The Lumine News

Category: Metro News

  • Ayade Signs Law Increasing Jurisdiction Of Magistrate Court In Cross River

     

    Cross River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade Thursday signed the state’s Magistrate Jurisdiction Law 2022.

    The law increases the jurisdiction of magistrate courts in the state on civil matters.

    The signing ceremony which was witnessed by the state Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu, State Chief Judge, Justice Akon Ikpeme, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Willams Eteng Jones among other top government functionaries, held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Calabar.

    Speaking at the event, the governor said with the law in place, the administration of justice is now closer to the people.

    “The social import of this exercise is that we are taking the administration of the law closer to our people so that those who have need to approach the courts will not have to look for a High court, but can now access justice anywhere there is a magistrate just because of the increased jurisdiction.

    “With this, access to law, access to legal services, access to justice is now closer to our people” the governor said.

    According to him, “It is in my exercise of the powers conferred on me as Governor by section 31, sub section 1 of the Magistrate Court Law of Cross River State of Nigeria 2004, that l hereby sign to law, an order which will increase the jurisdiction of Magistrate Court in civil matters. The order shall come into effect on the 3rd of November, which is today.”

    Ayade commended Justice Ikpeme “for being very very balanced in all the recommendations that have come before me.”

    Earlier in her remarks, Justice Ikpeme noted that the last time the jurisdictions of Magistrate Courts were increased in the state was on July 25th, 2005.

    Commending Ayade for signing the law, the Cross state Chief Judge said: “Today, 17 years after, the digital governor has signed into law, an increase in the jurisdiction of magistrate courts in civil matters, and it is to the following effects: Chief magistrate court 1; The limit before now was 7 million Naira, it has now been raised to 10 million Naira, Chief magistrate court 2 has been raised to 7 million Naira, senior magistrate grade 1 is now 5 million Naira, senior magistrate grade 2 is now 3 million Naira and magistrate grade 1 is 2 million Naira”

    According to her, every local government area of the state now has a Chief magistrate court where cases can be filed.

    “I want to congratulate our Governor for doing this. When l suggested it to him he immediately agreed and l want to say today, the judiciary appreciates you very much”, the Chief Judge stated.

  • Sandy Onor Presents Book, Becomes Fellow, Historical Society Of Nigeria

    The Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District and PDP Governorship Candidate for Cross River State for 2023 general elections, Sen Sandy Onor presented his book titled “FOUNDATION OF NIGERIA’S UNITY” at the NAF Conference Center, Abuja, on Wednesday, November 3rd, 2022.

    The Book Reviewer, Prof. C.N Ogbogbo described the book as a must – read for all Nigerians considering the importance of the book.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Sen Dr Bukola Saraki submitted that at this critical point in Nigeria’s trajectory, the decision of the author to examine such a delicate and intrinsically pertinent issue in society is an indication that the author is ready for leadership and service delivery.

    On his part, the Special Guest of Honour, Distinguished Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, the President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, posited that the author, Sen Sandy Onor was in fact, a leading light in the Senate and praised him for being able to comfortably combine the tedious and herculean task of lawmaking with equally the mentally draining demands of scholarship.

    The book, Foundations of Nigeria’s Unity is a ten-chapter treatise that examines Nigeria’s history from the precolonial, through the colonial and post colonial epochs.

    To cap off the event was the Investiture and Induction of the Author, Sen Prof Sandy Onor as a Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria, Nigeria’s Oldest professional body.

    Other dignitaries at the event were: the Former Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulFatai Ahmed who represented the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Bukola Saraki, and the Governor of River’s State, Chief Nyesom Wike who was ably represented by the Attorney General of the State , Prof Zaccheus Adangor.

    Already a prolific author and Consummate researcher, this work adds to a long and stimulating catalogue of books written by the author.

    Caterpillar Movement Media

     

  • Unical Security Arrest Trader For Impersonation During Aptitude Test

     

    By George Odok Jr, NAN

    The security department of the University of Calabar has arrested a suspect, Emmanuel Uwakwe, a trader in Ariaria market, Aba, for impersonation during the institution’s ongoing aptitude test.

