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Wike Seeks Approval For Law School In PH

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has requested approval for the establishment of a campus of the Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt.
The governor said the request is made in view of the fact that the existing six campuses of the Nigerian Law School across the country can only admit 6,000 out of the over 10,000 applicants that seek legal education every year.
Wike made the request during the flag-off of two hostel blocks (450-bed spaces each) and a 1,500 capacity auditorium, being constructed by the Rivers State Government, at the Yenagoa Campus of the Nigerian Law School, last Friday.
According to Wike, Rivers State Government is willing to provide the basic infrastructure required in establishing another law school within six months in order to accommodate more students desirous for legal education.
“Let me throw a challenge to the chairman of Council of Legal Education, to the permanent secretary of Ministry of Justice, and to the Director General of Nigeria Law School. How do we accommodate these extra 4,000 people that are left out since the only capacity the law school can take is 6,000?”
The governor expressed the readiness of states to support the Council of Legal Education and the Federal Government, if they are given opportunity to provide requisite infrastructure for the establishment of more law schools to accommodate eligible aspirants to the legal profession.
“Nobody should play politics with this. As a state government, I am ready to within the next six months give you everything that is required to establish a law school in Port Harcourt. What are the facilities you need? Four hostels; two for men, two for women, an auditorium, multipurpose hall, law clinic, two moot court rooms, vehicles and residences for staff, then, Port Harcourt can host a campus of law school.”
Wike said no person should be surprised that Rivers State Government was intervening in Yenagoa campus of Nigerian Law School because the institution is meant for South-South region.
“So, one of these days, I came here with the DG, and what I saw was not befitting of a law school for legal education. For a school in the South-South, this is where our children come to, we should be able to give support. What Rivers State Government is spending is not less than N5billion to build 900 bed space hostels for boys and girls and then 1,500 capacity auditorium.”
In his remarks, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, described such intervention of the Rivers State Government in improving facility for legal education as a worthy complimentary effort.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of the Federation, Dayo Apata, the Attorney General of the Federation, said the request for a campus in Port Harcourt can be favourably considered when a formal proposal is received.
“I see clarity of thought about how Nigeria can be better off. I see a man with passion, very passionate about development. Everything you spoke about discussed is about Nigeria to be better off. You are touching life. We see you doing projects. You have written your name in the sands of time.”
The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, described the intervention of Wike as remarkable.
According to him, since the Bayelsa State Government donated the land and the few structures, the Federal Government has not made any contribution since 2011 when it was established.
“This project here you’re initiating, today, ought to be a Federal Government project. And since this campus was donated by Bayelsa State Government, we have not seen anything done by the federal government.
“At this point, it is now the duty of those of us in the South-South region to nurture this campus, so, that it will become a reputation. And so, we are very happy for this hand of cooperation and fellowship you have extended to this campus.”
On his part, Director-General of Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, said facilities at the campuses of Nigeria Law School have become insufficient to cater for the needs of legal education.
This is so, he said, because of the increased number of students’ enrolment to study law in Nigeria and in Diaspora.
“Hence the urgent need for interventions and assistance in these critical areas. It is, therefore, instructive, a welcome development and the reason for this happy gathering in our Yenagoa
The Chairman, Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, said the central idea behind these constructions by the Rivers State Government was to address the infrastructural deficits of lecture and accommodation spaces for the ever increasing number of students seeking to acquire vocational legal training in Nigeria.
“It is no secret that since the establishment of the Yenagoa and Yola campuses of the Nigerian Law School in 2011 little or no attention has been made by government or concerned stakeholders to build more hostels and lecture halls to effectively accommodate students adequately.”

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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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