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2023: Diri Inaugurates PDP Reconciliation Committee

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3 years ago

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Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has inaugurated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reconciliation Committee in the state with a mandate to reconcile aggrieved members after the party’s recent House of Assembly and National Assembly primaries.
Diri inaugurated the committee during a meeting with candidates that emerged from the primaries, other aspirants as well as the party leadership in Government House, Yenagoa.
He streesed that having concluded the primaries, it was imperative for all members to close ranks and work for the victory of the party in the 2023 elections.
A press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as having congratulated all the candidates and party’s officials for the successful conduct of the primaries.
While urging the candidates to be humble, Diri stressed the need for them to reach out to their opponents to ensure that they work harmoniously for the party to win all the state and national assembly seats in the elections.
“We are inaugurating the reconciliation committee, which is a standing committee, as enshrined in the constitution of our party. It is to address fallouts and outcome of our party’s primaries and see how best we can continue to remain as a party and put our best foot forward to ensure we are victorious come 2023.
“Our candidates have work to do. You all need to be humble. Please, embrace your opponents. Your ability to win them over makes you a better politician because they might be the rock to salvage you”, he said.
Chairman of the committee is Senator Rufus Inatimi-Spiff, while Mr Austin Lugbenwei is to serve as his deputy with Hon.Victor Vianana as secretary.
Other members are Chief Theophilus Moses, Dr. Andrew Ebakpa, Prof. Tarilah Tebepah, Chief Bright Erewari, Hon.Elliot Osomu, Maj. Zedekiah Isu(rtd), Dr. Ayakeme Whiskey, Hon.James Agari, Dr. Godwin Ziriki, Elder Adolphus Forcados, Mr Natus Zebakeme, Barr Francis Ikio and one female each to represent the three senatorial districts.
Diri, who described members of the committee as credible and very senior officials of the party, charged them to approach their assignment with utmost responsibility to unite the party.
While expressing gratitude to aspirants that voluntarily withdrew from the primaries, the governor announced the reinstatement of those who resigned their appointments to contest and urged them to support their candidates.
The statement from the governor’s Spokesman further read in parts:”the umbrella is big enough to accomodate all those who did not make it in the primaries. I like you to join forces with them. Out of the 24 state Assembly seats, we need to take back the remaining four. Be reconciliatory in your approach to also win the federal constituency seats.”
The governor also charged the candidates to shun politics of violence and thuggery, urging them to sensitize voters.
Responding on behalf of the members, the chairman, Senator Rufus Inatimi-Spiff, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in the committee and assured that they would carry out their mandate with utmost responsibility.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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Sexual Harassment: Court Sentences UNICAL Prof To 5yrs Imprisonment

