Niger Delta

Ex-NDDC MDs’ Aide Demands Apology From EFCC Over Publication

Published

3 years ago

September 20, 2023

Former Special Assistant on Youths Matters to two ex-Managing Directors of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Barr. Alabh George Turnah, has described a recent syndicated publication against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as defaming and malicious.

Turnah, now an Executive Assistant to the Bayelsa State Governor on Public Affairs and Social Orientation, has as a result demanded for an unreserved public apology from the nation’s anti-graft agency, noting that the EFCC’s publications were mischievous and malicious falsehood against his person.

The Tide gathered that the EFCC had recently syndicated a statement alleging that Turnah, alongside two others, were sentenced to six years imprisonment by a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital over financial improprieties.

Following the alleged falsehood being peddled by the anti-graft agency, accordingly Turnah in a statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa at the weekend, he described the said publication as maligning, noting also that the EFCC has defamed his character through various media.

He alleged that the act was orchestrated by the Head, Media & Publicity of the anti-graft agency, Mr Wilson Uwajaren, with the intention to disparage and put to public ridicule, his “hard earned public image”.

In further reaction to the said publication by the EFCC, Turnah has through his lawyers, Amuda-Kannike (SAN) and Co, Barristers, Solicitors and Corporate Consultants written to the anti-graft agency.

A letter to the EFCC by Turnah’s lawyers titled: “Protest Letter and Demand For Apology”, addressed to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Abdulkarim Chukkol, made available to newsmen reads in parts:

“This unprofessional conduct of the EFCC spokesman is a sad event that should not happen under the watch, and even more importantly, under the administration of President (Bola) Tinubu, who is adjudged to be a complete democrat, and a product of the rule of law.

“Our clients are deeply concerned and saddened that the press release dated 11th September, 2023 with the caption, ‘N2.9 Billion Fraud: George Turnah, Two Others, Bag Six Years Jail Terms’, issued by the Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, is littered with deliberate falsehood and outright misrepresentation of facts in a manner that criminal defamation can be rightly inferred.

“Truly, judgement was delivered in the case by the Hon. Justice A.T Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on Thursday, 7th September, 2023.

“Contrary to the false claim contained in the EFCC’s press release that our clients were convicted and sentenced to six years imprisonment for obtaining money under false pretence, money laundering, conversion of funds and forgery, the true fact is that our clients were discharged and acquitted of all the 23 count charge of Obtaining by false pretence, Money laundering and forgery/uttering contained in the charge.

“It is important to note that the 23 count charge as preferred by the EFCC against our clients do not contain any offence/charge of conversion of funds as falsely contained in the EFCC’s press release.

“Contrary to the false claim contained in the EFCC’s press release that our clients were jailed on Thursday, September 7th, 2023, having been found guilty of charges preferred against them by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the true fact and position is that indeed, the Court held that the EFCC failed to prove any of the 23 count charge preferred against the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants, our clients”.

According to his legal team, the EFCC maligning statement has further exposed the fact that they were seeking to deliberately suppress parts of the judgement which ordered them to immediately release George Turnah’s assets and finances, as well as account for all monies recovered during the course of their investigation which the EFCC is yet to obey.

“The Court in the said Judgement ordered the immediate release of assets, properties and finances of our client (George Turnah) by reason of the failure of the EFCC to prove any of the 23 count charge preffered against him (George Turnah) in the said charge.

“This order, the EFCC is yet to obey, rather, the EFCC has already appealed the judgement as delivered, together with an application for stay of execution of the judgement.

“The Court in the judgement also ordered the EFCC to immediately account for all monies recovered from persons and individuals during the investigation activities of the case leading to the filing of the charge, and return all such monies to the Court. This order, the EFCC is also yet to comply and we are surprised why the EFCC’s press release did not capture these details.

“In the totality of the above, our clients are concerned that the EFCC, which is supposed to be a crime fighting organization could be so desperate to win cases at all cost, including intimidating and pressuring judges to help it secure unmerited convictions, and in the failure of which, turns around to dish out outright falsehood to the unsuspecting and vulnerable public all in a bid to destroy hard-earned public image of innocent Nigerians.

“This is too bad, and it is our clients expectation that the EFCC should now operate within the ambit of the rule of law and decently so, under your able leadership, Mr. Chairman, Sir”.

