TheNewsGuru

Tag: rivers

  • Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage, Similar Story, And Different Song!, By Samuel Akpobome Orovwuje

    Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage, Similar Story, And Different Song!, By Samuel Akpobome Orovwuje

    By Samuel Akpobome Orovwuje

    The great hopes of a leap forward to a new era that came with the appointments of two Niger Delta sons to head the Ministry of the Niger Delta have now been dispelled. The anticipated prosperity and authenticdevelopment that is being expected after the forensicaudit by President Mohammadu Buhari has still not materialized. The continuing politics of the government to deal with the challenges of winning the peace in the area and the overbearing influence of Abuja spoilers and local overlords raises new apprehension for the region.

    Karl Maier in his smash hit book titled: This House Has Fallen: Crisis in Nigeria, reminds me of the tall order before the overexcited Minister of The Niger- Delta, the twosome of the Deputy Minister (Minister of State), the interim board of the NDDC and its waifs and strays brother – Office of the Special Adviser to The President on the Niger Delta to the delicatedevelopmental challenges of a region enmeshed inpolitics of similar story with different song and often described as The ‘paradox of plenty’ and ‘resource curse’ and the lives of bondage for Deltans.

    Indeed, for over 60 years of oil and gas exploration, theNiger – Delta landscape is littered, with troubles of underdevelopment, environmental injustice, poor infrastructure, contract scam and corruption, lives of bondage, and existential wealth without good reputation and life continues to be hard for the vast majority of people and political competition is intense due to limited economic opportunity within the region.

    How then can we drive development and progress in the midst of the high and soft power political bickering?

    Undeniably, the Niger- Delta is well-known for reaching political settlements under duress, teeteringover the abyss and then pulling back to strike individual deals. Are the new appointments of the Niger- Delta sons to drive the ministry another instance of old – style political space to hoodwink the people? However, some campaigners and critics agree that it is a sweet- smelling savor and an important step forward to diffuse tensions and set the stage for futuredevelopment.

    As laudable as the forensic audit and the call for a new board appears, the key questions remains: Does the government at the centre and the ministry of the Niger –Delta have the budgetary strength and indeed thecapability to resolve the fundamental issues of oil exploration and exploitation that drove the region into over six decades of under–development, environmental degradation? Does the delay in constituting a new board and unearthing the vague and over- invoiced contract through the nebulous forensic audit signal the beginnings of the fulfillment of hope and promise of dividends of democracy in the Niger Delta?

    Indeed, it is perhaps too early to say. Fulfilling economic and social justice of equality will likely prove most challenging. In my view, the promise of development for the Niger- Delta remains largely aspirational where deep social inequalities and inequities persist. While the Ministry of the Niger – Delta is conceived as part of a bridge – building process to leapfrog the region away from the deeply divided past to a future founded on sustainable developmentand progress. Nevertheless, its operationalisation and reality on the ground is still mirage.

    Crucially, the Niger- Delta serves as a host community to Nigeria’s vast oil and gas infrastructure of over 30 oil fields, 5,284 wells, and 7,000 kilometers of pipeline, 10 export terminals, 275 flow stations, 10 gas plants, 4 leprous refineries and a massive liquefied natural gas, LPG sector. This perhaps underscores the strategic importance of the region to national development.

    The political sociology of the Niger delta region has often been read, as an inevitable outcome of traditionally warring people or portrayed as militants, agitators, extremists, secessionists, and more recently economic terrorist and criminal groups in disagreement with the Nigerian State. The Niger Delta struggle initially tried to address its grievances through constitutional and political means. However, the killing of the Ogoni 13 and the hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa bythe treacherous military regime of Sanni Abacha, the government failed to pacify majority of Niger Deltans, and instead a feeling of disillusionment and lack of trust in the political leadership grew and the resultant effect is mutual suspicions.

    Frankly, no dialogue on the development of the region is complete without adequate consideration of security, political economy, strategy, energy, resources justice,and community – to – community development, citizen’s partnership and transparent governance architecture and above all, inclusive platforms and investment in thought- leadership beyond the divide – and – rule politics of the oligarchic centre. The demands placed on the oil wealth of the region have been associated with repression and suffering particularly from the clientelistic mechanisms of the buccaneers in government and their opaque collaborators.