    Chief Security Officer of UNICAL, retired Capt. Austin Bisong, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Calabar, that the suspect was caught in the act.

    Austin told NAN that the suspect was caught after writing the Computer Based Test for six candidates who were seeking admission into the institution.

    “The suspect, Uwakwe, was arrested by our security operatives after they detected that he had stayed longer than expected on the computer.

    “When he was arrested, he was already trying to log in the personal identity number for the seventh candidate.

    “He was using five minutes for each paper during the examination.

    “At this point, all the six candidates he wrote for can never have their results, and they have risked their admission status with the university,” he said.

    He told NAN that investigation was ongoing to unravel if there was any connivance with any staff of the institution or security personnel.

    He said that the suspect would be handed over to external security agency for further investigation and necessary action.

    While showing remorse for his act, Uwakwe pleaded with the university management for forgiveness.

    “They promised to give me N50,000 to write for seven candidates; out of that amount, I have collected N40,000 and was left with a balance of N10,000.

    “I came all the way from Abia state to write the examination for the candidates. I am good in computer operation, that was why they contacted me.

    “I have a shop in Ariaria market in Aba; I only came here to make some small money for myself. I want to plead with the school management to forgive me,” he said. (NAN)

  • Jarigbe Agom Supports Centre For Visually Handicapped, Obudu Following The Withdrawal Of Subvention From C’River State Govt

    The Senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District, Sen Jarigbe Agom, has donated the sum of 1,000,000 ( One million Naira) in support of the Center for the visually handicapped, popularly known as the St Joseph Centre For The Visually Handicapped, Obudu.

    The gesture came as his attention was drawn to the plight of this School which recently came under severe hardship following the withdrawal of subvention to the School by Gov Ayade. To make matters worse, the school was recently burgled by criminals who made away with all the mattresses in the student’s hostel leaving them to sleep on bare floors.

    The deplorable situation became so bad that the head of the school, Rev Sister Janet-Maria Okorie, said they were considering shutting down the institution.

    St. Joseph Center for the visually handicapped was established by the Sisters of St. Mary Medical Mission of the Roman Catholic Church since the 1970s and has catered to generations of handicapped students over decades.

    Many have gone from the school to lead very successful academic careers with some of them presently lecturing in higher institutions including the University of Calabar, Cross River State.

    Some of them have also gained employment in various areas of human endeavour making them useful to themselves, their families and society instead of hawking their disabilities on the streets.

    The school celebrated its 50 years of existence in May this year, teaches braille and crafts in addition to normal academic subjects and remains a leading light in the Obudu community and it’s environs.

    The head of Centre, Rev Sr Jane Maria, expressed profound appreciation to Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe for his uncommon leadership and concern for the plight of the less privileged in society.

    She used the opportunity to call on spirited individuals both in public Service and private businesses to emulate Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe as to lift the less privileged from their disabilities so that they can lead useful lives as they are also God’s creatures and need to be catered for.

  • Just In: Court Strikes Out Criminal Case Against Cross River PDP Reps Candidate, Four Others

    By Jonathan Ugbal, CrossRiverWatch

    Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie of the Calabar division of the Federal High Court has struck out a criminal case filed by the Federal Government against the House of Representatives candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for the Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra federal constituency in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Akpanke, and four others.

    Justice Dugbo in her ruling said the prosecution needed to get its house together and not waste the time of the Court.

    Charges bordering on murder, terrorism, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms was preferred against Mr. Akpanke, his co-aspirants, KJ Jedy Agba, Elaunire Ushie, a House of Assembly Aspirant, Augustine Agba, and one Joseph Akin following the death of a Police officer, Inspector Emmanuel Mbang Ubi who was shot at the botched May 23, 2022, House of Representatives primaries in Obudu.

    The case with Suit Number FHC/CA/14C/2022 was filed on September 6, 2022, and was listed for arraignment and plea on Wednesday.

