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  • C’River PDP Crisis: Eko Atu Calls On Ayade To Unite The Party

    C’River PDP Crisis: Eko Atu Calls On Ayade To Unite The Party

    Excepts From Eko Atu’s Facebook Wall

    Let calm prevail.

    I have watched with interest the unfolding events in the politics of Cross River State in the last couple of months.

    First was the intense fighting within the APC as to who the real chairman of the party in the state was. This dragged on well into the last general elections leading to the two factions holding separate congresses and submitting different names of candidates for the elections.

    The matter dragged on and unfortunately one of the claimant to the position of chairman, Dr. Matthew Achigbe died in a ghastly motor accident. May his soul rest in peace.

    The courts I learnt recently delivered judgement in favour of John Ochalla who belonged to the Achigbe faction as the authentic state chairman with a fine imposed against the Etim John faction.

    This needless attrition caused the party a vital opportunity of making inroads into Cross River State, except in the Abi/Yakurr federal constituency where Alex Egbona won.

    One would have expected that the APC being the government at the centre and had all the federal appointments and might would have made a good showing. But it was never to be. One lesson is that all politics is local and the APC brand was alien to the people.

    The infighting within the party made the electorates confused as to who exactly they were going to vote for.

    The PDP on the other hand being the government in power at the state level had it’s own fair share of the problems.

    Through stick and carrot approach, the party was able to silence the rebellion within it and went into the elections. However, it suffered a devastating blow in the Abi/Yakurr federal constituency where everybody acknowledged as it’s stronghold given the person of HE Liyel Imoke.

    That lose was a signal that all wasn’t well within the party at the local and state level.

    It was a warning sign that the once cohesive party was showing signs of disintegration.

    Then came the last “congresses” for the selection of candidates for councillorship and chairmanship positions.

    Critical stakeholders and party members were completely left in the dark while names were being compiled for councillorship and chairmanship positions.

    It was who was closet to power that got nominated. In some wards and local governments rotation was jettison.

    Today some aggrieved members of the party are in court challenging the outcomes of that excercises. The courts are yet to decide and from the look of things, the local government elections might be imperilled.

    The dust from the selection process for the local government elections had hardly died down when the wards and local government congresses for the party’s position came up.

    Same strategy of impunity of lack of consultations again reared its head, but while the local government elections selection process was hurtful to some “lesser” men and women; the control of the party structures at ward, LGA and State level wasn’t going to be taken for granted; because the gladiators here were the la crème de la crème of the party.

    And their fears were justified. If they weren’t consulted during the “selection” processes for the local government elections and up to the congresses for ward, LGA elections; what will be their fate going forward in their political career.

    So while names were being compiled for the various offices across the state, other critical stakeholders took the excecise to the party at the grassroots allowing them their choice as to who becomes what.

    The NWC released the list of those congresses across the country including that of CRS after a critical evaluation of the reports of the various committees set up for the wards and local governments chapters.

    That list has rattled some key section of the party leading to forging a new list different from the original list addressed to the critical persons of the party hierarchy.

    The Excos of the wards and LG had already being inuagurated. The party had further disclaimed the “new” declaring it as forged as can be verified from the official PDP Twitter handle and website.

    It is sad that a party that was once cohesive and strong is showing signs of weakeness because of lack of inclusiveness and impunity.

    H E is the leader of the party in the state. That nobody is contesting. DD and Liyel Imoke were all leaders of the party as governors. That’s the tradition of the party.

    But as leader of the party, HE Ben Ayade should know better how things are done within the PDP family. He has been a Senator under the PDP and knows how decisions were taken including some that he was a beneficiary.

    Decisions within the PDP family are taken after much consultations and horse trading.

    Such decisions in some cases don’t go down well with a few persons or interest groups, but people are allowed to make their inputs. So even if the few do not agree, which is usual; such few are assured of their protection and reward.

    But a situation where past leaders and critical stakeholders of the party including sitting members of the state and national assemblies are shut out of the decision making process, bad blood is bound to develop.

    Attempts to retire and make non relevant members of the party who have toiled, held positions and built followership will create anger and rebellion.

    This is the time for our Leader HE Senator Ben Ayade to call his children together. Find out from them those things they disapprove of and how they would wish the party to be run or refocused.

    Certainly nobody will dictate to HE how to run his government, but government is not party. When it gets to party affairs, consultations of critical stakeholders and members is key to having a cohesive strong and healthy organisation.

    When a deliberate effort is made to shut out old hands within the party in an effort to create a new “structure” you run the risk of not having people who know the history of the evolution of the party and how things are done.

    Check the headship of the PDP right from the late revered Rev. Ikobi and tell me if the quality of leadership we have today can remember how PDP berthed in the state.

    So when people are “selected” without regard to their knowledge of the organisation they are meant to run, the tendency is rather than build on the successes of that organisation; they destroy it.

    The ball is in HE’s court to unite the party, how he will do that is what I don’t know; because when you descend into the arena you become muddied and can’t see clearly.

