News
RSG Sacks GSM Market …Prosecutes Nine Streets Traders
In line with its policy to check the defacement of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and restore its Garden City status, the Rivers State Government, has ordered the closure of markets operating at strategic locations in the state capital.
A statement from the Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Dr Tammy Danagogo said the development of the city of Port Harcourt requires adherence to standards in terms of planning, adding that government policy on the restoration of the Garden City will not be compromised.
The commissioner, who spoke through the Special Adviser on Media, Mr Ovie Igho, said that the ministry would implement the urban development policy to the letter, and restated its commitment towards restoring the Garden City from urban defacement.
The Tide investigations reveal that one of the areas affected in the course of government’s move to restore Port Harcourt to its deserving status, is the GSM market within Garrison bus stop.
In recent times, the Garrison market had been incessantly invaded by taskforce operatives from the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, apparently acting on government’s directives.
The traders are however, crying foul that they have not been treated fairly as the task force operatives last Tuesday carted away their wares and physically assaulted some of their members.
A trader in the affected market, Lovelyne Ajuizieogu, who spoke with The Tide, said that the taskforce operatives, armed with hammers, axes and other burglary equipment, arrived the market environment unnoticed with a team of military patrol escort and harassed everyone on sight.
She added that the taskforce operatives confiscated their wares displayed along the road, and also invaded rented shops and removed the traders goods. She said the operations were mostly carried out in a vicious manner under the supervision of military escorts.
Another trader, Mr Victor Izomah, who registers SIMs cards and repairs phones lamented the mode of operations of the taskforce, which he described as barbaric and inhuman.
Izomah, who explained that the GSM market at Garrison has suffered incessant harassment from taskforce operators, said the market had created jobs for the teeming youths in the state.
He pointed out that the traders should be properly briefed by the government, if there was a planned relocation or closing of the market.
Another victim, who simply identified himself as Udeme and deals on glasses, said he was physically assaulted by the taskforce operators, who also went with all his goods.
He said the mood in which the taskforce carried out their operations also provided opportunity for hoodlums who joined to loot the place as a result of the rowdiness of the market environment.
Mr Godspower Amaijan, who repairs GSM phones at the market, also called on the government to put a proper check on the activities of taskforce operators, as some of them operate like outlaws.
Amaijan said , “ genuine taskforce on removal of illegal street trading has no business invading people’s rented shops and removing goods belonging to traders”.
Also affected in the task force operation were vendors, whose newspapers and books were removed.
A vendor, who spoke with The Tide on the condition of anonymity, said, this is the first time we are facing harassment from taskforce, I have been at this newsstands for over eight years.
When The Tide approached the head of the taskforce team, simply referred to as Boby, by his colleagues, he simply ignored the reporter with impunity.
It would be recalled that recently, some miscreants who disguised as officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Urban Development were arrested by law enforcement officers and are presently facing prosecution.
When contacted, the Press Secretary of Port Harcourt City Local Government, Mr Bolingo Elenwo said the task force members were operating on a mandate from the governor to stop the market operating at Garrison. He said the council would do everything possible to ensure that the market operators were evicted permanently.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government says it has arrested and prosecuted nine persons for indulging in street trading within the Port Harcourt metropolis and its environs.
The state Commissioners for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Dr Tammy Danagogo who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt last Wednesday, said the arrest was in keeping with the ministry’s commitment in ensuring that the state was rid of illegal street trading to reinforce the present administration’s war against street hawking.
Dr Danagogo, who did not disclose the identity of the arrested persons, however said that the accused persons were arrested along Slaughter market in Trans- Amadi and Sangana Street, Diobu in Port Harcourt respectively by the task force on development control of the ministry.
According to him, the activities of the arrested persons had led to terrible traffic jam as well as the harassment of motorists along the area, adding that they had since been charged to a court of competent jurisdiction for prosecution.
The Commissioner averred that the accused persons were among the group of persons previously arrested by the task force team, adding that they were properly warned not to indulge in the act again which he said, they did not heed to.
“Incredibly, after they were released on bail, they were unrepentant and promptly returned to their criminal escapades. They were re-arrested and have been detained in police custody”, he added.
Taneh Beemene
The Nigerian Army says it has taken into custody Christopher Emmanuel, who allegedly assaulted a female vendor, Doshima, in Kula, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue.
