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RSG Takes Over Prosecution Of Murder Case

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Rivers State Government through the state Ministry of Justice has taken over the criminal prosecution of a police officer, Inspector Isaiah Bene, who allegedly shot dead a young musician, identified as Daniel Chibuike-Ikeaguchi popularly called Slick in the state.
The taking over of the criminal proceeding by the state government followed the victory of the family of late Slickin a judgement against the police in a fundamental rightssuit where the High Court awarded the total sum of N50million as compensation in favour of the family for the violation of the right of the victim.
When the criminal matter came up in court, last Friday, one of the friends of late Slick, Paul Reuben, who was a witness in the matter during cross-examination, told the court that the police inspector was responsible for the killing of his friend.
The Tide reports that the trial Judge, Justice S.O.Benson, after listening to the witness, adjourned till January 24 and 31, and April 6, 2022, for continuation of cross-examination.
In a related development, the state government has approached a state High Court to take over the prosecution of one Pastor Chidiebere Okoroafor, the pastor of a new generation church residing in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state, who is standing trial for allegedly murdering three worshipers in his church, including his Choir Mistress, late Miss Orlunma Nwagba, who he allegedly impregnated before killing her in 2017.
It would be recalled that operatives of Rivers State Police Command had on December 17, 2017, arrested one Pastor Chidiebere Okoroafor following alarm raised by the husband of Chigozie Ezenwa, who was killed alongside her daughter, Cresabel Ezenwa and her friend, Orlunma Nwagba, all worshipers in his church.
The police had after parading the suspect, who is the founder of Alter of Solution Church, Oyigbo, subsequently charged him to court, and immediately commenced the prosecution before the intervention of the state government through the Ministry of Justice.
When the matter came up for cross-examination, the police prosecution team led by Inspector Dan Promise told the court that they found the dead bodies of the victims in different locations within Eberi in Afam area of Oyigbo.
The trial judge, Justice S. O. Benson, after listening to the cross-examination, adjourned till today and January 31, 2022, for continuation of cross-examination of witnesses.
Joseph Ezenwa, who is Chigozie’s husband, in an interview with The Tide outside the courtroom, accused the defendant’s counsel of unnecessary delays in the matter, and called on the public to intervene for speedy justice dispensation.
The Tide reports that while Precious Orduis leading the prosecution team from the Ministry of Justice, representative of Federation of International Female Lawyers (FIDA), ConcelliaEnwerenzorwas also present at the court proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has arrested a man, identified as Kelechi, whose lover, IfeomaUzoigwe aka Oyibo’s decomposing body was found in his apartment on Woke Street, Cherubim Road, Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt in the state in December, 2021.
Confirming the arrest to newsmen, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the suspect was arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department following a detailed investigation.
Kelechi was reported to have fled the house some days before neighbours discovered the decomposing body of his girlfriend in his apartment.
After much trailing by the police with the assistance of his family members, he was arrested by the Nkpolu Police Division in his hideout one month after the incident.
Iringe-Koko said the victim’s body was discovered by neighbours in December, 2021, as the odour from her decomposing remains took over the compound.
The police spokesperson said a detailed investigation has commenced, and that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as possible.

By: Akujobi Amadi

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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