News
My mandate includes restoring full and effective legislative activities – Ibas
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd), has advised the contractor handling the State Assembly Complex project to speed up work and deliver it as mutually agreed.
Vice Admiral Ibas (retd) insisted that part of his mandate included restoring full and effective legislative activities in the State.
The sole administrator gave the charge when he visited to inspect the ongoing reconstruction work on the new Assembly Complex, located along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt Local Government Area on Saturday.
Awarded to Monier Construction Company (MCC), Limited, work has advanced commendably on the project that has about 34 en- suite offices on a two-storey building with elevator, gallery, meeting rooms and conference hall.
Vice Admiral Ibas accompanied by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, George Nwaeke, was conducted round the site by the General Manager of MCC, Omaka Oko.
The sole administrator explained that in the last two days of assumption of duties, he had noticed a missing pillar in the State governance structure, and he is determined to ensure that there is a place for effective legislative activities after six months.
Vice Admiral Ibas (retd) said: “I had been at the executive arm of the state governance structure and one of the pillars that is missing for now is the legislature and for them to function effectively, they also need a place to work from.
“And perhaps, I am yet to be sure that work is going on as expected, so that by the end of the six months, this place will be ready for those who need to use it. I think basically that is what it is.
“They (contractor) have a schedule and they have timelines that I believe they will like to adhere to. I think the State has done its own bit by providing the necessary funds, I was briefed. So, the onus is on them to make sure that they keep to the terms.”
Vice Admiral Ibas emphasised that he was appointed in the first place, to maintain law and order, which would enable the state to go back to what it is supposed to be.
Ends.
The Nigeria Police Command in Rivers State on Tuesday confirmed the killing of an unspecified number of suspected vandals attempting to vandalize a pipeline in the Rumuekpe Aluu community.
CP Olugbenga Adepoju, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, revealed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, stating that the suspects died on the spot.
He reported that the operation was part of the ongoing joint effort with other security agencies to safeguard Rivers.
Adepoju said: “The joint security forces successfully thwarted an attempt by miscreants to vandalise a pipeline, leading to the death of the vandals who sought to detonate it.
“The failed detonation was due to the swift response of security personnel to the incident at Allu-Rumuekpe in Ikwerre Local Government Area, LGA, of Rivers on March 16.”
Adepoju also disclosed that following the success, security forces proceeded to Onelga LGA on March 19, where they stopped another potential bomb attack by criminals.
According to him, two suspects were arrested in possession of four dynamites during the operation.
He added that the police also detonated pods, and other Improvised Explosive Device, IED, components.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, and former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, had a heated verbal clash on Tuesday.
The confrontation occurred during an Ethics Committee hearing on sexual harassment allegations involving suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
During the altercation, Senator Nwebonyi was heard telling Dr Ezekwesili, “You are an insult to womanhood, you are a disgrace to womanhood. People like you can never be here.”
A video clip circulating online shows Dr Ezekwesili remaining relatively composed while the senator continued hurling insults at her.
Dr Ezekwesili attended the hearing in solidarity with Senator Natasha, who was recently suspended for six months following a confrontation with Akpabio during plenary.
Senator Natasha has alleged that her suspension is linked to the sexual harassment petition she submitted against Akpabio.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, arraigned a suspect, Okorie Sylvernus Sunday arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, with $578,000.
According to the Head of Media and Publicity EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the suspect was arraigned before Justice Deinde I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
“He is facing trial over a four-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and counterfeit currency”, Oyewale said.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Okorie Sylvernus Sunday, on the 19th day of March, 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of $299,000 (Two Hundred and Ninety Nine Thousand United States Dollars), which you concealed in Relaxer containers to the Nigerian Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and thereby committed an offence Contrary to and Punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Oyewale added that the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
“In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie, prayed the court for the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Centre and also asked for an accelerated hearing.
“She also told the court that she had a witness in court and that she was ready to proceed with the trial.
“Counsel to the defendant, U. Okoronkwo, however, pleaded with the court to remand the defendant in the EFCC custody.
“He also urged the court for a short date to enable him to discuss with his client “on the way forward”, Oyewale said.
After listening to both parties, Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter till March 26, 2025 for commencement of trial and also ordered the defendant to be remanded in the Correctional Centre, he added.
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