Niger Delta
Sexual Abuse: Medical Doctor, Four Others In Police Custody
The Nigeria Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, has detained a 74-year-old medical doctor in the state and four other staff members of the Deeper Life High School, Uyo, following their alleged involvement in the case of the molestation and sexual abuse against one Don Davies, a JSS 1 student of the institution.
It was gathered that the mother of the victim, Deborah Archibong, earlier petitioned the police and the Nigeria Medical Association, accusing the doctor, who is a member of the Deeper Life School Management Committee of ‘sneaking into the hospital where her son was admitted to carry out a nefarious act.’
It was further gathered that three other persons were also invited to appear before the Police Panel including two accused students Ola, Shalom and the House Master, Mr Joseph, following Mrs Okezie’s petition.
However, the police are yet to give reasons for the detention of four others even as findings revealed that their statements never implicated them but it assured of conducting a discreet investigation and unravelling the truth.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP. Odiko MacDon, said he was not aware of the case and expressed surprise over the detention of the 74-year-old medical doctor.
He assured to reach out to appropriate quarters to get more information on what transpired.
However, the detained persons who were supposed to be arraigned before a magistrate Court in Uyo, were not arraigned due to absence of the judge
Lawyer to the defendant, Barr Fedelis Igwe, disclosed that the police brought a total of seven accused persons, five staff and two students- all minors.
The lawyer accused the police of keeping the court in the dark even to the point of arraignment.
His words, “They were not arraigned because we were informed that the chief magistrate was not around but that she will be around tomorrow.
“The police have not told us what these people were to be charged for. They just called them out and asked them (suspects) to come to the court. They have neither briefed the lawyers nor the management.
We have been going there for introduction and interrogation but when we got there, Tuesday, after interviewing them the police said they were going to detain them but they told us nothing thereafter.
On his own, counsel to the claimant, Barr David Okokon, explained that the reason why the court did not sit was based on administrative issues, saying that the police and the court do not have the same modalities.
He accused the detained medical Doctor of engaging in sharp medical practice threatening to petition him to the Nigeria Medical Association.
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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