Niger Delta

Court Extends Remand Of Emmanuel’s Facebook Critic

Published

3 years ago

April 6, 2022

Akwa Ibom State Magistrate Court has extended the remand in custody of one Idongesit Idiok to 14 days pending when the Department of Public Prosecution in the state’s Ministry of Justice would file charges in the appropriate court against him.
The Magistrate, Ini-Ifiok Isong, has directed that the accused, be remanded in the custody of the Ikot Ekpene Correctional Centre for a period not exceeding fourteen days, over the allegation of defamation on Facebook, when the matter first came up last month.
Idiok was said to have been remanded at the Correctional Centre after publishing a defamatory piece against the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, on his Facebook page “Soundcraft Owo OBA”
The failure of the DPP to file the case at the Federal High Court before now has been allegedly traced to the police.
John Okon who represented the State Commissioner of Police (prosecution), said the police complied with the order of the court to hand over files to the DPP but had difficulty including the report of investigations as a result of challenges with their computer system.
He, however, assured the court that the report will be sent within the week.The accused, in his statement to the police, admitted to being the author of the write-up which alleged that the governor is a maniac.
He was, however, absent in court, so also was his counsel, Uwem Umoh, Barr Samuel Ikpo who watched the brief for the governor was in court.
Speaking while fielding questions from newsmen after the court session, on whether the renewed incarceration of the accused does not amount to persecution rather than prosecution, Ikpo explained that what happened in court was in accordance with the law, emphasising that the chief magistrate has the jurisdiction to further extend the remand order against the accused person.
“The law allows detention for the first fourteen days and further extension for another fourteen days particularly due to the excuse by the police that the full report did not accompany the case file to the DPP”, he stated.
The case was adjourned to April 19, 2022, for an update.

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.