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  • Operation Akpakwu Demolishes 4 Houses Of Kidnappers And One Brothel In Calabar

    Operation Akpakwu Demolishes 4 Houses Of Kidnappers And One Brothel In Calabar

    By Admin

    The State security outfit codenamed “Operation Akpakwu”, has demolished four houses at 8-Miles area in Calabar owned by suspected kidnappers arrested by the security outfit.

    The team also demolished a brothel close to the popular Flour Mill junction in Calabar for allegedly harbouring criminals and consumers of illicit drugs.

    Speaking after the exercise on Monday, Mr Henry Okokon, the State Security Adviser (Southern Senatorial District) to Gov. Ben Ayade, said the exercise was one of the ways of chasing criminals out of the state.

    Okokon explained that the state government placed premium on security of lives and properties hence, the need to fight against all forms of criminality.

    “This is part of the activities of Operation Akpakwu, a special force set up by Gov. Ayade to fight crime in the state, especially kidnapping.

    “This demolition exercise is ongoing. The governor has warned that anyone who is involved in any form of criminality, or any landlord who is found harbouring any criminal, should desist from it.

    “These houses belong to individuals who have been caught in the act of kidnapping in the state.

    “The brothel was also brought down because the management of the facility was also harbouring criminals and drug addicts.

    “This is a warning signal to everybody. Whosoever is involved in crime of any form should desist from it,” he said.

    Okokon urged business operators in the state to go about their normal businesses, adding that the state government was doing its best to protect them from criminals.

     

  • Ogoja Local Government Chairman Pledges Support For Mediatrix Development Foundation To Provide Livelihood To Cameroonian Refugees

    Ogoja Local Government Chairman Pledges Support For Mediatrix Development Foundation To Provide Livelihood To Cameroonian Refugees

    By Admin

    The Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Hon. Emmanuel Ishabor has pledged unwavering support for Mediatrix Development Foundation MDF, to ensure effective implementation of the livelihood project for the Cameroonian refugees in the local government.

    Hon. Ishabor made this known on the 18th January, 2021 in his office when a team of Mediatrix Development Foundation paid him a courtesy/advocacy visit as part of stakeholders engagement to intimate him of her programme designed for both the refugees and host communities.

    In his words “As a council, we are very determined to provide support that is within our reach to enable Mediatrix implement the livelihood project for the Cameroonian refugees in Ogoja.

    “The HOLGA will give you the necessary support needed to achieve your result. Wherever you need us to come in, kindly intimate us and on time too.

    “The United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR is doing exceedingly great in coordinating the affairs of refugees and we are very determined to provide the enabling support and environment for UNHCR and all implementing partners as long as the refugees continue to stay here, while we anticipate an end to the squabbles and skirmishes ravaging the refugees back in Cameroon”

    Earlier, the team lead, Mr. Elijah Ugani intimated the Chairman of MDF plan to train and empower the refugees and host communities members on vocational skills in partnership with the local government structure.

    Mr. Ugani listed vocational areas of the training to include; Plumbing & Tiling, Electrical Installation, Leather work (Shoe and bag making), Tailoring & Fashion designing, Hair styling & barbing, Catering & Pastries as well as POP painting and Ceiling work.

    Ogoja Local Government Council has generously donated land for the housing of the Cameroonian refugees in Adagom 1 & 3 and Ukende.

  • Controversy Trails  The Appointment Of A substantive Chief Judge In Cross River As NJC Turns Down The Extension Of Justice Eyo Ita

    Controversy Trails The Appointment Of A substantive Chief Judge In Cross River As NJC Turns Down The Extension Of Justice Eyo Ita

    Chiemeka ADINDU, Calabar

    Culled From TNN Online

    There seems to be uncertainty in the Cross River State Judiciary after the National Judicial Council, NJC turned down the request of the state governor demanding for the extension of Justice Eyo Ita as the acting chief judge of the state.

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mba Ukweni disclosed this during an interview with him in Calabar. He said the governor has kept the state’s judiciary in a shameful state following his continuous refusal to confirm Justice Akon Ikpeme who is the most senior judge in the state as the chief judge.

