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Police Parade Rev Sister, Others For Various Crimes In Rivers

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A 44-year old Reverend Sister, Maureen Wechinwu, was among the 21 alleged criminal suspects that were paraded by the Rivers State Police Command for alleged roles in various criminal activities committed across parts of the state.
The self-acclaimed reverend sister was arrested for alleged abduction and child trafficking on September 3, by a team of ‘Operation Restore Peace’ of the command, who were acting on credible information regarding the hideout of child traffickers.
The Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, disclosed this while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Eboka said that the police crack team trailing the suspects stormed Omuigwe, Abuja Phase II, Aluu, in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where a lady who claimed to be Rev. Sister Maureen Wechinwu ‘f’ aged 44yrs, was arrested and 15 children were rescued.
The CP said the case has been transferred to Monitoring Unit for discrete investigation, and gave names of the rescued children as Prosper Godwin‘m’ 9yr; Queen Harry ‘f’ 7yrs; Miracle John Ohiri ‘f’ 8yrs; Peculiar Michael ‘f’ 8yrs; Chimobi Mattew ‘m’ 7yrs; Justice Peter Wechinwu ‘m’ 4yrs; Chukwuemeka Wechinwu ‘m’ 4yrs; and Favour Edeze‘f’ 9yrs.
Others include Onyebuchi Wechinwu ‘m’ 7yrs; Peculiar Michael ‘f’ 8yrs; Madubochi Wechinwu ‘m’ 10yrs; Francisca Wechinwu ‘f’ 12yrs; Emmanuel Wechinwu ‘m’ 6yrs; Prosper Godwin ‘m’ 8yrs; Queen Harry ‘f’ 7yrs; Chinwendu Wechinwu ‘f’ 15yrs; and Ogadinma Destiny Wechinwu ‘m’ 5yrs.
The commissioner further disclosed that investigation revealed that Prosper Godwin ‘m’was abducted at Ikpazasia market in Bayelsa State on October 31, 2020, together with two others, whom, he said, they do not know their whereabouts, and was taken to the suspects.
“Later, he was sold to a woman at Lagos, and subsequently returned to the suspect”,adding that the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Godwin Ododor, have been contacted, and they corroborated the statement of the child.
On Queen Harry ‘f’, the CP said, “She was abducted at Ojukwu Field, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt, at about 1900hrs, while on an errand with the elder sister. The mother, Mrs. Florence has been contacted, and she corroborated the facts.
“Miracle John Ohiri‘f’: She was abducted on November 19, 2021 at Ada-George Road, Port Harcourt, opposite Holy Rock Church, along with her mother and two siblings, who have not been seen till date. The father, John Ohiri, has been contacted for identification of the child, who corroborated her statement that he reported the incident at Rumuokpakani Police Station.
“Favour Edeze‘F’: She was abducted at Creek Road Market, Port Harcourt on April 29, 2022, at about 1000hrs, while on errand. The father, one Emeka Edeze, has been contacted and identified his child, and also confirmed the incident.
“Chimele Obinna ‘f’: She was abducted on April 24, 2022, at Rumuodara culvet, Oroigwe, Port Harcourt, while seated in front of their house with her sister. The mother, Glory Obinna was contacted, and she stated that the incident was reported at Okporo Police Station.
“We are yet to locate the parents of the remaining 10 children for identification. Investigation isongoing with a view of arresting other suspects linked in the case.”
The CP also told journalists that on August 10, 2022, operatives of C4i Intelligence Unit, based on credible information, arrested one Obinna Dike ‘m’ aged 39yrs, of No. 72,IbetoRoad, Port Harcourt, a Bolt driver who specialises in robbing his passengers at gun point.
According to him, one of his recent operations is at EvoRoad, G.R.A, where he robbed one BomaAdolphus ‘f’ of the sum of N150,000 .00,adding that he has confessed to the crime,while investigation is ongoing.
Speaking on Obinna Dike ‘m’ age 39yrs, he said that exhibit recovered from him include, one Infinix Phone 6816, and one Toyota Matrix Blue in colour with Reg. No PHC 577 ALA.
He said, “On July 3, 2022, operatives of Elelenwo Division, arrested one Sadiq David ‘m’ aged 23yrs in possession of one locally made double barrel Pistol with three live cartridges. After preliminary investigation, the case was transferred to C4i Intelligence Unit for discrete investigation, which led to the arrest of one Hamisu Hassam ‘m’ aged 30yrs, and Babangida Ibrahim ‘m’ aged 26yrs at Yam Zone, in Oyigbo Local Government Area. They both confessed to the crime of robbing dispatch riders after their services. Investigation is still in progress”.
The CP listed the suspects to include, Sadiq David ‘m’ aged 25yrs; Hamisu Hassan ‘m’ aged 30yrs; Babangida Ibrahim ‘m’ aged 26yrs; and AmadiGodswill ‘m’ aged 30yrs.
He also gave a breakdown of items recovered from the suspects, saying that exhibits recovered include “one locally made double barrel Pistol; three live cartridges; three motorcycles: (i one-day long motorcycle with Reg. No AFR 918 ON; one Feiyan Carter Pen Motorcycles without Reg/No; Lifian Motorcycle without Reg/No”.
He also added that the six vehicles recovered from the suspects include, Toyota Corolla LE with Reg No. Rivers NCH 85 AE; Toyota Camry big light with Reg No.Rivers KNM 851 FU; Toyota Corolla LE with Reg No Abuja GWA 605 C; Toyota Camry big light with Reg/No Rivers BGM 880 SE; Toyota Corolla with Reg. No Lagos JJJ 472 DC; .Toyota Corolla without Registration Number.
“Again, operatives of this command on August 10, 2022, through Intelligence-led policing, arrested one IfeanyiNneji ‘m’ aged 29yrs and one Idowu Peter ‘m’ aged 32yrs at Oil Mill Junction, in the process of selling a locally made pistol to one Bariduanem Dim Justice ‘m’ aged 34yrs, a native of Baroko in Gokana Local Government Area”, the CP said, and added that “they are helping us in our investigation”.
The CP while giving the summary of the command’s achievementswithin the period under review said, 21suspects were arrested, six arms recovered; three live cartridges; nine numbers of recovered vehicles; 15children rescued.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the good people of the state for the working synergy existing between them and the police.
“All the recorded achievements wouldn’t have been possible without your timely information most of which are through phone calls”, Eboka said.
“I also thank everyone, including corporate bodies who commiserated with us in our time of grief following the death of our erstwhile spokesperson, SP OmoniNnamdi, who was the DPO Elimgbu until his death. We pray that God grants him peaceful rest and the family the fortitude to bear the loss”, he added.