Demanding an investigation into the purported falsehood as contained in the EFCC’s press release, the legal team has earlier urged the EFCC Acting Chairman to in good conscience direct the Head of Media & Publicity to offer public apology to Turnah, and others and state the correct facts as well as true position of things within the first 72 hours from the day and date the letter was received at their office.

The letter further reads: “We like to put on record that the EFCC by the judgement delivered by the Hon. Justice A.T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on Thursday, 7th of September, 2023, failed woefully to prove even one of the entire 23 count charge preferred against our clients (George Turnah, Ebis Orubebe and Silas Uzogor Chidiebere).

“This is the true fact as contained in the judgement. Any other brief you receive contrary to this, is FAKE and FALSE.

“No wonder the EFCC’s press release could not specifically point out or highlight the specific counts our clients were allegedly convicted and sentenced out of the 23 counts brought by the EFCC. This in our view, should worry the Commission more, than spreading falsehood after failing to prove a single charge out of 23 alleged offences.

“it should be noted that our clients were never convicted nor sentenced by any court for offences of Obtaining money under false pretence, money laundering, forgery or uttering of forged documents preferred against them by the EFCC and as falsely contained in the said EFCC’s press release.

“These offences as created under the relevant statutes, carry a minimum of seven (7) years imprisonment and a maximum of fourteen (14) years imprisonment as punishment without any option of fine.

“In fact, for forgery and uttering, the punishment is 21 years imprisonment. These obvious provisions of the law certainly rubbishes the entire false narrative dished out in the public space by the EFCC’s Head of Media & Publicity, whom we expect, should know better”.

Turnah’s lawyers also expressed hope that the EFCC Chairman will use his good office and track record to correct the injustice done ti Turnah by the EFCC, by setting the records straight.

It would be recalled that penultimate week, the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, had ordered the immediate release of George Turnah’s assets, and finances, ruling that the EFCC failed to prove any of the 23 count charge against him.

Similarly, many associates of the erstwhile aide to the two former MDs’ of the interventionist agency have condemned the press release by the EFCC, filing an appeal of the judgement which went in favour of the Turnah.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Warri Delineation: Ekpemupolo Seeks Peaceful Impasse Resolution

Published

4 days ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

Dr. Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has called for calm and a peaceful resolution of the ongoing impasse in the Warri Federal Constituency.

Ekpemupolo, a High Chief in Ijaw land, who made the call in a statement in Warri, noted that the ongoing impasse arose from the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to complete the delineation of wards in the constituency.

He appealed that the situation must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort.

“I join all well-meaning Nigerians to call for a peaceful resolution. The Ijaw nation has from time immemorial been known for their peaceful ways and we cannot deviate from our history.

“The current political situation arising from the failure of INEC to complete the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency and mass action must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort.

“Therefore, I am calling for calm, no matter the situation. We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse”, he said.

Ekpemupolo, who is also the Chairman, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), while urging INEC to do the right thing and restore the peace in Warri and environ, called for an urgent meeting of community leaders to device a way forward.

“We call on the people of Warri (whether Ijaw, Itsekiri or Urhobo) to be calm and wait patiently for INEC to do the right thing”, he said.

He recalled that since on Monday, there had been mass action by peaceful women and youths from the various Ijaw communities in Delta, occupying oil and gas installations in the Escravos and Warri river areas.

He added that the peaceful action had led to calls from various quarters, particularly from well-meaning Nigerians, seeking for a peaceful resolution of the imbroglio.

Niger Delta

Progress In 21-Km Nembe-Brass Road Project Impresses Diri … As Contractor Pledges December Delivery Date

Published

4 days ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed fulfillment with the ongoing construction of the 21km phase one of the Nembe-Brass road projects in the state’s eastern senatorial district.

The Governor described the project as a dream come true for him and the people of Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas.

Senator Diri, who inspected the expansive construction work on Tuesday, said the road, which cuts through the mangrove forest and rivers, was a testament to his administration’s determination to connect hitherto unreachable riverine communities by road despite the difficult terrain.

Led by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, ESV Moses Teibowei, Diri first inspected the asphalted 10km portion of the road with about three bridges, before crossing the river on a barge to see the extent of work on another 10km that had been stabilised.

Diri in astatement by his spokesperson, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, was quoted as noting that it was one thing to have a vision and another to have the will to execute it.

