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Tag: Imo

  • Man rips own intestine open, jumps at moving vehicle in Imo

    The Imo State Police Command are still trying to unravel the mystery behind an attempted suicide by Ifeanyi Onuoha, 30, from Umuoye Imeriewen in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.

    According to the state police public relation officer, Orlando Ikokwu, Onuoha, at about 3pm on Monday, saw an oncoming commercial vehicle along Nkwoala, Ahiazu Mbaise road owned by Chinedu Ibiam and jumped in front of it.

    But the driver of the vehicle was quick to apply his brake, preventing Onuoha from accomplishing his suicide mission.

    However, the driver of the commercial bus was later confronted with the most shocking scene of his life when he came down to check on the man and discovered that he had already ripped part of his stomach open with a knife and attempting to draw out his own intestines when the driver raise the alarm.

    The man was later caught up and rushed to Crown Hospital, Ahiazu and later Aboh General Hospital when his condition was not improving.

    The police image-maker said that the victim has been transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia for better treatment while efforts are ongoing to trace his relations.

    The police have promised to get to the root of the incident just as it has called for calm.

  • Court restrains suspended Imo LG officials from assuming offices

    Court restrains suspended Imo LG officials from assuming offices

    An Imo State High Court, sitting in Owerri, the state capital, has issued an interim order restraining the suspended 27 local government areas chairmen and councillors from further invading the councils and from perpetrating any other extrajudicial action connected to it.

    This came as the suspended Chairmen and councillors were prevented from forcefully taking over power from the interim management committees of the 27 council areas of the state.

    The order followed an application for an interim order filed by the Attorney General of Imo state, Ndukwe Nnawuchi (SAN), at the High Court in Imo state.

    Making his application, Nnawuchi regretted that the former chairmen and councillors had filed numerous suits in various courts challenging their suspension, but did not have patience to also wait for the outcome of their suits and decided instead to take over government at the local government level using brute force.

    “These defendants are parties to this case and by that they have submitted to the jurisdiction of this court. Even though the process of arriving at justice may be slow and sluggish, the parties must wait and let the court take its decision.

    “A situation where while this case is pending in court, the defendants decided to take up weapons and overrun the 27 council areas in Imo state is an affront on the legal authority of the court; and would portray the court as a toothless bulldog if such recklessness was condoned.

    “It is also criminal, treasonable felony to take over government by force without the backing or force of law”, Nnawuchi said.

    The Attorney General noted that it was a clear recipe for anarchy if the action of the suspended council officials was allowed, as Imo would become a state where only the strong and mighty survived without any recourse to law and order.

    Delivering his ruling, Justice Eze Ohiri Njemanze noted that all the parties in the suit were duly served and aware of the pendency of the substantive suit, HOW/613/2019.

    He regretted that the defendants (the former chairmen and councillors) ignored the pendency of the suit and tried to force their way into the Local Government Councils across the state.

    Njemanze stated that none of the parties in the suit had the right to truncate the process or render the suit nugatory by adopting self-help measures instead of waiting for the determination of the substantive case.

    He however granted the application for an interim order, in the interest of peace and order, pending the determination of the interlocutory injunction on the 28th of January 2020.

    Justice Njemanze also ordered that the status quo, from 17thJune, 2019 or from the day of the dissolution of the former Chairmen and councillors, be maintained.

  • One killed in Imo as APC, PDP chairpersons clash over council headquarters

    One killed in Imo as APC, PDP chairpersons clash over council headquarters

    Augustine Anioke

    One person was killed in Imo State on yesterday as sacked chairmen and councilors attempted to resume their duties at various local government areas of the state.

    According to reports, they met stiff resistance from members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in most of the local government areas.

    The chairpersons, whose elections were conducted by the past administration of Rochas Okorocha before he left office, were sacked by Governor Emeka Ihedioha shortly after he was sworn in.

    He also set up interim management committees for the councils.

    The suspended chairmen and their councillors across the state had besieged the 27 LGAs headquarters with the intent to resume duties.

    They cited the Supreme Court judgement in a case between suspended Ekiti State LGA chairmen and the state government, in which the court ruled that the governor had no legal power to suspend elected LGAs chairmen.

    But the suspended chairmen were resisted by the interim management committees and PDP supporters which led to a riotous situation.

