News

Ex-lawmaker, Rivers CP Bicker Over Alleged Gunmen Attack

Published

3 years ago

December 16, 2022

A former senator representing the Rivers South-East district in the National Assembly, Lee Maeba, and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Okon Effiong, are on a collision course over an alleged attack on the former’s residence by suspected political thugs in GRA Phase 3, Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

While the CP Effiong expressed doubts that the said attack happened from preliminary investigations carried out by the police, Maeba, who is the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State, insisted that it happened.

Maeba said he was prepared to go to court to prove that thugs invaded his compound, destroyed property, injured his elder brother and wanted to gain entrance into his house, but retreated when they couldn’t.

Speaking to newsmen at his office, Effiong wondered why Maeba had yet to come forward to give his statement concerning the attack on his compound.

The CP said, “I called him that we need to see you for your statement. And he said he was waiting for his lawyer.”

On Maeba’s allegations that the CP did not respond to several calls he put across to him over the attack on his compound, the CP, denying, said though he was in an operation and not with is mobile telephone, someone in a distress situation would have called more than once.

“I was somewhere in Bodo in Gokana local government in an operation. I am going to show you my call log so that you will be able to tell me how many times the senator called me.

“I want to believe that when somebody is in distress, he will call one, two, three. He called me. I didn’t have his number. I was in an operation.

“When somebody else called later, quickly I detailed a team led by a Deputy Commissioner of Police. He saw the team and interacted with them,” he said.

The CP wondered the claim of the PDP campaigner that the suspected thugs had planned to kill him, yet none of his buildings was damaged.

“We have pictures of the cars that were allegedly destroyed. We are talking about a senator who has a fleet of cars.

“How come that that day only 1990, 2000 Camry and Corollas that were damaged.

“Was it a coincidence that all the expensive cars, none was touched (by the) thugs; the people only touched the rickety cars?

“Was it a coincidence that only rickety cars were packed in his garage?”

But when contacted on Thursday, Maeba debunked claims that he stage-managed the attack and expressed shock at the CP’s comments, saying it showed that the Effiong did not investigate even though it was reported to him.

He said, “The CP has lied against me and has brought down my reputation. I will challenge him in a court of law to prove that I was attacked. How did the CP reach that conclusion without an investigation?

“Does it mean there was no investigation when people came to attack me and destroyed my property?

“You came to my house and said the only thing that would have made you believe that people attacked my house was that they destroyed old cars.

“My escalade 2015 is not an old car. My Camry is 2017. How is it an old car? I never knew that the CP had been compromised. The same thing the state Commissioner for Information and Communications said was what the CP stood on.

“If the CP said I have not given a statement, yes I told him I was waiting for my lawyer. My lawyer returned yesterday and I have made a statement.”

Continuing, Maeba said, “The CP has not even seen my statement and he concluded that I attacked myself. That is completely unprofessional, bogus and unimaginable. He lied against me that I organised thugs to attack my home.

“He even said there is no evidence that thugs attacked my home. So who attacked my home and broke those cars? The CP has a case to answer before the human rights commission.

“My rights have been trampled upon and the CP has brought my reputation to ridicule. I give the CP 24 hours to tender an unreserved apology and retract his lies against me or I will drag him to court or before the human rights commission.

“He has displayed the attitude of a compromised police officer and it is very unfortunate.”

News

Makinde, Wife Installed As Aare Omoluabi, Yeye Aare Omoluabi Of Akure Kingdom

Published

10 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, and his wife, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, have been installed as the Aare Omoluabi and the Yeye Aare Omoluabi of Akure Kingdom.

The governor, who was conferred with the chieftaincy by the Deji of Akure, Oba (Dr.) Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, in Akure, on Friday, said the honour was a call to contribute to the uplift of Akure Kingdom.

Makinde, who congratulated the Deji on his 10th anniversary on the throne, promised to continue to strive and do his best for the progress of the kingdom.

He said that he would contribute towards completing the Akure Town Hall and the modernisation of the Akure Palace, among other things.

He said: “For me and my wife, we are elated for the honour done to us. We can only promise that we will continue to strive and do our best for the progress of Akure Kingdom.

“Usually, they say that prophets are not recognised in their own domain. But today, Akure Kingdom has recognised one of their own. So, I appreciate this. In 1977, I was here and I was 10 years old. So, the honour done to me today is because I am a son of the soil and it is a further call to do my best for the uplift of our Akure Kingdom.

“I want to thank my mother, Mrs Victoria Modupe Alo. She insisted that she must be here.