    The proposal going forward is the core issues of authentic reconciliation of the leadership and the political standoff by the federal government in line with international practice of conflict management with a view to avoiding further collateral damage andbreach of peace and underdevelopment in the region.

    For an understanding of the developmental challenge and indeed the forensic audit politics versus the issues of a new board for the NDDC, it is useful to start with July 30 1958, the Willinks Commission report of the British Colonial administration, which inquire into the fears of Nigerian minorities with a view to assuaging them. One of the major recommendations of Sir Henry Willink Commission amongst others includes, ‘We suggest that constitutionally it would be necessary to place on concurrent list a new subject which might be ‘The Development of Special Areas’. It would be open to the Federal Government to announce in the Gazette that certain area has classified as Special and from that moment, special plan for its development would become a Federal as well as a Regional responsibility….’

    Therefore, it is imperative on the part of Mr. President and other critical stakeholders to put in place a conflict resolution mechanism that necessitates all options including making the forensic audit report publicwithout undue political colourations and the overbearing negative elite sentiment. A facility tour of the nine states by Mr. President will provide a firsthand knowledge of the issues and developmental challenges of the region.

    Pointedly, the real strategic options in addition to the forensic by the federal government should be a sustained peace process, which should be done to accommodate the demand for social-economic justice particularly through the mechanism of deliberate development plan and projects of the region in a holistic manner.

    Interestingly, the intervention agencies like the NDDClook good in the short run; nonetheless, it is expedienton the state and the federal government to draw critical lessons from other parts of the world where institutionalised community development fund for priority projects is the practice and norm. The Alaska (USA) Permanent Trust is one of the oldest natural resource funds. Established in 1976, it has grown to 25 billion US dollar with direct citizens’ engagement and consultation, each year they receive dividends. The system ensures that the Government does not misuse the oil wealth.

    Furthermore, the Nunavut Trust in Canada established in 1993 is another best practice that runs independently of any government and it is a community – based managed fund on how revenues can be shared, and how communities are compensated for negative consequences of oil exploration and exploitation and on other hand, the United Arab Emirate(UAE), which is the fourth largest producer of oil in the Organization Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) with an estimate reserves of 98 billion barrels, put in place a twenty –year diversification plan with an allocation of 24 billion US dollar to develop the non – oil revenue to achieving regional economic comparative advantage and reducing the dependence on hydrocarbons and to boost private sector initiative for development.

    The NDDC and the ministry of the Niger Delta in my view are political sedative. These agencies of government have failed to incorporate the interests andaspirations of the people. Moreover, there has been no development dividend for the communities, high levels of unemployment prevalent especially among youth and women and remain mired in multidimensional poverty, without proper housing.


    Finally, it is hoped that the faithful implementation of the forensic audit report and a new board devoid of further acrimony will be a sweet-smelling savour for healing broken minds and a foundation stone for restorative justice and authentic reconciliation mechanism for the Niger Delta. In addition, the implementation of the Niger Delta master plan and closer integration into the national development plans and goals, not least to help improve social protection programmes and address unemployment and a legislative framework is urgently needed to enforce socio- economic rights, beyond the NDDC and the Ministry of the Niger Delta political soporific.

    Orovwuje is the founder, Humanitarian care for Displaced Persons, Lagos. Nigeria.

  • Why court judgement ceding Soku Oil Wells to Rivers cannot stand – Bayelsa Govt.

    The Federal High Court judgment transferring Soku oil wells in Oluasiri, a disputed boundary, to Rivers State, cannot stand, Bayelsa State government said on Thursday.

    The state said the ownership of the land on which the oil fields are located is yet to be determined.

    Besides, it said the judgment was contrary to a Supreme Court verdict that the National Boundary Commission (NBC) should be allowed to determine the land ownership.

    In a statement by its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Arthur Andrew, the state said the high court judgement cannot stand.

