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Category: South South

  • Okuama residents sue army for ‘rights violation’, seek N200bn compensation

    Okuama residents sue army for ‘rights violation’, seek N200bn compensation

       
    Residents of Okuama community, Delta state, have instituted a suit against the Nigerian Army over an alleged breach of their fundamental human rights.

    In the suit marked FHC/WR/CS/41/2024 and filed before a federal high court in Warri on Thursday, the plaintiffs are seeking N200 billion as general and exemplary damages.

    On March 14, a group of army personnel comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers were killed in the community.

    Since then, there have been military operations in Okuama in a bid to find the perpetrators.

    In the suit, the applicants averred that they have been subjected to accusations and media trials over the incident.

    They claim they have been subjected to collective punishment by the army without any police investigation or any public inquiry indicting them for the crime.

    The applicants further averred that they were displaced from their homes, their properties destroyed and many killed.

    They are seeking an order from the court “for the enforcement of the fundamental rights to the dignity of the human person, right to a fair hearing, right to private and family life, freedom of movement and right of choice of place of residence and right to own property of the applicants and residents of the Okuama community”.

    They are also seeking an order restraining the army from further violating their fundamental rights and an order enabling the applicants and residents of Okuama community to take back possession of their land.

    Those named as applicants in the suit include Victor Akemor, Madam Omotiwori Olarehor, Victor Odi, Okrika Emmanuel, Austin Eferemua, and Evelyn Edjekola.

    Others are James Ubredu, David Oghenewede, Lucky Orode, Iwriogbo Best, Felix Orhiunu, Bernard Michael, Oghenekobiruo, Vero Joseph, Ebikawe Emmanuel, Francis Uphurie, and Belvis Adogbo.

    The plaintiffs are suing for themselves and the public interest of the Okuama community residents.

    The lawyers in the suit are Malcolm Omirhobo, Akpokona Omafuaire, Seprebofa Oyeghe, O. L. Ofuasia, and Ernest Ogbaga.

  • 8 Arrested in Connection with Killing of Police Officers in Delta

    8 Arrested in Connection with Killing of Police Officers in Delta

    The Nigeria Police Force has taken significant strides in the investigation into the tragic killings of six officers in Delta State.

    Confirming the arrest, Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that the arrests were made following intensive investigative efforts.

    The officers were ambushed on February 23 and 26 in Ughelli, with six still missing. 

    Adejobi announced that a total of eight suspects are currently in custody, with initial arrests leading to additional apprehensions. The suspects are aiding in the ongoing investigation.

    Expressing condolences to the families of the fallen officers, the police reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring justice is served swiftly.

    Adejobi emphasized that those responsible for the heinous act will face the full force of the law.

    The statement read:

    “Following intensive investigative efforts, the police have apprehended eight (8) suspects in connection with the brutal ambush attack. Five (5) suspects were initially arrested shortly after the incident, and an additional three (3) suspects have been apprehended, at different locations, following the statements and cooperation of the initially arrested suspects, bringing the total number of arrests to eight (8).

    “The arrested suspects are currently in custody and are assisting with the ongoing investigation. While the Nigeria Police Force is committed to ensuring that all those responsible for this reprehensible act, and many alike, are brought to justice swiftly and decisively. The Police assures that the suspects will soon have their day in court, with credible evidence, once investigations are concluded.

    “The Nigeria Police is deeply saddened by the heinous act of violence against our officers who were diligently performing their duty to protect and serve the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen officers during this difficult time.

    “We wish to reiterate that killers of our officers in this extant case, and many others, have murdered peace, and none of them will go unpunished.”

  • 16 Soldiers Killed In Delta State

    16 Soldiers Killed In Delta State

    Some military personnel on a peace mission to Okuama community in Delta state have been killed.

    According to a press statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the troops were of 181 Amphibious Batallion.

    He said they were headed to Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State on a peace mission to the Okuama community, and they were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March 2024.

    His words: ”The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State.

    ”The reinforcement team led by the Commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers.

    ”The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa has has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Government.

    ”However, the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country.

    ”So far, a few arrests have been made, while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack.”

  • Fresh EndSARS Protest Erupts In Delta

    Fresh EndSARS Protest Erupts In Delta

    Youths in Delta state have taken to the streets, protesting escalating police brutality and extortion.

    Viral videos depict demonstrators holding placards with the inscription “ENDSARS NOW,” urging the Nigeria Police Force to address the alleged misconduct.

    A social media user, X, shared the videos, asserting a surge in police brutality within the state. 

    The spokesperson for the Delta Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, responded, stating that the protest stemmed from the arrest of four individuals who couldn’t prove ownership of an unregistered car.

    According to Edafe, during the arrest, some youths attacked the officers, causing injuries and damaging a police patrol vehicle. 

    He emphasized that the police would not be deterred by protests and urged the public to remain calm.

    In his statement, Edafe mentioned, “Nine of the suspects were arrested and will be charged to court. Youths are advised to stay off any protest because it won’t deter us from doing our job.”

