News

PSC Denies $10,000 Bribe Over Police Officers’ Promotion

Published

3 years ago

April 14, 2023

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has denied collecting a bribe of $10,000 from officers for promotion.
The PSC, while debunking a report by an online news platform, said it does not sell promotions in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
It further directed the police to fish out the identity of the alleged interviewer, one Chijioke Okonkwo, for interrogation.
The commission noted that it has set up a panel to investigate the allegations, stressing that it doesn’t promote junior police officers above senior officers after allegedly collecting $10,000 bribe.
It made this known via a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani.
Ani stated: “The attention of the Police Service Commission has been drawn to a publication by Sahara Reporters of Tuesday, April 11, 2023 on the above story titled, ‘Exclusive: Bribery Scandal Rocks Nigeria Police Service Commission As Officers Allegedly pay $10,000 to get Promotion’.
“According to the story, a nebulous group parading as aggrieved officers of the Nigeria Police Force alleged that the commission gave special promotions to junior officers above senior ones after allegedly collecting bribe of a sum of $10,000.
“The said aggrieved Officers in a statement by one Mr. Chijioke Okonkwo (no rank indicated) on behalf of other officers ‘urged the Presidency to probe the corrupt practices in the Police Force’.
“The commission wishes to state that it does not sell promotions in the Nigeria Police Force and will not start now when a deliberate effort is being made to reposition and reinvigorate the Nigeria Police Force, especially with the assumption of duty of Dr. Solomon Arase as chairman of the commission.
“As at the time of this statement, the commission has not formally received any formal petition or complaint on this allegation.
“The said Mr Chijioke Okonkwo, who posed and signed off on behalf of other officers forgot that he is a serving police officer and did not indicate his rank. He forgot the line of communication for officers of the Nigeria Police Force which also guides the Public Service.
“The commission wishes to state as follows: That any one with evidence on these allegations should, as a matter of urgency, forward same to the commission as any one found culpable will be dealt with in line with the laws of the land.
“That the commission has also set up a panel of investigation, comprising of both members of the commission and that of the Nigeria Police Force to investigate these allegations.
“Aggrieved officers should avail themselves of the existence of this investigative panel and come forward with substantiated proof that could aid the investigation.”
The PSC spokesperson further stated that those found wanting in the course of the investigation would face the full wrath of the law.
“However, the commission warns that it will not tolerate any frivolous and fictitious media claims as officers and men of the police should be abreast and conversant with approved lines of communication
“The commission directs the police to fish out the true identity of the said Mr Chijioke Okonkwo for interrogation.
“At a time the commission chairman is working hard to harmonize and improve the services of both the commission and the police, the commission can ill afford this kind of distraction.
“Barely one week in office, the commission chairman has met with the Inspector General of Police and his Management team; the national leadership of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), and on Wednesday, April 12, met with retired Inspectors General of Police.
“His desire to bring sanity, peace and unity in the Police sub-sector is already receiving desired results,” Ani added.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.