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Suspect’s Family Petitions IGP Over Alleged Torture, Unlawful Detention

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The family of Mr Alali-
Anthony God-dey Tamunoeme from Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase over the unlawful detention and torture melted out to their son by the Special Anti-Robbery Squard (SARS), Rivers  State command.
Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt Wednesday, the family through their lawyer, Barr Innocent Bardor of MD Gilbert & Co Chambers said the continued detention of the suspect  by the SARS operatives without charging him to court was violation of his  client’s human rights.
Barr Bardor said that the briefing was to draw the attention of the police authorities on the unlawful conduct exhibited by officers of SARS Rivers State in the discharge of their duties.
According to him, his client was arrested by officers of SARS at his residence in Elekahia on the 18th of May, at about 2 a.m in connection with alleged robbery cases and took him to their office at Rukpokuru, adding that when the family visited him at the SARS office they met him looking pale and sickly.
Barr Bardor alleged that the suspect s deteriorating   health condition suggested that the Police Officers maltreated him by beating him up every night, stressing that the suspect was compelled by the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) handling the matter to confess to the crime he knew nothing about.
“On the 23rd May, 2016, we visited the police station and met with the Investigating Police Officer who assured us that our client was held and detained there but was very adamant when we asked that our client be given immediate medical attention as he is vomiting and stooling blood, an injury sustained from the torture and beating he received from the officers, which might likely cause his death”, he said.
He urged SARS operatives to prosecute the matter in court anything against him, rather than trying court if they had him ??? adding that they would resist any form of extra judicial killing against his client by SARS.
The legal practioner appealed  to the Inspector General of Police and  the State Commissioner  of Police to prevail on the SARS Operatives to charge their suspect to court so that his family could take care of his medical challenges.
Also speaking , an Elder Sister to the suspect, was Tamuno Tonye denied any involvement of the alleged crime by his brighter, adding that such  was a ploy by the police to frame up  his brother.
Reacting to the petition, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ahmad Mohammed said the family was being economical with the truth.
DSP Mohammed said the police authorities would not condone any form of torture stressing that the family was at liberty to complain to higher police authorities for further action.

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Rivers

Youth President Launches N10m Grant For Obio/Akpor Women

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The leader of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area Simplified Movement, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo, has unveiled a N10 million grant aimed at empowering women in Ward 1 of Obio/Akpor LGA.
Making the announcement during the recently concluded Obio/Akpor Ward 1 town hall meeting, Ihunwo revealed that the grant will be distributed in amounts of N100,000 to 20 women per community, including non-indigenes.
He stated that the gesture is a token of appreciation for the women’s unwavering support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Ihunwo emphasised the Governor’s commitment to ensuring that Ward 1, Obio/Akpor LGA, and Rivers State as a whole benefit from good governance.
Special Adviser on Power to the Governor, Hon. Solomon Abel Eke, highlighted the transparency and fairness that define the current leadership of the Obio/Akpor Simplified Movement, assuring that it operates without nepotism or impunity.
During the event, former leader of the Obio/Akpor Legislative Assembly, Hon. Achor Nna, criticised former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, who is also from Ward 1, for actions deemed uncharacteristic of true sons of Obio/Akpor LGA.
Also in attendance at the town hall meeting were Hon. Darlington Orji, Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Governor of Rivers State, along with other prominent figures as well as other sons and daughters of Obio/Akpor.
They congratulated the new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, and collectively reaffirmed their support for the Fubara-led administration, underscoring a shared commitment to the progress and development of Rivers State.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

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Rivers

RSG Approves N225bn For Trans-Kalabari Road Project

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The Rivers State Executive Council, on Wednesday, approved N225 billion for the construction of the Trans-Kalabari Road project.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Joseph Johnson, disclosed this while briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting.
The meeting was presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the state Government House in Port Harcourt.
He said the project would be funded with savings from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.
“We shall not borrow to fund the project. We are bent on generating money to fund our projects”, he said.
Johnson stated that the contractor had been mobilised with 30 per cent of the contract, worth to commence implementation.
The commissioner further said the project would be completed within a period of 32 months.
“This is the main Trans-Kalabari Road, the one that happened in the past was building of bridges.
“We are now doing a Trans-Kalabari Road that will run from NSS Pathfinder, immediately after Mgbuodohia community and extend to about 2km to the Aker Base Road in Rumuolumeni”, he said.
He also said the road would pass through the swamps behind the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, moving southwards towards the first bridge crossing.
“It will continue through a series of bridges, connecting many communities up to Tombia Town.
“The road will traverse very difficult terrains of swamp across rivers and creeks upon which series of bridges, decking and piling works will be done”, he said.
The Commissioner further said the state recently recorded some giant strides in the sporting sector.
Also briefing, the Acting Director-General, Rivers State Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Ine Briggs, explained that the bureau diligently managed the proceedings leading to the award of the Trans-Kalabari road contract.
Briggs said the submissions of the state Ministry of Works were reviewed and all the supporting documents examined by the Ministry.
“Having fulfilled all the necessary procurement procedures and guidelines as prescribed by the Rivers State Public Procurement Law 2008 as amended, the Bureau is satisfied that all the elements leading to this award is sufficient to issue a certificate of no objection.
“Therefore, in consideration of all the relevant documents submitted by the Ministry of Works pursuant to the construction of Trans-Kalabari Road and bridges, the Bureau has issued the certificate of no objection, and that the contract be awarded to Lubrick Construction Company Limited”, Briggs said.

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Rivers

Ongoing Elele-Omoku Road Awarded At N80bn – RSG

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The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Joseph Johnson, has said the ongoing dualisation of the Elele/Umudioga/ Egbeda/Ikiri/Omoku Road was awarded at N80 billion.
Johnson disclosed this in Port Harcourt yesterday while speaking to newsmen on the achievements of the Governor Siminalaye Fubara-led administration after one year in office.
He said the road, which cuts across three Local Government Areas, would facilitate easy movement of people and goods, saying “it will boost cross-community commerce.
“The farming communities along this area will find it easy to move their produce to markets in neighbouring towns.
“This project is a deliberate effort to make movement easy for our people, it’s no politics but service delivery”.
The Commissioner said the State Government had already paid 50 per cent of the contract value amounting to N40 billion.
“We are not paying lip service to governance, we mean business. We want Rivers people to see something new.
“We have devised ways of generating money to fund our projects, we are not indulging in any borrowing festival”, he said.
Analysts say the state capital will be decongested if the government successfully implements the line up of road projects in the state.

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