News

Cops Arrested For Kidnapping In Rivers Still Walking Free – LP Candidate

Published

3 months ago

February 2, 2024

Editor

Photo: file copy

A Delta State House of Assembly candidate, Harrison Gwamnishu, has alleged that three officers of the Rivers State Police Command arrested for kidnapping a man recently were yet to be prosecuted.

The officers, ASP Doubara Edonyabo, ASP Talent Mungo, and Inspector Odey Michael, had kidnapped the man in Aba, Abia State, took him to Bayelsa State and later Ughelli in Delta State where they allegedly took the 3000USDT equivalent of N 4,200,000.00 from him, a police statement revealed.

Following their arrest, the command disclosed that an investigation into the incident had begun while the money collected had been returned to the victims on January 18.

However, Gwamnishu who raised the initial alarm, stated in an X post on Friday that the erring officers were still ‘walking freely’ and wouldn’t be dismissed because they are senior officers.

“Since on the 18th of January, through my effort and that of my team, we arrested these officers that were involved in kidnapping and taking ransom of $3000USDT from their victim.

“Till date, these officers are walking freely at the command and putting our lives and that of the victim at risk. I was boldly told they can’t be dismissed because they are senior police officers. They are ASP Doubara Edonyabo, ASP Talent Mungo, and Inspector Odey Michael,” he wrote on X.

The Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, couldn’t be reached for her immediate reaction.

However, in a statement released on January 22, Iringe-Koko disclosed that the officers whose actions violated the law and the ethical standards of the police force, were facing disciplinary actions.

“The two officers have been issued with official queries, and the inspector has been slated for an orderly room trial. Additionally, to demonstrate our commitment to transparency and accountability, the Rivers State Police Command has decided to publicly parade the officers before the press on to underscore the seriousness with which we view this matter,” she stated.

This isn’t the first time such misconduct has been reported involving Rivers State policemen.

In December, four operatives were involved in the alleged abduction of a hotel worker in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The victim identified as Darlington was reportedly arrested on his way to work when the police officers accosted him near Choba in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

They were later arrested after the matter was reported to the Divisional Police Officer.

News

Rivers Crisis: Pro-Fubara Assembly To Screen Commissioner-nominee On Monday

Published

9 mins ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

The Rivers State House of Assembly members loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and led by factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, have invited a Commissioner-nominee, Danagogo Iboroma, for screening and confirmation as a member of the state executive.

Iboroma may be pencilled in to replace Zaccaeus Adangor, who recently resigned as the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

Adangor’s resignation came after he rejected his deployment to the State Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office) by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The nominees’ invitation was contained in a letter signed by the factional Clerk, Dr. G.M. Gillis-West, who asked Iboroma to appear before the House on Monday by 10 am and sent to newsmen.

The factional clerk directed Iboroma, to appear at the Hallowed Chamber, Rivers State House of Assembly, Auditorium, Admin Block, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.

The letter read, “The Rivers State House of Assembly hereby invites the following Commissioner-nominee for screening and confirmation as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council. Danagogo I Iboroma, SAN.

“Date: Monday, 13th May 2024. Time 10 am. Venue: Hallowed Chamber, Rivers State House of Assembly Auditorium, Admin Block, Government House, Port Harcourt.

“The nominee is to come along with 10 sets of his Curriculum Vitae, photocopies of his credentials and the original.”

News

Obasanjo To Adeleke: Keep The Dancing Spirit, Deliver On Infrastructure

Published

1 hour ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to continue his dancing spirit while prioritising the delivery of crucial infrastructure projects in the state.

Obasanjo, who spoke at the inauguration of a VIP lodge, an edifice located within the premises of Osun State Government House in Osogbo, recalled a private conversation he had with Adeleke when he admonished him not to stop dancing, but to work very hard to improve the lives of the residents of the state.

The former president, who declared himself as Adeleke’s dancing partner, also challenged the governor to unite the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, implement good initiatives that would affect people positively and ensure proper documentation of all his achievements as governor.

Speaking in a mixture of Yoruba and English, Obasanjo said, “Some people once despise you, calling you a mere dancer. In reply, I told them that it is only happy people that used to dance. From now on, you are my dancing partner.

“What I have heard and seen since three days that I have been here If anyone is doubting you, bring the person to your state to see for himself or herself. If you remember at one time, I called you on the phone and I said don’t stop dancing but I added that, as you are dancing, ensure you are working.

“If I tell you that I don’t know what happened before you get to the government, I will be telling a lie. But you did something last week Sunday that I appreciated. You called the leaders of your party together. I am happy that you called them and brought them together. Senator Olu Alabi is here, ex-governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola is here and Fatai Akinbade too.

“You should bring everyone on board. That is the best thing to do. I have talked to two out of three of them. It is a good move which is not only good for your party but for the state and the country. You said government is a continuum. You also said that you are working on all abandoned projects, may God crown your efforts.”

He added that he is happy that Adelek is taking project deliveries one after the other taking them.

He urged the governor to be honest with his conscience, with the people and with God.

“You have to be a man of character,” Obasanjo said.

Speaking earlier, Adeleke said his administration has completed some major capital projects, while work was also progressing on many others captured under his infrastructure plan.

According to him, the VIP Lodge would enable his administration to minimise the cost of hosting important personalities visiting the state, adding that with the completion of the project, a major milestone in cost efficiency has been achieved.

Adeleke, nicknamed the dancing governor, took the oath of office as the 6th elected governor of Osun State on Sunday, November 27, 2022, following in the political trajectory of his late elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who was the first elected governor of the state.
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News

Nigeria Medical Association Gets New President

Published

2 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

A professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bala Audu, has been elected as the new President of the Nigeria Medical Association.

The election took place during the annual delegates meeting held in Calabar, Cross Rivers state.

Audu obtained a degree in Medicine from the University of Maiduguri in 1988 and a Master’s degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the University of London in 1994.

He’s also a Fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1997.

In 2008, he obtained a hospital administration and health services certificate from the National Institute of Public Health, Japan.

Before his election, Audu served as the Provost of the College of Medical Sciences at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, in 2017 and later as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, in Bauchi state.

Audu is recognized for his contributions to the field of medicine, having trained many young obstetric doctors and conducted numerous research works on cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.

Other leaders elected during the meeting include Benjamin Olowojebutu as Vice President, Usha Anenga as Vice President 2, Ben Egbo as Secretary-General, Wale Lasisi as the Assistant Secretary-General, Celestine Ugwoke as Treasurer, Harrison Omokhua as Financial Secretary, and Manir Bature as the National Publicity Secretary.

The NMA has announced that the new leaders were selected from NMA branches across the country and will lead the association’s activities from 2024 to 2026, after which another leadership cycle will emerge.