    He therefore appealed to the governor to do the needful by approving the recommendation of the NJC and confirm Akon Ikpeme as the substantive chief judge of the state.

    He said: “reliably, the National Judicial Council has turned down the request of the governor for the extension of Eyo Ita; which means by 12 midnight today, the tenure of Justice Eyo Ita will come to and end. The only option as I’ve said, open to the governor, and the most honourable option is for him to go back to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, retransmit his request for the house to confirm Justice Akon Ikpeme as the chief judge and swear her in before we turn into another crisis.

    “The junior lawyers may not be restrained from going to the streets any longer because it has become a cycle of shame, cycle of foolishness. You know this is a foolish act and you continue doing the same thing. If he can’t do that, the option open to him, is the cycle of foolishness I am talking about, is to appoint Honourable Justice S. M. Anjor as the fourth person in acting capacity who will stay for another 3 months.

    “That is the major problem. The other one is the punishment the National Judicial Council has been meting on us. This is the third time judges are been appointed across the states of the federation and we don’t have one because of the attitude of the governor. The implication is that our number will continue depleting in the judiciary and we are not having our share with regards to the judiciary.

    ”His major agenda is to appoint his in-law, Maurice Eneji who will do his biddings, as the chief judge. He wants to appoint a crony so as to take over that office as he has taken charge of other arms of the government. That is the domineering pattern he wants to take”, the senior lawyer frowned.

    Ukweni also noted that unusual things are beginning to happen in the state, bemoaning the recent withdrawal of magistrates in the state from sitting in court because of the governor’s inability to pay them for over one year.

    He also said the governor owe residents of the state an apology for his inability to fulfill his campaign promises which has made him to go back to repairing potholes which he earlier said he was not a governor of potholes.

  • Just In: University Of Calabar Announces Resumption Date

    Just In: University Of Calabar Announces Resumption Date

    Culled From Paradise News

    The University of Calabar senate under the headship of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi, has announced 5th of February, 2021 as the date of resumption for the 2019/2020 Academic Session.

    The Vice Chancellor said the date was carefully chosen to give Management sufficient time to effect repairs in the hostels arising from the vandalization of facilities during the #EndSARS rampage that adversely affected the institution.

    Prof Florence Obi said all students are to resume on the 5th of February, 2021, while lectures will commence on 8th February, 2021.

