By Akpokona Omafuaire
The Methodist Church Prelate, His Eminence Samuel Uche, kidnapped Sunday afternoon along two other clerics by suspected herdsmen on the Lokpa axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway way has regained his freedom.
He was released along with other victims Monday evening.
Police Public Relations Officer PPRO in charge of Abia State, Geoffrey Ogbonna who confirmed this to Vanguard said there were no details yet.
Source: Vanguard newspapers
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By Akpokona Omafuaire
WARRI - CONTRARY to rumours in the social media that Tompolo was killed in Bayelsa State, Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, media adviser to High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, Niger Delta Freedom fighter and High Priest of Egbesu Deity has refuted the news, saying he is hale, hearty, and doing well by God’s grace.
Some online news sites had reported that Tompolo was shot dead in Bayelsa during the House of Representatives primary election.
Bebenimibo in a press release yesterday said that the Delta State-born freedom fighter is hale and hearty.
According to him, “The attention of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has been drawn to an online report that one Tompolo was killed in Ogbia during the People’s Democratic Party primaries for House of Reps and Senate.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this story has nothing to do with High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo. He is hale, hearty, and doing well by God’s grace. The general public should know that High Chief Government Ekpemupolo is a leader of the masses and will continue to speak for the masses.
“He is in high spirit, hoping that God Almighty will help our great country to transit successfully to another government come 2023. He is praying for peace and stability in this country and is always willing to contribute his quarter to the development of this country socially, economically, and otherwise.
“He urges the general public to disregard the malicious online report of his death,” it concluded.
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Geneva – A record 59.1 million people were internally displaced in 2021 according to the newly released International Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC)’s Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID). This is an additional 4 million people living in displacement at the end of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
By Akpokona Omafuaire
OWERRI - THE Imo police command has arrested seven suspected members of members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)u and uncovered a deadly shrine.
The command gave the account of the arrest on Thursday, while parading the arrested suspects.
It said it also recovered a live python the suspects used to fortify themselves before attacks were carried out.
Narrating the incident to journalists, the command's spokesman, Micheal Abattam, said, “The Command’s Tactical Teams, on 18/5/2022 at about 0600 hours hastily mobilized when it received credible information that the native doctor who prepares charms for fortifications against bullets and knives for the group has returned after fleeing the community."
He added, “With the positive revelations made in the course of interrogating the suspects earlier arrested in connection with the killing, the team was able to locate the criminal hideout in Ubah Agwa in Oguta LGA of Imo State and immediately cordoned off the area and tactically went into the den.
“The hoodlums on sighting the police operatives, attempted to escape, only to discover that the whole escape routes had been saturated with police operatives hence, they were arrested.”
He gave the names of the arrested suspects as “Casmire Mgbugha ‘m’ aged 53, Hycent Chimezie ‘m’ aged 30, Hycent Azunna ‘m’ aged 28, Hycent Ifesinachi ‘m’ aged 26, Hycent Chimobi ‘m’ aged 23, Chukwuemeka Wisdom ‘m’ aged 22 and Nnadike Clifford ‘m’ aged 72.”
Abattam noted that upon searching the terror camp, a number of items were recovered.
"The items are one Toyota Camry car with registration number AKD 73 BF LAGOS, one live Python, eight locally made pistols, eighteen rounds of live cartridges, one Biafran flag, a pair of police camouflage uniforms belonging to the late Inspector Felicia Nwagbara ‘f’, who has been declared missing since 2017 by police authorities.
"While coming out of the terror camp, one of the suspects, Hycent Chimezie for the second time, attempted escaping and was maimed on the leg," the police spokesman said.
The command's spokesman further said the suspects had confessed to having murdered the late Inspector Felicia Nwagbara, who was the second wife of one of the suspects, Casmire Mgbugba.
"The suspected hoodlums further stated that they were the manufacturers of the locally made guns recovered from them, which they also sell to robbers and kidnappers.
“The command wishes to use this medium to appreciate the good people of Imo State for their undaunting support and assures them of the command’s commitments in sustaining the already improved security architecture in the state,” he added
Source: Sahara Reporters
By Akpokona Omafuaire
WARRI - AS the nation warms up for the 2023 general election, a cleric, Revd Dr Mereh Wariri has disclosed that God wants to use a woman to lift the nation from the economic woes, insecurity and social degradation that had bedeviled the country for the past years.
Revd Wariri, General Overseer of The Christ's Redeemed Evangelical Mission, (CREM), Ughelli in Delta State stated this while speaking to newsmen yesterday in his office.
He said that on the election and the economic situation of the nation, God revealed to him that He was interested in using a woman to save the nation from the challenges but the women had not shown interest in the election and in the office of the president.
Wariri said that while he was praying for the 2023 election that he was surprised, instead of being shown a man, he was asked to deliver a message to the womenfolks in Nigeria that God wants to use one of them as the next president and that they should present themselves to context for the office of the president.
The General Overseer urged women in Nigeria to rise up to contest for the office of the president of the nation and not drawback, just as he added that he was neither a prophet nor a politician but was only sent by God to deliver the message to the women of this nation that God wants them to context for the office of the president of this nation.
