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Sexual Assault: Police Set Up Probe Panel

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The Rivers State Police Commissioner, CP Eboka Friday, has ordered a discreet investigation into an alleged sexual abuse case involving a 17-year-old girl and an officer.
The Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, who disclosed this while reacting to the allegation, said the outcome of the findings will be made public.
She said: “The Commissioner of Rivers State Police Command, has called both parties over the alleged offence for discreet investigation. The outcome will be made known to the public.”
It learnt that a teenager, simply identified as Binla, had alleged that a police officer known as Salihu Kazeem, alongside his boys stripped the teenager and her friend naked, took video of them and abused them sexually after accusing them of stealing his money.
Binla, in a telephone interview, narrated that the incident happened in March.
She said: “It was in March this year, I was discussing with my friend about getting a job. She told me that she was going to visit her friend and that I should come with her, that maybe I could ask the man to get me a job. So when I saw the man I spoke to him, He asked me my age, I told him, I am 17 years old.
“He told me that since I am 17 there are jobs that I cannot do. That he will see what he can do and get back to me.
“After that, he asked if we had eaten, and we said no. He gave us his ATM card that we should go and get anything we want to eat. We went and bought food and came back with the ATM card and gave him the ATM card.
“So he later claimed that he had debit alerts on his phone, we asked him the amount, but he refused to tell us.
“So, he discharged my friend that brought me and kept me with the other girl I met there.
“He called his boys and told them we were thieves. They ordered us to pull our clothes. After pulling our clothes, he recorded our nakedness. He told us that if we didn’t cooperate with him, he was going to spread the nude videos. He took us to a room and poured us teargas and slept with us till the next morning before discharging us.
“Then, like one month after he has been coming, like three times now. Any time he comes, if we refused to go with him, he will threaten to share our nude videos, then I will go with him and he will sleep with me.
“This last time he came, I was not around. He told my friend they should tell me to come, but when they told me, I refused to go. Then on the following Monday when I was going to repair my slippers, he met me on the road and asked if my friend did not tell me to come, I said they told me. He asked why I did not come, I said nothing, then he dragged my phone from my hand that I should come with him.
“That when I am ready to pay him the N500, 000 he lost in his account, I should come and collect the phone.
“Today, I went to Rumupakani (Ada George) Police station to make a complaint. So, the police went with me to the man’s house, but we did not see him.
“After I got home, people told me some boys came to look for me and I do not know the boys.
“My life is under threat. I don’t know if he is the one that sent the boys. I am calling on the public because my life is under threat”.
When contacted, the officer, Salihu Kazeem claimed the girls did not come back the night he gave the ATM card but sent one of their friends to return his ATM card.
He alleged that he has been receiving debit alerts ever since he gave the girls his ATM card even as of Saturday, August 27, 2022.
He denied taking nude videos of the girls, insisting that they stole N500, 000 from his account.
The policeman however agreed that the three times he slept with the girls were with their consent, and he paid for their service.
He admitted seizing the girl’s phone.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign has called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
A lawyer with the rights group, Fetus Bonwin advised the officer to submit himself for investigation.

Bonwin called on police authorities to thoroughly investigate the girl and the officer and if anyone is found culpable, he/she should be charged to court.

 

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Rivers

Rivers High Court Restrain Trustees, Knights of St. John International, Others From Conducting Election

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The High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has restrained the registered trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria, and four others from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920 CIWA, Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery elections, and Supreme Subordinate elections of the Knights of St John International, Nigeria, pending the determination of the substantive matters before them.

Justice G.C. Aguma and Justice V.C. Ugoji, in their separate interim orders of injunction issued in Suit No: PHC/4410/CS/2025 and Suit No: PHC/4359/CS/2025, respectively, restrained the defendants, whether by themselves, their privies, agents, servants, or any person or group of persons working under them, from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery, Port Harcourt Commandery, and Supreme Subordinate of Knights of St John International, Nigeria.

The claimants, Sir Njoku Chukwuemeka Andrew and Sir Chukwuemeka Martin Mba, in separate suits, through their legal representatives, dragged the defendants to court, seeking an order to restrain them from appointing or installing any interim caretaker executive or leadership to run or pilot the affairs of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.

The defendants in the matter are: Registered Trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria; Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Ufuoma Okene, the Grand President, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery, Knights of St John International; Noble Brother Viktor Benebo, the Chairman Investigation Committee set up by the 2nd Defendant to investigate the claimants; Sir Architect Prempeh Ebiware, the District 48 Commander, Knights of St John International, Port Harcourt; and Sir Harry Oruma, member of Knights of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.

