Rivers

Ogoni In US Threaten Legal Action Over MOSOP Members’ Trial

Published

3 years ago

February 27, 2023

The Council of Ogoni Professionals and the National Union of Ogoni Students, USA, both affiliates of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), have raised objections over the trial procedures of 12 MOSOP members at the Rivers State High Court, Nchia Division.
They said the trial procedures of the 12 MOSOP members, under the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Constance D. Green may deny the 12 MOSOP members justice.
The two groups alleged that the presiding judge disregarded judicial ethics, and the impartiality expected of a judge by allowing a debriefed claimants’ counsel to take a motion while disregarding a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.
The preliminary objection had been raised by one of the defendants, Apostle Celestine Viura, challenging the jurisdiction of the court on several grounds, including the fact that the judgment in question is currently being challenged before a court of appeal and the claimants’ lawyer, N. Tsaana-Kaa, had long been debriefed by the claimants.
The 12 MOSOP members include Messrs Legborsi Pyagbara, Fegalo Nsuke, Bariara Kpalap, Friday Bemah, Chief Keeper Gbaranor, Prince Biira, Dike Theophilus, Boy Nnaa, Theophilus Joseph Meekor Mbagha, Apostle Celestine Viura, Mr Alex and Adamgbo Sylvester.
The Ogoni professionals and students in the US made the claim in a statement signed by Daewifa Barima Wifa Council of Ogoni Professionals (COP, USA) and Freddie Idamkkue, President, National Union of Ogoni Students (NUOS USA).
Part of the statement reads: “The Council of Ogoni Professionals and the National Union of Ogoni Students , USA strongly condemn the actions of Justice Constance D. Green in the case, and will further take every necessary legal action(s)to ensure that the defendants are not denied justice.
“While COP and NUOS hold the Nigerian judiciary in high esteem, we will not expect that Justice Constance D. Green be allowed to drag the reputation of the Nigerian Judiciary into the mud”.
The groups asserted that after the judge had delivered judgement in the matter, the second defendant, Fegalo Nsuke, filed an appeal against the judgement at the Federal Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division on August 4, 2020.
They claimed that instead of the judge hearing a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit following the appeal, she attempted to take a motion to substitute the claimants in the suit on February 14, 2023, noting that “this suggests that Hon. Justice may have a mindset on the issue and is compromised”.
The Ogoni professionals and students in US added that despite the claimant writing the counsel in the suit, Naagbanton Tsaana-Kaa on February 2, 2022, to disengage his legal services and not to further represent them in the suit, the judge is attempting to assume jurisdiction in a matter that an appeal has been entered and the Appeal Court processes are before her.
The statement added: “We have become seriously disturbed by the decisions of Hon. Justice Constance D. Green on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, during which the judge attempted to take a motion to substitute claimants in the suit while a Preliminary Objection (PO) challenging the jurisdiction of the court is pending.
“In fact, the judge refused to take the PO and attempted to take a motion seeking to substitute all the claimants with fresh names”.

By: Ike Wigodo

Rivers

Rivers To Honour Veterans In 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr. Benibo Anabraba, has reiterated the commitment of the Rivers State Government to the welfare of military veterans, widows of fallen heroes, and officers currently serving in the State, saying they will be honoured this year.

Dr. Anabraba made this known during the Central Planning Committee meeting for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held in Port Harcourt.

He commended members of the Committee for their contributions to the successful Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently conducted in the State and urged them to intensify efforts to ensure a resounding success in the remaining activities lined up for the celebration.

According to him, activities commenced with Juma’at Prayers on Friday, January 9, at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township.

As part of events marking this year’s event, a special engagement was also hosted by the wife of the State Governor, Her Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, to honour, celebrate, and interact with widows and veterans.

On Saturday, January 10, a Humanitarian Outreach, Family and Community was hosted for widows and veterans by Her Excellency, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, wife of the State Governor.

Yesterday, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service was also held at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township.

The grand finale, the Wreath-Laying Ceremony, is billed to take place on Thursday, January 15, at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt.

Dr. Anabraba noted that a major highlight of the programme would be the laying of wreaths by the Governor alongside heads of security agencies in the State.

Rivers

Police Recover Remains Of Missing Man, Arrest 2 Suspects In Rivers … 12 More Suspects Over Mbodo-Aluu Attack

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Rivers State has recovered the remains of the late Sampson Worianime, who was declared missing on November 11, and arrested two suspects linked to the case.

The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, stating that the suspects were arrested following investigations into the crime.