    Andrew said that despite the Supreme Court verdict, the Rivers government instituted an action against the NBC to justify its “false” claims on the Soku oilfields, which he said are located in Nembe Local Government Area.

    He said: “From Monday, 16th December 2019, the media had been awash with reports that the Federal High Court, sitting at Abuja, had delivered a judgment awarding the ownership of the said Oluasiri Oilfields/Oil wells to Rivers State purportedly pursuant to the judgment of the Supreme Court in Suit No. CS/106/2009 between Attorney-General, Rivers State v. Attorney-General, Bayelsa State & Anor.

    “It was also reported that the judgment of the Federal High Court was made to give effect to the decision of the Supreme Court, and purporting to direct the NBC to fix the boundary between Rivers and Bayelsa State at Santa Barbara River.

    “It is worthy of note that the Supreme Court in Suit No. CS/106/2009 struck out the action on the ground that it was futile and premature to determine the boundaries of the two states insofar as the NBC had not delineated the boundary between Rivers State and Bayelsa State.

    “The Supreme Court never made a specific order directing the NBC to delineate the disputed boundaries.

    “Albeit, it is part of the statutory function of the NBC to deal with, determine and intervene in any boundary dispute that may arise between any two states of the federation with a view to settling such dispute”.

    Andrew quoted the Supreme Court as saying: “It is on account of the foregoing and because of the technical nature of the dispute and the claims of the parties that this court finds that the NBC as an authority vested with authorities and expert know-how in dealing with this matter should have once and for all conducted an exhaustive exercise of delineating the disputed boundary.

    “Hence, the long-awaited 12th edition of the administrative map, when completed soonest, would have been of tremendous assistance in settling this lingering dispute.

    “In the light of the observations I have clearly expressed above, I do not feel comfortable to grant the declarations sought until the NBC concludes its exercise of delineation of disputed boundary to finality.

    “It will be futile and premature to determine the boundary of the two parties states in the present circumstances.

    “However, the appropriate order to be made in the prevailing circumstance is that of striking out the plaintiff’s suit, and I so order accordingly. Each party to bear its costs.”

    Andrew said following the judgement, the NBC constituted a Joint Technical Committee on the Bayelsa/Rivers Interstate Boundary.

    The statement adds: “After a couple of meetings of the aforesaid committee, on the 30th of January, 2013, the Rivers State delegation led by the then Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, formally announced the withdrawal of the state’s delegation from further deliberation and participation in the joint delimitation and demarcation exercises until certain conditions articulated by the deputy governor of Rivers State are met, which amongst others, included the payments of all revenue from the disputed oil wells into an Escrow Account under the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    “It is, therefore, surprising that Rivers State could resort to instituting the action at the Federal High Court, Abuja against the NBC and without the knowledge and participation of Bayelsa State, and proceeding to obtain a judgment to the effect that the Oluasiri Oilfields/Oil wells belong to Rivers State on the same unchanged facts and issues as was the case before the Supreme Court in Suit No. SC/106/2009.

    “This, to say the least, is highly unusual, curious, and clearly untenable and cannot be allowed to stand despite the media frenzy orchestrated and sponsored by the government of Rivers State.

    “Bayelsa State is confident of its historical claim of ownership over the lands on which the Oilfields/Oil wells in issue are situated and had always expressed its willingness to fully participate in any joint delimitation and demarcation exercise in respect of the disputed boundary.”

  • Gov. Wike presents N530bn budget for 2020

    Gov. Wike presents N530bn budget for 2020

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Tuesday presented a budget of N530 billion for 2020 to the state House of Assembly.

    During the presentation, the governor said the budget tagged “Budget of Reassurance” would focus on driving infrastructure and speeding growth process in the state.

    Wike said budget was made up of N374 billion capital expenditure and N156 billion recurrent expenditure.

    “The state budget for 2020 is over N50 billion higher than the 2019 figure and it is expected to generate more growth in the economy,’’ he said.

    Responding, the Speaker, Mr Ikunyi-Awaji Ibani commended the governor on his assurance to focus more on developing the state economy.

