Rivers

Omoku High Court Reassigns Contempt of Suit To Chief Judge

Published

2 days ago

August 11, 2025

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Omoku, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, has ordered that the case file seeking for court contempt instituted against

Elder Samuel Okwuchukwu Ijomah (Ogbaenyi of Ndoni) former Director General of Rivers State Pension Board for parading himself as the King and Paramount ruler of Ndoni be transferred to Chief Judge of the State.

The claimants, Prof Franklin Odua Chukuma and the Omeke ishiale Royal family approached the Omoku High Court for contempt against Elder Ijomah as he continually parade himself.

Justice D.G. Kio in his judgment delivered on November 12, 2024 affirmed Prof Franklin Odua Chukuma as the rightful Paramount ruler of Ndoni Kingdom from Omeke Oshiale royal family.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the case was referred, the lawyer to the claimants, Barrister Frank Okpara, applauded the judge for referring the case file back to the Chief Judge for reassignment to avoid being accused of bias.

“It is good that the judge referred the case to Chief Judge of Rivers State for onward reassignment, hence previous case was determined by Port Harcourt High Court.

“This contempt of court suit filled by the Claimants was to formally tell the court that Elder Ijomah (Ogbaenyi of Ndoni Kingdom) did not obey the court ruling, hence he is still parading himself as the King. I believe the reference will be in favour of my clients, because it will finally put to stop anybody parading himself as the King’. Barrister Okpara said.

Earlier, Chief Obi lkwumadi, a prominent member of the Ndoni Council of Chiefs, had said that the court in its wisdom confirmed Prof. Franklin Odua Chukwuma as king and Awoh of Ndoni Kingdom respectively and advised people of the kingdom to obey the court judgement.

He equally stated that the State Government and former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili should not recognize Elder Ijomah as the king, after

perceived plans to coronate him during Easter period and consequently present staff of office to him.

“We the Omeke Oshiale royal family reaffirms our commitment to uphold the traditions and customs of Ndoni Kingdom, ensuring peace and stability in the community”, he said.

It will be recalled that Elder Samuel Okwuchukwu Ijomah (Ogbaenyi of Ndoni) former Director General of Rivers State Pension Board who is now parading himself as the King and Paramount ruler of Ndoni was not in the suit No: PHC/2230/CS/2020, between Engr. Prof. Franklin Oduah Chukuma and Dr. Dunelm Esumei, Arch. Alex Esumei, Chief Frank Amifor , chief Albert Ajieh and Mr. Chuks Ikenga.

The judgement clearly stated that Engr. Professor Franklin Odua Chukuma is the rightful Paramount ruler of Ndoni Kingdom from Omeke Oshiale royal family, in accordance with customs and traditions of the Kingdom.

Rivers

Police Recover 22 Vehicles From Car-snatching Syndicate In Rivers

Published

2 days ago

August 11, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Rivers State has dismantled a 12-member car-snatching syndicate accused of stealing more than 22 vehicles across the country.

Spokesperson for the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday that the arrests followed an intelligence-driven raid conducted across several states.

Iringe-Koko said the operation commenced in September 2024 after one Mr Enoch Daniel reported that his Toyota Hiace bus had been stolen at Trailer Park, Onne, in Port Harcourt.

She stated that investigations led to the arrest of two suspects, aged 40 and 45 respectively.

The police spokesperson said the two suspects, who were both ex-convicts, confessed that they were hired by somebody to steal the vehicle, using hammers.

“The ex-convicts were each paid N90,000 for carrying out the theft”, she said.

Iringe-Koko explained that further intelligence from the suspects resulted in the arrest of other members of the syndicate in Kano and Akwa Ibom states.

She said in Kano, the police apprehended two suspects who were found in possession of two stolen vehicles, while a dismissed police officer was arrested in Akwa Ibom, with 11 vehicles believed to have been stolen.

The police spokesperson continued that further investigations revealed that the syndicate is coordinated by a suspect, currently at large, whose network spanned Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Borno, Delta, Enugu, Kano and Rivers states.

She said stolen vehicles were smuggled via the suspect’s agent (now in custody) and sold in Cameroon either whole or dismantled for parts.

Iringe-Koko mentioned another 53-year-old suspect and ex-convict and the Port Harcourt liaison for the syndicate, who admitted receiving more than N5 million in payments over eight months.