    This incident echoes the 2020 #EndSars protests that swept through Nigeria, prompting the government to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars) and establish judicial panels to investigate allegations of police abuse.

  • AFCON: How Delta Monarch Slumped, Died After Super Eagles Penalty Kick Was Cancelled

    AFCON: How Delta Monarch Slumped, Died After Super Eagles Penalty Kick Was Cancelled

    The Akinuwa of Agbor Kingdom, Chief (Dr) Cairo Ojougboh, is dead.

    Sources indicate that Ojougboh’s demise coincided with the moment a penalty kick was awarded against Nigeria during the AFCON match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Wednesday’s semi-final clash in Bouake, Ivory Coast.

    The tension escalated when Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong, netted a penalty at the 67th minute, only for South Africa to be granted a spot-kick shortly after.

    VAR intervened, overturning Nigeria’s apparent second goal by Victor Osimhen due to a foul on South African player Percy Tau in the 18-yard box.

    While the circumstances surrounding Chief Cairo Ojougboh’s death remain unclear, speculation suggests that it occurred at the exact moment a penalty was awarded against Nigeria.

    Reports suggest he possibly collapsed and succumbed to a heart attack following the cancellation of the penalty.

    Despite the incident, Nigeria secured a 4-2 penalty shootout victory, advancing to the final.

  • Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien takes a bow at 100

    Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien takes a bow at 100

    The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi Prof. Joseph Chike Edozien has reportedly passed away at the age of 100. Edozien, who served as the 13th Asagba of Asaba, joined his ancestors on Wednesday, according to sources.

    The news of his demise spread throughout the streets of Asaba, with residents mourning the loss of their revered monarch. Edozien had recently commenced activities marking his 100th birthday anniversary, making his passing even more shocking for the community.

    While the palace has yet to officially announce the monarch’s passing, multiple sources have confirmed the sad news. Efforts to obtain an official response from the Palace Secretary, Chief Patrick Ndili, were reportedly unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

    The death of His Royal Majesty, Obi (Prof.) Joseph Chike Edozien, marks the end of an era for the Asaba kingdom, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and service that will be remembered for generations to come.

  • Delta governor suspends commissioner, others

    Delta governor suspends commissioner, others

    Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has ordered the immediate suspension of the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Omoun Perez.

    Also, the governor ordered the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Bennett Agamah; Assistant Director, Agricultural Engineering, Oki Yintareke; and the Chief Accountant, Gabriel Idiatacheko, “to proceed on compulsory leave until further notice in line with civil service extant rules.”

    The decision was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Wednesday.

    The statement explained that the measures became imperative, “following the outcome of the review of the implementation of the Greenhouse project by the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.”

    The statement added that the decision was taken “consequent upon the interim report of the committee and in order to have an unimpeded access to information during the period of the investigations.”

    The statement read, “Oborevwori has constituted a seven-man committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, to investigate the claims and perceived infractions related to the management of the scheme by the ministry.

    “The government’s action is in no way a presumption of guilt but rather a necessary measure to uphold the sanctity of the investigative processes already instituted which is to ensure that the investigation is conducted without any potential for undue influence or bias.”

    Oborevwori had assured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment to ensuring the completion of all ongoing projects across the state.

    He also pledged to initiate new projects for the sustainable development of the state, according to a statement by his spokesman, Festus Ahon.

  • Delta Guber: Ovie Omo-Agege lose, Supreme Court affirms Oborevwori

    Delta Guber: Ovie Omo-Agege lose, Supreme Court affirms Oborevwori

    The supreme court, Friday, dismissed judgments on three separate appeals seeking to nullify the election of Sheriff Oborevwori as Delta state governor.

    The court held that the appeals instituted by the aggrieved candidates, including Ovie Omo-Agege, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ken Pela of the Labour Party (LP) and Kenneth Gbagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), is incompetent and lacks merit.

    In separate judgements, delivered by a five-man panel of the Justices read by Justice Inyang Okoro, the Apex court held that the appallants failed to prove that the court below erred in it’s judgement by affirming the election that declared Sheriff Oborevori winner of the March 18 election in the state.

    The court held that haven considered the arguments of the Counsels, the extent laws and evidences therein as far as the authorities cited, it concluded that appeal has no singular merit.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Oborevwori, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the governorship election held on March 18.

    Aggrieved by the outcome of the poll, other candidates, including Ovie Omo-Agege, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ken Pela of the Labour Party (LP) and Kenneth Gbagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), filed separate petitions before the governorship tribunal.

    However, all the appeals were dismissed by the tribunal.
    The court of appeal also affirmed Oborevwori’s election.

    At the supreme court session on Tuesday, the appellants, through their respective counsels, faulted the verdicts of the two lower courts.

    Omo-Agege contended that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

    He told the apex court that the results of the governorship election were not properly recorded at some polling units, adding that the forms that contained some of the recorded results did not have serial numbers.

    Gbagi on the other hand prayed the court to declare that Oborevwori was not eligible to contest the election.

