners had earlier been screened by the Assembly and sworn in by the State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, last week.
These nominees, if screened and confirmed, will therefore, bring the number of commissioners in the State to nine in the last one week.

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