News
Cultism: Royal Father, Son, Others In Police Net
At least, three cultists, including a traditional ruler, are said to have been arrested by joint community vigilante groups in the early hours of Saturday at Igbodo in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State in connection with serial killings and criminal activities in the area. The Tide learnt that the suspects have since been handed over to Okehi police Division for interrogation.
Those arrested include the leader of a dreaded cult group, “Deebam” in Etche Local Government Area, Mr Mejube City, and another member of the gang, simply identified as Mr Okilo as well as the Ochimba of Umuine Igbodo Etche, Chief Allison Mejube, who is the father of the alleged gang leader of a cult group in the area for aiding and sponsorship of a cult group in the area.
Although, the police at Okehi declined comment on the arrest of the suspects, a top police officer in the area, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed to The Tide that the suspects are in their custody.
The source added that the police was intensifying efforts to establish whether the suspects are directly involved in the conspiracy and killing of innocent citizens in the area, adding that efforts are being made to track down more members of the fleeing cultists.
The source further revealed that while Mr Mejube City and his father the traditional ruler were arrested by the joint vigilante groups of Igbodo and Okehi I at Umuine Igbodo in the early hours of Saturday, Mr Okilo was said to have been apprehended at Aba, Abia State last Wednesday, where he was hiding from security operatives.
The Tide learnt that Igbodo and other communities in the local government area have become a haven for all forms of criminal activities which had almost led to near collapse of both social and economic activities in the area.
This, according to our source, prompted the present administration in the area led by Bar Reginald Ukuoma to explore proactive measures to contend with the challenging situation by establishing community vigilante groups as well as effective funding of the security agencies in the area.
The Tide also learnt that the cult boys had held sway for a long time and exhibited their supremacy and control of mercenaries in all the communities in Okehi clan, especially at Igbodo where they perpetrated all forms of criminal atrocities without challenge from any quarters.
When contacted on phone, the Chief Security Adviser (CSA) to Etche Local Government Council, Hon Obima Anebo while confirming the arrest, said over seven cultists have so far been arrested by the community vigilantes since the onslaught against cultism by the local government council began in the area.
He said that the suspects arrested by the communities have been handed over to the police for further prosecution , adding that the arrest would not stop until all criminal elements in the area are fished out and prosecuted.
The Etche Local Government Area CSA called on various communities in the area, especially the youths to assist the present administration in the area to rid Etche communities of all forms of criminal elements whose stock in trade was to cause mayhem and distraction in the area.
When contacted on phone at the time of filing this report, the state police public relations officer (PPRO), DSP Angela Agabe said her phone has crashed and she could not reach the DPO in charge of Okehi Police Division, CSP Okwonu Allwell for briefing but promised to reach him, today.
“My brother, I have no number of any DPO on my phone as I am talking to you because my phone crashed over the weekend but I will reach him tomorrow Monday when I get to the office,” she said.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.