    In Owerri West council, the committee chairman, Innocent Ekenma, said the APC chairmen and their supporters were stopped 200 metres away from the secretariat before they could even gain access into the council.

    “We resisted them; they did not even progress beyond the market square. Everywhere is calm now and I am in charge; whoever told you that they beat us is telling lies,” Mr Ekenma said.

    The situation was similar in Owerri North council.

    The committee chairman, Solomon Onwuegbuchulam, also prevented the APC sacked chairman and councillors with over 500 supporters from coming close to the gate of the council.

    Orlu, Nwangele, Orsu, Ehime-Mbano, Isiala-Mbano, Ahiazu Mbaise, Oru East , Oru West and Ohaji/Egbema also had similar situations.

    In Aboh Mbaise, the APC chairman, Chidi Nwaturuocha, who earlier successfully gained entrance into the council with his councillor and supporters, was allegedly manhandled by the police. He was said to have been teargassed and beaten by the police.

    His councillor, Jasper Nwachukwu, was also said to have been wounded in the head when a police officer attacked him with the butt of his gun. Gov. Ihedioha is from Aboh Mbaise.

    Also, at Njaba, there was a palpable tension as the scenario degenerated into a free-for-all-fight between APC supporters and PDP supporters.

    Properties were vandalised and windscreens of vehicles destroyed by the riotous crowd.

    However, at Umundugba, the headquarters of Isu Local Government Area, one of the suspended councillors, Ahamefule Maduabuchi, was shot dead as he and other colleagues engaged the police and PDP supporters.

    There were conflicting reports on who fired the gun that killed the councillor.

    While some alleged he was killed by the police, others claimed that he was shot by a member of the PDP.

    The police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, said the State Commissioner of Police, Olaniyi Fafowora, had ordered an investigation into the killing.

    “Yes, we are aware of the killing of one of the suspended councillors at Isu LGA today but the commissioner of police has launched an investigation into the killing with of view to apprehending the killers.

    “The CP had a meeting with the suspended councillors and they have agreed to sheath their swords for now. The area is calm and the state is calm. People should go about their lawful business without fear.”

    He said that the APC chairmen who were coming for reinstatement could not produce a valid Supreme Court judgement they claimed gave them the power to occupy their former positions.

    He said the Ekiti State judgement which they were relying on though similar should never be used as a yardstick.

    “We were there to ensure the security of lives and properties; the ousted council chairmen said they had the Supreme Court judgment. To the best of the knowledge of the command, there is no Supreme Court judgement as such,” Mr Orlando said.

    “The norm or the ethics is the bailiff would have to serve you with a court order but they don’t have it.

    “However, the judgement that they are referring to is that of Ekiti State; there is no way you can import another judgement from another state even though they are similar; so there is no order directing them to take over,” Mr Orlando said.

  • 2020: APC’s Uzodimma will take over Imo State – Fr. Mbaka’s revelation

    Charismatic Roman Catholic Priest and Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria (Amen), Fr Ejike Mbaka, is at it again.

    The Enugu cleric, who is known for his controversial prophecies, in his New Year message, said Senator Hope Uzodimma would be sworn in as governor of Imo State.

    Mbaka had predicted President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory during the 2015 New Year Message, which he titled ‘From Goodluck to Badluck.’

    Addressing thousands of members of his congregation, he said that the 2019 APC governorship candidate, Uzodinma, would dislodge the incumbent governor of the state, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He boasted that “no prophecy has ever been declared on this prayer ground without coming to pass”, while also advising those who may find the message unpalatable not to come after him.

    He warned that such action would attract the wrath of the Holy Spirit upon such individuals.

    He declared: “Many things are going to happen in Nigeria this 2020 that will shock countrymen and countrywomen; but all would be to God’s glory.

    “In spite of all that would happen this 2020, there is hope. In Imo State, there is hope. Hope, hope, hope … hope in Imo State!

    “Imo people have suffered (but) God is raising a new hope that would be an agent of salvation for them.

    “He’s coming with a new flag to restore the dignity of that noble land. A new leadership that will break barriers and there would be joy in the land of Imo.

    “Lift your candles as I bless Hope Uzodinma; and I empower him to, spiritually, to take over. How, I do not know.

    “Please, if you heard that there would be a new government in Imo and you don’t like the message; if I say Hope, you can say hopeless but do not fight me.

