Local Aba Abia news, Nigeria

Lawyers Protest In Abuja, Demand Release of Colleague Detained By DSS

Members of the Nigerian Bar Association in Abuja on Tuesday staged a protest over the continued detention of their colleague, Emperor Gabriel Ogbonna, by the Department of State Services.

The protesters marched to the National Human Rights Commission to condemn the continued incarceration of the lawyer despite a valid and subsisting order of the court releasing him on bail.

Chairman of the association, Bulus Atsen, said the continued detention of the lawyer was an affront to the rule of law and democratic principles.

He called on the NHRC to intervene in the matter and prevail on the security agency to release him in line with the court order.

The protesters thereafter submitted a formal petition to the commission and office of Attorney-General of Federation and Minister of Justice.

Responding on behalf of the commission, the Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, said the organisation would write the DSS to furnish them with details of the case.

He said the commission does not support impunity and urged all government institutions to respect the rule of law and court order.

The lawyer is being held on the orders of Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia State governor, over a Facebook post that he visited a shrine outside the country where he swore an oath of allegiance and secrecy to a former governor of the state.

A Federal High Court in Umuahia ordered for the lawyer’s release or be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction.

Two weeks after the order was made, the DSS have neither released him nor charged him to court in violation of the order of the court.

Abia governor tests negative for coronavirus

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has tested negative for coronavirus (COVID-19).

It will be recalled that the governor who tested positive for the virus penultimate week has been in self isolation where he has equally been receiving treatment.

However, a repeat test of the virus on his samples carried out by the officials of the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Friday night has returned negative.

A tacit statement by the State Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu, on Saturday morning stated that by the new development, the governor is now free of the virus.

The statement read thus: “To God the glory of God, repeat COVID-19 test conducted by Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) on samples submitted by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Thursday, 2nd July, 2020, returned negative result on Friday, 3rd July, 2020.

“Governor Ikpeazu is therefore deemed free of the virus according to the extant guidelines of NCDC and the World Health Organization (WHO). Thank you.”

Abia Governor, Ikpeazu, Recovers From COVID-19

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has recovered from COVID-19 after receiving treatment for three weeks.

The governor had announced that he tested positive for the disease on June 8.

SaharaReporters gathered that Ikpeazu made attempts to be flown abroad but the restriction on international flights ban in many countries around the world and his positive status of the virus put paid to that move.

But in a statement on Saturday, John Kalu, the state’s Commissioner for Information, said the governor’s samples submitted on Thursday returned negative on Friday.

The statement reads, “To the glory of God, repeat COVID-19 test conducted by Nigeria Center for Disease Control on samples submitted by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Thursday, 2nd July, 2020, returned negative result on Friday, 3rd July, 2020.

“Governor Ikpeazu is therefore deemed free of the virus according to the extant guidelines of NCDC and the World Health Organisation.”

Navy seizes vessel, arrests five suspects for illegal bunkering in Akwa Ibom

The Nigerian Navy Ship Jubilee (NNS) on Tuesday said that it has seized a vessel used for oil bunkering and arrested five suspects in Akwa Ibom.

The Commander of NNS Jubilee, Commodore Majid Ibrahim, disclosed this to newsmen during the handing over of the vessel and suspects to officials of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ikot Abasi.

Ibrahim said that the vessel was seized during an anti illegal oil patrol by the Nigerian Navy along Uta-Ewa Creek on May 18.

“In line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic directive and the need to secure Nigeria’s maritime domain against all forms of illegalities, the Nigerian Navy Ship Jubilee on anti illegal oil patrol arrested MT PREYOR 1 on May 18, 2020 along Uta-Ewa Creek for suspected illegal oil bunkering activities.

“The vessel was laden with unspecified quantity of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

“As required by the Harmonized Standard Operating Procedure, the suspects, vessel and products are hereby handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution,” Ibrahim said.

The commander said that the command would not relent in it fight against maritime crimes and criminalities.

He warned persons involved in criminal activities within the coastal waters to look for legitimate means of livelihood or relocate as the command would continue to arrest them and hand them over to relevant security agencies for prosecution.