    Ibani promised continued cordiality with the executive in moving the state forward.

  • Bayelsa vows to appeal court judgement ceding Soku oil wells to Rivers

    The Bayelsa State Government has said it will appeal the Monday judgement ceding the Soku Oil Wells/fields to Rivers State.

    Recall that Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja declared after examining the documents from government agencies and facts before the court, that the Soku Oil Wells/fields belonged to Rivers State.

    He ordered the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to rectify fin the 12th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria and the erroneous inter-state boundary between the two states as contained in the extant 11th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria.

    The judge declared that the continued failure of the boundary commission to rectify the mistake in the 11th edition of the administrative map since 2002 which showed St Batholomew River, instead of River Santa Barbara as the interstate boundary between the two states was a breach of its statutory duty and a flagrant disobedience of the order of the Supreme Court as contained in its October 10, 2012 judgment.

    The court held that the continued reliance on the defective 11th edition of the map by other government agencies/statutory bodies, especially the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Accountant-General of the Federation in the computation of revenue accruable to Rivers State from the Federation Account, had resulted in the unjust denial of derivation funds accruing from the Soku Oil Wells/fields to the Rivers State Government.

    It granted the two reliefs sought by the Rivers State Government and directed that notice of the judgment be served on the RMAFC and the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    It said that the boundary commission could not unilaterally delineate boundaries between Rivers and Bayelsa states after the Supreme Court judgment on the matter.

    The court also dismissed an objection to the suit raised by the boundary commission, which it said, was lacking in merit.

    Counsel to the Rivers State Government, L.E. Nwosu (SAN,) described it as a victory for the rule of law. He said the declarative judgment would check any resort to self-help over the injustice.

    There was jubilation at the Rivers State Government House, where Wike and some top officials of his administration expressed joy that the matter had been resolved in the state’s favour.

    But in Yenagoa,the Bayelsa State capital, the government flayed the verdict, which it said would not stand.

    At the Government House, Wike welcomed the verdict and vowed that his administration would continue to defend the interest of Rivers State in order to promote the welfare of her people.

    The governor said it was a known fact that the Soku Oil Wells/fields belonged to his state before they were appropriated by the Federal Government for Bayelsa State.

    Wike said: ”The judgment is very proper. I have said it severally that we must fight for whatever belongs to Rivers State. That is what we are doing .

    ”Everybody knows that it is wrong for the Federal Government to collect our oil wells and cede same to Bayelsa State. So, we took the right step by going to court.

    “We are happy for what happened today (Monday).

    We don’t believe in fighting. We only believe in following due process. Thank God the Federal High Court has affirmed and they should pay us our money which they have collected. The revenue derivation should continue to be paid into Rivers State coffers. We are happy.”

    At the Rivers state secretariat on William Jumbo Street, civil servants expressed happiness at the development.

    “It was always clear that politics was behind the decision to hand the oil well to Bayelsa,” one of the civil servants said.

    Mr. Allwell Oroko of the Rivers State University, and some friends who keenly followed the case, said it was good that it had been concluded in the state’s favour.

    They advised that the expected windfall should impact on the people.

    But Bayelsa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Andrew Arthur, said the judgment would be upturned.

    Arthur said the application by the Rivers State Government was cunningly hidden from the Bayelsa Government, adding he only got to know about it on the judgment day (yesterday).

    He said although he would restrain from making further comments until he received a copy of the judgment, Rivers had brought similar applications on about four occasions but lost all.

    The commissioner urged the people to remain calm since the government would challenge the order of the court at the appeal.

    He said: “Don’t forget that we were not party to the said action that was brought by the Rivers State. We were not even aware of the pendency of the action up to the stage of this morning.

    “I had to call the governor to intimate the governor of the fact that there was a judgment. I have not seen the hard copy of the judgment apart from what I read from papers. I can’t be making a comment on the basis of what is written in papers.

    “But I will be in Abuja and I can assure you that Bayelsa State will have a robust defence by way of an appeal as an interested party. It is quite unfortunate. Rivers State had brought similar applications on about four occasions before the Federal High Court.