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17 hours ago

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November 19, 2025

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, sentenced Prof. Cyril Ndifon, suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), to five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.
Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had been able to prove the evidence in counts one and two beyond reasonable doubt against the 1st defendant.
Justice Omotosho, therefore, sentenced Ndifon to two-year jail term in count one and five-year imprisonment in count two which must run concurrently.
The judge, however, discharged and acquitted Sunny Anyanwu, who was earlier a member of Ndifon ‘s team of lawyers, of the charges against him.
He held that the anti-corruption commission was unable to link the offences in counts three and four in which Anyanwu’s name appeared, to the co-defendant.
The Tide’s source reports that th ICPC had, in the amended charge dated January 19, 2024, preferred four counts against Ndifon (1st defendant) and his lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu (2nd defendant)
Although Ndifon was initially the sole defendant in the sexual harassment charge, Anyanwu was later joined as 2nd defendant in the amended charge.
The development followed allegations that Anyanwu had attempted to pervert the course of justice by calling the star witness on her mobile phone during the pendency of the charge against Ndifon to threaten her.
Anyanwu, while being a lawyer to Ndifon, was said to have called TKJ not not either honour the ICPC’s invitation or write any statement in respect of the allegations of sexual harrament case against his client.
In the amended charge, counts one and two accused the professor of harassing some female students of the school sexually.
The commission said Ndifon, while serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Law at UNICAL, asked a female Diploma student, identified as TKJ and a star witness, to send him “pornographic, indecent and obscene photographs of herself” through WhatsApp chats.
He was also accused to have, on differently occasions, asked TKJ to give him “a blow job” as an exchange for gaining admission into the institution to study law.
Ndifon, a public officer, was alleged to have sexually harassed many female students of the institution using his position to gain undue advantage over them.
While count three was preferred solely against Anyanwu, the two defendants were accused of attempting to influence the course of justice in count four of the charge.
The anti-corruption commission had, on February 14, 2024, closed its case against the suspended professor and Anyanwu.
ICPC counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, told Justice Omotosho after Bwaigu Fungo, the 4th prosecution witness, a Forensic and intelligence Analyst with the commission, was cross-examined by the defence lawyer.
But the defendants opted for a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to sufficiently prove the allegations against them.
But Justice Omotosho had, on March 6, 2024, dismissed the no-case submission filed by Ndifon and Anyanwu against the charge.
In defending himself, Ndifon testified as the first defence witness (DW-1), while CSP Babagana Mingali, a Forensic Analyst, who works at the laboratory of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), gave his testimony as the DW-2.
Delivering the judgement, the judge said the commission had been able to prove the ingredients of the offences in counts one and two.
He observed that Ndifon was unable to controvert the evidence that he unduly pressurised TKJ to perform the immoral act with her.
He said: “The victim was desirous of being admitted into the university and the 1st defendant was in advantage to help her being the dean and the diploma course is under his supervision,
“The instances of undue advantage are so much. The 1st defendant abused his office.”
According to him, the court observes the 1st defendant and see that the 1st defendant is not a witness of truth and cannot be believed by any reasonable court.
“Consequently, the 1st defendant is hereby convicted of count one and count two”, he said.
The judge said being a first-time offender, he was minded to temper justice with mercy as prayed by Ndifon and his lawyer, Oladimeji Ekengba.
On count three, the judge said he observed that although Anyanwu made a phone call to TKJ, this was about four months before the investigation commenced into the case and a charge preferred against Ndifon.
He said the court cannot assume or speculate the intention of the 2nd defendant at the time the act was committed.
Justice Omotosho, therefore, discharged and acquitted Anyanwu of count three and likewise count four which both the defendants were charged.
The judge, however, condemned Anyanwu’s unprofessional act by calling a supposed witness in his client’s matter.
Also Justice Omotosho berated Ndifon’s immoral conduct.
He said: “It was with dismay I read through this case that a Dean of Law can turn himself to a sexual predator.”
He said his randy nature should be condemned by all.
According to the judge, he is a disgrace to the community of learner persons and must be made to face the wrath of the law.
He said this would serve as a deterrent to others like him in public office who have penchant for taking undue advantage over the female folks.
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FRSC Begins Free Vehicle Safety Checks In A’Ibom

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18 hours ago

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November 19, 2025

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Command in Akwa Ibom State, says it has commenced free safety checks for all categories of vehicles in the state.
The Sector Commander, Mr. Francis Ajatta, told newsmen in Uyo on Monday that the safety checks would continue untill November 20.
Ajatta said the safety checks was the operational window adopted by the corps to relate with the 080-334-22651motoring public, and to demonstrate its commitment to road safety.
He said the exercise was part of FRSC’s proactive steps to reduce road traffic crashes in the state, especially during the ‘Ember’ Months.
The FRSC official urged  motorists and vehicle owners in the state to take advantage of the opportunity to ascertain the road worthiness level of their vehicles.
“In the interest of public safety, let’s strive consciously to safeguard our lives, let’s use this opportunity to carry out safety checks on our vehicles.
“As road users, we should be active observers. We should be cautious. We should promptly report any road incident or emergencies to the FRSC Toll-free line –122,” he said.
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Monarch Lauds Fubara Over Speedy Execution Of Projects In Rivers

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1 day ago

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November 18, 2025

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A traditional ruler in Rivers State, His Royal Highness, Epelle D. E. Asukokpong has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for ensuring speedy execution of ongoing projects across the state.

 

Asuk-okpong, who is  the Paramount Ruler of Egwe-Asukokpong in Asarama District, in Andoni Local Government Area lauded the Governor during his inspection tour with his Cabinet on a section of Andoni road linking Oyorokoto fishing community in the area, yesterday.

 

The Paramount Ruler who expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the road, commended the Governor for the seriousness he attached to the project.

 

According to him, “there is  a serious motivation on the part of the company handling project.

 

“With what am seeing today I can say that the Company has redoubled its effort by 50 percent after the Governor’s inspection of the Road on October 28, 2025.

 

“I thank God for His intervention in the political impasse that was trying to slow down the pace of development in the State.”

 

The Traditional Ruler, who doubles as PRO of Asarama Divisional Council of Traditional Rulers and Secretary Asarama Town Council of Traditional Rulers said traditional rulers in his domain would continue to support the efforts of Government at all levels to ensure security and development in the area.

 

He also appealed to the State Government to intervene in the abandoned Asarama, Engendem, Unyeada Ring Road in the area.

 

It would be recalled that the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on October 28, 2025,  visited the Andoni Atlantic Ocean shoreline to inspect the 13-kilometre road project currently under construction.

 

The road, when completed, will provide direct access to the beach and link Oyorokoto — a fishing settlement in — to Ngo, the headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area which has since been linked to mainland Ogoni by the Governor.

 

 

 

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