    UNICAL REVISED 2019/2020 ACADEMIC CALENDAR

    FIRST SEMESTER

    FEBRUARY 2021
    Friday 5th – Students Arrive Campus

    Monday 8th – Lectures Resume for all students

    Wednesday 17th – INAUGURAL LECTURE

    Friday 26th – Lectures end for all students

    MARCH 2021
    Monday 1st – Exams Begin for Pre-degree and Final Year Students

    Saturday 6th – Exams End for Pre-degree and Final Year Students

    Monday 8th – Exams Begin for GSS Courses

    Saturday 13th – Exams End for GSS Courses

    Monday 15th – First Semester Exams Begin for all except CES Students

    Wednesday 17th – INAUGURAL LECTURE

    Saturday 20th – First Semester Exams End for all except CES Students

    Monday 22nd – Exams Begin for CES Students

    Friday 26th – Exams End for CES Students

    Friday 26th – End of First Semester and all Students Depart

    REVISED 2019/2020 ACADEMIC CALENDAR

    SECOND SEMESTER

    APRIL 2021
    Friday 16th – Students Arrive Campus

    Monday 19th – Payment of School Charges/Registration for all students

    Monday 19th – Lectures Begin for all students

    Friday 23rd – End of Registration for all students

    Monday 26th – Late Registration Begins for all students

    Wednesday 28th – INAUGURAL LECTURE

    MAY 2021
    Wednesday 26th – INAUGURAL LECTURE

    Monday 31st – Students’ Week Begins

    JUNE 2021
    Friday 4th – Students’ Week Ends

    Wednesday 23rd – INAUGURAL LECTURE

    JULY 2021
    Wednesday 14th – INAUGURAL LECTURE

    Friday 16th – Lectures End

    Monday 26th – Exams Begin for Pre-degree Students

    Wednesday 28th – Exams End for Pre-degree Students

    Thursday 29th – Exams Begin for all GSS Courses

    AUGUST 2021
    Saturday 7th – Exams End for all GSS Courses

    Monday 9th – Exams Begin for Education and Final Year Students

    Saturday 14th – Exams End for Education and Final Year Students

    Monday 16th – Exams Begin for all except CES Students
    Wednesday 18th – INAUGURAL LECTURE

    Saturday 21st – Exams End for all except CES Students
    Monday 23rd – Exams Begin for CES Students
    Saturday 28th – Exams End for CES Students
    Saturday 28th – End of Second Semester and all Students Depart

    SUMMARY
    Lectures – 13 weeks
    Examinations – 5 weeks
    Total – 18 weeks

  • CRS Governorship 2023: No Official Statement Yet – Sen Onor

    CRS Governorship 2023: No Official Statement Yet – Sen Onor

    By Admin

    The Director General of the Caterpillar Movement, Chief Joe Obi Bisong has described as malicious, mischievous, baseless, false, misleading and a figment of political jobbers imagination, the report that emanated from Paradise News and published by Opera News alleging that Sen. Sandy Onor declared intention to contest the 2023 governorship election during the inaugural planning meeting of the Central Planning Committee for the burial of Elder Statesman, Chief Wilfred Oden Inah.

    In a release made available to The Lumine News, Chief Obi denied that there was no declaration to run for any office at the said venue as quoted.

    The relrase reads in full “The attention of the Caterpillar Movement has been drawn to a publication that purported to have  emanated from paradise news and published by Opera News official to the effect that Distinguished Sen Prof Sandy Onor declared to run for the Guber race of Cross River State in 2023. Without any fear of contradiction, the statement is mischievous, baseless, false and misleading.

    “As someone who was at the inaugural meeting of the Central Planning Committee for the burial of Elder Statesman, Chief Wilfred Oden Inah, I want to state categorically that there was no declaration to run for any office at that venue.
    The Distinguished Senator’s speech was limited to the life, times and burial of Late Chief Wilfred Inah whom he described as an Icon Extraordinary who lived a succinctly simple, sincere and steadfast life.

    Senator Onor stated that this is the inuagural meeting of the Central Planning Committee (CPC) for the burial of Late Chief Wilfred Oden Inah held today in Calabar on Friday, January 15, 2021. In my capacity as Chairman of the CPC, I  charge members of the committee and sub-commitees to put in their best to give the late icon a befitting burial. Speaking further, he said:
    We all know why we are here; our father, brother, uncle, an extraordinary icon deserves a befitting burial. Chief was blessed with biological children. He also adopted a lot of us as sons and he spoke about a lot of them to me each time we had the opportunity to discuss and I can see us here.

    We must do everything possible to give chief the kind of befitting burial he deserves. I would charge all of us, to throw in all that we can to make that possible. Chief deserves no less and am sure by the grace of God we would find favour, we would find the resources to do exactly that.

    “In attendance were the representatives of the Family, Ugep community, St Patrick’s Parish Calabar, The Catholic men organization of the same Church, Knights of St Mulumba Nigeria, Association of retired permanent secretaries, representatives of government of cross River State, friends and close associates.

    “The meeting lasted for 1 hour, after which the Distinguished Senator proceeded to  visit the Late Chief Inah’s widow  in their Federal Housing  residence where he  signed the condolence register.
    An elder statesman of repute, Chief Inah was a one time secretary of the Cross River State Civil Service Commission, Head of Service of Cross River State, Commissioner in the Federal Character Commission and gubernatorial aspirant of the defunct National Republican Convention(NRC). He is survived by a wife, children and grandchildren. In more senses than one, the death of such an icon should in no circumstance be polticised by political jobbers.
    Please be guided”

    Joe Obi Bisong
    Director General
    Caterpillar Movement

  • Custom Intercepts 5,200 Live Ammunition In Cross River

    Custom Intercepts 5,200 Live Ammunition In Cross River

    By Sulaimon Salau, Guardian Newspaper

    The Customs Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’, Owerri has intercepted 5,200 live ammunition (cartridges of 30GR 70mm calibre) in Cross River State.