This was contained in a statement by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 401 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi, Capt. Abdullahi Osabo, yesterday.
Osabo said the Headquarters Operation Whirl Stroke took cognisance of the incident, which occurred on May 6 and reported on May 8.
He said the incident might have stemmed from a dispute over an unpaid debt, with allegations suggesting that the soldier claimed the woman insulted him during a phone conversation.
According to him, it is further alleged that this confrontation may have escalated into a physical altercation, which is now under investigation.
“Private Christopher Emmanuel is currently in custody, and a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The Nigerian Army has zero tolerance for human rights abuses and will take disciplinary action based on findings of the investigation.
“The leadership of the Nigerian Army assures the general public and the victim that justice will be served in line with the military’s high standards.
“OPWS strongly condemns any form of indiscipline or human rights abuse by its personnel,” he said.
Osabo urged members of the public to report any instances of abuse by Nigerian army personnel to the Human Rights Desk helpline instead of using social media.
He gave the assurance that all reports of infractions by army personnel were viewed seriously, investigated, and sanctions applied where personnel were found culpable.
“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation,” he added.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will hold a valedictory court session on Wednesday, May 14, to honour the late Justice Emmanuel Ogwuegbu, a former Justice of the court who passed away in October last year.
The session is scheduled to take place at 2.pm in the main courtroom of the Supreme Court.
A statement issued yesterday by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the apex Court, Dr Festus Akande, revealed that the late judicial icon died peacefully in his sleep on October 28, 2024, at the age of 91.
Born on March 16, 1933, in Amainyi, Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, Justice Ogwuegbu rose from a humble background to become a towering figure in the legal profession.
He was appointed a judge of the High Court of Imo State in November 1976, serving as Administrative Judge of the Owerri Judicial Division from 1976 to 1979. He later served in the same capacity in the Aba Judicial Division in 1980.
Elevated to the Court of Appeal in September 1987, Justice Ogwuegbu served in the Ibadan and Lagos Divisions before his appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in April 1992.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the judiciary, he was seconded by the Federal Government to serve on the Supreme Court bench of The Gambia from December 1999 to 2002.
He returned to Nigeria to continue his meritorious service at the Supreme Court until his retirement on 16 March 2003.
The valedictory session will be presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Tributes will be paid to the late Justice Ogwuegbu by the Chief Justice and other key stakeholders in the nation’s justice sector.
The session will also be attended by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
A total of 86 Nigerian Army captains will be sitting for the 2025 written promotion examination in Benin.
The week-long examination will run from May 12 through May 16 and is being hosted by the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport (NASST).
Speaking at the opening session on Sunday in Benin, Maj. Gen. Kevin Aligbe, commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and president of the examination saluted the candidates for reaching this pivotal point in their careers.
He described the examination as a major stepping stone to higher responsibilities and called for professionalism, discipline and zero tolerance for examination malpractice.
“The examination is part of the Nigerian Army’s structured promotion process aimed at building a professional, disciplined and merit-driven officer corps, in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision of a capable and responsive force.
“This is an opportunity to make a solid progression in your chosen career.
“Let me assure you that if you have prepared well, you will pass this exam without resorting to any form of malpractice. We expect nothing short of a 100 per cent success,” he said.
According to him, the examination is a key prerequisite for promotion to the rank of major while also urging all participants to give it their best, especially those making a second attempt.
He noted that only three chances were allowed by the army policy.
Mr Aligbe however, warned that any candidate caught cheating, discussing answers in the hall or violating security protocols would be disqualified and made to face further disciplinary action.
He also disclosed that awards and commendation letters, including cash prizes would be given to candidates who rank first, second and third.
He added: “our desire is to see all of you pass”, while assuring fairness and transparency in the marking process.
In his welcome address, Maj. Gen. Adebayo Adegbite, commandant of NASST, said the school was honoured to host the promotion exam.
He noted that the examination marks a critical milestone in the career development of officers.
“You have undergone a rigorous one-month preparatory cadder.
“The mock exam assessed your readiness. We expect good performance.
“Be reminded of the security situation in Benin. Avoid unnecessary movements. Move in pairs and be security conscious,” he said.
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