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Omehia vs Amaechi …Rivers Stakeholders Hail Supreme Court Ruling
General Manager, First Life Restaurant and Bar, Mr Godwin Okon (left) and Public Relations Officer, Mr Douglas Ediak, at the reopening of the outlet in Mararaba, Nasarawa State last Saturday Photo: NAN
The people of Rivers State have continued to praise the Supreme Court judgment in favour of Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
Speaking last Saturday, the senator representing Rivers South East, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, said the governor’s victory in the Supreme Court is for true Rivers people as he thanked God for yet another opportunity to sustain democracy and good governance in the state, and called for the end of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) induced crisis.
Abe said the judgement had shown that Governor Amaechi cannot be removed from the office with the law.
According to him, “so, since that is clear and that is what we all agree as citizens of Nigeria, let us work with the governor, let him do his job and let all of us who also have work to do be allowed to do our job.
“I believe that any right thinking person will agree that it is time for us to put some of these things behind us. Since last year, there has been a concerted attempt to remove the governor from office and overthrow the government of Rivers State by force, and there is no provision in our Constitution for that kind of behaviour.
“I think that if we do that, it will help the state, it will help the country. For us to turn Rivers State into a theatre of war because of the ambition of any single individual is morally, politically and spiritually wrong. We cannot kill ourselves here because of anybody,” he said.
The member representing Andoni/Opobo Nkoro Federal Constituency, Hon Dakuku Peterside, said, “the Supreme Court judgment was an indication that it is the hope of a common man.”
According to him, “we have always had confident in the judiciary that is why we have not resulted to violence. We have absolute confident first in God, and secondly, in the institution of the Supreme Court to be able to do justice according to the law.
“It is not about emotion and sentiments, we are glad that the Supreme Court did not disappoint the people of Nigeria and its actions have deepened democracy.
The Chief of Staff Government House, Sir Tony Okacha, said the Supreme Court judgment had ended speculations that Governor Chibuike Amaechi will be removed from office before the end of his tenure.
He said the Supreme Court verdict is a judgment that has sealed the move by detractors to unseat Governor Amaechi.
According to him, “my happiness is that it has ended the long speculations by political failures who go around deceiving people that the governor would be unseated.
“With the judgment, the government will now seat down and concentrate on moving Rivers State to a greater height”, he said.
He assured that “the government will remain focused as it is prepared to give Rivers people democratic dividends. The government is determined to govern the people the best”.
The Board Chairman, Rivers State Sports Council, Charles Paul also hailed the Supreme Court judgment.
Paul said Amaechi’s victory at the Supreme Court is victory for democracy in the country.
He assured that Amaechi will now settle down to take the people to the Promised Land.
The Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, Hon Chimbiko Iche Akarolo, said the Supreme Court judgment was not a surprise.
According to him, the Apeal Court can err, but the Supreme Court cannot joke with the facts on ground.
He said it was cleared before now that Celestine Omehia was a pretender, and for a pretender to come back and say he was interested in a suit that has to do with the elongation of tenure is a slap on the Supreme Court.
The Obio/Akpor Peoples Forum, through its Chairman, Mr Alex Chukwu, also joined the people of the state to commend the judgment, saying that “it is a vindication of the will of the people”.
The Chairman, Rivers State Leadership and Empowerment Advancement Foundation (RIVLEAF), Alex Wele, said the judiciary has again raised the hope of Rivers people by the judgement.
Omehia, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) during the 2011 governorship elections in Rivers State, had approached the Supreme Court, praying it to declare that he has the legal right to appeal the Federal High Court judgment which held that Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s tenure ended on May 29, 2011.
A five-man Supreme Court panel had on November 11 last year, adjourned till last Friday for judgment after parties adopted their briefs of arguments in the consolidated appeals that were filed by Governor Amaechi and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Chief Cyprian Chukwu.
Both Ameachi and Chukwu had told the Supreme Court panel headed by Justice M. Muntaka-Coomassie that the Abuja Division of the Appeal Court erred in law when it granted Omehia the leave to appeal against the Federal High Court judgment, even though he was not a party in the substantive suit that culminated to the appeal.
However, closing the door on Omehia last Friday, the Supreme Court refused to grant his prayers, describing him as a pretender who wants to eat his cake and have it.
Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State Chapter, has described the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as a moving train which could crush any obstacle on its way, including leaders of the opposition against him.
The party, which made the declaration while reacting to last Friday’s Supreme Court victory of Amaechi in the case instituted against him by his cousin, Sir Celestine Omehia, also declared Wike and Omehia as politically finished.
A statement issued last Saturday in Port Harcourt by Rivers APC reads in part: “The litigant, who contested against Governor Amaechi as candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) during the 2011 governorship elections in Rivers State, has since waged a relentless war on behalf of some misguided political hawks residing in Abuja for Amaechi’s removal.
“This morning (Friday), Omehia’s latest gamble, which was his prayer for the Supreme Court to declare that he has the legal right to appeal the Federal High Court judgment which held that Governor Amaechi’s tenure ended on May 29, 2011, expectedly collapsed like a house without foundation. Instructively, the apex court did not only dismiss Omehia’s suit but also lambasted him as a pretender and a man who seeks to eat his cake and have it.”
The statement, signed by the spokesperson of Rivers State Interim APC Chairman, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, quoted the party’s Chairman, Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya as saying: “We wish to commend the sages at the Supreme Court for this wise judgment and for once more proving that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.”
The statement quoted the senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial zone and Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, as saying: “I think it is time for those who are investing so much time and resources to pull down the Rivers State Government to have a rethink. Let us now think of the price our beloved state is paying and say enough is enough.
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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor