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Police Gruesome Killing Of Aba Business Man; A murder Too Many

April 20, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

With the outrage and grief that trailed the murder of Achumugu James Etubi, the manager of a popular hotel in Umuahia the Abia state capital by some suspected personnel of the Nigerian military a few days ago yet to subside, the state was again thrown into another of anguish and mourning on Friday April 19 2024 following the gruesome killing of a young Abiriba born Aba based business man by the police.

The Victim, Mr Emmanuel Michael Okocha was on Wednesday, April 17 allegedly shot by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad RRS of the Nigeria police attached to the Abayi/World Bank Aba police formation.

His offence? His alleged refusal to grease the ever itching palms of the police operatives who were on a routine stop and search operation on the ever busy Aba/Owerri road of the commercial hub of Abia state .

After battling hard to save young Okocha ,from gunshot wounds at the Living Word Hospital,he reportedly succumbed to death late yesterday ( Friday April 19 ) .

An eye witness account revealed that on the fateful day, late Okocha was on his way back from his home town Abiriba to Aba ,when he was stopped by the police operatives who subsequently demanded for his vehicle documents and driver’s license.

The victim was said to have obliged . However ,after perusing the documents and finding them to be in order,the police personnel that conducted the inspection returned the documents

But instead ,of allowing Okocha to leave ,the police operative allegedly demanded to be ” settled” , .

The victim was said to have refused ,insisting that after wasting his time in the process of verifying his vehicle papers ,he will not part with any money.

He was said to have been shot by another operative in front of his vehicle, when he was about driving of .

On discovering that bullet had hit the late Okocha, the police operatives were said to have ran into their Sienna Toyota operational vehicle and fled the scene ,leaving passersby and other sympathetic people around to rush the victim to the nearby Living Word Hospital .

The victim after series of surgeries and other medical efforts to save him , died late yesterday Friday April 19 .

As at the time of reporting ,Abia state police Command was yet to react to the development. Several efforts made to reach the Command spokesperson Chilaka Maureen ASP for comments were unsuccessful.

The leadership of Abiribe Community in Aba ,has however , called on Governor Alex Otti, to intervene and ensure that all those suspected to be involved in the murder of their illustrious son are brought to book.

The Community which is one of the dominant forces in the business life of Aba has called for an emergency general meeting today Saturday April 20 ,at their Community Town Hall Aba to deliberate on the next step to take concerning. the sad incident.

”Why my Father Supported Peter Obi” – Ezeife’s Daughter

The Source

April 20, 2024

The first daughter of the late Gov. Chukwemeka Ezeife, Okwadike, Dr Mrs Ogelue C. Ezeife-Ugorji, has revealed that her beloved father, known for his firm stand on justice and equity, strongly supported the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi because he looked forward to a better and more united nation where every Nigerian would be treated justly and given a fair chance to succeed. He strongly believed that Peter Obi would have made it happen.

Dr. Ezeife-Ugorji made the revelation while paying a glowing tribute to her late father, Gov. Chukwemeka Ezeife, at his Commendation Service in Awka. Gov. Ezeife was the first civilian governor of Anambra State and an elder statesman. As part of his final journey home, a commendation service was held for him in Awka yesterday.

Speaking of his well-lived life, Dr Ugorji stated that her father, Okwadike, held justice and equity very highly. She narrated how Okwadike, during his last visit to the United States of America before his death, revealed that his unwavering support for Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, was borne out of his deep conviction that Obi would build a just and equitable nation.

She further described the late Okwadike as a man of wisdom, a lover of peace, and an emblem of unity. She said Okwadike was a truly detribalized Nigerian who related to everyone irrespective of tribe or religion. She prayed to God to grant her beloved father eternal rest and to grant that his hopes of a just and equitable Nigeria be actualized.

The event was well attended by many dignitaries and revered Nigerians, including the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo; President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Former Governor of Enugu State, Okwesilieze Nwodo; Former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, and many others.

Anambra: Ogene Charges Soludo Over Oil-rich Ogwuaniocha Violent Crisis

James Orji

April 20, 2024

Member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra state, in the House of Representatives, Afam Victor Ogene, has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state,

to make deliberate efforts to end the communal conflict in Ogwuaniocha community which led to the abduction of the traditional ruler, who is yet to be accounted for since 2021.

