Niger Delta

Ewhrudjakpo Wants Improved Efforts In Laundering Judiciary Image …Berates Legal Practitioners Over Unethical Conduct

Published

3 years ago

August 25, 2023

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has called on all true lovers and practitioners of the legal profession in Nigeria to rise and launder the image of the profession, saying its nobility is fast eroding.
He made the call when a joint delegation of the Sagbama and Yenagoa Branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the leadership of the Young Lawyers Forum, Sagbama Chapter, paid him separate courtesy visits in Government House, Yenagoa.
A Statement issued by the Media Aide of the Deputy Governor, Mr Doubara Atasi, on Wednesday, quoted him as lamenting that the once highly respected legal profession is now being denigrated by the unethical conduct of some of its practitioners in the country.
The Deputy Governor, who expressed concern over the brazen manner some lawyers were turning the legal profession to media practice, noted that it is unethical for practitioners to discuss subjudicial cases on television and other media platforms in their quest to achieve popularity.
He also took a swipe at lawyers who encourage their clients to disrespect court orders and judgements, instead of advising them to obey and appeal such court pronouncements.
He said the judiciary was under trial in the country, and therefore, urged those who truly love the profession to do everything within their reach to redeem its image as the beacon of hope for the common man and defender of the rule of law.
Addressing the Young Lawyers Forum led by Mr Peres Agari, the Bayelsa Number Two Man enjoined freshers in the profession to be studious and make innovation, imaginativeness and smartness their watchword to achieve success in the legal career.
“When I was growing up, lawyers restrain themselves from talking about cases that are subjudicial. But today, we even discuss the merit and demerit of a case on television and on the pages of newspapers.
“A lawyer going to TV or holding a press conference to talk about a subsisting court order and justifying why one arm of government or the other will not obey the order, to me, that is taking patronage too far.
“Lawyers must learn how to restrain themselves because by our conducts, we are reducing the status and estimation of the judiciary in the eyes of the public. We must know that our profession is on trial in this country.
“We must tell ourselves the bitter truth. The nobleness of our profession is fast eroding, and so, we have to work hard to redeem the image of the legal profession”, the Bayelsa Deputy Governor said.
In their remarks, the NBA Yenagoa Chairman, Mr Johnbull Somina, and his Sagbama counterpart, Mr Igbomgbo Paraboma, acknowledged the support and cordial working relationship between the State Government and the two branches of NBA in the state.
While assuring government of collaboration in maintaining peace, law and order in the state, Mr. Somina pleaded with government to support both branches attend and participate in the NBA Annual General Conference in Abuja.
Also speaking , the pioneer NBA Chairman in Bayelsa State, Hon. Clinton Ayabowei, lauded the Deputy Governor for his openness and approachable attitude to governance.
Hon. Ayabowei, who is also a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa, appealed to the State Government to fulfill its earlier promise to provide a bus each for the NBA Yenagoa and Sagbama branches.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

7 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The National Population Commission (NPC), on Friday, launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (eCRVS) in Delta State, designed to strengthen data generation and vital statistics management.

The Tide’s source reports that the system was launched by the Delta Federal Commissioner, Mrs. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba, at a news briefing in Asaba.

Brume-Ataguba recalled that President Bola Tinubu formally launched the eCRVS in November 2023 as part of the efforts to modernise Nigeria’s civil registration process.

She said the initiative followed resolutions reached at the Sixth Session of the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Addis Ababa in 2022.

According to her, African ministers urged member states to automate civil registration processes and implement the UN Legal Identity Agenda.

“Nigeria responded by developing an electronic, technology-driven system to enhance data generation and improve civil statistics nationwide,” Brume-Ataguba said.

She said NPC, in collaboration with UNICEF, produced an eCRVS Operational Readiness Assessment Report to guide implementation.

She explained that the partnership aims to establish a fully digital civil registration system that converts records of vital events into reliable statistics for effective planning and decision-making.

Brume-Ataguba described the initiative as a complete shift from paper-based documentation to a modern digital platform aligned with international best practices.

She said the system would transform the way births and deaths were recorded, tracked and analysed across the country.

“This process marks a complete departure from the traditional paper-based recording of vital events to a state-of-the-art digital solution that conforms to international best practices.

“This eCRVS promises to revolutionise how vital events are recorded, tracked and analysed in the country.

“This will ensure commitments, and a sustained national, international financial and political investment for birth registration within the CVRS in Nigeria, ” Brume-Ataguba said.

She also said the launch demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening civil registration data capture and processing.

She further said improved vital statistics would support national development planning and help Nigeria achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Brume-Ataguba continued that the state-level launch was necessary to sensitise the media and the public on the significance of the digital registration system.

She described the media as a vital partner in informing and educating citizens about the importance of registering vital events electronically.

She further assured residents that competent ICT personnel were available at the state level to address technical challenges and provide support.

The NPC commissioner emphasised that the eCRVS would overhaul the registration of births and deaths in the country and lay a solid foundation for efficient civil statistics management.

She urged stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to realise its goal of providing accurate and timely vital registration data.

She announced that the current phase of the e-CRVS programme would be concluded in March.

In her remark, the NPC State Director, Mrs. Jane Odigwe, appealed to the Delta Government to support the implementation of the system in the state.

“Your partnership is vital in helping us to reach this goal,” Odigwe said.

She also urged parents to register their children, saying that a birth certificate is essential for access to education, healthcare and other opportunities.

She said that registering children today would secure their identity and future participation in Nigeria’s development.

“To every parent in Delta, I urge you to bring your children forward for birth registration.

“A birth certificate is not just a document but your child’s key to education, healthcare and global opportunities.

“By registering your child today, you are giving them a voice in Nigeria of tomorrow,” Odigwe said.

Niger Delta

Police Uncover Suspects’ Armoury … Recover Weapons In Delta

Published

7 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has recovered assorted weapons from a criminal hideout in the state.

Spokesman for the Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to newsmen, who on Friday in Warri, said the weapons were recovered on Thursday by the operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson.

He said the feat was achieved following a confession by a suspect handed over to the police team by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe Division, for further interrogation.

Edafe said the suspect was alleged to be a member of a criminal syndicate terrorising commuters and residents on the Warri/Sapele Road.

“On February 19, acting on information obtained during interrogation, the suspect led the operatives to a concealed armoury located on the Sapele/Warri Road by the Adheje Community axis.

“A thorough search of the hideout resulted in the recovery of a locally made long gun, a locally made cut-to-size gun.

“Also recovered were a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition, 10 live cartridges and a dagger,” he said.

Edafe stated that the investigation into the matter was ongoing.

He, however, quoted the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Command, Mr. Aina Adesola, to have reiterated the command’s resolve in dismantling criminal networks, and mopping up illegal firearms, among others, in the state.

Niger Delta

Police Caution On Lawless Protests On Court Matters In A’Ibom

Published

7 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has cautioned on threats of lawless protests by some members of the public over matters that are already before the courts.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, told newsmen in Uyo on Friday that illegal protests could undermine public peace and order.

“When matters are already in court, let’s follow legal and civil means to seek redress. That is how a civilised society works.

“Although we recognise the constitutional rights of citizens to lawful expression and peaceful assembly, illegal protests are not allowed,” he said.

Azare said the Command would not tolerate threats or acts of nude protests, unlawful occupation of public or private facilities, and disruption of government, economic or social activities.

He said anyone found culpable of engaging in acts or threats of illegal protests would be prosecuted in line with the law.

“As a Command, we are committed to the maintenance of law and order, we are also committed to protecting lives and property”, he stated.