Rivers
Igbu Akoh Monarch Condemns Killing Of DPO …Wants Perpetrators To Face The Law
The Paramount Ruler/ Eze Igbu Akoh ll of Igbu Akoh Kingdom in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, HRM Eze Godspower Okorobia Okpagi, has condemned in strong terms the gruesome murder of the Divisional Police Officer ( DPO) of Ahoada Police Division, SP Bako Angbashim in Odiemudie Community in the local government.
SP Angbashim was last Friday murdered in cold blood in a gruesome and babaric manner by certain criminal elements, who are still at large, with the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, placing a N100million bounty on the head of the prime suspect and his criminal gang.
Reacting to the development, Eze Okpagi said in an interview that he was highly pained by the sad incident, as the slain DPO was deployed to Ekpeye land by the police hierarchy and the government to actually fight for the freedom of the people and liberate them from the vestiges of criminality and other social vices, which had ravaged the area since 2015.
He noted that the hoodlums, who hacked down the DPO had been having a field day in the area since 2015, under the care of the suspended Hon Cassidy Ikegbidi, who arrogated to himself the Eze Igbu Akoh ll paramountcy, contrary to the customs and traditions of the Ekpeye people.
The monarch affirmed that the deplorable security situation in Akoh Clan was so bad that cult boys had a free rein, as they presided over and decided family cases, misunderstandings between husbands and wives and land matters while the so-called Paramount Ruler of the Kingdom helplessly watched them.
“It is unfortunate for them to kill an innocent man, who had come to fight for our freedom. And because his actions were detrimental to their operations, they conspired and killed him. It is unacceptable. They butchered him like an animal. No reasonable and responsible government would tolerate that. Bako was sent to us by the government and he was doing a nice job, and cleansing the area before he met his untimely death. His murder is very very unfortunate”, he said.
Eze Okpagi thanked Governor Fubara for his prompt intervention, saying, all those involved in the dastardly act must be made to face the law.
“It should not end there. There should be no politics in this. This is because we are all human beings. Those responsible must face the law,” he said, conceding that the Odiemudie Community, where the DPO was killed is in one of the sub-clans in Igbu Akoh Kingdom.
“We live in the communities. We interact. We know what has been going on there. We had written series of petitions to the government. I personally wrote the Governor over the security threat to my life. And the death of SP Bako has affirmed all our fears,”he said.
It would be recalled that in the wake of the murder of the DPO, the Rivers State Government wielded the big stick, and promptly suspended indefinitely Hon Cassidy Ikegbidi, who before this time, had been entangled in series of litigations, challenging his claim to the Igbu Akoh chieftaincy stool.
Most recently, specifically, on June 5, 2023, the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, dismissed for lack of merit, an appeal he filed challenging an earlier judgment of March 14, 2018, given by the High Court in Ahoada, voiding his ascension to the throne of the Eze Igbu Akoh ll. The court ordered all the parties to submit themselves for an election as contained in the Ekpeye Bye-Law of 2010 on the Qualification and Procedure for the Election of an Eze Igbu in Ekpeye land.
Available records show that Hon Ikegbidi did not submit himself for an election as directed by the court and never participated in the election conducted by a duly constituted Electoral Commission, the basis for which the Court of Appeal dismissed his suit.
In spite of defying the High Court order of March14, 2018, even without any proof and evidence that Hon Ikegbidi has secured a stay of execution of the Appeal Court judgment of June 5, 2023, he has continued to parade himself as the Eze Igbu Akoh ll, contrary to the customs and traditions of the Ekpeye people.
Conversely, Eze Okpagi, who submitted himself for an election and won, as required by the Ekpeye Bye-Law and the Constitution of Akoh Communities was coronated on June 30, 2018, amid pomp and pageantry as the authentic Eze Igbu Akoh ll by the Igbu Akoh Owhor Holders and Akoh Council of Chiefs, under the auspices of His Imperial Majesty Eze Robinson O. Robinson of blessed memory.
It is also on record that the Ekpeye Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs had on May 1, 2018 withdrew chieftaincy titles conferred on Hon Ikegbidi for not following due process in ascension to the stool of Eze Igbu Akoh and for illegally coronating himself as Eze Igbu Akoh ll in the night, when Akoh people were yet to elect their Eze, among other offences and misconduct.
Again, Eze Okpagi, on June 21, 2018, had duly endorsed and signed, as the authentic Eze Igbu Akoh ll, a letter of appreciation by the people of Akoh under the auspices of Igbu Akoh Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, thanking former Governor Nyesom Wike for upgrading the Eze Igbu Akoh stool to First Class chieftaincy status.
It is interesting to note that on August 1, 2023, the lawyers to Eze Okpagi petitioned the Rivers State Commissioner of Police and the Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Council against the suspended Hon Cassidy Ikegbidi over acts of criminal intimidation and conducts capable of causing inter-communal war and breakdown of law and order in Igbu Akoh Kingdom.
The lawyers had also on August 18, 2023, written the Rivers State Government through the state Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, on the wrongful recognition of Hon Cassidy Ikegbidi as Eze Igbu Akoh Kingdom, and urged it to “suspend the certificate of recognition granted him by the state government as Eze Igbu Akoh as well as all the benefits he now receives from the state government by virtue of his mischievous misrepresentation of facts before the last administration”.
“Conversely, we appeal to you based on the foregoing to use your good offices to recommend to the Rivers State Government to grant recognition to our client as the authentic Eze Igbu Akoh by virtue of the judgment of the Court of Appeal”, the lawyers pleaded.
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.
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