He appealed to the Anambra state government to set up a panel of inquiry to address the violent conflict and bring an end to the years of lawlessness, fear, reprisal killings and criminality in the community, adding that since 2021, there has been no progressive social or economic activities in the community as a result of the intractable crisis.

Ogene made this call in a trending video yesterday, where he lamented that the Anambra state government, since the last administration of Chief Willie Obiano, had treated the crisis in the oil rich community with veiled disdain, in spite of the fact that the community produces mass of the oil revenue that the state is currently enjoying as an oil producing state.

The lawmaker, who is the Chairman of House Committee on Renewable Energy, also, in the video, disclosed that he had earlier in February, written to the state governor, drawing his attention to the lingering crisis which has led to the sacking of the over 5,000 residents of the community from both their homes and farmlands, by criminal gangs who have now taken over Ogwuaniocha and its environs, leading to untold hardship and increased criminality in the local government area.

Ogene’s earlier letter to Governor Soludo, which he said the governor didn’t respond to was entitled: “Urgent need for government intervention in the lingering crisis in Ogwuaniocha community in Ogbaru LGA: A request for panel of inquiry.”

The letter read in part: ” I write to draw the attention of Your Excellency and the state government to the lingering violent crisis in Ogwuaniocha, in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra state, which has unfortunately led to the sacking of the entire community from both their residences and farmlands, as a result of the activities of criminal gangs who have taken over the community.

“Note, Your Excellency, that Ogwuaniocha is an oil bearing community, (contributing over 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day), which earned the state its oil producing status, and thus, deserves to be protected from the devices of agents of destruction, essentially, as the security of lives and property is the primary purpose of government.

“It is troubling to recall that violent gangs have overtime, set up camps in and around Ogwuaniocha Community, sacked the residents, kidnapped the traditional ruler (Igwe Oliver Nnaji) – who is yet to be accounted for – killed and maimed many others, (mostly unchallenged), in brazen desecration of the traditional institution and erosion of our cultural values. And this should alarm both the people and government of Anambra state.

“It is, however, worrisome that while oil production goes on seamlessly in Ogwuaniocha, the people have been forced to stay off their community for two years now – since Monday, November 15, 2021 – with no farming activity, no school for the children, no business activities in the community, on account of the occupation of the community by the criminal gangs.

“It is pertinent to note that till date people in Ogwuaniocha remain in dire need of urgent government intervention, in finding a workable resolution of the crises, and also, as regards provision of relief materials and protection of their land and lives. Sadly, this expectation has remained a mirage, as the immediate past administration in the state allowed the crises to fester, without any meaningful step towards restoring normalcy to the beleaguered community.

“Just recently, there was a fresh resurgence of violence in the community and its environs, leading to abduction of several people who are reportedly yet to be accounted for, a trend that has kept recurring since November, 2021.”

The Reps member who is also Secretary, Southern Caucus, 10th House of Representatives, further requested: “(i) That the state government set up, urgently, a Panel of Inquiry that would holistically address both the security and sociological dimensions of the crisis.

“(ii) Compel the security agencies to comb the Ogwuaniocha forest and environs, smoke out the criminal gangs and restore order in the community to enable the residents to return to their abandoned homes and farmlands.

“(iii) Provide urgent relief materials for the community, in order to alleviate the sufferings of the people who are living in fear, under inhuman conditions.”

Nigeria/Niger Republic Borders: A No-Go-Area For Smugglers – Kebbi/Sokoto Customs Declares

The Source

April 20, 2024

With the recent re-opening of all land borders between Nigeria and its neighbours ,the Niger Republic ,the Kebbi/Sokoto Area Command of the Nigeria Custom Services has reiterated its commitment towards protecting the country’s national interests through combating of smuggling and other unwholesome activities.

This is just as the Comptroller Ernest Iheanacho Ojike has lauded the resilience, and courage of officers and men of the command in making the kebbi/ Niger border posts a no go area for unscrupulous business actors and smugglers .

Ojike who spoke at a press briefing in the Kebbi state capital Birni kebbi on Friday ‘April 19 2024 said within the last 2 months ,the Command recorded tremendous successes in its anti smuggling fights, with the seizure of contraband items valued at over N126 million.

