Niger Delta
Customer Petitions Banks Over Fraudulent Withdrawals
A Bayelsa-based customer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Nwoke Caleb Chinedu, has petitioned the duo of the UBA and Nirsal Bank Plc over alleged illegal debits and deductions from his accounts.
Chinedu in a recent statement issued to newsmen in Yenagoa, the state capital, by his team of lawyers, S. O. Idike & Partners tagged, “Complaint of fraud and connivance by UBA in respect to account number: 2103400794 with the name Nwoke Caleb Chinedu: A connivance with Nirsal bank PLC”, added that the hardship he faced due to the alleged unlawful deductions has made him to give the banks seven days pre-action notice to correct the errors.
According to the statement, the lawyers said their client, who is a customer of the UBA, on the 22nd of June, 2024 received a debit alert from his own personal account with Access bank to the tune of N 76,304.00 as debit from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as loan recovery from a loan which was allegedly disbursed by Nirsal bank Plc in 2021, saying that such loan is alien to their client who has suffered untold hardship occasioned by these deductions.
The statement added that upon more enquiry to unravel the reason for the alleged illegal deductions, it was discovered that Mr. Nwoke Caleb Chinedu was not privy to the opening of such account and therefore did not receive a loan from Nirsal bank Plc, saying also that it was at the same time found their client’s particulars, his BVN, name and others were utilized to acquire the said loan from the Nirsal bank Plc without his knowledge of such account and loan received.
The statement read in part: “Furthermore our client did not receive nor did he benefited from such loan/grant to the extent of paying for what he did not receive or benefit from.
“Be that as it may, our client has suffered greatly to shock, embarrassment, defamation and BVN defaultment by the CBN for future transactions.
“In all ramifications, we hereby give the Nirsal bank Plc a period of seven days pre-action notice upon receipt of this letter”.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Continue Reading
The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.
Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.
According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.
He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.
He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.
“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.
Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.
The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.
The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.
Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.
He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.
“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.
The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.
The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.
The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.
Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.
He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.
“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.
Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.
“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.
Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.
Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.
“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.
The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.
The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.
It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.
Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.
He, however, said while several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.
“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.
‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.
In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.
Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.
-
Sports7 hours agoBundesliga: Kane Scores, Celebrates First Ever Title
-
Business60 mins agoWage Award: FG Plans 5 Months Arrears Payment
-
News7 hours agoArmy Detains Soldier Over Alleged Assault In Benue
-
Rivers11 mins agoOpobo/Nkoro SOLAD Pledges To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare
-
News7 hours agoSERAP Gives CBN Seven Days Ultimatum To Disclose Allocation Disbursements To 774 LGAs
-
Editorial1 hour agoEnd The Senseless Killings
-
Sports7 hours agoTeam Sleeps At Facility After Attack
-
Business59 mins agoNigeria’s Debt Servicing Gulped N696bn In Jan – CBN