Niger Delta
Prosecution Witness Turns Accused In Court
There was drama at an Akwa Ibom High Court in Oron, when child’s rights activist, Sam Ikpe-Itauma, who was in court as a witness, was made an accused person.
The activist had been invited as a principal witness to testify against a clergyman, Bishop Samuel William, who is being prosecuted for maligning children accused of witchcraft.
William, the Bishop of Spiritual Healing Church, Ibaka, has been standing trial for his alleged confession to the killing of more than 100 “child witches”.
The confession is reportedly contained in a documentary aired on BBC Channel 4.
But when the case came up for hearing last Tuesday in Oron, the Prosecuting Counsel for the state, Mr. C.J. Udoh, applied to the court to amend the charge to include Ikpe-Itauma as an accused.
However, the application was opposed by Mr. Pius Madaki, lead of defence counsel to Ikpe-Itauma.
Madaki argued that it was unfair to invite a ‘star witness’ to the court only to put him in the dock when he had no prior information to the charges leveled against him.
“The prosecution has just laid an ambush of the accused; the accused came on invitation to testify as a witness”.
“We are embarrassed that a known crusader against child stigmatization can be hounded into the dock when he was in court to testify against an accused.”
“The law states that service of charge is mandatory before arraignment and must be strictly complied with in all criminal proceedings.
“Ikpe-Itauma had no prior information on the charges filed against him and is not prepared for arraignment,” Madaki said.
He maintained that the law provided that an accused person would be entitled to prior notice of his charges before arraignment and taking of plea.
The Judge, Justice A.E. Archibong, ruled that Ikpe-Itauma was entitled to service of the charge filed against him before arraignment.
He, therefore, adjourned the case to February 7 to enable the prosecution to serve Ikpe-Itauma.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
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