According to him ,some of the items seized include,thousands of litres of premium motor spirit ( petrol) ,bags of foreign rice ,several bales of used clothings ,hard and expired drugs and essential commodities .

However ,the Comptroller noted that owing to the re opening of the Kamba border in kebbi ,the command could not make much impact in revenue generation during the period under review ,as it was only able rake in N7 million ..

While handing over the seized hard and expired drugs to officials of the National Agency For Drugs Administration And Control NAFDAC and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA who were part of the media briefing.,Comptroller Ojike ,lauded the cordial working relationship that is existing between other sister security agencies and the Kebbi/Sokoto Customs Area Command .

In his remarks,the coordinator of Kebbi/ Sokoto zone of NAFDAC, Alhaji Muyideen Suleiman while appreciating the Customs Command for its collaborative efforts, assured that the seized drugs and other items will be handled in line with extant laws

Band Classification: Consumers Will Not Be Over-billed – EEDC

The Source

April 19, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, has assured that it will enthrone a regime of transparency and fairness in its implementation of the recent classification of electricity consumers by the National Electricity, Regulatory Commission NERC in bands.

EEDC Deputy Managing Director, Dr Ernest Mupwaya, who disclosed this on Friday, April 19, 2024, in Enugu at the ongoing Customer Complaints Resolution Parley with Southeast power consumers, said the power distribution outfit will strictly adhere to the terms and conditions of the NERC bands Classification.

The Source reports that the Nation’s power regulatory body, NERC, had recently unveiled different bands for electricity consumers across the country with the maximum band A capturing those that will enjoy daily power supply up to 20 hours and ,the minimum Band E for consumers with at least four hours power supply daily.

The EEDC Deputy Chief, promised that in addition to being treated fairly, the power distribution company has put mechanisms in place to ensure that its customers get values commensurate with their expenditures.

In rendering services to all customers within its 44 Feeders that fall within the band A NERC- Classification,Dr Mupwaya also ruled out the possibilities of over billing of consumers .

He noted that plans are a foot to supply pre paid metres to about 12,381 Band A customers within the next three months ,in its unwavering commitment to ensure fairness in service delivery and payments systems.

While appealing for understanding and patience from the Consumers,he assured of an improved power supply ,adding that all relevant stakeholders are working in concert to energize the industry.

According to the EEDC Deputy Managing Director every observed shortfalls in the power distribution chain are not peculiar to it ,noting that they are hiccups from the general system .

“Before the recent shortfalls in supply and band classification by the NERC,you customers can agree with me that some customers used to enjoy over 20 hours power supply daily. By the Grace of God ,we will soon return to that era ” Dr Mapwaya assured

Explaining the rationale behind the parley, NERC Commissioner in charge of Consumers Affairs ,Mrs Aisha Mahmood said it is to sensitize consumers on their rights and obligations under the new dispensation,assuring that the power regulatory agency will ensure that consumers are not fleeced .

Under the arrangements, she stated ,all necessary machineries have been put in place for consumers/ operators conflicts resolutions within the industry.

Efforts To Create Misunderstanding Between President Tinubu/Ganduje Will Fail – APC Kano

The Source

April 19, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The spokesperson for the All Progressive Congress APC, kano state, Alhaji Ahmad Aruwa has raised an alarm that some people who have committed substantial resources to destroy the cordial relationship, understanding and mutual respect between president Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the National Chairman of the party Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje ,will stop at nothing until they achieve their evil motive.

This is even as he has distanced, himself from the content of a viral video in which he was purported to have accused some presidency forces as being behind the suspension of the National Chairman last Monday by some self acclaimed party elders from the Ganduje ward in Dawakin Tofa Local council of Kano state .

He however asserted that those who are uncomfortable with the APC ,its National Chairman and President Ahmed Tinubu are on political journey primed to fail from inception.

Alhaji Aruwa who addressed the press on Friday April 19 2024 in kano ,emphatically denied ever accusing and or even insinuating that the presidency is stoking the raging conflict and crisis between the National Chairman and some elements in Kano

He insisted that he was completely quoted out of context by those who are perceiving the good working relationship between president Tinubu and the National Chairman of the party as a big threat to their frivolous and unbridled political ambition .

