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SARS: FG Forcing Dictatorship On Rivers -AG …Obio/Akpor Evicts Anti-Robery Squad
Terror unleashed by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Rivers State has been described by the state Government as a subtle and gradual descent to dictatorship on Rivers people.
The state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Emma Aguma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) made the assertion when he spoke on a live radio programme organised by Silverbird Communications in Port Harcourt, last Saturday.
Aguma decried the fact that on several occasions, the state government had petitioned the Federal Government on the activities of SARS without any positive response, saying that SARS’ activities amounted to a deliberate ploy to destabilize the state.
Rather than provide security for Rivers people, Aguma observed that SARS has become an instrument of crime and all sorts of anti-social activities, as they indiscriminately arrest innocent citizens and force charges on them.
He said, “All complaints made by the people have fallen on deaf ears. Recall that majority of the complaints and petitions raised by the people during the visit of the Presidential Panel was on SARS, not the Navy, not the Army”.
The attorney-general further accused the federal security outfit of extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public who were indiscriminately apprehended by SARS and falsely accused of committing crimes.
Aguma submitted that the activities of SARS have become a source of worry and concern to Rivers people because the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and other relevant police authorities have failed to respond to the outcry of the government and people of the state, thereby making SARS more emboldened to commit atrocities in the state.
“The silence displayed by the Federal Government is deafening”, Aguma remarked, “Is it not about time that those involved act. The silence for us is acquiescence”.
The commissioner denied the claim that the state government was raising false alarm due to SARS’ refusal to be used as tool to hunt its critics.
Meanwhile, the authorities of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council in Rivers State, have given the embattled Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Rivers State Police Command up till November 30, 2017, to vacate its headquarters located inside the Obio/Akpor International Market, Rukpokwu, near Port Harcourt or face eviction.
The council, in a quit notice dated October 18, 2017, and addressed to the Commander of SARS in the state, CSP Akin Fakorede, emphasised that it will take all available legal means to take possession of the property should the special security outfit fail or refuse to abide by the notice.
Copied in the letter, which was signed by the Legal Adviser to the council, Barrister Victor Owhonda, were the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed; amongst others.
It reads in part, “I am directed by the Local Government Council to give you one month Notice to Vacate and deliver up possession of the premises/property of the Obio/Akpor International Market, Rukpokwu, which you presently occupy as a licensee thereof on or before 30th day of November, 2017.
“The directive is borne out of the council’s need to carry out major renovation works at the International Market, and put the said property, which you occupy into full use and purpose for which it was originally acquired and built.
“Take further notice that in the event you fail or refuse to abide by this notice, the council shall have no option but to use all available legal means to eject you therefrom and demand consequential damages,” the quit notice added.
Reacting to the eviction notice, which was also received same day by the SARS Commander, Akin Fakorede, and the state commissioner of police, the Rivers State Police Command insisted that the property occupied by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad within the premises of Obio/Akpor International Market at Rukpokwu was a police station.
Spokesman of the command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, who confirmed the receipt of a copy of the letter, also said the property was serving its purpose as a police station, explaining that the police was not a tenant of the local government council in Rivers State.
He further disclosed that the legal arm of the police was studying the letter, and would advise the police high command appropriately.
According to him, “For what it is worth, we are not a tenant to Obio Akpor Local Government. They are not our landlords.
“That property was built to the specification of a police station and that is what it is being used for. That place is a police station.
“I have never seen where a police station is built and occupied and then some persons will say the police should vacate the place.
“Anyway, our lawyers are looking at that notice, and since it came from their legal adviser, we will respond appropriately,” Omoni added.
The Tide recalls that the frosty relationship between the Fakorede-led SARS and the Rivers State Government has been accentuated by the obvious refusal of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to redeploy the SARS commander, following various evidences of alleged crime and conspiracy to commit acts of criminality in the state.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had at several fora accused Fakorede of professional conduct dating back to the 2015 general elections when he was first accused of helping the All Progressives Congress (APC) rig the elections as well as the subsequent rerun elections in 2016 in the state.
However, the Police High Command has continued to defend Fakorede, insisting that he was professional in his conduct.
The Tide reports that the property was built and donated to the Rivers State Police Command as a police station to provide security cover to the market in 2012 during the tenure of the former Obio/Akpor Local Government Council Chairman, Timothy Nsirim.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana & Markson Tamunobubeleye
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.