By: Amadi Akujobi

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Bonny-Bodo Road: FG Offers Additional N20bn, Targets December Deadline

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The Federal Government has agreed to offer additional N20.5 billion for the completion of the Bonny-Bodo road project in December.
The government, however, said if the construction company, Julius Berger, was not ready to accept the offer, the contract will be terminated.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, said this during a meeting with the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Lars Ritcher and members of Bodo-Bonny Road Peace Committee, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The reports that Julius Berger had requested asking for a N28 billion variation on the 82 per cent completed project.
The company hinged its request on the rise in exchange rate, construction materials, and diesel among others.
Umahi, however, said the government was willing to provide N20 billion out of the N28 billion that Julius Berger requested for.
According to him, the Bonny-Bodo road contract which was initially awarded at the cost of N120 billion in 2015, was later varied at N199 billion with a completion dateline of December 2023, which has since elapsed.
The Tide’s source recalls that in 2017, an agreement between the Federal Government, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and Julus Berger on modalities for funding the project cost of N199.923 billion, without any further increase.
“If you do not accept the Federal Government’s offer by Friday and resume work on the site, the previously expired 14-day ultimatum for termination of project will be enforced.
“I want to let you know that we are the client. No contractor will dictate for this ministry, and there is no job that is compulsory that a particular contractor must do.
“We give you an offer. If you do not like the offer, you walk away. You don’t force us or we don’t force you.
“Agreement of contractual relationship is a mutual understanding,’’ the minister said.
Umahi said that had Julius Berger adhered to the project timetable, the project would have been completed on schedule before the impact of foreign exchange.
“Our position is very simple, we reject the conditions of Julius Berger totally and we ask Berger to please go back to the site to complete the project based on our offer.
“Our offer is unconditional and we say, accept or reject, so you cannot subject our offer to your conditions ,’’ he added
Umahi said the company should be humble in its dealings and exhibit solidarity during challenges.
Earlier, Richter had explained that the company suspended work on the site to seek some clarifications from the ministry.
According to him, the company asked for the augmemtation of N28 bilion because as at the time the contract was awarded the exchange rate was N305 to a dollar and diesel was N350 eor litre.
“We will still require some outstanding materials; that means that the initial agreement can’t fly because the variation of project is not sufficient and the exchange rate is also not in our favour to compensate the additional costs.
“That is why we decided to go back to our original proposal of the augmentation. Augmentation is a very normal process for all contracts,” the managing director said.
Chief Abel Attoni, Palace Secretary, Bonny Kingdom, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the decision to complete the Bodo-Bonny road project.
Attonu urged the parties to be patriotic and make the necessary sacrifice for the actualisation of the project.