The commander commended the Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, for providing all the moral and logistics support required to achieve the feat.

He urged the media to sensitise the public on the need to cooperate with the security forces in the fight against all forms of criminalities.

Receiving the vessel, products and the five suspects on behalf of EFCC, Mr Victor Ikang, Head Extractive Industry, Fraud Section, Uyo Zonal office thanked the Navy for the arrest.

He assured that the commission would investigate the case thoroughly to bring all culprits to book.

“I receive the vessel alongside with the suspects. We thank the Nigerian Navy for being a partner in the fight against Economic Crimes.

“We assure the Navy that we will carry out further investigation and make sure that culprits are brought to book,” he said.

Akwa Ibom communities lament NDDC neglect

The oil-producing communities of Eastern Obolo in Akwa Ibom State have lamented that the region has been neglected and marginalised despite contributing most of the oil revenue in the state.

The communities said that they have been deprived in many spheres, including denial of appointments and allocation of projects and resources by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

In a statement on Sunday the communities led by their President, Ken Ukoima, alleged that Eastern Obolo is the only core oil-producing community of the state that had yet to have an indigene on the board of the NDDC since it was established.

They called on President Mohammadu Buhari to give the region the opportunity to serve on the board of the NDDC especially now that the position has been vacant following the demise of the Commission’s director of finance and administration, Ibanga Etang.

The statement reads in part, “We wish to bring to the attention of Mr President the arrant and sordid disregard for fairness and equity in the appointment of members into the board of the Commission.

“Recall that the NDDC arose from the ashes of the OMPADEC in 2000. The Act establishing the Commission clearly stipulates that the Board shall consist of, amongst others, a Chairman and one person who shall be an indigene of an oil-producing area to represent each of the member states.

“It also provides for the appointment of a Managing Director and two executive directors. As the largest oil-producing state, Akwa Ibom has served as Chairman, Managing Director, in addition to four executive directors at different points in time in the Commission.

“But since the establishment of the NDDC no indigene of Eastern Obolo has been appointed to serve on the board of the Commission

“Agonizingly, Eastern Obolo is the only core oil-producing area in Akwa Ibom State that has never served on the board of the NDDC in any capacity. Yet, it is the largest oil-producing area in the state.

“The neglect and oppression of Eastern Obolo are not only in the denial of appointment in the state but also in the allocation of the resources and projects within the state by the NDDC and the state government as well.

“This was presented in a statement of protest by the chiefs and people of Eastern Obolo on January 23, 2016.

“The good people of Eastern Obolo shall forever be grateful if your wind of change will blow into Akwa Ibom State and overturn the wicked and obnoxious machinations of the ignoble potentates and give Eastern Obolo the opportunity to serve on the board of the NDDC now as Akwa Ibom still have a chance to produce a director.”

NDLEA arrests 273 suspects, prosecutes 15 in Akwa Ibom

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Akwa Ibom State Command, said it has arrested 273 drug traffickers and prosecuted 15 suspects in the state.

This was disclosed by the state Commander of the agency, Malami Sokoto, at a media briefing held in Uyo, the state capital, to mark the 2020 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with the theme “Better knowledge for better Care”.

He said 25 drug traffickers had been rehabilitated in the state.

“Out of 273 drug traffickers, 204 have been counselled on the negative effects of drugs, 15 others prosecuted while five persons are currently awaiting trial,” he said.

Sokoto observed that traffickers do not consume the dangerous substances they sell, they were only attracted to the financial gains from it, adding that drugs are abused when taken without doctors’ prescription.

“Drug abuse starts when parents sometimes fail in their responsibility of providing good upbringing for their children who begin to abuse drugs due to proper influence and pressure groups,” Sokoto said.

Character Moulder, ASABA KP ASABA Ask the Government of Bayelsa State to Withdraw the appointment of NNEGI as SSA to the Governor.

Asaba KP Asaba who is in the business of building character in the lives of young ones, who is also a banker with one of the leading financial institutions in Nigeria has posted on his official Facebook page calling on the government of Bayelsa State to Withdraw the appointment of Nnegi, he wrote:

"The Government of Bayelsa State should withdraw the Appointment of Miss Rebecca Nnegi Hampson as the SSA to the governor on Girl Child Development.

