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Court Remands Ex-Council Boss Over Cultism, Murder

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2 years ago

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A Port Harcourt Magistrate Court in Rivers State has remanded a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Khana Local Government Council, in Rivers State, Chief Sunny Bekanwa, in Port Harcourt maximum correctional centre for alleged sponsorship of cultism and murder in the area.
Bekanwa, who was appointed Caretaker Committee Chairman by the Governor Nyesom wike-led administration, is standing trial at the Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly sponsoring some cultists in the Local Government Area, and for murder of two prominent ogoni sons in the area.
The remand warrant stated that Bekanwa was said to have sponsored cultists alleged to be responsible for the murder of one late Lucky Keena, a medical practitioner, and Engr Deyaa Dunsara, all indigenes of Khana Local Government Area.
When the matter came up for plea, Police Prosecution Counsel, Godday Amadi, informed the court of a remand proceeding entered against Bekanwa, arising from the murder charge and sponsorship of cult related activities in the area.
Amadi prayed the court to remand the suspect in Port Harcourt Correctional Facility, adding that the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
He prayed the court to grant his prayer in line with section 302 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Rivers State, to enable the prosecution amend the accused charge, so as to properly arraign him at the State High Court, and also include other defendants standing trial for the same offense.
The Chief Magistrate, Nnenda Obiageri-Onugbum, after listening to the Prosecution Counsel and Defense counsel, Emmanuel George, who had earlier prayed the court to grant his client bail, ordered that the accused be remanded in Port Harcourt Correctional Center and adjourned the matter to the 1st of December, 2023 for proper arraignment and possible bail consideration.

Speaking to journalists after the court sitting, Counsel to Nigeria Police, Godday Amadi, explained more about what is contained in the charges and his reasons for refusal of the bail application for the accused.

On his part, Emmanuel George, who is counsel to the accused, expressed displeasure that bail was not granted for alleged sponsorship of cultist.

In a related development, the court also ordered that one Henry Barikui-Dele, who is also facing a one count charge for alleged cultism, possession of illegal firearms and murder of Lucky Keena, and Engr Deyaa Dunsara be remanded in Port Harcourt Correctional Facility following a remand warrant presented by the Police prosecution counsel, and later adjourned the case to same date

By: Akujobi Amadi

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Rivers

NSE Members Tasked On National Dev

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5 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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Members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, have been urged to work hard towards contributing to national development. This call was made at the recent induction of new members by the Port Harcourt branch of the Society. The induction ceremony was used to formally welcome new members and celebrate its elevated new fellows.
Speaking during the ceremony held a in Port Harcourt, the Branch Chairman, Engr. Idaeresoari Ateke Harriet, FNSE, called on members of the NSE to actively participate in the Society’s professional and technical activities in order to contribute meaningfully to national development. He congratulated the new inductees, describing their admission as a testament to their hard work and resilience.
Engr. Ateke also commended the new Fellows for their immense contributions to the engineering profession, reminding them that their elevation is a call to greater responsibility as mentors and role models.
The event featured a lecture by Engr. Prof. Steve Odi-Owei, FNSE, on “Opportunities and Challenges in Nigeria’s Blue Economy.” The Chairman noted that Nigeria’s maritime and aquatic resources remain largely untapped, adding that engineers have a crucial role to play in harnessing these resources for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
He thanked the first female President of NSE, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE, other dignitaries, sponsors, and families of inductees for gracing the occasion.
Also, engineers, especially those in Rivers State have been advised to adhere strictly to the core ethics of the profession and to always uphold the professional ethics of the body.
This advice was given by an engineering expert, Basoene Benibo, in an interview with at the sidelines of the  induction ceremony and Fellowship celebration of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Benibo stressed the need for young engineers in the state to learn and improve on their skills by tapping from the wealth of experience of older professionals in the field to enable them excel.
 Benibo, who is a one-time Chairman of the Port Harcourt Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, also noted and hailed the efforts of the society in eliminating quackery in the engineering profession.
Some of the new fellows include Prof Jackson Akpa, Pereowei Jose’s and Telema Osima, while the inductees, Engr Mrs Lizzy Onwuso, Engr David Jonathan jnr and Worlu Emmanuel expressed joy in being found worthy to become full NSE members, believing that it would enable them have access to more knowledge, practice rightly and impact the society positively.
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VALVA Restates Commitment Education Advancement, Literacy In Nigeria

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5 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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The President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Dr. Dominic Amenaghawon Omokaro, has expressed deep commitment to the advancement of education and literacy in Nigeria through the library system.
Speaking through his state Chairman Dr. Chidara Okachukwu Nyemezu, at the formal Launching/inauguration of the Vanguard for Library Visibility And Advocacy (VALVA) at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt recently, Omokaro discribed the inauguration of the new body as a significant and  passionate movement aimed at shining the spotlight on one of the underappreciated yet critical institution in Nigeria’s educational system and national development.
“We are gathered here not just to launch a group, but to launch a vision and ignite a movement to reinforce a mission to make libraries visible and valuable again for our people”, he said.
Dr. Omokaro stated that the birth of VALVA is based of the recognition that libraries, particularly school libraries, are the bedrock of  promoting a reading and research culture that includes innovation and lifelong learning in the society, though the system is grossly underfunded and poorly equipped in many cases.
He recalled the theme of its first week under his watch, “Library System for National Development in 2022”, which he hinted was driven by the state chapters.
He explained that the inauguration of VALVA shows an important mission to promote the visibility and development with impact on schools and other libraries through strategic advocacy that will advance quality education and foster lifelong learning culture in Nigeria.
“The vision is clear to promote the visibility where every school and indeed every community will have access to a functional library managed by a professional Liberian”, he said.
Speaking with journalists at the sideline of the event, the founder of the VALVA, Dr. Juliet C. Akex-Nmec, stressed that no society can grow without a functional and  effective library.
She urged government at all levels to ensure the establishment of effective and functional libraries across the country.
Dr. Alex-Nmec, who is also an Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, Rivers State University, called for the appointment of a Special Adviser on Library matters by the state government in order to assist the government on Library matters.
High point of the event was the formal inaugural of the new body and oath of offices to the new executive.
Akujobi Amadi
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Rivers

Rivers Judiciary Denies Issuing Court Order Stopping SOLAD from Swearing in RSCSC Members

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5 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).

 

In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.

 

The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.

 

Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.

 

The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.

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