    “Bayelsans should remain calm. We understand that this government is almost at its terminal point, but we still owe a duty to protect the interest of Bayelsa State and the government will not shelve that responsibility at this stage.”

  • BREAKING: Court confirms Rivers’ ownership of Soku Oil Wells

    BREAKING: Court confirms Rivers’ ownership of Soku Oil Wells

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday ruled that Rivers State owns the disputed Soku il Wells/Fields located in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State that were ceded to Bayelsa State at the twilight of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    In a judgment in Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/984/19, the Attorney-General of Rivers State versus National Boundary Commission, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court declared that after examining all the documents from relevant Government agencies and facts before the court, the Soku Oil Wells/fields belonged to Rivers State.

    The Federal High Court made an order compelling the National Boundary Commission to rectify forthwith in the 12th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria the erroneous interstate boundary between Rivers State and Bayelsa State as contained in the extant 11th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria.

    The Court declared that the continued failure and refusal of the National Boundary Commission to rectify the admitted mistake in the 11th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria since 2002, which erroneously showed St Batholomew River instead of River Santa Barbara as the interstate Boundary between Rivers State and Bayelsa State is a breach of its statutory duty and a flagrant disobedience of the order of the Supreme Court contained in its judgment delivered on 10/7/2012 in Suit Number SC. 106 /2009.

    Justice Ekwo declared that the continued reliance on the said defective 11th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria by the other Government Agencies/Statutory Bodies especially the Revenue Mobilisation , Allocation and Fiscal Commission and the Accountant General of the Federation in the computation of revenue accruable to Rivers State from the Federation Account has resulted in the continued unjust denial of derivation funds accruing from the Soku Oil Wells/fields situate within Rivers State to the Detriment of the State Government.

    The Court also ordered that pending the formality of compliance by the National Boundary Commission deeming the administrative boundary between Rivers State and Bayelsa State to be River Santa Barbara in accordance with the admission of the National Boundary Commission as per letter of 3/7/2002 and the definitive order of the Supreme Court made on 10/7/2012.

    Justice Ekwo granted the two reliefs and directed that notice be served of the Decision of the Court on the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission and the Accountant General of the Federation.

    The Court said that the National Boundary Commission cannot unilateral delineate boundaries between Rivers State and Bayelsa State after the Supreme Court judgment on the matter.

    The Court also dismissed an objection to the suit raised by the National Boundary Commission, which it said is lacking in merit.

    Following the failure of the National Boundary Commission to obey the Supreme Court judgment on the Soku Oil Wells, the Attorney General of Rivers State filed an originating summons at the Federal High Court in Abuja through Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/984/19 to ensure the enforcement of the declarative judgment.

    Counsel to the Rivers State Government, L.E. Nwosu (SAN) described the judgment as a victory for the rule of law in Nigeria.

    He noted that there was an admission of error by the Surveyor General of the Federation and the National Boundary Commission, wherein in the 11th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria, the boundary between Rivers and Bayelsa States were wrongly relocated from River Santa Barbara to St Batholomew River.

    He said the Supreme Court based on the admission of the National Boundary Commission declared that it was an error and ordered the Commission to rectify that error. He regretted that by that error, the 13 percent derivation meant for Rivers State were wrongly paid to Bayelsa State.

    He stated that the declarative judgment of the Federal High Court is in the right direction, as it will check any resort to self help over the injustice.

    The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said that the Soku Oil Wells/fields have always belonged to Rivers State as admitted in writing by the National Boundary Commission.

    Counsel to the National Boundary Commission, Titilayo Ibironke acknowledged the judgment of the court.

  • Police confirm killing of 6 in Rivers community

    The Police Command in Rivers has confirmed the killing of six persons during a violent protest by angry youths in Chokocho, Etche Local Government Area of the state.

    The command’s spokesman, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the killing in a statement in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    He debunked some media reports that 15 persons were killed during an alleged deadly attack on commuters travelling through Etche communities to Owerri and beyond.

    “The social media reports added that the angry youths also burnt a police station as well as engaged the army and police in a gun battle.