The appointment of Rebecca popularly known as Nnegi was based on the fact that she could be of a good role model to the younger generation, mostly on "Girl Child Development" as intended.

But we are deeply disappointed seeing our supposed Role Model gracing a birthday party Pantless.

As such, she will only influence the younger generation Negatively. I call on the good government of Bayelsa State to review her appointment as Senior Special Assistant immediately before she influence our younger generation Negatively."

I am,

ASABA KP ASABA.

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Nigeria Army Redeploys Generals, Commanders, Senior Officers

The Nigerian Army has redeployed some of its top generals and senior serving officers.

Col. Sagir Musa announced the shake-up in a statement on Monday, adding that all new postings will take effect from July 20.

Sagir said Maj. Gen. L. Irabor has been redeployed from Defence Headquarters, Department of Training and Operations to Training and Doctrine Command, Minna, while Maj. Gen. F. Agugo was moved from 6 Division NA, Port Harcourt, to Headquarters, NA Signal Corps, Apapa, Lagos as Corps Commander Signals.

Maj. Gen. M Mohammed is transferred from Headquarters, NA Signal Corps Apapa, Lagos to Office of the COAS and appointed Special Adviser, NA University, Biu, Borno State, while Maj. Gen. A. Dikko of Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Badagry, was moved to NA Training Centre, Kontagora.

Maj. Gen. U. Yakubu has been moved from NA Corps of Artillery Kontagora to Army Headquarters, Abuja while Chief of Administration, Maj. Gen. B. Sawyer was moved from AHQ Department of Policy and Plans to NA Armour School Bauchi.

Maj. Gen. I. Uzamere has been redeployed from the NA College of Logistics, Lagos, to AHQ Abuja, Department of Logistics as Chief of Logistics (Army).

Others include Col. B. Sarki from Defence Intelligence College to 6 Military Intelligence Brigade as acting Commander; Col. K. Ogunsoya from DHQ to Headquarters, Directorate of Army Public Relations; Chief of Staff, Col. T. Antigha from Headquarters, Multinational Joint Task Force, Ndjamena, to Defence Headquarters as acting Executive Director, Armed Forces Radio.

AMB LUKE MADE SALIENT POINTS ON ASH WEDNESDAY THE BEGINNING OF LENT

Each year, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and is always 46 days before Easter Sunday. Lent is a 40-day season (not counting Sundays) marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration. The 40-day period represents Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness, where he fasted and where Satan tempted him. Lent asks believers to set aside a time each year for similar fasting, marking an intentional season of focus on Christ’s life, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection.

He said:

"Therefore, as a Christian not minding your tribe nor race, not minding wether you are Pentecostal or Catholic, you are called to the service of God and humanity. This is a period of fasting and praying, the period of reconciliation between you and God, between you and your neighbor, the period for Sobber Reflection and almnesty."

"This is not a period for embezzlement, stealing, coursing, killing, kidnapping and raping.

"This season is for everyone, but for me more especially for rulers, both government rulers and traditional rulers, especially those ones that pocket the rights of citizens, those that doesn't pay their workers and pensioners, this is the time to ask God for pardon and turn a new leave for I believe what the Bible said " A labourer deserves his/her wages, whereby you keep the wages of a labourer to yourself and family its a big sin, this season is for your repentance. In the Bible David used his kingship power and slept with another man's wife, David knew he sinned against God, David wore sack clothes rolled on ashes and prayed to God for forgiveness and God forgave him. It is an example to all leaders. Our leaders have sinned against God and humanity, Nigeria is in sin, this is the season we are to put on sack clothes by Fasting and praying, almnesty etc let's pray to God for forgiveness and mercy.

As you go about today, remember this Bible verse Ecclesiastes 3:20 " Remember that you are dust and into dust you shall return".

_Gracemedia_

AMBROSE NWAOGWUGWU JUST KILLED HIS POLITICAL CAREER - Amb Luke

Today, Friday 5th of February 2021, the CEO of Grace Media described the formal PDP media director AMBROSE NWAOGWUGWU as a total failure to his supporters, friends and family members.