The Kano APC Publicity Secretary,however stated that all those working to collapse the President Tinubu/ Ganduje relationship on one hand and disintegrate the party on the other ,are in for the greatest disappointed of their lives.

“We want to declare that our leader and National Chairman of our great party Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is committed and remains loyal to the President regardless of whatever anybody may want to orchestrate .

No amount of plot will divide the mutual relationship between the president and Ganduje

On our part in kano APC we have high respect for our president and leader Tinubu,and he remains our choice . We demonstrated our commitment to the political ambition of president Tinubu during the last general elections and we are ready to do it again in subsequent elections” the Kano APC Spokesperson stated

The Source reports that on Thursday April 18 ,the social media was awash with reports quoted the kano APC Publicity Scribe as accusing the presidency of behind Dr Ganduje’s travails in kano political developments in the last few weeks.

Group Describes Ondo APC Primary Election Committee Unconstitutional

Ayodele Oni

April 19, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Few hours to the commencement of the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) a group has faulted the composition of the committee saddled with the conduct of the election. The election comes up on Saturday.

The group Ondo APC Stakeholders announced that membership of the seven man committee, headed by the Kogi state Governor, Ododo was unconstitutional.

It stated that the inclusion of one Mr. Niyi Akinsiju in the Electoral Committee for the April 20th primary election of APC in Ondo State runs foul of the party’s constitution.

In a statement in Akure on Friday, the Chairman of the group, Chief Bamidele Alomaja, quoted the APC guideline, which prohibits the inclusion of an indigene in the primary election committee of APC.

“We are surprised that despite the position of APC and its guidelines that prohibit inclusion of indigene in the primary election of APC, Mr. Niyi Akinsiju is included as a member of the Ondo primary election committee. This is a clear departure from the election guideline.

“Mr. Niyi Akinsiju is an indigene of Idanre local government area of Ondo state. By the reason of his indigeneship and as defined in our party guideline, he is not supposed to be included in the election committee.

“We presumed this to be a deliberate effort to rig or invalidate the outcome of the election.”

The group called on the leaders of APC to correct the rape on the election guideline, to avoid creating unnecessary encumbrances.

“EFCC Misinformed Nigerians On Gov Ododo’s Role In Escape Drama Of Fmr Gov Bello” – Commissioner

Ayodele Oni

April 19, 2024

Ododo Visits Yahaya Bello House in Abuja

By Ayodele Oni

Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, has risen in support of Governor Usman Ododo over his role in the drama which ensued while the officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attempted to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello at his residence in Abuja.

The Commissioner who also served under Bello explained that Governor Ododo did not help his predecessor, Bello, to outsmart security operatives who wanted to arrest him.

Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had laid a siege to Bello’s Abuja residence, where they wanted to arrest him.

But Ododo arrived at the scene and hours later he drove out, fueling reports that Bello had sneaked out with him.

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Fanwo stated that Ododo is committed to upholding the laws of the country, including respecting its legal processes.

“Governor Ododo did not assist in Bello’s departure from his residence; the EFCC’s claims are misinformation aimed at furthering their objectives.

“Bello is not evading anyone; the existing court injunction protects his fundamental rights.”

Fanwo rejected the anti-graft agency’s claims, describing them as baseless and product of an organized disinformation campaign.

He argued further that the ex-governor is not attempting to avoid arrest, referring a state high court injunction that protects Bello from harassment by the anti-graft agency.

The Commissioner, therefore, criticized the Commission’s allegations even as he questioned the agency’s certainty about Bello’s whereabouts.

He added that Governor Ododo remained a law-abiding leader who respects the rule of law and the Constitution of the Country.

The Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, had described Governor Ododo’s action who used his immunity to prevent Bello’s arrest on Wednesday as ‘disquieting’, adding that ’embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put Nigeria in bad light before the rest of the world is not the way to go.”

The Campaign for Democracy, (CD) while reacting to Governor Ododo’s role in the escape drama of Bello maintained that judging by the role of the governor in the drama, which trailed the arrest of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ododo is not the right person to superintend over the governorship primary election in Ondo state.