    But, after it was called up, and appearances entered by the prosecution and defense counsels, Justice Dugbo asked the prosecutor, Edosa Esq whether his witnesses were in Court which he replied no. The Court also asked about the defendants who the prosecutor said were not in his custody.

    Justice Dugbo also complained that the charge sheet in the Court’s file was not clear enough to which the prosecutor replied that the charges have been amended. Justice Dugbo also asked whether the amended charges were in the Court’s file as she could

    Justice Dugbo subsequently struck out the case.

    This means that the Federal Government can file fresh charges. It is unclear whether that may be the case with one of the defendants still in Police custody.

    The Case

    Mr. Ubi, alongside his colleagues, was drafted to secure the venue of the House of Representatives Primary of the PDP in Obudu on May 23, 2022, which was canceled after he was shot dead at close range while a colleague was also injured. The primaries were rescheduled and later canceled with Mr. Akpanke winning both.

    The quintet above were then invited, interrogated, and charged to Court. They were initially billed to take their pleas on October 12, 2022. But, Justice Dugbo’s absence led to the parties taking a different date off-record.

    Mr. Akin, Akpanke, Agba Jedy, and Ushie were listed as the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth defendants respectively. While Mr. Akin was charged with killing Mr. Ubi, Messrs KJ, Akpanke, Agba, and Ushie were accused of conspiracy to commit a felony and unlawful possession of firearms.

  • Linda Ayade Congratulates Rev Fr Philip Obasi On His 10th Priestly Anniversary

    By Margaret Asikong

    Wife of Cross River State Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Ayade has congratulated Rev. Fr. Philip Onyedikachi Obasi of Catholic Church of Ascension Parish, Nyaghasang on the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of his Priestly Ordination.

    Speaking recently during the Thanksgiving Mass in honour of Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi and Fund Raising for the completion of the new church building, which was held at Government Primary School Nyaghasang, the Governor’s wife expressed thanks to all, especially the dignitaries present, including members of her entourage for honouring Rev. Fr. Philip by coming to felicitate with him on his 10th Priestly anniversary.

    According to her, it has been 10 years of unswerving sacrifice and dogged devotion to truth and piety, adding that, serving as a priest in the body of Christ is indeed a privilege that entails mediating between the people and the Lord. She therefore prayed God to bless the continuous labour of Rev. Fr. Philip, as well, as reward his good works, while thanking him for his patience, impartial leadership which has impacted the lives of Gods people for the past 10 years.

    Dr. Ayade used the occasion to thank all those who contributed in cash and kind towards the new church building project and pledged her financial support to ensure that the building is completed by God’s grace. She appealed to government officials to ensure that the road leading to the church of Ascension which is in a very bad condition is being worked on as there is need for a good road to convey the building materials to the church premises.

    In his homily from Exodus 17:5-13 and 2 Timothy 3:14, 4:2, Rev. Fr. Cletus of Ikot Ansa Parish, enjoined all to be persistent in prayers in order to live victorious Christian lives, adding that, there are some battles that cannot be won on the field except on the knees, hence the need for them to be consistent in prayers, for with God nothing shall be impossible.

    Rev. Fr. Cletus further admonished all to be rooted in the word of God, living in obedience to his word, as this will bring blessings to their lives amongst other things and prayed God to bless Rev. Fr. Philip, enlarge his coast, as well as grant him more grace to carry on with the work of God in his priestly office.
    In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Lands, Prof. John Inyang and that of Local Government Affairs, Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Odey-Ekpo amongst other dignitaries, also learnt their voices to congratulate the celebrant, Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi, commending him for his good works, while praying God’s blessing upon him, adding that he has been a blessing to many within and outside the Catholic Church. They used the occasion to pledge their support to the completion of the new church building by donating towards the building project.

    In his remark, the Chairman, Boki Local Government Council, Pastor John Ewa, who was the Chairman of the occasion, expressed appreciation to Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi for the honour done him in inviting him to his thanksgiving mass, as well as giving him the privilege of being the Chairman of the day. He described the celebrant as a special vessel and an anointed servant of God.