    “I am saying this in respect of those who may want to come after me because of the message. If you do that, the God of Moses, Elijah and Elisha will deal with you. I am only a messenger of God”.

  • Ex-South African President, Jacob Zuma loses street in Imo

    A street named after former South African leader Jacob Zuma, has been renamed in the eastern Nigerian state of Imo.

    Jacob Zuma Road in the capital of Owerri will now be known as Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi, a First Republic parliamentarian and minister.

    Governor Emeka Ihedioha announced the rechristening today at an occasion to mark Amaechi’s 90th birthday.

    The naming of the dual carriage way after the former South African president by former Gov. Rochas Okorocha attracted public condemnation against the administration.

    Ihedioha described Amaechi as an icon, whose contributions to nation building should not be ignored.

    “Dr Amaechi is an icon, one of the founding fathers of the nation, whose contributions to nationhood should not be overlooked.

    “Amaechi remains an inspiration, who stood and defended those principles that remain valuable to nation building,” the statement further read.

    Amaechi, a native of Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra, was a member of the House of Representatives in 1959.

  • Imo poll: Supreme Court voids Uche Nwosu’s candidature

    The Supreme Court on Friday, voided the candidature of Uche Nwosu as governorship flag bearer of the Action Alliance (AA) in the 2019 general elections in Imo, over double nomination.

    The apex court, in its judgment delivered by Justice Adamu Augie, upheld the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the court had, about two months’ ago, upheld the decision of the Federal High Court which also voided Nwosu’s candidacy.

    A chieftain of the Action Peoples Party (APP), Mr Uche Nnadi, had dragged Nwosu to the Federal High Court where the court held that he was not qualified to stand for the election.

    The court based its verdict on the fact that Nwosu already had a valid ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Unsatisfied with the ruling of the Court, Nwosu approached the Court of Appeal to put the decision to further test.

    The Court dismissed all issues raised by Nwosu in his appeal.

    Not satisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal, Nwosu headed to the apex court to upturn the decision of the lower court.

    The Supreme Court, in its judgment, dismissed Nwosu’s appeal, saying that he could benefit from his iniquity.

    The Court also dismissed the argument by Nwosu’s lawyer that the suit was statute barred.

    Justice Augie said, ”The appellant cannot be allowed to benefit from his own iniquity.

    “The action is not caught up by limitation of time.

    “This case rest on the issue of illegality and this court cannot be used to enforce illegalities.

    “This appeal is hereby dismissed.”

    In his reaction shortly after the judgment was delivered, the Chairman of APC, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, said the implication was that all the votes given to Nwosu at that election were void votes.

  • Police arrest eight ‘most wanted kidnappers’ in Imo

    Police arrest eight ‘most wanted kidnappers’ in Imo

    The Imo State Commissioner of Police Rabiu Ladodo has said that eight of 15 most wanted kidnap suspects in the state have been arrested.

    Ladodo, who disclosed this during an interface with state governor Emeka Ihedioha in Owerri, the state capital, gave the names of some of the arrested suspects as: Ebike Nwadiuko, Henry Iwunze, aka Aboki, Chima Okorie, Collins Iwunze, Bernard Okechukwu and one other Nike also known as South.

    He further said that one of the suspects, Nwadiuko, is also on the wanted list of the Rivers State police command.

    “My command is working on ascertaining the level of damages his activities did in the state before handing him over to Rivers State,” he said.

    Ladodo commended the state governor, Emeka Ihedioha for his proactiveness and commitment in ensuring adequate security in the state, stressing that the introduction of the ‘Operation Iron Gate’ by the government has yielded enormous results.

    He added that with the cooperation and support from the governor and state government, the command made several arrests and reduced crime and criminality in the state.

    He said, “Before the coming of this administration, there were a lot of security challenges ranging from political crisis and crimes but I am telling you authoritatively that Imo is now calm. Ever since Governor Emeka Ihedioha came in, I know the interest and efforts he has put in place towards securing Imo.”

    Meanwhile, in a related development, Ihedioha has said that his administration has recorded impressive achievements in tackling security challenges in the state.

    Ihedioha stated this while receiving in audience the General Officer Commanding, (GOC) 82 Division, Gen. Lasisi Adeboye, and his entourage who were on a familiarisation visit to Government House, Owerri.

