Rivers
Sexual Assault: Police Set Up Probe Panel
The Rivers State Police Commissioner, CP Eboka Friday, has ordered a discreet investigation into an alleged sexual abuse case involving a 17-year-old girl and an officer.
The Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, who disclosed this while reacting to the allegation, said the outcome of the findings will be made public.
She said: “The Commissioner of Rivers State Police Command, has called both parties over the alleged offence for discreet investigation. The outcome will be made known to the public.”
It learnt that a teenager, simply identified as Binla, had alleged that a police officer known as Salihu Kazeem, alongside his boys stripped the teenager and her friend naked, took video of them and abused them sexually after accusing them of stealing his money.
Binla, in a telephone interview, narrated that the incident happened in March.
She said: “It was in March this year, I was discussing with my friend about getting a job. She told me that she was going to visit her friend and that I should come with her, that maybe I could ask the man to get me a job. So when I saw the man I spoke to him, He asked me my age, I told him, I am 17 years old.
“He told me that since I am 17 there are jobs that I cannot do. That he will see what he can do and get back to me.
“After that, he asked if we had eaten, and we said no. He gave us his ATM card that we should go and get anything we want to eat. We went and bought food and came back with the ATM card and gave him the ATM card.
“So he later claimed that he had debit alerts on his phone, we asked him the amount, but he refused to tell us.
“So, he discharged my friend that brought me and kept me with the other girl I met there.
“He called his boys and told them we were thieves. They ordered us to pull our clothes. After pulling our clothes, he recorded our nakedness. He told us that if we didn’t cooperate with him, he was going to spread the nude videos. He took us to a room and poured us teargas and slept with us till the next morning before discharging us.
“Then, like one month after he has been coming, like three times now. Any time he comes, if we refused to go with him, he will threaten to share our nude videos, then I will go with him and he will sleep with me.
“This last time he came, I was not around. He told my friend they should tell me to come, but when they told me, I refused to go. Then on the following Monday when I was going to repair my slippers, he met me on the road and asked if my friend did not tell me to come, I said they told me. He asked why I did not come, I said nothing, then he dragged my phone from my hand that I should come with him.
“That when I am ready to pay him the N500, 000 he lost in his account, I should come and collect the phone.
“Today, I went to Rumupakani (Ada George) Police station to make a complaint. So, the police went with me to the man’s house, but we did not see him.
“After I got home, people told me some boys came to look for me and I do not know the boys.
“My life is under threat. I don’t know if he is the one that sent the boys. I am calling on the public because my life is under threat”.
When contacted, the officer, Salihu Kazeem claimed the girls did not come back the night he gave the ATM card but sent one of their friends to return his ATM card.
He alleged that he has been receiving debit alerts ever since he gave the girls his ATM card even as of Saturday, August 27, 2022.
He denied taking nude videos of the girls, insisting that they stole N500, 000 from his account.
The policeman however agreed that the three times he slept with the girls were with their consent, and he paid for their service.
He admitted seizing the girl’s phone.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign has called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
A lawyer with the rights group, Fetus Bonwin advised the officer to submit himself for investigation.
Bonwin called on police authorities to thoroughly investigate the girl and the officer and if anyone is found culpable, he/she should be charged to court.
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.