    According to him, their relationship started 2 years ago in Calabar in a prayer meeting and it has grown till date and admonished all to give their best to the Lord for all his blessings and mercies over their lives, while calling on them to support the ongoing project of completing the new church building of the church of Ascension, Nyaghasang for God will never forget their labour of love.

    On his part, the Chief Celebrant, Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi CSSR, expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for his love, mercies and grace upon his life for the past 10 years and for the gift of the Sacred Priesthood. He stated that the hand of God has been upon him since his ordination in Lagos as a Catholic Priest from September 30th, 2012 till date, Inspite of all his pitfalls as a human being, adding that, everything about him has been very special.

    He thanked the wife of the State Governor, dignitaries, friends, well-wishers and parishioners for finding time to come and celebrate God’s faithfulness upon his life as a priest for the past 10 years and prayed God to bless all present as well as replenish all those who contributed in cash and kind to the success of the thanksgiving celebration/fund raising.

    Rev. Fr. Philip disclosed that as part of the thanksgiving mass, a 5-day mega crusade was being organized by the church and thanked God for his visitation upon them. He maintained that the essence of the celebration is to give all the glory to God. According to him, all the proceeds from the anniversary thanksgiving mass will be given back to the church for the building project.

    Highlights at the event included; thanksgiving mass in honour of Rev. Fr. Philip Obasi, good will messages, cutting of anniversary cake, group photographs, fund raising, amongst others.

  • Linda Ayade Restates Mediatrix Commitment To Providing Humanitarian Services To Cameroonian Refugees

    By Elijah Ugani

    The wife of the Cross River State Governor and the Founder of Mediatrix Development Foundation, Dr. Linda Ayade has restated her commitment to providing humanitarian services to Cameroonian Refugees in the state through her pet project.

    She made the commitment today, October 20th 2022 when she visited the Head of Ogoja Sub Office, Mr. Tesfaye Bekele.

    In her words “As part of Mediatrix mandate to provide succor to vulnerable people in the society, and having partnered with other sister UN agencies to implement other projects, we are particularly very pleased for this partnership because we are serving humanity by providing livelihood support for the refugee. Putting smiles on the faces of the refugees gives us joy and we are committed more than ever as we move into the next phase of the implementation”

    She commended the coordination of UNHCR in providing support for the Refugees in the state, and used the opportunity to present the Kisime Noodles to the Head of Sub Office, Ogoja.

    On her part, the Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong acknowledged the partnership that had existed between UNHCR and the Cross River State Government, and noted that, government will continue to provide the necessary support needed for the smooth and peaceful coexistence between the Refugees and the host community members.

    Asibong stated that Cross River State hosts about 70 percent of the total refugees in Nigeria, and having Mediatrix in the forefront providing series of interventions for the vulnerable before the Cameroonian Refugees situation.

    She reiterated government position to give Mediatrix and the UNHCR the needed support to ensure delivery of its mandate in the livelihood intervention

    The Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency SEMA, Princewill Ayim, commended the collaboration between the state government and UNHCR.

    Responding, the UNHCR Head of Ogoja Sub Office Mr. Tesfaye Bekele, thanked the wife of the Governor for finding time out of her crowded schedules to visit him.

    He commended the support of the state government to UNHCR by providing the land for Cameroonian Refugees as well as providing the needed security.

    He maintained that communication needs to be strengthened going forward and stated that the partnership between UNHCR and Mediatrix have been very rewarding.

    Others present during the visit was the Chief Operating Officer of Mediatrix Development Foundation, Mr Jeffrey Adamade and the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting Officer, Mr Olamide Onifade.

  • NUT Cross River State Chapter Endorses Sen Jarigbe Agom, Regrets Past Support For Governor Ayade

    The Cross River State Chapter of the Nigerian Union Of Teachers (NUT), has endorsed Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    The announcement was made while the Senator hosted the leadership of the Union led by the State Chairman, Comrade Gregory Olayi and the Union’s leadership in Cross River North, who paid him a courtesy visit at his Ogoja residence earlier today.