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Court Vacates Arrest Warrant Against Ehie, Five Others

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The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, yesterday, set aside the warrant of arrest against Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rivers State, and five others.
Justice Emeka Nwite stated this while delivering his ruling in an application seeking to vacate the warrant of arrest which he issued on January 31, 2024.
The Judge said he was misled by the police in ordering the arrest of Ehie in connection with the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly on October 30, 2023.
The Police, had told the court that Ehie and five others masterminded the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly amid a plot to impeach Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The five others are Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benedict, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri, and Chibuike Peter, alias Rambo.
Justice Emeka Nwite while setting aside the warrant said it has now become a mere academic exercise.
The judge further granted same to the 2nd to 5th Defendant/Applicant in same suit.
Femi Falana, SAN, and Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, who appeared for the defendants in separate suits, held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to have granted the order.
While Falana filed a motion seeking an order to set aside the January 31 order by Justice Nwite, Aladedoye applied for a stay of execution of the arrest order.
In a motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/112/2024 dated February 2 and filed on February 7 by Falana, Ehie sought two orders, including “an order setting aside the order made on January 31 for want of jurisdiction.
“An order of this honourable court staying the execution of the order made on the 31st January 2024, pending the hearing and determination of this application.”
Giving six grounds of argument, Falana argued that the complainant had not filed any criminal charge or motion before the court.
The senior lawyer argued that the court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the ex-parte application as the alleged offences of conspiracy, attempted murder, murder and arson took place in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
“He submitted that the court lacked the vires to grant an application to arrest and declare his clients wanted in respect of the alleged offences.
“The complainant/respondent (IG) did not adduce evidence of terrorism in the affidavit in support of the application.
“The complainant/respondent did not cite any section of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013 (as amended) alleged to have been contravened by the applicants,” he argued.
Aladedoye in a motion on notice dated and filed February 9, on behalf of the five defendants, sought two orders, including
“an order staying execution or further execution of the order(s) of this honourable court made on the 31st of January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicants.
“An order of injunction restraining the complainant from carrying out or further carrying out the orders of this honourable court made on the 31st January 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicant in this case.”
Giving a three-ground argument, Aladedoye said that a notice of appeal had already been filed against Justice Nwite’s orders.
According to the senior lawyer, the notice of appeal contains grounds that challenge the jurisdiction of the honourable court.
The Inspector-General had, in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, arraigned the defendants on a seven-count criminal charge bordering on terrorism and murder.

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13 Students Bag First Class, 182 PhD As IAUOE Graduates 5,550, Today

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The authorities of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), Rumuolumeni, in Rivers State, have stated that 13 students will be graduating with first class while 182 graduands will bag Ph.D during the 42nd convocation ceremony of the university billed to hold today and tomorrow.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, disclosed this during pre-convocation press briefing held in his office, yesterday, to unveil the programme for the convocation ceremony.
Onuchuku said that the 13 students were among the 4,653 graduands expected to graduate for the 2022/2023 academic session with first degree, while 897 students will be graduating with postgraduate degrees.
The Acting Vice Chancellor while giving the breakdown stated that 13 students made first class, 890 students bagged second class upper while 2,739 students had second class lower for first degree.
He further stated that 182 graduands bagged PhD, 667 got master’s degree and 48 got postgraduate diploma, adding that the convocation ceremony will hold today and tomorrow for first degree graduands and postgraduate graduands respectively.
He said that a total of 47 programmes out of the 54 programmes being undertaken at the first degree levels had been given full accreditation by the National University Commission (NUC) as well as all the programmes at the postgraduate school.
“We have ensured that our programmes both at the first degree and post graduates are in line with the NUC stipulated guidelines and speculations. We have also ensured that we are in line with both our academic and administrative policies,” he said.
Prof. Okechukwu urged the graduating students of the institution to always remember to use thier positions to help their alma mater as well as project the institution in a good image in the larger society.
“Try to ensure you finish any project you want to do, evaluate it first and avoid unfinished or abandoned projects. We will be graduating first degree graduands on Friday while Saturday will be for postgraduates, “he added.
Prof. Onuchukwu also said his administration had achieved a lot since he assumed office as Acting Vice Chancellor, stressing that his administration had improved on the welfare of the staff and the students.
“There are a lot of projects completed in the school; we have also given scholarship to some students and also encouraged departments to do same. We also impacted positively on our host communities”, he said.

Akujobi Amadi

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