    Some including the outgoing Exco will agree with me that the party has been comatose since they took over.

    We need to re-energise this party. It is more in HE’s interest as the Leader because any misstep will have a collateral damage on all of us, but more on the LEADER.

     

     

    Note: The views expressed here are that of Eko Atu and does not represent THELUMINENEWS.

  • Femi Adesina: ‘We caught the evil mole who leaked President Buhari’s speech’

    Femi Adesina: ‘We caught the evil mole who leaked President Buhari’s speech’

    By : Damaris Onyendi

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, has revealed that the mole in the presidency who leaked a draft copy of the president’s speech on Monday, April 27, 2020, has been apprehended.

    He detailed how the culprit was apprehended in an article which he wrote and titled ‘Enemy of the State’.

     

    “You have possibly watched the 1998 action-thriller film with the above title, starring Will Smith. It was the box office hit story about a group of people plotting to kill an American congressman, and the tape of the plot was discovered,” he began.

    “Well, an Enemy of the State struck in Nigeria on Monday, but this time, it was no fiction. It was real life act of sabotage from somebody who does not wish his own country well at all, and who derived a sinister kind of pleasure from undermining the system.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari was to broadcast to the country by 8 p.m, to give an update on the battle against COVID-19, and what becomes of the lockdown that had lasted four weeks, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun States. Kano was also a point of heavy interest, with the strange deaths ravaging the state. Was it COVID-19 or not?

    “As the country waited for the president with great expectations, a purported copy of the broadcast began to circulate on social media from about 4 p.m. Whodunnit?

    “I took a look at the circulating document, and within one minute, I knew that it was a rogue copy. What immediately gave it away was the paragraphing. It was completely different from the one I had been part of producing, and which had been recorded for broadcast by the president.

    “Another tell-tale to the dubiousness of the document was the date it gave. It said the lockdown in the affected states and the FCT would be eased from May 2, while the authentic copy bore May 4.

    “There were some other discrepancies. Paragraphs that had been excised from the final copy were still intact, and the document was riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, which you would rarely find in a presidential broadcast, which would have passed through a number of select and trusted hands.”

    The president’s aide said he had to work the phones as panic spread within the Aso Rock media office.

    “I made a few phone calls to those of us involved with the script, right from origination, which was from outside the presidency, to final editing, which I did, and the conclusion was easy to reach. Somebody had spirited out the original draft, which had gone through many stages of fine-tuning in terms of content and language, and thinking that it was a world exclusive in terms of artifice and underhand action, he fed it into the social media.

    “Who would do such a thing, except an Enemy of the State, someone who wants to ridicule the government, cause utmost confusion in the polity, and smirk his lips in malevolent pleasure, as the government, and possibly the media handlers of the president were flagellated, and taken to the cleaners.

    “Yoruba people talk of ‘ba ase je.’ Somebody who spoils the feast. Everybody is rejoicing and making merry, and he comes to pollute their joy. He could bring extremely bad news that sends everyone scurrying home, or looking for cover.

    “He could even urinate in the big pot of soup in the full glare of the merrymakers. Or he could pour sand in the big pot of rice on the fire. Ba ase je (spoiler of the feast) can strike in many ways. That was the same thing the Enemy of the State did.

    “Igbo people speak of the proverbial lizard that ruined his own mother’s funeral. That was what the hidden hostile hand did. But he forgot that in these days of technology, almost everything leaves a trail. Before the end of that evening, computer evidence had narrowed down the suspect, and he was already answering for his evil action.

    “If that person had got the final, authentic copy, that is the same way he would have leaked it. To what end, to what purpose? Sinister. Sneaky. Hateful.

    “Some people hate their own country, and ironically would be the first to complain that things were not going well. Every act of the government (any government) they would undermine. If they can stick a knife into the soft underbelly of government in any way, they do it with relish, and would be the first to grumble that things were not going right. Enemies of the State.

    “If the person that leaked the unedited draft of the broadcast had access to more sensitive national documents, he would do the same thing. If he cottons on information that could sell Nigeria to the enemy, he would gladly do it. Thou art in the midst of foes, watch and pray.

    “I am surprised that a large number of people, including newspaper houses, fell for the gambit. They took their information from the wrong source, and ended up publishing falsehood. That was what the Enemy of the State wanted. Cause maximum confusion. And he succeeded to some extent.

    “The social media is being used for every purpose: good and bad. It is the bastion of fake news, hate news, concoctions and all sorts of conjurations. Will the users and consumers be more discerning? It is said that the person that stole a keg of palm oil from the rafter is not the only thief. The person that collected the keg from him is also a rogue. Those who began to share an obvious leak, rebroadcasting it, are also not guiltless. Be quick to hear, and slow to speak.”

  • COVID-19: Infected health workers rise from 40 to 113 in one week

    COVID-19: Infected health workers rise from 40 to 113 in one week

    Source- The Punch News

    The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on Thursday, revealed that 113 health workers had been infected with COVID-19.