    Pela, the LP candidate, prayed the supreme court to nullify the entire election and order a fresh one.
    After listening to all parties, a five-member panel of the court said a date for judgment would be communicated.

  • Akwa ibom: Umo Eno remains Gov as S/Court dismisses APC, YPP, NNPP’s petitions

    Akwa ibom: Umo Eno remains Gov as S/Court dismisses APC, YPP, NNPP’s petitions

    The Supreme Court, Thursday, affirmed the election of Umo Eno as the governor of Akwa Ibom State, in the March 18, governorship election in the state

    The seven-man panel of the Apex court, lead by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the petition following the withdrawal of three separate appeals brought before it by the petitioners alleging certificate forgery.

    They failed to convinced the panel that Emo Eno Bassey and Bassey Eno Emo were not the same and as such that the governor allegedly forged his Secondary School Certificate.

    Consequently, the lead counsel to the respective parties withdrew their separate appeals as the apex court panel of Justices hinted that they have no merit.

    The Petitioners in the matter are All Progressive Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Akanimo Udofia, Young Progressive Party(YPP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Akpan Albert Bassey as well as that of New Nigeria People’s Party(NNPP)and its governorship candidate, John James Akpan Udoedehe.

    Their arguments especially forgery allegations did not go down well with the Apex Court Justices who queried the lawyers on whether the West African Examinations Council WAEC gave evidence to establish the criminal allegations.

    Upon admission that WAEC did not testify in the matter, the lawyers opted and separately withdrew the appeal.

    This prompted Justice Abba-Aji to dismiss them following no objections from lawyers to the various respondents.

    The Court did not award cost against any of the lawyers to the appellants having voluntarily withdrew their cases on ground of want of merit.

    The Court of Appeal in Lagos had in November last year affirmed the election of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State in the governorship election held on March 18, 2023.

    The appellate court in its judgment dismissed three separate appeals, filed against the governor’s election.

    While affirming the September 28, 2023 judgments of the election petition tribunal, the three-member panel of Justices headed by Festus Obande dismissed the appeal brought by the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Bassey Akpan, and his party against the Independent National Electoral Commission, Eno, and the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Justice Obande also granted judgments in favour of the governor against the appeals of the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, John Udoedehe, as well as Akanimo Udofia, of the All Progressives Congress.

    The appellate court declared in the unanimous judgments that all three appeals lacked merit.

  • Governor Bassy Otu Signs N296bn Budget, Economy Tops

    Governor Bassey Otu of Cross Rivers State, Friday, signed the ‘Peoples First’ Budget of N296, 985, 631, 978.1k into law.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, of the governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche, stated that the event has the economic sector topping with N104, 986, 870, 898.59 billion.

    Presenting the estimates to the State House of Assembly on October 26, Gov. Otu said, “We have prioritized a higher capital expenditure over recurrent expenditure in our public expenditure structure, a

    “As a deliberate principle, we have maintained a higher capital–recurrent expenditure of 61.6% to 38.4%.

    “This not only emphasizes the importance of structural development but also a demonstration of the State’s commitment to the provision of the much-needed infrastructural facilities in our rural and urban centres.”

    Though the Governor had proposed a budget size of N250 billion with N154 billion as capital expenditure and N96 billion for recurrent expenditure, the Assembly jerked it up by N46 billion to N296 billion.

    The new budget bucket has capital expenditure of N180 billion and recurrent expenditure of N116 billion.

    Speaking at the budget signing, Governor Otu said, “the increase is predicated on the need to provide adequate financial support to our people living with disabilities which I requested for, after laying the Budget proposal before the State House of Assembly.

    “The increase in the budget allocation for this community is not just a necessity but a moral imperative: to erase social imbalance of this special demographics as they are a vulnerable group. They require specialized care, adaptive equipment, and access to resources that accommodate their unique needs.

    “This increase will facilitate better access to healthcare, assistive technologies, education, and employment opportunities tailored to their capabilities. Therefore, it is not just a fiscal decision but a statement of our values as a society which is espoused by my administration.

    “In addition, there is an upscale budgetary provision for payment of gratuity, debt services, counterpart funds, nutrition activities, social protection, climate change and gender responsive budget.”

    He further assured that, “This Administration is committed to prudent spending, effective governance, and unwavering dedication to the welfare of our people.

    “Towards this end, I have directed that efforts be made to ensure the earlier submission of the 2024-2026 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper.
    “To achieve the laudable objectives of the 2024 Budget, we will further intensify our revenue mobilization efforts.”

    Aware of dwindling revenue inflow, the Governor noted that, “I am optimistic about our ability to finance the budget with creative funding options. We hope to surpass our revenue targets, therefore, revenue-generating agencies, and indeed all MDAs must ensure prompt and full remittances of collected revenues.”

    Highlights of the budget include; economic sector – N104, 986, 870, 898.59 billion; general administration – N95, 815, 641, 732.54 billion; law and justice – N7, 947, 139, 687.33 billion; regional sector – N1, 262, 390, 126.52 billion, and social sector – N86, 973, 489, 533.02 billion.