Speaking with Gracemedia he said " I am totally disappointed at Ambrose the formal PDP media director who recently decamped from PDP to join APC the party he humiliated. I see it as a betrayal to the People's democratic Party and also a total let down on H/E Emeka Ihedioha the formal Executive Governor of imo state. Not only that he deflected from PDP to APC, he still went as far to condemn the administration of the formal Executive Governor of imo state Emeka Ihedioha. Now he is supporting the present administration of Hope Uzodimma whom he already has sabotaged and destroyed his governance. For me I don't belong to APC neither am I PDP, but to be frank with you I strongly believe that Ambrose is looking for his own selfish interest, he is indirectly seeking for appointment forgetting that the public support matters. If you go to his social media platforms you will see the great decrease of followers just because he choose to masticate his vomit. Indeed he has no qualities of a good leader, knowing fully well the situation of things in imo state whereby criticism is on high rate on the present administration, he disregarded his supporters and moved to support the administration of his so called Court Governor. He now addresses him as the best governor ever in imo state, what a shame. Keep on mocking yourself."

He further Said

" Those that says the truth are always been tackled, just the way he tackled Nonsonkwa saying he bags award of false rumour. The Nonsonkwa we all know is a man of truth, his a majority speaker. So therefore there is nothing you say against him that would be seen as truth."

The CEO of Grace Media further advised the administration of Hope Uzodimma to clear all their debts in imo state and stop chasing shadows.

_Gracemedia_

AIR FORCE OFFICERS ALLEGEDLY SHOOT LECTURER DEAD IN IMO ‘FOR NOT IDENTIFYING HIMSELF’

Nigerian Air Force officers attached to the 211 Regiment of the NAF Base, Neze, Imo State, have been accused of shooting dead a Computer Science lecturer of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede in Imo State.

According to reports, Okonye Steve Nduka was killed at about 7 p.m on the 25th of January, 2021 at Naze area of Owerri.

Comrade Okonye was allegedly gunned down by the trigger happy men along with an ex-student of same Polytechnic as they were on their way back from a church programme.

The Zonal secretariat of ASUP ZONE D has condemned the killing of Comrade Okonye, calling for justice for the victims.

A statement released via the official website of ASUP Nigeria reads:

“The killing of our member is a brutal reminder of the stained reputation of security agents in the country, particularly in the area of extra judicial killings.

“The reports of a possible case of mistaken identity as the reason for the shooting represent watery and unacceptable excuses as Comrade Okonye and the other occupants of his vehicle were unarmed and never resisted arrest when the trigger happy men pointed guns at them.

“The killing of Comrade Okonye, a budding academic by these men cannot be swept under the carpet as the Polytechnic community, as well as the people of Ukwuani in Delta State have been robbed of the contributions of this young comrade to society particularly in his area of professional competence.

“The Union is therefore calling on the government to institute a full scale “no holds barred” investigation into the killing of our comrade and his friend through an investigative panel, the unveiling of these gunmen and their prosecution to serve as deterrent to others who are in the business of molesting and killing harmless unarmed citizens for fun.

“This shall also serve to save the society from the continued menace of the unprofessionalism of these men who have turned same citizens they are paid to protect, to hunting games.

“The Union is equally demanding for compensation to the families of our fallen comrade and his friend as the families have been deprived of their bread winners in such avoidable and unacceptable circumstance.

“Our Union is also calling for the relocation of the 211 REGIMENT GROUP, Air Force base currently located close to the institution as the excesses of the soldiers have been a constant source of conflict between the soldiers and the Polytechnic community. We are convinced that the current location of the base and its proximity to the Polytechnic community is an error that must be corrected to forestall future killings as the soldiers have on several occasions been reported to have overstepped their bounds by molesting citizens without provocation.

“Our Union will continue to demand for justice to be served these errant gunmen reportedly operating as officers of the Nigerian Airforce from the 211 Regiment Group, as the safety of lives and property of our members can no longer be guaranteed with such armed men operating freely within the community.”

_Gracemedia_