A traditional ruler in Rivers State, Eze Victor Prince Worluchem, has been docked at a State Senior Magistrate Court on six-count charges bordering on impersonation, misrepresentation, and false pretence.

The charges, marked PMC/2/12026, alleged that Worluchem falsely paraded himself as the paramount ruler of Port Harcourt City and Majesty of Rebisi Kingdom, despite a court order restraining him from doing so.

The six-count charges against Worluchem include disobeying a court order in Suit No PHC/18/8/2013, which restrained him from parading himself as Eze Ebar Rebisi III of Rebisi Kingdom, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace by falsely and fraudulently presenting himself as Majesty of Rebisi Kingdom.

These offences are punishable under Section 133 and Section 2 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. II Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.

During the court proceedings, Worluchem pleaded not guilty to all six charges.

His counsel, U.G. Wokocha, applied for bail, arguing that the offences were bailable and that his client had reliable sureties.

However, Senior Magistrate, Kingsley Briggs, refused to grant him bail on self-recognition, but granted him bail with two sureties in the sum of N500,000.

The sureties are required to be blood relatives or recognized persons in society with a reliable source of livelihood, not above 55 years old.

The court adjourned the matter to July 21, 2025, for continuation of hearing.

After the proceedings, Lawrence Ufomba, counsel for the complainant and Port Harcourt Council of Chiefs, briefed journalists on the court’s decision, while Worluchem’s counsel declined to comment.

The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, has emphasised that the Nigerian Immigration Service plays pivotal role in nation building.

Prof. Worika made this observation when the new Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Rivers State Command, CIS Shehu Umar, led the management of the Nigerian Immigration Training School Ahoada (NITSA), on a courtesy visit to his office in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

According to him, the strategic position of the Immigration Service in ensuring the safety of our borders is important for the peace and security of the nation.

This was contained in a statement by the Head of the Press Unit.

Office of Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Juliana Masi, yesterday.

Worika assured the Immigration of the State Government’s determination to support security and para-military agencies and ensure the security of the State.

He acknowledged their services and collaboration with sister agencies to enhance law and order, and encouraged them to hold up the positive impact in state building.

In response to ongoing recruitment into the immigration and sister agencies, he maintained that the State will continue to encourage her citizens to join the service.

In his remarks, the Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Rivers State Command and Commandant NITSA, CIS Shehu Umar, thanked the State Government for the consistent support to the state command and NITSA.

He noted that NITSA is the only immigration institution located within the entire South-South geopolitical zone to address manpower training needs of junior cadet since 2001.

The Senate yesterday confirmed Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, as Chairman of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC).

Also confirmed was Usoro Offiong Akpabio from Akwa Ibom State as the Managing Director of the commission.

However, Tijani Yahaya Kaura, the nominee representing the North-West, was not cleared after failing to submit necessary documents and refusing to appear before the screening committee.

The committee noted that the window remains open should he eventually present himself for the process.

The Senate also confirmed the following nominees as members of the SSDC board: Rt. Hon. Larry Odey – Member, Cross River; Charles Zuofa – Member, Bayelsa; Dr. Nkereuwem Ebong – Member, Akwa Ibom; Engr. Chika Chinedu – Member, Rivers; Barr. Femi Oise – Member, Edo; and Dr. Charles Sylvester Enukhowhate – Member, Delta.

The Senate also confirmed Tabitha Iliya Sallah as Member for the North-East; Alh. Yusuf Rasaq Amao – Member, North-Central; Joseph Mmamal – Member, South-East; and Hon. Bukonola Braimoh – Member, South-West

Confirmed executive directors include: Hon. Marcus Nie Eji – Executive Director, Projects (Rivers); Engr. Aganaba Preye Steven – Executive Director, Social and Human Capital Development (Bayelsa); Dr. Timi Alari Ayibatonye – Executive Director, Corporate Services (Delta); Hon. Joseph Ugheoke – Executive Director, Commercial and Environmental Development (Edo); and Amb. Sony Abang – Executive Director, Finance (Cross River).

The confirmations followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on South-South Development Commission, chaired by Senator Benson Konbowei (PDP, Bayelsa Central).

Presenting the report, Senator Konbowei stated: “That the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on South-South Development Commission on the confirmation of the nomination for appointment as Chairman, Managing Director, and Members of the Board of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC).”

It will be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, last month, submitted the list of nominees to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s request during plenary and referred it to the appropriate committee, which was tasked to report back within one week.