    “Ordinarily, we would have ignored this baseless and unverifiable report that is intended to cause panic and tension in the state.

    “In order not to allow the public form a dangerous opinion, we therefore thought it wise and expedient to correct this fake news,” he stated.

    Omoni said the command had deployed mobile policemen after receiving a distress call on Dec. 7 following a blockage of Okomoko-Chokocho Bridge by protesters.

    He said policemen, on arrival at the scene, dismantled the barricade and restored normalcy to the area.

    “Thereafter, a team led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Joseph Anche, recovered five corpses in a river in the area.

    “This discovery, however, sparked off another round of protest, which our men were able to contain.

    “At the end of the day, six persons were killed contrary to the 15 deaths reported, while no police station was burnt and no commuter was attacked and killed as speculated,” he said.

    The police spokesman said that normalcy had been restored to the area with the Rivers Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Dandaura, launching a full scale investigation on the killings.

    He added that the investigation would enable the police to determine the circumstances surrounding the killings as well as unravel the identities of the perpetrators of the crime.

    “So, CP Dandaura is appealing to residents of Etche to remain calm and trust in the ability of the command to protect their lives and properties,” he said.

  • Rivers sign MoU with Real Madrid

    Rivers sign MoU with Real Madrid

    The Rivers State Government and Real Madrid Football Club have signed a ratification agreement for the development of the state government’s Real Madrid Academy, Port Harcourt, into an international football academy.

    The agreement signing took place yesterday at the Presidency Reception Centre of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, which is the home of Real Madrid Football Club in Madrid, Spain.

    A statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the River state Governor (Electronic Media) stated: “The signature of the ratification Protocol was executed by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, and the Executive Vice President of Real Madrid Football Club Foundation, Enrique Sanchez.”

    The state government unveiled the ultramodern football academy barely one month ago, on 21 September, in its bid to empower youths through football as well as to groom local talents to meet world standard.

    The governor, in an address during the signing, said that Rivers State is preparing the Real Madrid Academy Port Harcourt as a veritable pathway for the empowerment of Rivers children.

    He said: “We are preparing the Real Madrid Academy as a veritable pathway for our young stars to be international football talents and for them to realise their dreams.

    “We will offer them exposure, nurturing opportunities and mentorship by world renowned professionals at the Real Madrid Academy.”

    He told managers of Real Madrid Football Club management that the Rivers State Government has already exhibited seriousness by developing the needed infrastructure at the Real Madrid Academy in Port Harcourt, explaining that in establishing the Real Madrid Academy, the government took into consideration the culture and reality of the state.

    “Taking the interest of our youths, the Real Madrid Academy is designed for culture and holistic programmes with a comprehensive package for the acquisition of high level knowledge in a comfortable and inspiring environment,” the governor said.

    Executive Vice President of Real Madrid Football Club Foundation, Enrique Sanchez, who led other officials of the very successful and multiple award-winning European football giant for the ceremony, commended the Rivers State government for its commitment to using football as a tool to empower youths.

    In the Wike-led delegation were: Rivers State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Felix Obuah; Senator Barry Mpigi (representing Rivers South-East; Rivers State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Ehie Edison; former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Austin Opara; Senators Olaka Nwogu; Olaja Bwogu; Sam Anyanwu; Mao Ohuabunwa; former Commissioner for Sport Boma Iyaye; former Rivers lawmaker Felix Nwaeke and a former commissioner, Marcus Nlenji.

  • [Updated]Troops kill 5 bandits, raid kidnappers’ den, arrest 5 [Photo]

    [Updated]Troops kill 5 bandits, raid kidnappers’ den, arrest 5 [Photo]

    Troops of 342 Artillery Regiment, while acting on credible intelligence raided a suspected kidnappers’ den at Ihie Community in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State where they arrested two suspects, Umah Kingsley and Miss Chukwu Happiness.