    The cartridges, said to have been intercepted on “credible and timely intelligence” on December 13, 2020 along Nwezenyi-Ikom Road in Cross River State, were concealed in other goods and household items in a Toyota Sienna passenger vehicle.

    The unit also intercepted various contraband items with a duty paid value (DPV) of N378.8 million between November 23rd and December 27th, 2020.

    The unit also recovered N7.6 million from demand notices (DNs) on general goods from the seaports that had evaded the right duties through false declaration or transfer of value, bringing everything to approximately N386.3 million for the month under review.

    Speaking on the ammunition, Comptroller Yusuf Lawal, expressed worries at the trend in arms and ammunition smuggling using different routes, with reference to the interceptions in Lagos in 2017, Kwara in 2018 and just recently in Kebbi.

    “Only God knows what would have happened if these cartridges got to their destination unchecked, considering the fragile security of the nation – from armed robbery, kidnapping and banditry to insurgency,” a statement from the Command Public Relations Officer, Jerry Attah, quoted Yusuf to say.

    He explained that the seized ammunition falls under schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff, which importation is absolutely prohibited. Other seized items included 1,215x50kg foreign parboiled rice, mostly concealed in bags of beans, maize and groundnut seeds, and 38 jumbo bale of used clothing.
    There were also 204 cartons of imported tomatoes and four exotic vehicles, including one new bullet proof Toyota Land Cruiser 2019 model (without end-user certificate), two fairly used Toyota Hilux 2016 and 2015 respectively, and a Mercedes Benz ML350 2015, as well as controlled pharmaceutical products. Three suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.

    Comptroller Yusuf attributed the achievement to the leadership style of Customs management team for recognising hard work, dedication and commitment.

    Adding that: “Without the management motivation and necessary logistics support, we won’t have attained this feat within this short period.”

    He commended the commitment, doggedness and diligence of the officers and men of FOU ‘C’ for thwarting the dare-devil smugglers/economic saboteurs, who used different methods to deceive the NCS.

    He further charged them to be more professional and diligent in their statutory responsibilities, stating: “We believe we have what it takes to do more in this new year. Consequently, let me use this special privilege to call on the general public to join the Customs in the advocacy against smuggling.”

  • Man Gets 12 Years Imprisonment For Allegedly Withdrawing 1M From His Boss Account

    Man Gets 12 Years Imprisonment For Allegedly Withdrawing 1M From His Boss Account

    By Admin

    A 35-year-old bartender, Godwin Job, was on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 sentenced to eight years in prison for illegally withdrawing the sum of N1,079,290 (One million, Seventy Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety Naira) from a Fidelity Bank account belonging to his boss, Olufemi Joseph Odusanya.

    Job was convicted by Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court in a two-count charge bordering on stealing, filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office.

    Following an investigations into a petition from his estranged boss, the Commission arraigned Job on August 17, 2020 to answer for the criminal allegations against him.

    The charges are: “Godwin Job (a.k.a Nifemi) “M’ sometime in August 2019 or there about, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this court did steal an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Card, property of Olufemi Joseph Odusanya and thereby committed an offence Punishable under Section 390 (9) Criminal Code, Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State 2000.”

    “Godwin Job (a.k.a Nifemi) “M’ sometime in August 2019 or there about, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this court did steal the sum of One million, Seventy Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety Naira (N1,079,290) the property of Olufemi Joseph Odusanya, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390 (9) Criminal Code, Cap 38 Law of Oyo State 2000.”

    The boss had accused Job of stealing his Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card through which he withdrew cash and made Point of Sales (POS) transactions totaling N1,079,290.