    Comrade Gregory Olayi, appreciated the lawmaker for welcoming them. He thanked him for his numerous interventions and contributions in the Education sector as a legislator and further pleaded that, Teachers should be considered by the Senator in his programs.

    He lamented the poor treatment meted on them by the Governor Ben Ayade led APC Government.

    According to him, “in the past seven (7) years, no promotion, gratuity and other incentives have been paid to any teacher in Cross River State, rather, the State Government deducts dues from teachers without remittance to the Union’s treasury”.

    Receiving the leadership of the Union, Senator Jarigbe said he is a son of two teachers, as his parents were both teachers. He reiterated his immeasurable love for the profession, having come from a teaching background.

    He assured them of his willingness to work closely with them going forward and promised a Brand New Vehicle for the Union, which he said will be delivered before the New Year and further empowered the 25 Zonal and the State Excos from the North, with One Motorcycle each.

    Also in attendance was the PDP candidate for Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency, Chief Peter Akpanke, Mr Joe Ulom, amongst others.

     

    TEAM JARI MEDIA.

  • PHCN’s Broken Poles Endangers Lives In Ugep Yakurrr Local Government Area Of CRS

    By Ojeka Odey Xevia

    I will like to alert the Power Holding Company of Nigeria PLC, PHCN Yakurr District that the fallen or almost fallen electricity poles in the pictures below are endangering the lives of the people of Biko Biko Council ward Ugep of Yakurr Local Government Area.

    If not quickly and safety removed ,the lives of people in the area is at great risk because the poles are close to the ground.

    Speaking with one of the members of the Biko Biko community,he said that” it is up to one month and some weeks the electricity poles fell on our houses along Ediba junction Biko Biko Council ward of Ugep Yakurr Local Government Area . 6 poles fell on people’s houses and they are running away from their houses because they know what electricity is”.

    “And the Authority have not done anything to help the affected houses ,” he added.

    The entire community of Biko Biko has been in a power blackout since then because of these fallen electricity poles.

    Electricity is an important factor of production that human existence greatly depends on. The absence of this, brings about total shut down of not just business activities but also social-economic growth and development.

  • 23-Year-Old Cross Riverian In Police Net For Faking His Abduction To Extort Parents

    By Ishola Oludare, Daily Post

    Edward Okache, a Cross Riverian is currently in the custody of the Ogun State Command of the Nigerian Police Force after he was arrested alongside four others for faking his kidnap in order to extort N10 million from his parents.

    Okache, 23, a native of Yala Local Government Area was arrested alongside a Ghananian, Asamoah Ernest, two other Yala indigenes – Ephraim Anyijor and Charity Lukpata as well as one Isiah Uti.

    The Daily Post reports that the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi said one Comfort Okache had earlier reported at the Mowe divisional headquarters via a phone call that his younger brother, traveling from Calabar to Lagos, had been kidnapped around the Mowe area of Ogun State.

    According to the Police spokesman in Ogun, Abimbola Oyeyemi, the kidnappers were demanding N10 million if the relatives wanted to see the boy alive which forced the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Mowe division, SP Folake Afeniforo, to mobilize the division’s tactical teams to the area.

    “Upon painstaking and enduring combing of the surrounding bush at Orimerunmu area, the victim was sighted in an uncompleted building with the duo of Asamoah Ernest, a Ghanaian, and Isiah Uti, where he was tied in both hands and legs,” Oyeyemi said.

    Police rescued the acclaimed victim and arrested the two suspects found with him.

    “But on getting to the station, the two arrested suspects made a shocking revelation that the so-called victim was the person who planned with them to kidnap him in order for him to extort money from his parents to invest in an online business,” it was explained.

    They had confessed further that the said Okache was introduced to them by Anyijor and Lukpata, and that they all were part of the planned kidnap of Edward Okache.

    Their confession, Oyeyemi stated, led to the arrest of Anyijor and Lukpata, adding that “they have all confessed to the commission of the crime.”

    The Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Lanre Bankole, has directed that the case be referred to the anti-kidnapping unit of the State CIID for further investigation and possible prosecution.