    Trending: Patience Jonathan takes her 54th birthday anniversary to night-club [Watch her trending dance video]

    Patience Jonathan takes her 54th birthday anniversary to night-club [Watch her trending dance video]

    A statement from Col. Aminu Iliyasu, Nigerian Army Operations Media coordinator said, items recovered during the operation included 2 empty magazines and a locally fabricated gun.

    “Similarly, following the alleged murder of one Alhaji Tanko of Janda Village in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State by unknown assailants, troops of 1 Division Garrison deployed within the area swiftly moved into the suspected crime location and arrested 2 suspects, Danladi Bisallah and Manesa Danladi with a locally fabricated rifle and 12 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

    “Also, in two separate night operations conducted by same troops at Gindin Dutse Village and Rijana Forest of Birnin Gwari and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State respectively, 5 bandits terrorizing areas were neutralized while 3 locally-made guns were recovered from them.

    “The troops also rescued a 12 years old boy, Rabe Abubakar, who was kidnapped on 21st October 2019 by some bandits at Ruwan Sanyi Village close to Liberia Forest in Kubau LGA of Kaduna State.

    “In the course of rescueing Rabe Abubakar, one bandit was neutralised, one motorcycle belonging to the bandits was recovered while 3 other bandits were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “In another development, troops of 1 Brigade Garrison raided suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Dogun Karfe Forest in Bakura LGA of Zamfara State. The troops however recover one AK 47 Rifle, 4 magazines and 80 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition which were abandoned by the fleeing suspects.

    “Similarly, troops of 16 Brigade Garrison (Main) raided a suspected kidnappers hideout at Isisiama Village in Akuku –Toru LGA of Rivers State. During the operation, troops arrested one suspect and recovered 3 pairs of military camouflage uniforms, 2 Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC) Overall Suits, 5 Speed Boats, and 2 Generating sets.

    “Other items recovered included; one pumping machine, one power bank, 4 mobile phones, 117 Voters Cards, one boat engine and one Box Radio.

    “The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai wishes to thank all well-meaning Nigerians for their continued support and goodwill towards the Officers and men of the Nigerian Army. All law abiding citizens are requested to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation and intimidation,” the statement said.

  • Supreme Court upholds Gov Wike’s election

    Supreme Court upholds Gov Wike’s election

    The Supreme Court has upheld two appeals filed by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike against the decisions of the Court of Appeal, up tuning the dismissal of a petition filed by the African Action Congress (AAC) and its candidate in the last governorship election, Awara Biokpomabo Festus.

    In two unanimous judgments on Friday, a seven-man panel of the court upheld the two appeals by Wike on the grounds that they were meritorious. The appeals were marked: SC/1111/2019 and SC/1112/2019.

    Justice Ejembi Eko wrote and delivered the lead judgments in both appeals, which the other six members of the panel agreed with.

    The appeals were against the decisions of the Court of Appeal, reversing two decisions of the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal.

    The tribunal had rejected the application by a lawyer engaged by Festus to amend his processes and file additional ones, on the grounds that the lawyer had been debriefed by the the AAC, which earlier engaged him (the lawyer) to prosecute the petition jointly filed by the party and its candidate.

    The AAC subsequently withdrew from further prosecuting the petition, following which the tribunal proceeded to dismiss it on the grounds that it was deemed abandoned, the petitioners having failed to file a valid notice of pre-hearing session.

    On appeal by Festus, the Court of Appeal, Port-Harcourt reversed both decisions of the trial tribunal and held among others, that the dismissal of the petition was wrong.

    The Appeal Court also held that the tribunal ought to hear the petition to conclusion, and therefore wrongly declined jurisdiction.

    Justice Eko, in the first judgment on the appeal marked: SC/1111/2019, held that the lawyer was wrong to have attempted to change the original case by seeking to amend processes even when he was ot of time.

    In the second judgment, in the appeal marked: SC/1112/2019, Justice Eko held that the tribunal was right to have dismissed the petition pursuant to Section 285(8) of the Constitution, on the grounds that there was no valid application filed for pre-hearing session, as required under Paragraph 18(4) of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act (EA), which regulates the proceedings of the tribunal.