    In the course of investigation, the Commission discovered that Job made 14 transactions within two hours to evacuate the said amount from the victim’s account.

    Though he pleaded not guilty upon arraignment, the judge held that the prosecution was able to convince the court beyond reasonable doubt that the accused indeed committed the unlawful act.

    He then found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to four years in prison in each of the charges, which will run concurrently from the day of conviction.

  • Girl Sets Boyfriend Ablaze In Makurdi

    Girl Sets Boyfriend Ablaze In Makurdi

    Culled From Igbere TV

    An eighteen (18) years old girl, Esther who hails from Ado Local Government Area of Benue state, in the early hours of Monday, 11th January, 2021, burnt her boy friend, Elvis Chidinma Omah from Nsuka local Government Area of Enugu State to death in Makurdi, Igbere TV reports.

    Chidinma, a patent medicine dealer who just returned from Christmas and new year holiday last Saturday had been in the village since on Wednesday, 23rd December, 2020.

    Trouble started shortly after Esther was told by her friends that Chidinma travelled to his village to pay a pride price of another girl he intended to marry, an allegation he vehemently denied when he was confronted by Esther but she was not satisfied with his answer.

    Consequently, Esther went to an unknown filling station with a gallon on Sunday evening and filled it with premium motor spirit (PMS) commonly known as petrol in line with her undisclosed plan to burn Chidinma.

    Esther came to his house in the early hours of Sunday, stayed with him and pretended as if all was well. They ate foods and played together throughout the night until both of them fell asleep.

    She then woke up few minutes after 2am and went straight to where she kept the fuel opposite Chidinma’s house, brought it to the room, poured the fuel round the room right inside while Chidinma was still sleeping. She ignited the room with matches and ran away immediately.

    Few minutes later, some tenants living in the compound came out, shouting and pouring water into the room in an attempt to extinguish the fire.

    As the inferno was subsiding, Chidinma who was burnt beyond recognition, managed to come out, shouting that Esther has killed him and was quickly rushed to Federal Medical Centre Apir, Makurdi.

    While giving details of the tragic event, an eyewitness and a neighbour to the deceased, Rose Stephen said, they were perceiving smell and sound of fire around 2am on Monday, they came out and discovered that it was Chidinma’s room that was burning. They did all they could but couldn’t stop the fire from burning him.

    She further said, both of them were having issues and were always going to police station in 2020, adding that Chidinma told Esther that he was fed up with her bad characters and was no longer interested in her before he travelled for Christmas and New year.

    Rose said she was surprised seeing them together shortly after Chidinma’s return from the village from Saturday till on Sunday.

    Corroborating the story, another eyewitness and one of the closest friends to the deceased, Abraham Ebute said, Chidinma clearly told Esther he was no longer interested in the relationship with her because of her unruly behaviour and criminal tendency, saying Chidinma was once arrested because she stole a handset belonging to an Air force officer and was traced to Chidinma’s house.

    Ebute added that, Esther also stole Chidi’s phone before he travelled home and promised returning it to him after his arrival, not knowing that her plan was to kill him.

    He said, he rushed to Chidinma’s house along with his other friends as smoke was going off and cry from neighborhoods only to discover that he was burnt to an unimaginable level, pray to God to receive him in His bosom.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relationship Officer, PPRO, Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene confirmed the tragic incident and the eventual arrest of the culprit, Esther, saying she was in their custody while investigation is still ongoing to unravel the ugly situation.

    Charred remains of mattresses, pillows, cloths and other materials belonging to the deceased were seen littered everywhere in his room at the time of a visit to his residence, Off Zaki Biam Street, Wadata Makurdi, this morning.

    Chidinma was confirmed dead yesterday, Tuesday, 12th January, 2021 and plans were on the way to convey his corpse to Nsuka by his parents who were already in Makurdi as at the time of filing this report.