HRM Banigo Makes History, Resigns As King Of His Okpoama Kingdom

The Source

April 19, 2024

By Gideon Njoku

His Royal Majesty, King Ebitimi Emmanuel Banigo, has done the unprecedented. He has resigned as the King of his Okpoama Kingdom, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

With effect from July 31st 2024, King Banigo said in a statement, he would cease to be the Okpo XXI Ibenyanaowei of Okpoama Kingdom.

Citing health challenges, he said he was no longer in a position to listen to the everyday problems of his subjects and help in solving them due to his long absence from home. In the letter which he personally signed, and titled: PROCLAMATION OF THE RETIREMENT OF THE IBENYANAOWEI OF OKPOAMA KINGDOM, he said: “We are today faced with the worst economic crisis in recent history. The attendant excruciating poverty, hunger, insecurity and governance issues have made it imperative that I spend time at home. Unfortunately, I have been contending with health challenges which has not made this possible and which increasingly require long absence from the Kingdom for the foreseeable future.”

“Based on that, he said, he has decided to retire as the King of Okpoama Kingdom with effect from July 31st.

The full text of his Proclamation reads:

“Warm greetings to my dear people of Okpoama Kingdom.

“We are today faced with the worst economic crisis in recent history. The attendant excruciating poverty, hunger, insecurity and governance issues have made it imperative that I spend time at home. Unfortunately I have been contending with health challenges which has not made this possible and which increasingly long absence from the Kingdom for the foreseeable future.

“Consequently, I have taken the decision to retire as Ibenyanaowei of Okpoama Kingdom with effect from July 31st 2024. The election of a new Ibenyanaowei from the Ruling Houses is to commence immediately in accordance with our tradition to be crowned as OKPO XXII, Ibenyanaowei of Okpoama Kingdom.

“The Government of Bayelsa State and the relevant authorities will be notified accordingly.

“My dear Okpoama people, I thank you for the honour of being your King. I thank God for this privilege of ruling over our ancient Kingdom of highly endowed beautiful territories, the lands and creeks, and the remarkable people that God has bestowed to us through our ancestors.

“I will continue to contribute to the development of Okpoama Kingdom and the preservation of our culture as I did before I ascended to the throne.

“By the grace of God and working together we can collectively develop Okpoama to the land of our dreams.

“God bless Okpoama people.”

King Ebitimi, a banker before he ascended the throne was the Chief Executive Officer of International Merchant Bank of Nigeria from 1981 to 1986. He was Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology between 1999 and 2000.

In 2012, he became the King of his Okpoama Kingdom in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Ondo APC Governorship Primary Election: CD Expresses Doubt Over Gov Ododo’s Competence As Committee Chairman

Ayodele Oni

April 19, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Campaign for Democracy, (CD) has expressed doubt over the competence of Kogi state Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to conduct a credible governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state.

CD maintained that judging by the role of the governor in the drama which trailed the arrest of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ododo is not the right person to superintend over the governorship primary election.

The leadership of the APC had appointed Ododo as chairman of the primary election committee of the APC on Ondo state which comes up on Saturday.

The governor has been accused of using his immunity to block arrest of Bello, who is being accused of money laundering while in office.

A statement on Friday by CD president, Pastor Ifeanyi Odili stated that “Governor Ododo of Kogi State cannot supervise a credible primary election in Ondo State.

“It is no longer news that Ododo has been preventing the EFCC from arresting one of the suspects over an alleged #80.2b fraud.

“It is widely reported that up till this moment, Ododo is hiding former Governor Yaya Bello, his predecessor inside his convoy and Government House, with a view to preventing the Anti-Corruption agency from arresting him.

“Whereas, under “Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act it is clear that it is an offence to prevent officers of the commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

“This section of the EFCC establishment acts awards anyone found preventing the EFCC from carrying out its lawful duty as in the case of former Governor Yaya Bello, a five-year jail term.

“In the circumstances therefore, Governor Ododo of Kogi State is a suspect according to the EFCC acts Section 38(2)(a(b).

“Consequently, he is not reliable, responsible and not qualified to supervise any election in any part of Nigeria thereof, unless he willingly turns in his predecessor, former Governor Yaya Bello to EFCC to clear all the allegations of fraud leveled against him.”

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