Niger Delta

Defamation: Court Orders Substituted Service On Rivers APC Chieftains

Published

8 years ago

March 9, 2018

A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has ordered that substituted service be served on nine chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.
The trial Judge, Justice Constance D. Green gave the order yesterday following an application brought by the counsel to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri clan in Okrika Local Government Area King Ateke Tom, Granville Abibo (SAN) on a defamation of character suit bordering on fundamental right brought by the claimant, King Ateke Tom against the eight chieftains of APC, who are defendants in the matter.
The chieftains of the APC who are the defendants in the matter include Hon. Asita O. Asita, Chief Davies Ikanya, Dumu Lulu Briggs and Engr. Sampson Ngeregbara. Others are Prince Tonye Princewill, Hon. Sokonte Davies, Emeka Beke and Lawrence Chukwu.
The Okochiri monarch had in January this year filed a N1 billion suit against the eight chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for alleged defamation of character in suit No. PHC/345/2018.
The claimant, an ex-Niger Delta agitator is seeking the leave of the court among other things to compel the defendants to jointly and or severally pay him the sum of N1 billion for libel and defamation of his character as well as an apology from the APC chieftains on National Newspapers for denting his character and reputation.
Justice Green ordered the lawyer to the claimant to serve the respondents in the matter through a substituted service by pastingsame in their offices, houses as well as the APC State Secretariat in Port Harcourt or any other means.
She urged the claimant to follow the rules of the court and ensure that the order of the court was effected on the parties involved.
The order was the aftermath of the application moved by the claimant lawyer, Granville Abibo (SAN) complaining on their inability to serve the defendants with the originating processes of the court.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) further told the court that the defendants had been evading service from the court baliff and sought the order of the court to serve the respondents through a substituted means which the court graciously granted.
The trail judge later adjourned the matter to 9/5/2018 for a pre-trial conference.
Speaking to journalists outside the court, Counsel to Ateke Tom, said the court had granted their application to serve all the defendants through a substituted service.
It would be recalled that in January 2018 the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state during a pro-rally in Port Harcourt organized by the support of SARS in the state imprinted King Ateke’s picture in a banner and allegedly described him as criminal made King by the Rivers State Government and that made the Okochiri King to seek redress in court.
Meanwhile, chiefs, youths and women from Okochiri, yesterday staged a solidarity march in support of King Ateke Tom over the on-going defamatory suit pending before Port Harcourt High Court.
The Protesters who numbered over 1000 people besieged the main gate of the entrance of the State Judiciary Complex in a Solidarity March with their King.
The spokesperson of the group, Chief Dere Blemgbo Oforome said the Okrika nation and the entire Ijaw nation are not happy on the affront melted on their King by the night APC leaders and urged the youths to remain peaceful fill the dispensation of the matter I the court.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The National Population Commission (NPC), on Friday, launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (eCRVS) in Delta State, designed to strengthen data generation and vital statistics management.

The Tide’s source reports that the system was launched by the Delta Federal Commissioner, Mrs. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba, at a news briefing in Asaba.

Brume-Ataguba recalled that President Bola Tinubu formally launched the eCRVS in November 2023 as part of the efforts to modernise Nigeria’s civil registration process.

She said the initiative followed resolutions reached at the Sixth Session of the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Addis Ababa in 2022.

According to her, African ministers urged member states to automate civil registration processes and implement the UN Legal Identity Agenda.

“Nigeria responded by developing an electronic, technology-driven system to enhance data generation and improve civil statistics nationwide,” Brume-Ataguba said.

She said NPC, in collaboration with UNICEF, produced an eCRVS Operational Readiness Assessment Report to guide implementation.

She explained that the partnership aims to establish a fully digital civil registration system that converts records of vital events into reliable statistics for effective planning and decision-making.

Brume-Ataguba described the initiative as a complete shift from paper-based documentation to a modern digital platform aligned with international best practices.

She said the system would transform the way births and deaths were recorded, tracked and analysed across the country.

“This process marks a complete departure from the traditional paper-based recording of vital events to a state-of-the-art digital solution that conforms to international best practices.

“This eCRVS promises to revolutionise how vital events are recorded, tracked and analysed in the country.

“This will ensure commitments, and a sustained national, international financial and political investment for birth registration within the CVRS in Nigeria, ” Brume-Ataguba said.

She also said the launch demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening civil registration data capture and processing.

She further said improved vital statistics would support national development planning and help Nigeria achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Brume-Ataguba continued that the state-level launch was necessary to sensitise the media and the public on the significance of the digital registration system.

She described the media as a vital partner in informing and educating citizens about the importance of registering vital events electronically.

She further assured residents that competent ICT personnel were available at the state level to address technical challenges and provide support.

The NPC commissioner emphasised that the eCRVS would overhaul the registration of births and deaths in the country and lay a solid foundation for efficient civil statistics management.

She urged stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to realise its goal of providing accurate and timely vital registration data.

She announced that the current phase of the e-CRVS programme would be concluded in March.

In her remark, the NPC State Director, Mrs. Jane Odigwe, appealed to the Delta Government to support the implementation of the system in the state.

“Your partnership is vital in helping us to reach this goal,” Odigwe said.

She also urged parents to register their children, saying that a birth certificate is essential for access to education, healthcare and other opportunities.

She said that registering children today would secure their identity and future participation in Nigeria’s development.

“To every parent in Delta, I urge you to bring your children forward for birth registration.

“A birth certificate is not just a document but your child’s key to education, healthcare and global opportunities.

“By registering your child today, you are giving them a voice in Nigeria of tomorrow,” Odigwe said.

Niger Delta

Police Uncover Suspects’ Armoury … Recover Weapons In Delta

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has recovered assorted weapons from a criminal hideout in the state.

Spokesman for the Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to newsmen, who on Friday in Warri, said the weapons were recovered on Thursday by the operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson.

He said the feat was achieved following a confession by a suspect handed over to the police team by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe Division, for further interrogation.

Edafe said the suspect was alleged to be a member of a criminal syndicate terrorising commuters and residents on the Warri/Sapele Road.

“On February 19, acting on information obtained during interrogation, the suspect led the operatives to a concealed armoury located on the Sapele/Warri Road by the Adheje Community axis.

“A thorough search of the hideout resulted in the recovery of a locally made long gun, a locally made cut-to-size gun.

“Also recovered were a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition, 10 live cartridges and a dagger,” he said.

Edafe stated that the investigation into the matter was ongoing.

He, however, quoted the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Command, Mr. Aina Adesola, to have reiterated the command’s resolve in dismantling criminal networks, and mopping up illegal firearms, among others, in the state.

Niger Delta

Police Caution On Lawless Protests On Court Matters In A’Ibom

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has cautioned on threats of lawless protests by some members of the public over matters that are already before the courts.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, told newsmen in Uyo on Friday that illegal protests could undermine public peace and order.

“When matters are already in court, let’s follow legal and civil means to seek redress. That is how a civilised society works.

“Although we recognise the constitutional rights of citizens to lawful expression and peaceful assembly, illegal protests are not allowed,” he said.

Azare said the Command would not tolerate threats or acts of nude protests, unlawful occupation of public or private facilities, and disruption of government, economic or social activities.

He said anyone found culpable of engaging in acts or threats of illegal protests would be prosecuted in line with the law.

“As a Command, we are committed to the maintenance of law and order, we are also committed to protecting lives and property”, he stated.