     

  • Governor Duoye Diri Names Ebizi Blessing Eradiri Double First Class Law Graduate As The New Face Of Bayelsa Girl Child

    Governor Duoye Diri Names Ebizi Blessing Eradiri Double First Class Law Graduate As The New Face Of Bayelsa Girl Child

    By Admin

    The Governor of Bayelsa state, Douye Diri, has on Monday, January 11, 2021, announced Ebizi Blessing Eradiri, as New Face of Bayelsa Girl Child.

    Eradiri is a Bayelsa Double First Class Law Graduate and currently serves as an Associate at Templars, a top tier law firm in Lagos.

    The Governor also awarded Eradiri an automatic Scholarship up to PhD and automatic employment as a lecturer in Faculty of Law, Niger Delta University.

    Eradiri is a double First Class Lawyer – the first female from her University to have a First Class Honours in Law, and she graduated with the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average in the history of her Faculty. She is also the first from her University to obtain a First Class Honours at the Nigerian Law School.

    The Governor Douye Diri had on November 19, 2020 been urged to honour Bayelsa-born First Class Law Graduate, Miss Ebizi Blessing Eradiri who has not only made Bayelsans proud but the entire Izon nation on her excellent performance at the Niger Delta University and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus.

    Governor Diri was urged to take a bold step to correct his earlier mistake of honouring BBNaija third position winner, Nengi as a role model to Bayelsa youths, said the right person to be honoured and awarded as a ‘Role Model’ to Bayelsa youths, to emulate is Miss Ebizi Blessing Eradiri Esq, who has distinguished herself before men and women, and she has also written her name in the Guinness Book of records. Some of Miss Ebizi Blessing Eradiri Awards includes:
    1) Pioneer Double First Class Lawyer Prize, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, 2020

    2)Overall Best Graduand, 2016/2017 Academic Session, Niger Delta University.

    3)Best Graduating Law Student, 2016/2017 Academic Session, Faculty of Law, Niger Delta University.

    4)Customary Court of Appeal, Bayelsa State Prize for Best Graduand in Faculty of Law, 2016/2017 Academic
    Session, Niger Delta University

  • Just In: Ayade’s Aides Meeting To Protest Supreme Court Judgement Ends In Brawl

    Just In: Ayade’s Aides Meeting To Protest Supreme Court Judgement Ends In Brawl

    Culled From CrossRiverWatch

    A meeting convened by commissioners in Cross River State to stage a protest over the ruling of the Supreme Court on the conduct of the Ward and Local Government congresses of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has ended in a brawl.

    A source at the meeting told CrossRiverWatch that the meeting which held at the residence of the Commissioner for Solid Minerals, George O’ben-Etchi was going on smoothly until an argument ensued between Sustainable Development Goals commissioner, Oliver Orok and two others.

    The source said, the former Attorney General, Joe Oshie-Abang and Information Commissioner, Asu Okang were also in the verbal argument and exchange of blows.

    Asides Messrs. Orok, Abang and Okang, the source said two female commissioners -Rita Ayim and Stella Odey-Inyang had their own brawl on the side.

    The aides had gathered to plan a protest for tomorrow with the venue slated for the 11-11 roundabout.

    Advert by CRWatch :Place Yours

    The Supreme Court had on January 6, 2021 in a judgement delivered by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, upheld the judgement of the PortHarcourt division of the Court of Appeal dated November 2, 2020 which had affirmed the decision of the same division of the Federal High Court on September 4, 2020.

    Justices Mary Odili, Ejembi Eko, Mohammed Garba and Samuel Oseji also sat on the panel.

    The first respondent and federal lawmaker, Jarigbe Agom had on August 24, 2020 approached the vacation court of the Federal High Court in PortHarcourt seeking at least four reliefs.

    The reliefs sought included the utilization of authentic list of ward and chapter executives of the PDP who emerged in congresses held between March 7 – 21, 2020; an order preventing the modification of the list; an order restraining any party in the suit from modifying the list and an order mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct primaries for the senatorial by-election in the constituency designated.

    These reliefs were granted and affirmed by all appellate courts.

    And, that is said to have dealt a blow to Governor Ben Ayade’s attempt to control fully, the structure of the PDP in Cross River.