News
Court Remands Pastor In Prison Over Alleged Defilement Of 16-Year Old Girl
A Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate Court in Rivers State has ordered the remand of bishop of a new generation church in the state capital, Bishop Felix Okpara Duruebube, at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre after he failed to meet his bail condition, last Monday.
The accused was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Anugbum O.N. Esq of Chief Magistrate Court 24 on two-count charge bordering on sexual harassment, among others, with charge sheet No.PMC/1025c/2022.
The State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) arraigned Felix Okpara Duruebube, aged 39 years, after investigation was concluded on the matter.
The charge sheet reads thus: “Count 1, that you, Felix Okpara Duruebube, between the month of April, 2021 to May,2022, at RayJPE Hotel, Rumuokoro; Mercy House Church branch, Iwofe; and No.42A,Road 12, Rumuahulu, Port Harcourt in Port Harcourt Magisterial District, did unlawfully and sexually abuse one ‘f’, a girl of 16/17 years by inserting your penis into her vagina, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 32(1)(2) of Child Rights at CAP 50 Law of Rivers State,2003.
“Count11 read: You, Felix Okpara Duruebube, sometimes in month of December,2021 at Mercy House Church International headquarters, Eliozu, in the same aforementioned Magisterial District, did unlawfully force one ‘f’, a girl of 16/17 years old to take an oath with you not to sleep with another man or tell anybody that she is having sex with you, else she will run mad and die, thereby committed an offence under Section 208 of the Criminal Code of CAP 37 Vol11 Laws of Nigeria 2004.”
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the two charges, and was later granted bail by Chief Magistrate Anugbum O.N. with two sureties in like sum of N2million.
The court ordered that one of the sureties must be a bishop while the second surety,must be a relation with a landed property within the Port Harcourt Magisterial District.
Speaking outside the courtroom,the Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Rivers State, Adata Bio-Briggs, expressed satisfaction with the conditions of bail given to the accused by the presiding magistrate.
The FIDA chairperson used the opportunity to advise people, especially miracle and deliverance seekers in the society to always test all prophecies and spirits, and be mindful of worship centres where they go to answer the call of prophetic delivery services in other not to be victims of evil men wearing the cloak of servants of God.
She frowned at a situation where some men of God would be encouraging settlement of criminal matters out of court, saying that FIDA would follow up the matter to ensure justice was served.
By: Amadi Akujobi
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.