He charged Nigerian women to do away with their apolitical stance and apathy towards election, saying that God is interested in a female president for the country.
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By Akpokona Omafuaire
WARRI - IT was a great moment Tuesday as the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) Limited, a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited Commissioned and handover a fully furnished Basic Primary Health Care Centres to Umu-Eziogoli community in Ukwuani Local Government Area and Umuseti-Ogbe community in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The project built by NGC was part of its corporate social responsibility to the host communities.
While handing over the edifices, the Managing Director of Nigeria Gas Company Limited, Engr. Seyi Omotowa, represented by, Mrs Uche Ossai, Executive Director Support Services, said that, the company is committed to developing a robust and sustainable relationship with its host communities.
According to Engr. Seyi; "The wellbeing of our host communities is paramount in our Corporate Social Responsibility thrust, and this is simply why we are here today. Therefore, we present to you these Basic Health Centres as a token of our contribution to the development of both communities which we cherish Dearly as one of our peace-loving communities.
"On our part as a company, we shall continue to solicit for your co-operation and assistance in the maintenance of peace in order to support our business growth aspirations for the benefit of our people in this communities and Nigerians generally.
"Let me reiterate, that NGC will always encourage and appreciate communities that promote peace, dialogue and understanding in the resolution of any issue. This, indeed, is the hallmark of our community relations engagement process. We would appreciate direct contact with NGC Management through our Public Affairs Department on any community issues and not through a third party. Problems are better solved where there is constant communication between entities with vested interest, for the mutual benefit of all.
"Finally, let me appeal to you as communities, that this Health Centre is yours, we therefore urge you to safeguard it by putting in place adequate security measures to protect it."
Those who responded for both communities are, Mr Ogochukwu Nwose, Chairman Umu-Eziogoli community, Barr. Nelson Enumah, and Mr Kingsley Chukwutem Ndiom, Chairman CDC, Umuseti-Ogbe, Mr George Oliseh for Umu Odia/Achi family.
They all commended Nigeria Gas Company Limited for the kind gestures, promising to secure both facilities and ensuring that they both serve the essence of which it was provided, and also urge the Delta State Primary Health Care Board and both Local to work in synergy in order to put both facilities into use in no distant time.
In his remarks, the Secretary to Delta State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah and Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba, represented by Mrs Gladys Priegere, commended NGC for establishing these Health Centres as parts of it Corporate Social Responsibility, noting that, both projects will complement the efforts of the State Governor, Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who is very passionate about the health and well-being of Deltans.
He added that, "In no doubt, the event of today testified to an existing cordial relationship between NGC and the host communities (Umu-Eziogoli and Umuseti-Ogbe). With peaceful environment, Corporate Social Responsibility can be attracted to a community.
"Therefore we want to appeal to both communities to sustain cordial relationships they have shown to the company. By so doing, we know the company will put more developmental infrastructures in these communities. In the same vein, I enjoined all companies operating in the state to fulfil their Corporate Social Responsibility to their host communities."
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Ukwuani Local Government Council, Hon. Barr. C.S.P Ajede, represented by Okpor Elias and the Chairman of Ndokwa West Local Government Council, Hon Chief Goddey Obi Nzete, represented by Augustine Ogochukwu Okom, Secretary to Ndokwa West Local Government Council. They commended NGC over the establishment of the Health Care Center in both communities, noting that, they will work in synergy with the State Primary Health Care Board to ensure that both facilities are put into use in no distant time.
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Akpokona Omafuaire
WARRI - GUNMEN Tuesday killed four persons and set ablaze cuntry home of the Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Elder Steve Orogwu, in Ebonyi State.
The Chairman of Council reportedly escaped death on Tuesday night when unknown gunmen invaded his home, killing three of his relatives and a neighbour.
The gunmen also burnt down the family house of the Orogwus.
Confirming the incident, Orogwu said that the Gunmen shot and killed his elder brother, two of the elder brother's children and a security guard.
He described the attack as unfortunate and regrettable and called on security agents to fish out the perpetrators of the acts.
He said: "They attacked my family compound in Ikwo at night and killed my Elder Brother and two of his sons and a security guard".
He also said the gunmen set ablaze the family's house in the compound.
It was further learnt that the corpses of the victims have been deposited in a mortuary in Abakaliki.
The reason for the attack could not be ascertained at the time of filling this report.
Security in the southeast has deteriorated with attacks on security agencies, government and public facilities and high profile individuals becoming almost a daily occurrence.
The attacks have been blamed on Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group seeking for an independent state of Biafra to be carved out of the south east and parts of south south of the country
The attacks increased following the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu last year by the Nigerian government.
The group have consistently denied responsibility for the attacks stating that it is a non violent organization.
Mr Kanu is still being held by Department of State Security Services (DSS) detention facility in Abuja and is facing prosecution over alleged treason.
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Source: Vanguard newspapers
By Akpokona Omafuaire
By Akpokona Omafuaire
AHEAD of the primary election for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a group under the aegis of APC North-South Patriotic Coalition (ANSPAC) has warned the parry against imposing former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate.