    He faulted the Appeal Court’s position that the tribunal should have heard the petition it deemed abandoned to conclusion rather than dismissing it at the preliminary stage.

    “I hold the view that Section 285 of the Constitution and Paragraph18 of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act are merely procedural, and are meant to regulate the proceedings of the tribunal. They do not confer any right on any party to a petition.

    “The interpretation given to Section 285 by the lower court is not correct. It serves no utilitarian purpose to hear an abandoned petition to a logical conclusion.

    “The proceeding to hear further proceedings in an abandoned petition is tantamount to flogging a dead horse and engaging in an academic exercise, which a court does not do,” Justice Eko said.

    He proceeded to set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal and restored the decision of the tribunal, dismissing the petition on the grounds that it was deemed abandoned because there was no valid pre-hearing session application as required under Paragraph 18(4) of EA.

    Justice Eko said, as agreed by parties, the other two appeals, marked: SC 1119/2019 and SC1122/2019 shall abide by the judgment in SC1112/2019.

    Other members of the panel that heard the appeals and agreed with the lead judgment by Justice Eko are Justices Olabode Rodes-Vivoor, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, John Okoro, Chima Nweze, Amiru Sanusi and Uwani Musa Abba-Aji.

  • Rivers serial killer pleads guilty to murdering nine women

    Rivers serial killer pleads guilty to murdering nine women

    The serial killer, Gracious David West, surprised many in the Rivers State High Court on Tuesday when he pleaded guilty to killing nine young women in different hotels.

    West was finally arraigned on Tuesday after he first appeared before Justice Adolphus Enebeli on Monday without a lawyer representing him.

    He had during his parade in September following his arrest confessed to killing seven young women; one in Lagos, one in Owerri, Imo State, and five in Rivers State.

    West had stated then, “So far, I have killed five girls in Port Harcourt; one in Owerri, and another in Lagos. I started the killing in Lagos. I took N52,000 from the bank account of the first girl I killed in Lagos. Thereafter, I went to Port Harcourt, then to Owerri, and later returned to Port Harcourt.

    “After I killed a girl, I collected her phone and sold it at Waterlines and the MTN office (in Port Harcourt). I met the last girl at a club in Port Harcourt.”

    But those present in court on Tuesday were bewildered when West admitted killing nine persons when the charges were read to him.

    He, however, pleaded not guilty to attempting to kill his 10th victim on September 18, 2019.

    He told the court that he never intended to kill her, but only tied her to a chair and left her in the hotel room.

    Speaking with journalists outside the courtroom, the prosecuting counsel, Gladys Imegwu, said it was in the best interest of the state for the Rivers State Ministry of Justice to take over the prosecution of the suspect.

    She stated, “The court actually ruled on the application of the lawyer from the Ministry of Justice through the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who made an application to take over the case. It is their constitutional right and the court granted the application; we are not opposed to it.

    “It is for the betterment of the state and we are working together. At the same time, we made it clear that we have prosecutorial power; even the Criminal Justice Law gives us that power.”

    The Principal State Counsel from the DPP office, Chidi Ekeh, said the move to take over the prosecution was to ensure that justice was served.

    He stated, “We consider this case a very sensitive one, because of the fact that most of the nine victims were killed in Rivers State; so, we want to send a message to Rivers residents that lives are valued and that such an offence cannot be toyed with.

    “We will prosecute this matter to its logical conclusion and ensure that justice prevails at the end of the day.”

    The counsel for the defendant, Vincent Chukwu, said his client’s guilty plea was not enough to convict him of the crime.

    Chukwu stated, “The offence in question is a capital offence; whether my client did it or not, the presumption is that the prosecution must still prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. So, it is not for the defendant to just say I am guilty and liable and it ends there.

    “Because the punishment is death, the burden is now on the prosecution to go ahead and prove its case and we are waiting for it.

    “My client has a very plausible defence, which we shall open at the appropriate time. We had fruitful deliberations with him on Monday and we hope for the best in the matter.”

    Justice Enebeli ordered that West be remanded in a correctional centre and adjourned the matter till November 18, 2019, for hearing.