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Rivers Court Discharges, Acquits Ikoku 4
A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, presided over by Chief Magistrate Amadi Nna has discharged and acquitted the four alleged suspected armed Robbers, cultists and car snatchers, popularly called the Ikoku Four on the four-count charges preferred against them by the police.
The discharged persons, who were standing trial at the magistrate court, include Victor Ogbonna, Osaze Friday, lfeanyi Osuji and lfeanyi Onyekwere.
The Magistrate Court also struck out the charges against the four young auto mechanics who were arrested on December 19, 2019, tortured and detained by the E-Crack at Mile One Police Station, and later charged to court.
The four were detained alongside late Chima lkwunado by the Eagle Crack police team, and charged to court on ‘trumped up’ charges bordering on armed robbery and cultism.
Their discharge and acquittal followed the report of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Ibiene Mbano on the matter which was sent to the court at the recommencement of the trial, yesterday.
The court held that the report had not indicted the suspects of the crimes they were accused of by the police, and therefore, discharged them immediately from all the allegations levied against them before the court.
Nna ruled that the DPP reports advised that the charges against the Ikoku four by the police were unfounded and should not have come up in the first place, adding that they were mere speculations.
Speaking with newsmen outside the courtroom, the Director of Public Prosecution in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Ibiene Mbano said, “We discovered that the allegations against the boys were mere speculations and unfounded, and it is not a matter we could be able to prosecute.”
Counsel to the four accused, Morrison Opue welcomed the decision of the court and revealed some of the options before his clients going forward on the road to total justice.
The four persons were arrested alongside late Chima Ikwunado and were arraigned by E-Crack on charges of robbery and cultism.
On arraignment, the four were remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service by the magistrate pending the report of the DPP on the matter.
The Tide reports that this is the first time the DPP in Rivers State Ministry of Justice is turning in a report on any matter in less than five days, thereby supporting arguments in some quarters that the DPP can help decongest the overcrowded correctional facility in Port Harcourt through prompt delivery of legal advice on p[ending cases.
The Tide further reports that the arrest of the surviving four and the alleged death of Chima in police custody had sparked a series of protests in the state.
Tension had also heightened yesterday in Ikoku axis following the expiration of an ultimatum given by Ohanaeze Ndigbo calling for the unconditional release of the remaining four survivors.
It would be recalled the auto mechanic, Chima Ikwunado had died in the custody of E-Crack team at Mile 1 Police Station in Diobu area of Port Harcourt.
By: Amadi Akujobi
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.