Metro

Rivers Crisis: Court Reserves Judgment In Amaewhule’s Appeal

Published

1 year ago

June 20, 2024

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgment in the appeal filed by a former speaker of the River State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 24 others against the Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and five others.

The appellate court adjourned after the parties in the suit adopted all their briefs in the matter.

At the proceeding that was conducted virtually on Thursday, Amaewhule and others are asking the court to stay execution of a high court judgement which saw them out of office and further proceedings in the suit and that whatever decisions Jumbo has taken while in office, should be set aside.

They are also asking for an accelerated hearing in the matter while contending that the order made by the trial court was without jurisdiction.

In their response, Amaewhule and others, prayed the court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit because the records of appeal transmitted were incompetent.

After listening to the submission of the lawyers in the appeal, the three-man panel led by Justice Jimi Olukayode-Bada reserved a date for judgment to be communicated to parties in the suit.

The appellate court had in a ruling on June 14 ordered that all parties in the suit maintain status quo and cease every form of hostilities until the matter is heard and decided.

This was to lay to rest a motion exparte brought before the court by the appellants seeking reversal of a high court judgment that declared their seats vacant as lawmakers.

The appeal court also stopped the State High Court or any other court from entertaining the matter until it was decided.

A Rivers State High Court, in Port Harcourt, had on May 10, 2024, stopped Martin Amaewhule from parading himself as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The court gave the order after considering a motion brought before it by the new Speaker of the House, Victor Jumbo, and 2 others, to the effect that his seat had been declared vacant.

Justice Charles Wali, while ruling on the motion ex parte, also barred 24 other members of the Assembly from accessing the complex or carrying out any such Legislative assignment in the name of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Dissatisfied with the verdict of the State High Court, Amaewhule and others approached the appellate court.

Metro

JUST IN: One Dead As Ngige Escapes Assassination

Published

15 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

Gunmen who dressed in police and army camouflage on Thursday attacked the convoy of the former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige, leaving one dead.

A lady who was caught videoing the gunmen reportedly came out of her hairdressing salon.

She was shot and died on the spot after she was spotted capturing the incident with her phone yesterday.

Ngige, who last served as the Labour Minister, reportedly escaped death following an attack on his convoy as he was not in the vehicle at the time of the incident.

It was learnt that the gunmen ran into the former governor’s convoy along Nkpor–Nnobi Road in Idemili North Local Government Area of the State and opened fire, prompting return fire from security operatives in the convoy.

According to a source, a police officer and a civilian who owned a shop were also injured during the gunmen’s attack.

A statement issued by Ngige’s media aide, Fred Chukwuelobe, confirmed that the former governor was not in the convoy when the assailants struck.

The statement noted that the attackers, reportedly dressed in police and army uniforms, opened fire on the pilot vehicle, injuring the lead escort.

The statement stressed that the policeman in the pilot car sustained gunshot wounds, while the attackers made away with his gun and uniform.

The pilot vehicle, it was gathered, was riddled with bullets during the assault.

Ngige, who spoke by phone through Chukwuelobe, said: “I just got off the phone with His Excellency, and he confirmed the development, promising to do all he can to ensure that those injured receive adequate treatment.”

He also commiserated with the family of the unfortunate lady who was killed while videoing the scene,” Chukwuelobe said.

“A shop owner who ran out to see what was happening was also shot. He reportedly lost a significant amount of blood and is scheduled for surgery to remove bullets, but doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

The injured escort leader has also undergone surgery and is responding well,” he added.

Ngige’s side dismissed insinuations that a police officer was killed in the attack.

Contacted, the State Command confirmed the attack on the former governor Ngige’s convoy, clarifying that the police had recovered the vehicle, which was riddled with bullets by the gunmen.

Metro

Man Flees After Lady Dies In Ondo Hotel

Published

16 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

The Ondo Police Command has launched a manhunt for a man identified as Sodiq Ganiyu over the demise of a young lady in a hotel in Ore, Odigbo Local Council Area of the state.

Ganiyu had lodged at the popular hotel on the busy Ore–Okitipupa Road, along with the yet-to-be-identified lady, who was found dead after the suspect left the hotel room.

The lifeless body of the deceased was discovered after hotel staff entered the room with a spare key when repeated knocks went unanswered.

Following the incident, the hotel, a regular stop and social hub for travellers and residents of the area, was besieged by onlookers who trooped to witness it.

According to sources, the lady was lying motionless on the bed when the door was opened, with no visible signs of violence or marks on her body.

One of the sources stated that “The girl checked into the hotel with a man, Sodiq Ganiyu, to spend the night. The two were seen together earlier in the day, but when staff gained access to the room, the lady was found lifeless.”

Another source stressed that the suspect allegedly fled the scene, leaving his whereabouts unknown, a development that prompted hotel management to promptly report the incident to the police.

A security source, who confirmed the development, said the lady’s body has been deposited at a mortuary in Ore.

Preliminary examinations revealed no external injuries, but a full autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death.

While confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer Olayinka Ayanlade stated that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

Metro

Police Crack Down On Criminal Network In Delta Community, Recover AK-47

Published

16 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command has recorded another breakthrough in its ongoing offensive against armed criminal networks in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area, raising further alarm over the deepening sophistication of local cult and robbery syndicates.

In a statement on Thursday, the Command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the latest operation was carried out by the CP–Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) led by ASP Julius Robinson, whose sustained raids continue to expose the scale of organised criminal activity festering in and around the community.

Edafe recalled that the development follows the 24 November arrest of confessed cultists and the recovery of a pump-action gun and other incriminating exhibits.

Building on intelligence gathered from that initial bust, CP-SAT operatives intensified surveillance and launched coordinated follow-up raids across strategic hotspots in Oghara on November 25, 2025.

The sweep led to the arrest of two additional suspects identified as Justice Ikutu, 38, and Peter Okomeje, 55 — both allegedly linked to a widening criminal syndicate believed to be responsible for recent spikes in cult violence and armed robbery in the area.

According to him, a search conducted at the residence of another suspected gang member, identified as Peter Kome, led to the recovery of a loaded AK-47 rifle fitted with a double magazine and other exhibits investigators say point to a more entrenched and organised network than previously assumed.

“All suspects are currently in custody,” the Command said, adding that operatives are pursuing leads to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, praised the rapid response and tactical precision of the CP-SAT team but stressed that policing alone cannot dismantle the criminal ecosystem thriving in the region. He appealed to residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing actionable information.

He said the latest arrests come amid rising public anxiety over recurrent cult clashes, armed robbery, and gang-related killings across several Delta communities. Even as investigations deepen, the Command says it remains resolute in restoring order in Oghara and preventing the town from becoming a haven for weapon-bearing criminal networks.

In other news, the Owelle of Onicha-Olona, Chief Jerry Nkeweshe, has demanded the withdrawal of a police statement linking him to the killing of three youths in the Okwe community near Asaba, Delta State.

The Delta State Police Command had announced a manhunt for Nkeweshe and others alleged to have led an armed group that attacked the community on November 24, resulting in the deaths of the youths.

The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, confirmed the killings and said the suspects were being sought in connection with the attack.

But reacting through his lawyer, Kelechi Nnadi, on Wednesday, Nkeweshe denied any involvement and described the police statement as false and damaging.

Nnadi said his client was not in Okwe or anywhere within Asaba on the day of the incident, explaining that Nkeweshe had left the city earlier that morning for medical attention in Umunede, where he stayed throughout the day.