It said the ruling party would lose the election should it go ahead to impose Jonathan on party members.
Details later...
By Akpokona Omafuaire
THE Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Nigeria, Pastor Tunde Bakare has purchased the All Progressives Congress APC 2023 Presidential Nomination and Expression of Interest forms.
Speaking after picking the forms, the preacher noted that God gives power to whoever he wills, however said he would support any of his fellow aspirants who clinches the APC presidential ticket.
He said; "I trust God helping us with men of good will, East, West, North and South from the country across party lines, male and female who will rise up and rebuild our nation in such a way that the devastation we are experiencing we would see it again no more.
"Our programme is very simple: peace, prosperity and progress and possibilities. Upon those four pillars Nigeria will be rebuilt and the hope of many citizens will be rekindled. We are all going to join hands to make it happen. No other nation will fix our nation, it will take Nigerians from all works of life, within and without and those in the diaspora to join hands together to build our nation.
"God rules in the affairs of men and he gives it to whoever he wills. A southerner is a Nigerian, a northerner is a Nigerian. We trust God that the best, the fittest and the most competent will emerge and the one who truly loves our people especially the poor will rise to fix our nation. Many people run in a race but only one person will wear the crown. There is only one seat, whoever wins, the rest of us must rise to support him to rebuild Nigeria. East, West, North or South, Nigeria is our country", he declared.
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Source: Vanguard newspapers
By Akpokona Omafuaire
THE Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, slated May 10 to hear the suit seeking to halt the scheduled primary elections of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following its alleged refusal to zone its 2023 presidential ticket to the South East region.
The court, presided over by Justice Donatus Okorowo, okayed the matter for hearing, after it gave the plaintiff the nod to file processes to counter a preliminary objection the PDP raised against the suit.
PDP, had through its team of lawyers led by Mr. Mahmud Magaji, SAN, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to meddle in what it termed as its domestic affair.
It equally queried the powers of the court to summon it to respond to the suit, which was filed by one of its presidential aspirants, Mr. Cosmas Ndukwe.
The party maintained that the court lacked the vires to delve into its internal affairs, stressing that the subject matter of the case, which borders on whether to zone its presidential ticket to any part of the country or not, was not an issue that the court was constitutionally empowered to adjudicate upon.
It, therefore, urged the court to vacate its earlier order that directed it to show cause why reliefs the plaintiff is seeking in the suit, should not be granted.
Justice Okorowo had on the strength of an ex-parte application and an affidavit of urgency that was brought before the court by the plaintiff, ordered the PDP to appear before it to respond to the suit.
At the resumed proceedings in the matter on Thursday, counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Paul Erokoro, SAN, told the court that he would need a short time to respond to PDP's preliminary objection against the suit.
His request for an adjournment was not opposed by counsel to the Defendants.
Consequently, the court adjourned further proceedings in the matter till May 10.
The plaintiff, Ndukwe, who is a former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, had in an application he brought before the court, sought an order of injunction to restrain his party from proceeding with its scheduled primary election, pending the hearing and determination of his suit challenging the position of the party on the issue of zoning its presidential ticket.
Cited as Defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/508/2022, are the PDP, National Chairman of party, Dr Iyorchia Atu, Chairman of PDP Primary Election Planning Committee/National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Though the court declined to grant the restraining order, it directed the plaintiff to put all the Defendants on notice to enable them to appear before it to show cause.
In its swift objection to the suit, PDP, aside from challenging jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit, argued that the case had become status barred.
According to the defendants, “the cause of action in the suit relates to the internal affairs of a political party and therefore falls within the doctrine of political questions which are non-justiciable” and as such,, the court lack jurisdiction to entertain it.
PDP, noted that the cause of action arose from a communique its National Zoning Committee issued onApril 5, whereas the plaintiff’s suit, was filed on April 19, 15 days after, in violation of Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides for 14 days for filing of such cases.
Likewise, the 3rd defendant in the suit, Senator Anyanwu, also took the matter before the Court of Appeal in Abuja, where he applied for an order to set aside the summon that was issued on the party.
Anyanwu contended that the trial judge erred in law, insisting that Ndukwe's suit was not ripe for hearing as at the time the trial court made the order.
“The learned trial judge erred in entertaining an exparte motion which seeks to stop the presidential primary election of the appellant without hearing notice”, adding that the court further erred in law when it failed to “aver its mind to section 84(15) of the Electoral Act, 2022, before making an order to show cause”, he argued.
It will be recalled that PDP had fixed May 28 for the conduct of its presidential primary election and to that effect, screened the 17 aspirants that obtained its presidential form to contest in the 2023 election.
However, in his suit, Ndukwe, challenged the scheduled presidential primary on the premise that PDP was planning to act in breach of its own constitution on zoning.
He told the court that PDP has a rotation of elective offices in place, and by that arrangement, it ought to be the turn of the Southern part of the country, especially the South East geopolitical zone, to produce the next president.
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Source: Vanguard newspapers