“There are ongoing projects in the palace and the town hall. I will contribute towards completing the Akure Town Hall. I will also contribute towards modernising the palace of Akure.

“You will know the 10th year coronation of Kabiyesi for a big difference.”

The event had in attendance dignitaries from Oyo State and across the country.

News

How To Stop Smoking

Published

10 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

The only way to motivate yourself to stop smoking is to change your lifestyle. If you continue the same life exactly with the same mindset (corn, overeating, unfulfilled job, unfulfilled marriage, etc.), you will relapse later even if you quit for months or years because smoking is a mindset, it’s a symptom of unfulfilled life.

Smoking, or any addiction for that matter, is a symptom of unfinished shadow work (it’s a bit complex term, research it and keep diving within) When life tastes sweet, smoking loses its flavor, so start actually living instead of sleepwalking through life, review your hobbies, check lines of work you’ve always been passionate about, talk the real talk with spouse, friends, filter out the people that are holding you back and dragging you down to their level (you won’t be able to see that with clarity if you smoke)
(TRIBUNE ONLINE)

News

Top 10 African Countries With Cheapest Petrol Prices In July 2025

Published

10 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

Even though many African countries are facing energy problems and making changes in their oil and gas industries, some still have some of the cheapest petrol prices in the world as of July 2025.

Libya, Angola and Algeria are the top three countries with cheapest petrol prices in Africa.

Below are top 10 African countries with the cheapest petrol prices in July 2025, as per GlobalPetrolPrices.com.

Libya

In Libya, fuel costs $0.028 per litre (42.397 Naira), and with its vast oil reserves, it keeps fuel prices remarkably low through significant government subsidies. This long-standing approach guarantees affordable energy for its citizens, contributing to social stability. Despite ongoing political instability, the nation consistently utilises its resources to provide this low-cost energy.

Angola

In Angola, fuel costs $0.327 per litre (500.253 Naira). As a major African oil producer, the country’s domestic output helps keep fuel relatively affordable. However, the government faces the challenge of balancing these subsidies with revenue generation, particularly as it strives to diversify its economy.

Algeria

As a major oil and gas producer, Algeria provides highly affordable fuel, priced around $0.353 per litre (540.216 Naira), through substantial government subsidies. This strategy is important to ensure accessible energy for its citizens and foster social stability. Nevertheless, the government is under pressure to reform its subsidy system to ease fiscal burdens and advance economic diversification

Egypt

At $0.385 per litre (588.000 Naira), Egypt’s fuel prices reflect its dual status as a significant producer and consumer of petroleum. While the government has implemented subsidy reforms in recent years, fuel remains relatively affordable, ensuring widespread energy access for its large population. This approach supports economic growth by reallocating funds previously spent on subsidies to more productive sectors.

Nigeria

Nigeria offers fuel at approximately $0.545 (832.630 Naira) per litre, positioning it among the top countries globally for affordability. This pricing reflects a combination of domestic production advantages and past subsidy policies. However, the nation continues to navigate challenges stemming from recent subsidy reforms and persistent fuel shortages, which significantly impact its economy and citizens.

Sudan

Sudan sells fuel at approximately $0.700 (1070.376 Naira) per litre, placing it among the more affordable options globally. However, political instability and severe economic challenges, including high inflation and currency devaluation, significantly influence its fuel pricing. While subsidies aim to keep fuel affordable, the government struggles to maintain consistent prices amidst these ongoing pressures.

Tunisia

Tunisia ranks 33rd globally with fuel priced at $0.871 (1331.151 Naira) per litre. The country imports most of its energy needs, but government subsidies keep fuel prices relatively low for its citizens. Economic reforms and rising energy demands may challenge this affordability in the future.

Ethiopia

At $0.897 (1372.111 Naira) per litre, Ethiopia ranks 35th globally in fuel affordability. Unlike some of its oil-producing neighbours, Ethiopia is a net importer of fuel, making its pricing sensitive to global oil market fluctuations. The government’s focus on developing infrastructure and reducing reliance on imports could influence future fuel pricing.

Liberia

Liberia offers fuel at $0.908 (1388.903 Naira) per litre, placing it 36th globally. As a net fuel importer, the country’s pricing reflects transportation and import costs. Efforts to stabilise the economy and improve infrastructure are critical to ensuring a consistent fuel supply and affordability

Gabon

In Gabon, fuel costs $1.059 (1619.454 Naira) per litre, ranking it 51st globally. As an oil-exporting nation, Gabon benefits from domestic production, which helps maintain reasonable fuel prices. However, economic diversification remains a priority as the country seeks to reduce dependency on oil revenues.