Metro

Abia Speaker, Emeruwa Under Fire Over Alleged Humiliation Of Journalist

Published

2 years ago

June 28, 2024

Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, has come under fire for allegedly walking out a journalist, Kingsley Chibuike from a press briefing without any explanation.

The press conference held Thursday at the conference hall of the Abia State House of Assembly, had in attendance the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Austin Nmeregini, among others.

Reacting to the sad development, former Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kanu, said such a behaviour should not be condoned.

The former Speaker who described the role of the media as very crucial for the survival of democracy, said no attempt should be made to obstruct their operations.

He said: “When I was speaker, the chamber was always filled to the brim. When you are a presiding officer, not only that your colleagues are assessing your capacity or capability to manage the House, the press is also involved in assessing whatever is happening at the plenary.

“The press is a very important segment of the society. Other commoners are always in the chamber to listen to the proceedings of the House.

” If a journalist is doing his job and he is barred from covering the House, I don’t think it will be condoned.”

In his own reaction, former Secretary to State Government, SSG and a veteran journalist, Elder Ralph Egbu, strongly condemned the action of the Speaker, and wondered why journalists would not boycott the activities of the House in protest.

He blamed media practitioners for their weakness in fighting their own cause, recalling that such a humiliation would not go without a consequence in his active days.

“When people know you are critical they don’t toy with you”.

Apparently referring to leadership weakness of media practitioners in the state, the elder statesman and former Information Commissioner, regretted that the Speaker might get away with the action.

“When there is a vacuum, people will exploit it. But when people know there is a consequence they will be cautious.

“Boycott that House or start writing deliberately, and they will respect you. But you will not do it. When I was practising, they feared us”.

Reacting also, former Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, described the action of the Speaker as dictatorial and an attempt to gag the press.

The former Commissioner who also described the incident as “a new low” in the state, said the action of the Speaker contrasted the humility of the Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on whose wings the Speaker and other Labour Party members came to power.

“The quest to silence free press and muzzle opposition by all means are the hallmarks of dictators empowered by Emperors and it is a big shame that Emeruwa was elected on the ticket of the Labour Party seen by many as a progressive political party.

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“I wish to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leaders of the National Assembly and civil society organizations led by the free press to speak up now and stop the emerging autocracy in Abia State.

The former Commissioner called on the Speaker to tender unreserved apology to the media, and to immediately bring back the Enyimba Correspondent.

“I hereby call on Speaker Emeruwa to, as a matter of urgency, immediately apologize and recall Enyimba TV and Radio journalist to the people’s House and inaugurate Aaron Uzodike at the next legislative date.

“Abia State is not an Empire for an Emperor and his ‘hallelujah officials’ but rather a democratic state under the rule of law with full observance of media freedom and independence.”

He also called on civil society organization to rise against any attempt to intimidate and gag the press.

Reacting also, Rights Activist and the Executive Director, Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD, Comrade Nnanna Nwafor, described the action as a manifestation of dictatorship tendency.

He said it was a display of the Speaker’s lack of regard for the media, a action, he said, was unacceptable.

“It’s unfortunate and the Speaker has played the role of dictatorship. It shows the Speaker has no respect for the press.

“It’s an impairment of the freedom of the press and expression. It doesn’t show that the Speaker believes in democratic principles. This is highly unacceptable.”

A prominent layer and Public Affairs Analyst, Mr Mike Ndu, in his own reaction, described the action of the Speaker as undemocratic.

He said that a public officer holder especially the number three citizen should be able to put his temperament under check.

“It’s quite undemocratic. It’s against the freedom of press. In as much as he has not violated any laws, he has violated the principles of democracy. It’s condemnable.

” As the number three man in the state who is representing a people, he ought not to have behaved that way as a public officer. The House of Assembly is not a private office”.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

20 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.