Others, she said, were two suspects who were both auto-electricians modifying stolen vehicles for export as well as a 45-year-old suspect who was the group’s spiritual leader and broker at Mgbuka-Obosi car scrap market in Onitsha.

She also said that another suspect, an ex-convict, acted as the syndicate’s field operator in Port Harcourt, while yet another was arrested attempting to purchase a stolen Toyota Camry car.

“These arrests underscore our resolve to make Rivers State a hostile environment for criminals to operate freely.

“All 12 suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” she stated.

Iringe-Koko said efforts were ongoing to arrest both the ring leader of the syndicate and other identified suspects still at large, urging residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible information.

She assured the public of the command’s commitment to the safety and security of the people of the state.

“These operations are part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and sustain public confidence in law enforcement,” the police spokesperson said.

Rivers

APP Threatens To Boycott LG Elections In Rivers

Published

2 days ago

August 11, 2025

The Tide

The Action People’s Party (APP) in Rivers State has threatened to boycott the local government elections slated for August 30 in the state.

The Chairman of the party in the state, Mr. Sunny Wokekoro, disclosed this in an interview with The Tide’s source on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

According to him, the decision to boycott the election is based on a directive from the party’s National Secretariat and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).

Wokekoro noted that the party’s apex body and IPAC had advised political parties to steer clear of the election.

“Despite our decision to opt out of the elections, we (APP) remain a formidable political force here in Rivers.

“We all know how we recorded a landslide victory in the annulled Oct. 5, 2024 local government election.

“Our present position does not signify the end of the APP in the state”, he said.

The APP Chairman also dismissed rumours that he was no longer the state party leader.

According to him, I remain the only recognised party chairman in the state .

Rivers

FG Trains Over 500’000 South-South Student Leaders In Rivers

Published

2 days ago

August 11, 2025

The Tide

Federal Government of Nigeria has trained over 500,000 student leaders from the South-South region under the auspices of “Renewed Hope Student Leaders Engagement and Capacity building programme held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on students engagement, Hon. Asefon Sunday, said the programe is aimed at engaging the student leaders, government and key stakeholders in the education sector.

Comr. Sunday said this, weekend, during the programme at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said the theme of the training, “Renewed Students Engagement: Rivers 2025”, is aimed at strengthening the bridge between government and students.

He explained that the Students engagement training is aimed at creating a platform for student leaders to interact directly with policymakers and stakeholders in the education and youth sector.

According to him, their mission is to engage student leaders meaningfully, inform them about the far-reaching reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in education and youth development, and hear from them directly.

Hon Sunday continued that going by the training they will work towards building a more inclusive, impactful, and prosperous future for Nigerian students.

“The Renewed Hope Student Leaders Engagement was proudly organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement in partnership with the Rivers State Government.

“I must specially appreciate President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a leader who understands that education is the foundation of national development.

“The launch of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has made education accessible and affordable for Nigerian students.

“Also, the scheme has significantly reduced the number of students dropping out of tertiary institutions in the past two years.

“Just this Monday, the President approved the allocation of Funds to 15 schools, including college of Education, polytechnic and University, to create innovation hubs and entrepreneurship centers, to provide core labs/workstation to cover electronic Lab, 3D printing Lab Leser Technology Lab, production Design lab, Robotics and coding, Artificial intelligence, among others.

“The introduction of the Students Industrial Work Experience Grant provides for both financial support and practical exposure to students.

“Yet, we know there are still opportunities that students are not tapping into in various MDAs and Ministries not because they do not exist but, because the awareness is low”, Comr Sunday said.

He also appreciated the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, for his unwavering support for the programme.

“Not only did he approve that Rivers State should host the programme, he also provided logistic support to ensure the programme is successful.

“His passion for youth empowerment and education is commendable”, he said.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyer, disclosed that over 80 billion naria has been disbursed to Nigerian institutions with over 745,000 students successfully applying for loan.

“Over 400,000 students have benefited from the loan scheme in the tertiary level, while some of them who applied for their upkeep have received #20, 000 permornth for the session.

“So far we have 760,000 Nigerian students who have registered for the loan, and we have over 745,000 of them who have applied successfully for the loan”, Sawyer said.

Meanwhile, a student of the Department of Health Promotion, Environmental Safety Education, University of Port Harcourt, Noble Bariduanee, has called on government and stakeholders to focus more on creating awareness on different schemes for students, because many are unaware of these opportunities.

By: Kiadum Edookor