Alabrah also quoted the Governor as saying that the project had been well funded since it commenced and assured that his administration will complete it on the date stated by the contractors.

On the second phase of the project undertaken by the federal government, the State Chief Execution appreciated President Bola Tinubu for awarding the contract and for ensuring that it is running simultaneously with the phase one being done by the state government.

“I feel accomplished. It is one thing to have the vision and another thing to have the will to do it. Being a Bayelsan, the importance of this road cannot be over-emphasised. This is what the people have been yearning for and I’m satisfied that the people are happy about the project.

“On funding, we have never disappointed the contractor and I believe they will not disappoint us. By the time the road is completed, it will reduce cases of sea piracy.

“Let me sieze this opportunity to thank President Bola Tinubu. There was another President when we proposed this road. We wrote, nobody answered us then. But this President did not only answer us, he awarded the contract for the second phase”, Diri said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Teibowei, expressed satisfaction with the level of work so far done, stressing that the most difficult aspect of the job had been done.

He said the fifth bridge being constructed will be completed in three months while assuring that the road will be finished within the stipulated time.

The Setraco Construction Company South-South Area Manager (Bayelsa and Rivers), Mr. Jose Cosme, said phase one of the road will be completed in December 2026.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NDDC Clears Compensation Hurdle, Accelerates 3.7Km Okrika-Borikiri Bridge Project

Published

4 days ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said construction work on the 3.75-kilometre Okrika-Borikiri Road and bridge project in Rivers State will gather momentum following the payment of compensation to affected property owners at the Borikiri axis of the project.

Speaking during an inspection of the project site in Okrika, the NDDC Assistant Director, Utilities, Infrastructure Development and Waterways (UIDW), Martins Isichei, disclosed that compensation issues that had stalled progress on the Borikiri alignment had been resolved.

According to him, the Commission has settled compensation claims for property owners affected by the project corridor and is awaiting the evacuation of residents before commencing demolition of structures within the right of way.

“The NDDC has paid compensation to property owners along the Borikiri alignment, and we are expecting the evacuation of residents there before we commence demolition of structures in the right of way”, he said.

Isichei noted that work on the Okrika section of the project had recorded significant progress despite challenges encountered on the waterways.

He explained that shortly after work resumed, a vessel collided with an existing pile, forcing engineers to redesign part of the bridge structure.

“When we resumed work on the site, a vessel collided with an existing pile. We had to re-profile the bridge and develop a new design to circumvent the damaged pile”, he said.

The NDDC official expressed optimism that the project would ease traffic congestion along the refinery road corridor and significantly reduce travel time between Okrika and Port Harcourt upon completion.

He explained that the project comprises three major bridge structures: the 180-metre Kolabi Bridge at Etche Waterfront, the 1,120-metre Abotoru Bridge, and the 490-metre Okpoka Bridge.

While acknowledging that progress on the Borikiri alignment had lagged because of compensation-related issues, Isichei said construction activities would commence there shortly.

Also speaking, the Project Consultant, Azu Chukwuma, said the scope of the project was reviewed following its revival to align with present realities and engineering requirements.

He noted that efforts were underway to accelerate construction, particularly the launching of bridge beams, despite the high cost of marine logistics associated with the project.

“Our intention is to determine how quickly we can proceed with launching the first sets of beams. The work is mainly on the river, and much of the marine logistics involved is costly. I am in touch with the appropriate officials of the NDDC to determine the best way forward”, Chukwuma stated.

He commended host communities for their cooperation, noting that the absence of major disputes had contributed to the project’s steady progress.

A representative of the construction company, Maroun Kassouf, said fabrication of bridge beams had advanced considerably and that installation would begin soon.

“The project is progressing well. Once people evacuate at the Borikiri end, we will demolish the structures there and move to that site immediately. That end would be much easier, as the river is shallower than the Okrika end”, he said.

The Vice Chairman of the Okrika Community Development Committee, Minengibi Ferdinand, lauded the NDDC for undertaking the project, describing it as a critical infrastructure that would improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth.

He said the road and bridge network would provide an alternative route to Okrika, ease pressure on the East-West Road and open up communities for greater socio-economic development.

“This is a laudable project that will ease traffic on the East-West Road and provide an alternate route to Okrika. We are hopeful that once it is completed, it will attract socio-economic development to our community”, Ferdinand said.