Rivers
Rivers Chief Judge Grants 53 Inmates Pardon
The Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, has granted pardon to 53 inmates standing trials for various offences at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional centre.
The goal delivery exercise is part of the week-long programme put in place by the state judiciary to herald the 2023/2024 legal year in the state and also a move to decongest the correctional center in Port-Harcourt,
Justice Amadi said the release was made in compliance with the provisions of section 34 subsection 1 of the Criminal Justice Law of Rivers State and special provision act of the law of the federation.
The law empowers the Chief Judge to visit the correctional center to find out the number of inmates in the custody, how long they have stayed, and know those who should be released and those who should not .
The state Chief Judge said the release of the inmates became imperative in line with ensuring effective justice delivery and decongestion of the correctional centers .
He, however, called for effective synergy among all stakeholders in the criminal administration system, stressing that the Judiciary, correctional services, law enforcement agencies , legal organizations and community leaders must work hand-in-hand for justice to prevail in the society.
Justice Amadi stated that a stakeholders meeting was held prior to the goal delivery exercise in other to scrutinize the list submitted by the correction centre and the DPP in other to ascertain those who have no question to answer and are languishing in the correction centre.
The State Chief judge used the opportunity to call on the police to do a discreet and thorough investigation before charging a suspect to court with out enough evidence.
“Somebody will steal, but police will charge them for armed robbery instead of stealing. Some times when the people recover their stolen property, they are not ready to continue the matter in the court”, he stated.
He advised the released inmates to be of good behavior in the society and turn a new leaf of life , stressing that they may not be lucky next time if they are caught in a crime and brought back to the correction centre.
“I came here for an exercise just to make you better citizens. No one wants you to die. Tou have learnt something here. Please, I beg you all to leave evil and cult. As you go back to the village, let the change be seen in you. Don’t go back to eat your vomit, go back and find something to do: farm, fish and learn hand work.
“Think for yourself. If you are struggling, people will help you when they see ingenuity in you. When you go back, the experience you have here to have been confined in one place, and when you remember is not easy.
“Change, you may not have second chance, but if you do not, it might not be business as usual, he warned them.
Earlier in his speech, the comptroller of the State Correction Service, Mr Felix Lawrence, in his remarks, commended the criminal justice system Administration in the State for effective services in the decongestion of the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Center.
Lawrence disclosed that he met over four thousand inmates when he took over in June 2022, stressing that the number has dropped to a thousand lower due to the consistent goal delivery exercise by the Chief Judge.
Our correspondent reports that those inmates granted pardon were those who had been in the correction centre for five and nine years respectively, and standing trial as awiating trial inmates and had no information filed against them by the DPP in the High Court.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The management of the Rivers State University, (RSU), Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt has admitted eleven thousand and eighty-three students to study in various disciplines and courses for 2024/2025 academic sessions in the university.
The vice chancellor of the university,prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi disclosed this during his address at the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the convocation arena in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Zeb-obipi expressed delight that it was a privilege to welcome everyone to the momentous occasion, marking the beginning of an exciting academic journey for the new students and described matriculation as an important ceremony organised by institutions, especially universities.
“Though this is the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the university,it is the first under my watch as vice chancellor, and I am highly excited that I am having my tail cut in the conduct of this significant ritual of matriculation.”
“Once again, I give God all the glory and thank the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the 14th Governing council under the leadership of Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Mary Odili and the host of others who played one role or the other in my emergence as the vice chancellor. May I also use this opportunity to acknowledge my co-contenstants that made the selection a worthy competition, especially Prof Adolphus J. Toby and prof Nkalo H.Ukoima. There is no doubt that they all mean well for the university and as such i am studying the various vision statements they had submitted for possible inclusion in the efforts to implement what we have, “he stated.
He explained that his vision is to transform the university into a world class, innovative, inclusive institution, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and social responsibility through the re-engineering of the university’s academic, administrative, and community engagement frameworks to ensure that they are student centric, faculty driven, community oriented responsive to the need of the 21st century.
According to him the university aim to achieve the visions by enhancing academic programmes to meet global standards, strengthening research capacity and promoting innovation and improving infrastructure and facilities to support teaching, learning research, and fostering partnerships with industries, government, and other stakeholders to promote community engagement and entrepreneurship among others.
The VC while giving the statistics of the administration said a total of 29,107 candidates took the university as first choice in the 2024 JAMB Examination, 16,172 qualified the institution 190 cutoff mark, 15,348 registered for the post UTME, while 15,014 participated in university test and out of the number,11,083 was admitted.
The VC while congratulating the matriculants, urged them to shun any forms of social vices such as cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and indicent dressing, adding that the the school has zero tolerance on indiscipline and other anti social behaviours that are detrimental to societal growth.
Akujobi Amadi
The Vice Chairman of Opobo Council of Chiefs, Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown has joined the chorus of voices calling for an immediate end to the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers State.
The Opobo chiefs Council’s vice chair who was speaking on the sidelines at an emergency stakeholders’ congress of the INC held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa last Wednesday, emphasized the gravity of the suspension of a state governor, deputy and legislators, characterizing it as an unprecedented assault on the democratic process.
He argued that suspending an elected governor and the state legislature not only undermine the mandate given by the electorate but also poses a significant threat to the political stability of the state. Brown further declared the suspension as “an aberration and travesty of the constitution.”
His words, “Even though the Nigerian Constitution grants the President powers to declare a state of emergency under Section 305, it does not authorize the suspension of democratically elected officials, such as governors or members of the legislature. The proper procedure for removing a governor is outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution, which requires legislative processes rather than executive fiat”.
Brown went on, “The unconstitutional suspension of democratically elected government officials is a Slowly but surely dismantling of democratic structures. This will not help our fledgling democracy, but will destroy all the gains so far made in this democratic dispensation”.
“This is not just about Governor Fubara; it is about every citizen of Rivers State who participated in a democratic election,” he stated. He added, “Injustice in Rivers State is injustice all over Nigeria because we are all governed by one constitution.”
He expressed concern that such actions could set a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust in the electoral system and democratic institutions across Nigeria.
He further articulated the historical context of the Ijaw struggle for
representation, highlighting the community’s long-standing grievances
regarding political marginalization.
“For over 24 years, we have fought to regain our rightful place in governance,” Brown remarked. “To have that struggle undermined by a unilateral decision from the federal government is not just
frustrating—it is an affront to our identity and aspirations as Ijaw people.”
Brown called for a united front among Ijaw leaders and communities,
urging them to resist any attempts to divide or silence their voices.
He underscored the importance of dialogue and reconciliation as vital
pathways to resolving the ongoing crisis, rather than resorting to forceful measures that could exacerbate tensions. “We must engage with
the federal government, but we will do so on our terms,” he insisted.
In closing, Brown reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of
justice and equity, emphasizing that the Ijaw people would not back down in their quest for recognition and respect.
“We are prepared to stand firm and advocate for our rights. Our
history is rich with leaders who have fought for us, and we will not
allow their sacrifices to be in vain,” he concluded, rallying support
for a peaceful resolution that honors the democratic process and the will of the Rivers people.
The high-profile one-day stakeholders’ meeting brought together
influential Ijaw leaders, including Bayelsa State Governor, Douye
Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; former Rivers State
Governor and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Rivers Governor, Chief Rufus Ada-George; and former Bayelsa Deputy
Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of
Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta
Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali; prominent traditional rulers from
various parts of Ijawland; the President of the Ijaw Youth Council
(IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri and many other notable Ijaw leaders from across the Niger Delta.