The two judges, after listening to the counsels in the matter, granted the claimants’ request and adjourned the matter to 10/12/2025 and 16/12/2025, respectively, for hearing of the motion on notice.

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Police Arrest Workman Over Attack On Supervisor 

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The Boundary Police Division in Aluu Community, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, has arrested a workman identified simply as Joshua for allegedly attacking a site supervisor, Sopiriala Sokari, with a broken bottle, leaving him in coma.
According to information gathered by The Tide, the suspect remained in police custody over the weekend while medical personnel struggled to save the victim’s life at an undisclosed hospital in Aluu.
Speaking with journalists after regaining consciousness, Sokari explained that he had hired the suspect to carry out some work at the site for ?20,000.
Trouble reportedly began when Joshua rejected a ?10,000 part payment, which Sokari had offered with a promise to complete the balance after inspecting and confirming the work.
Sokari narrated how the suspect later trailed him to an eatery near the Obiri-Ikwerre Flyover, where he attacked him with a broken bottle even after a food vendor handed the full ?20,000 to the suspect in an attempt to prevent the incident.
“I am calling on Nigerians to help me. I have spent a lot of money. I need justice”, the victim pleaded.
An unverified video clip circulating online showed Sokari with multiple injuries allegedly sustained during the attack.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.
“Yes, the suspect has been arrested. An in-depth investigation is ongoing”, she said.
By; King Onunwor
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Degema LGA Affirms Ngeribrama As Autonomous Community

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The authority of Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State has affirmed the autonomous  status of Ngeribrama Community in Kalabari land, in the LGA.
A letter signed by the Chairman of the LGA, Dr. Michael John Williams, said to he affirmation was to give clarity and uphold dignity of the traditional institutions.
In his words,”the Council wishes to formally communicate its position regarding the status of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities.”
He disclosed that “following review of historical and administrative records, and confirmation of existing traditional structures, the Degema Local Government Council affirmed that Ngeribrama and its satellite communities were officially recognized as a fully autonomous community within Degema Local Government Area.”
He also noted that the community enjoys a distinct and independent traditional institution, acknowledged under local customs and traditions.
Against this backdrop, he emphasized the Council’s recognition of HRH, Daniel Ngeribrama (Ikata II) as the legitimate and duly acknowledged Amayanabo of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities.
The recognition, the Council’s Chairman further stated, “reflects the Council’s commitment to strengthening traditional authority, enhancing community identity, and promoting peaceful coexistence across all communities in the Local Government Area.”
Affirming the legitimacy and status of the amayanabo, Dr. Williams   reiterated the Council’s readiness to collaborate with the traditional  ruler to advance development, peace, and unity across Ngeribrama and Degema LGA at large.
Meanwhile, in an earlier statement the Amayanabo, chiefs and community leaders of Ngeribrama in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have condemned recent attempts to diminish the status and autonomy of the ancient Kalabari community.
A statement signed by the Secretary of Ngereribrama and Satellite Communities,  Prof. Olomabo Gillis Harry, said the clarification  has become pertinent as there have been recent attempts to diminish their status and role in Kalabari land.
The statement said, “The leadership of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities wishes to issue this public clarification for the benefit of the general public, stakeholders, and the wider Kalabari Kingdom.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ngeribrama and its satellite communities do not fall under the authority of any town or village within the Kalabari Kingdom.”
It explained that Ngeribrama constitutes a fully autonomous community, with a long-established and widely acknowledged traditional institution headed by His Royal Highness, Daniel  Ngeribrama, Ikata II, the Amayanabo of Ngeribrama and Its satellite communities.
The statement noted that the   autonomous status of Ngeribrama was  recognised across Kalabari Kingdom and affirmed historically, culturally  and traditionally.
It  urged the  public is to disregard any claims, statements, or insinuations suggesting that Ngeribrama is under the jurisdiction of any other community.
“Ngeribrama, located within Degema Local Government Area (DELGA), maintains its own traditional governance structure”, the statement emphasised.
Enumerating the  traditional structure and levels of leadership in the community, it stated that the Amayanabo of Ngeribrama has other supporting structures with a duly constituted Council of Chiefs.
One of the chiefs is a senior member of the Royal Family, Chief Hon. Dr. Dax Kelly George, who is Da-Daigbani II.
The community, it further stated, has Elders’ Council, as well as Women and Youth Leadership.
“For historical clarity, our revered progenitor, Ngeribra, had only one child, his daughter, Princess Iwori, whose lineage forms the foundation of the Ngeribrama Community”, the statement continued.
It concluded that “Ngeribrama and its satellite communities remain committed to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and continued collaboration with sister communities within the Kalabari Kingdom, Rivers State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
By: Kevin Nengia
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