    The state governor said that the achievements in the area of security were aided by massive support of the citizens of the state and the healthy collaboration and synergy with various security agencies in the state.

    He assured that his administration would continue to partner and support efforts towards ridding the state of all forms of crimes and criminality.

    “It was a bit challenging after the elections but I think we have now found our rhythm with the collaboration of the joint forces. The Army has been working in consonance with us in tackling security challenges in the state,” he said.

  • Police begin manhunt for killers of bus driver

    The Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mr Rabiu Ladodo, has given assurance that the force will arrest and prosecute the killers of a bus driver in the state, Chinedu Ogoke.

    The commissioner gave the assurance in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri on Monday.

    Ogoke was shot and killed by gunmen last week at a popular “Malaysian market” in Obowo Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo on Oct. 9.

    The gunmen stormed the “Malaysian market” located in Umungwa, Obowo LGA and dispossed traders of their belongings, including money.

    The assailant shot and killed Ogoke as he attempted to escape from the scene.

    Ladodo said he had directed for a full scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing of the bus driver with a view to arresting the culprits.

    The commissioner said “nobody has the right to take another person’s life.

    “So, those who robbed people of their belongings and also killed an innocent youth in the process must be tracked down.’’

  • Youths shut down oil companies in Imo

    Youths shut down oil companies in Imo

    …Protests gas flaring, inhumane treatment

    More 1,000 youths from Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, on Friday staged a protest against multinational oil companies operating in the area, complaining of negligence and inhuman treatment of the indigenes in the council area.

    The youth who marched along the road chanting war songs barricaded the area thereby preventing both human and vehicular movements.

    They also blocked the only Egbema express road which they said had been destroyed by oil companies operating in the area due to the constant plying of heavy trucks on the road.

    The protest resulted in shutting down the operations of major oil companies in the area.

    The youths, led by Comrade Okenya Thaddeus, claimed that the oil companies in the area had been operating in the local government area for decades with nothing to show for it in terms of infrastructural development.

    They maintained that the oil companies must leave or do the needful by engaging the youths.

    “We have not seen such inhuman treatment before. Our roads are bad. This gas inflammation is very dangerous to our lives and we must make sure that the needful is done in our kingdom.”

    Reacting, the lawmaker representing Ohaji-Egbema State Constituency, Hon. Cyriacus Okoro Heclus commended the action of the youths.

    “I must commend your peaceful demonstration to register your dissatisfaction with the dangerous, pretentious and inhuman operations of oil companies in Ohaji-Egbema LGA.”

    The lawmaker, who addressed the protesting youths, expressed sadness over “the heartless conduct of the oil companies especially their conspired agenda against the progress and development of Ohaji-Egbema LGA and its citizens.”

    While assuring them of his support, the lawmaker, urged the youths to remain peaceful “while seeking lasting solution to the neglect, untold hardship and deprivation of Ohaji-Egbema people’s rights by the oil companies.”

  • Tragedy! Generator fume kills couple, daughter in Imo

    Tragedy! Generator fume kills couple, daughter in Imo

    The people of Umuoparaemeka village, Ugiri in Isiala Mbano local government area of Imo State were thrown into mourning early Monday morning as a couple Lucius Iwunze, his wife Ngozi and their daughter Geraldine all died from inhaling generator fumes.

    According to village sources, a member of the extended family visited in the morning and noticed that the doors were still locked from inside.

    He was said to have knocked severally without any response, a development that heightened his anxiety, thereby attracting the neighbours, who forced the door open.

    Spokesperson of the Imo state Police Command Orlando Ikokwu (SP), who confirmed the ugly incident, said the police have commenced investigation into it.

    According to him, the Police Divisional Police Officer in the area led his men to the scene and found the lifeless bodies of the victims.

    Ikokwu said: “A report was received at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Isiala Mbano LGA, about the mysterious death of three persons.”

    “In view of that, the DPO led a team of policemen to the scene and met the lifeless body of Chief Luscius Iwunze, Lolo Ngozi Iwunze and Geraldine Iwunze.

    “However, preliminary investigation revealed that they died as a result of fumes (Carbon monoxide) emitted from a power generating set.

    “The corpses have been evacuated to a morgue, and the Commissioner of Police, Imo state Command, has ordered a full scale investigation into the incident.”