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PDP Calls For Wechie’s Prosecution …CLO Dissociates Self From Comments …Wechie Bribed To Launder Amaechi’s Image – Wike’s Aide

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The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to arrest and prosecute the leader of Integrity Group, Livingstone Wechie, for lying under oath before the upper chamber against the former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
The Publicity Secretary of the party, Samuel Nwanosike, who made the call in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital while reacting to Wechie’s outburst on a live television programme “Focus Nigeria” on African Independent Television (AIT) in Abuja, said the party was surprised that Wechie, who took an oath before the Senate on October 12, 2015, will reappear on a television programme to eat his words.
Nwanosike challenged Wechie to present facts that the past government did not embezzle state funds.
According to him, “I want to state clearly that from what we have seen today, men who lack integrity and character ought not to be taken seriously. This same Livingstone Wechie swore to an oath in 2015 before Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led committee, that he was not sponsored by anybody, and that anything he had said was based on his investigation.
“The Senate should know that the document he presented to them belongs to him. With the current development, it showed that Wechie lied on oath, and the Senate should summon him.
“If he is being compelled to do what he had just done, then he should be used as an example because he thinks that Nigerians can be taken for a ride. Since he said that the documents were given to him by some people in the Rivers State Government, he should mention those who gave him the document,” Nwanosike said.
He, however, accused Wechie of working for the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, to launder his already maligned image.
Also in reaction to Wechie’s outburst, the South-South Zone of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) dissociated itself from the statements credited to Livingstone Wechie during a live television programme on AIT in Abuja, last Monday.
A statement by the CLO and signed by the Zonal Chairman, Uchegbu Karl Chinedu, said the various wild and scurrilous allegations Wechie bandied about did not represent the position of the CLO.
According to him, ’’We dissociate CLO from the said statements, and take exception to the claims by Wechie.
‘’This claim is just a figment of his imagination, as he was merely appointed a deputy director on publicity as a result of his closeness to the mass media (special assistant to the zonal chair), a position from which he has long been removed. The face of CLO in the South-South zone, as in other zones remains the zonal chairman, while the zonal director or zonal administrative secretary (ZAS), takes charge of the administration of the zonal office’’, the statement noted.
“It would be recalled that Wechie admitted, in his live appearance on a television programme that he told lies, on behalf of his Integrity Group, and not on behalf of CLO. We, therefore, urge the relevant agencies to further investigate these lies and do the needful,” the CLO said.
According to Chinedu, “the CLO stands by the actions and interventions we made in the past as they were made in the interest of the public and the suffering masses.”
He said the CLO has remained resolute in its campaign for enthroning good governance, protecting democracy and human rights, stressing that all its interventions have fallen under these mandates.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, has described the recent claims by President of Integrity Group, Livingstone Wechie, of a non-governmental organisation that the corruption charges against former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi were concocted by the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration, as a cheap blackmail and image laundering for the ex-governor.
Nwakaudu, in a statement, last Monday, shortly after Wechie appeared on Africa Independent Television (AIT)’s ‘Focus Nigeria”, stated that there was no time Wechie acted on behalf of Rivers State Government or the governor since he runs his private organisation.
In his words, “Mr Wechie, himself, on his different television and radio appearances, stated unequivocally that he was not on the sponsorship of the Rivers State Government. With the benefit of hindsight, the interviewers helped to keep everything in the right context. Whatever Livingstone Wechie said on Focus APC is unfounded falsehood. His thoughts on the programme are the baseless concoction of a blackmail trader who hides under the cover of activism”.
Nwakaudu asserted that  public should not be deceived with the ploy by former Rivers State Governor and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who  was working round the clock to launder his image, and of which, Wechie is just one of his recently hired hands.
According to the Rivers State governor’s media aide, Mr Wechie’s action is in reaction of failure of the state governor to use state resources to fund Wechie’s activities, adding that Wike is a transparent leader who will never be drawn into the sponsorship of integrity challenged charlatans under any guise.
He explained that the Wike administration was built on the rule of law, hence, nothing is done outside the prescriptions of the law.
“Long before Governor Wike won elections in 2015, it was public knowledge Amaechi misappropriated fund that accrued to Rivers State. Amaechi on May 27, 2015, declared Rivers State broke, stressing that Wike will have no resources to pay salaries or do projects,” he noted.
The special assistant said the overwhelming  evidence  of  corruption charges against the immediate past administration was affirmed by  the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that investigated the sale of valued assets  of the state and which the Minister of Transportation failed  to appear before but rather rushed to court.
Unfortunately, he stated that the court had upheld the action of the Rivers State governor to investigate the former administration, stressing that Amaechi’s failure at the Court of Appeal to challenge the constitution of the judicial commission further underscores the sanctity of the action.
He said, “It is imperative to declare that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that investigated the sale of valued assets of the state sat in the public. All the documents about the fraud of that administration were circulated in the public domain with journalists writing about the activities of the commission, publishing tendered documents. Nothing was hidden from the people of the state.”
The Chairman of the Rivers State Commission of Inquiry into the sale of Valued State Assets and other related matters, Justice George Omereji informed the governor that the commission received 442 exhibits, 27 memoranda while 25 witnesses testified before it. It confirmed that N53billion was diverted by Amaechi and his officials.
Nwakaudu described Wechie’s claims as “a mindless sponsored act of criminal blackmail”, which reeks of conspiracy to help embattled Amaechi. Otherwise, the EFCC and  the ICPC that Livingstone Wechie wrote countless petitions to, ought to arrest him and prosecute him for lying on oath”.
He maintained that the current scheme to paint Wike black will fizzle out like the DSS-sponsored protests in Abuja, where they accused the governor of sponsoring activities to destabilise the Federal Government.
“The Wike administration is built on the mandate freely given by the Rivers people. These winds of mischief can only strengthen it”, he assured.

Kevin Nengia

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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