Iringe-Koko recalled that Worianime was declared missing after accompanying an unnamed community youth leader from Ogbogbo Community in the Okrika area of Rivers State to inspect and measure a parcel of land.

She explained that following the report to the police, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding Worianime’s disappearance.

“Upon receipt of the petition, we commenced intelligence-led policing, which led to the arrest of two suspects, including the Chief Security Officer of Aleto-Eleme Community”, she said.

According to her, the suspects, during investigations, confessed to abducting two youths from Okrika Local Government Area.

She said one of the victims, whose identity was not disclosed, escaped, while Worianime was killed.

She added that the suspects later led police operatives to the location where the victim’s remains were recovered from a shallow grave.

“The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with investigations.

“Efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend other accomplices involved in the crime”, Iringe-Koko stated.

In a another development, the Police Command also announced the arrest of 12 suspects in connection with a violent attack of Unity Estate on Mbodo-Aluu Road in Port Harcourt.

Iringe-Koko said the suspects, alleged to be members of a vigilante group, alongside hired thugs, reportedly invaded the estate on January 5, armed with pump-action guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

“The assailants allegedly fired gunshots indiscriminately, causing panic and fear among residents”, she said.

She continued that the estate suffered significant damage, with several vehicles destroyed during the attack.

“One of the residents, Stephen Nmacha, sustained a shattered leg from gunshot injury and was subsequently abducted by the attackers.

“He was later rescued by police operatives and is currently receiving medical treatment at a healthcare facility”, she said.

Iringe-Koko further disclosed that several other residents sustained varying degrees of injuries while fleeing into nearby bushes to escape the violence.

She listed the items recovered from the suspects to include one automatic pump-action gun, a live cartridge, spent cartridges, charms, five motorcycles, two minibuses and a Sienna bus.

Speaking on the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olugbenga Adepoju, described the attacks as reckless and reprehensible.

He noted that vigilante groups were legally required to operate strictly under police supervision, and questioned why the group failed to coordinate with the police.

Adepoju said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects involved in the attacks, including the Akpor Commander of vigilante group, currently at large.

“We call on members of the public to provide credible information that will assist the Command in apprehending the fleeing suspects”, Adepoju urged.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Community Warns TotalEnergy, Others Over Entitlement In Bonny

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The people of Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community of the Jumbo Chieftaincy House in Bonny have accused TotalEnergies, Amni International and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited of sidelining legitimate landowners in Bonny, Rivers State, in a manner community leaders warn could trigger unrest.

This, they said, will likely negatively affect ongoing construction projects along the Bonny 48” Offshore Loading Line.

A statement issued by the Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community of the Jumbo Chieftaincy House spokesman, Dr. Fidelis Jumbo, alleged that the companies have been dealing solely with the Brown House while neglecting the joint ownership structure legally established for the land where the project sits.

“This stretch of land belongs jointly to the Jumbo House, the Brown House, and Bonny Kingdom on a 30-30-40 basis.

“For the Brown House to present itself as the sole landlord is bereft of altruism and sincerity. TotalEnergies, Amni and Renaissance must retrace their steps to forestall avoidable crisis”, Dr. Jumbo said.

The land in contention hosts the pipeline route being constructed by TotalEnergies to convey gas from Amni International’s offshore facility to the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal (BOGT) operated by Renaissance.

Referencing a 1972 agreement signed by representatives of the Jumbo House, Brown House and Bonny Kingdom, Dr. Jumbo noted that all six original signatories had long passed, stressing that no party has the authority to unilaterally alter the established structure.

Chairman of the Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community, George Sunju-Jumbo, said peace in Bonny depends heavily on respect for due process.

“We want peace in this Kingdom. Whatever our forebears agreed on must be upheld. Why should the Brown House present themselves as the only family TotalEnergies should talk to? We cannot take it. We will not allow it”, Sunju-Jumbo said.

He stressed that the Kingdom ought to show greater interest in the project, given its implications for the two primary families and Bonny’s traditional authority.

Despite protests, checks at the project site confirmed that construction continued uninterrupted, a development some observers described as “corporate insensitivity.”

Community leaders allege they were excluded from a November 12, 2025, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review meeting in Port Harcourt.

A former senior oil and gas executive, who requested anonymity, criticized the companies’ posture.

“In this age where everything is being done to de-escalate tension in the energy sector, such corporate misdemeanour is shocking”, he said. “How do you disrespect and disenfranchise landowners of their own property? Bonny Kingdom is taking a whole lot of nonsense.”

As of press time, TotalEnergies and Amni International were yet to react on the matter.

By: Enoch Epelle