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Rape: Group Petitions Rivers CP Over Randy Pastor
A civil rights advocacy group has sent a petition to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, complaining against one Pastor Tony Titus Daniel for allegedly raping a 20-year-old girl.
According to reports, Mr. Tony Titus Daniel, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, and claims to be a pastor and General Overseer of Jesus Alive Word Refiners International Church at Elechi/Wokoma Street, Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt, conspired with his Personal Assistant, who is also a Choir member known as Miss Favour, and another lady to rape the victim.
The 20-year-old victim, who explained the reason she openly protested at the front of the church last Sunday, said Daniel and his Personal Assistant, Ms Favour, invited her to a place around Wimpey junction, Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, to resolve issues they were having with the pastor’s wife whose church was located in the compound she resides.
The victim, who is a hairstylist, said she obliged to meet them after Ms Favour, who is also her customer, persuaded her that the pastor’s wife would also be in the meeting.
The victim stated that she noticed the place was a Guest House upon arrival but was not suspicious of anything since Ms Favour was in the place.
The victim alleged that few minutes after she got inside the room, Daniel locked the door and increased the volume of the television set, while Ms Favour and the other lady, whom she does not know her identity, held her down on the floor against her will as the pastor raped her.
She further alleged that the pastor and his accomplices forced her to swear an oath with a substance suspected to be ‘juju’ not to reveal to anybody what transpired in the place or she dies.
Not able to bear the shame, betrayed and trauma arising from the rape, reports have it that she damned the oath, and openly protested at the front of the church after Sunday service to draw the attention of Nigerians to the alleged continuous harassment and threat to her life in the hands of the pastor even after the rape incident.
In the meantime, Counsel with a human rights advocacy group, the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, Festus Bonwin, told newsmen in Port Harcourt, that the group petitioned the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Eboka Friday, upon receiving a report from the 20-year-old girl, to demand a thorough investigation into the allegation made by the victim against the pastor.
Bonwin said the group was also asking that the police to provide adequate security for the alleged victim as feelers indicate that there are threats from some quarters against her.
Daniel was detained at Azikiwe Divisional Police Headquarters, Mile Two, Diobu, Port Harcourt, on March 18, 2020, after one Mr. Ndidi Austin stormed Daniel’s church, alleging that he caught his wife with the pastor in a hotel.
Daniel, however, denied the allegation, stating that the place Austin saw him and his wife was not a hotel.
As at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, had approved the petition filed by the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, and directed the Human Rights Desk at the State Police Command Headquarters, Moscow Road headed by SP Nnamdi Omoni to carry out proper investigation.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.