    Ehanire, who disclosed this at the press briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja, said they included workers in the public and private health facilities.

    He, therefore, reiterated his advice to health workers that it was dangerous to treat coronavirus patients without using personal protective equipment.

    The minister had, at the task force media briefing in Abuja on April 23, said about 40 health workers in the country had tested positive for coronavirus.

    Ehanire, who lauded health workers for their commitment to the war against COVID-19, warned them against treating patients without the PPE.

    He said, “Please, do not treat any patient without using the PPE. Frontline health workers must undertake refresher training at intervals. This warning has become necessary due to the number of health workers, who have tested positive for COVID-19. They are over 40 now and they have been quarantined.”

    But the Nigerian Medical Association, through its National President, Dr Francis Faduyile, in its reaction, said most of those who contracted COVID-19 were not health workers treating COVID-19 patients, but personnel in other hospitals.

    On Thursday, the health minister said the risk of being infected with COVID-19 was the reason why the task force warned health workers against treating patients without using the PPE.

    He said, “The latest figure we have is that 113 health workers have been infected. They are not all public health workers. There are some from private hospitals.

    “If you hear us speak frequently against treating coronavirus in private clinics, we are actually referring to people who do so without precaution and training. They risk infecting themselves and their families. Health care workers with no training have no business handling coronavirus.

    “As for those who do not have equipment, we have said that we will provide protective equipment. Let me remind you that there is a global shortage. They (the pieces of equipment) are really scarce but we are doing what we can to make sure our frontline workers have the requirement. We also have a stockpile that we can send quickly. For example, we sent a stockpile to Kano.”

  • Agba Jalingo Calls On C’River National Assembly Members To Bring ATM Machines That Dispenses Rice

    Agba Jalingo Calls On C’River National Assembly Members To Bring ATM Machines That Dispenses Rice

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    A global symbol of press freedom, winner of several human rights and press freedom awards as well as Amnesty International Prisoner of conscience, Agba Jalingo has called on National Assembly members from cross river to consider bringing into the state ATM machine that dispenses rice to indigent rural dwellers as we continue to endure the rule of Covid 19 lockdown.

    Jalingo took to his Facebook wall to express his concerns stated that “I want to call on my member re presenting our federal constituency, (Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra) in the House of Representatives, Legor Idagbo and the member representing Ogoja/Yala, Jarigbe Agom as well as all state lawmakers from Cross River to consider bringing in ATM that dispenses rice to indigent rural dwellers, as we continue to endure rule Covid 19 lockdown”

    Continuing, the human right activist maintained that “Instead of giving palliatives to PDP ward Chairman, youth and women leaders to share, these ATM machines will substantially reduce the Chances of manipulating donations by local party leaders”

  • Like Egbonna, Like Akpagu: How APC Can Win C’River North Bye-election

    Like Egbonna, Like Akpagu: How APC Can Win C’River North Bye-election

    By Z-Effect Media

    In the past few years, the Cross River State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC have been brewing in serious crisis that culminated into the operation of two secretariats; one at the Barracks road, Calabar led by Sir John Ochala and the other at Ndidem Usang road led by Hon. Etime John.

    While the Etim John faction enjoyed the support of the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Usani Uguru Usani, the Ochala’s faction has the support of the National Vice Chairman South/South, Ntufam Hilliard Eta and the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    In the last general election, APC presented two candidates in almost all the elections including the Governorship which has Sen. John Owan-Enoh, a candidate recognised by the Ochala’s faction and the National Secretariat and Dr. Usani Uguru, the then Minister of Niger Delta who was preferred by the Etim’s faction. Both candidates even went to the tribunal to challenge the PDP victory but lost.

    It’s an open secret that the infighting and division in the APC gave PDP a smooth ride in all the elections. With the calibre of people now in APC in the State, even the worst critic of the party agrees that its performance in the last election wasn’t a true reflection of its strength. Much more was expected of a party that boost of the a former Governor, former Senate Leader, a Minister, a serving Senator and numerous federal appointees.

    While the gladiators in APC spend more time strategising against themselves, fighting over who control the party, the opposition PDP was busy planning on how to win it’s common enemy which is anybody presented by APC. From State Assembly election to the governorship, PDP won APC except for just one election that all factions decided to come together.

    There’s no doubt that Hon. Alex Egbonna is loved and adored by his people, this advantage wouldn’t have worked smoothly for him in the Abi/Yakur federal constituency if the APC didn’t sheath their swords to work together. His election was almost the only election in the state that all the stakeholders came together and the result was a resounding defeat of the then Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Gaul presented by the PDP.

    The Alex Egbonna story is a classical example of what unity can do and what it would have done for APC in other elections should the stakeholders worked together.

    As many have asserted to, the decision by all waring parties to drop their guns to work for just a candidate in the overall interest of the party was also largely informed by the choice of Chief Egbonna who was undoubtedly not just the right man but the only person in the federal constituency in the ranks of APC that enjoys massive goodwill across factions and party lines.

    With the last week Appeal Court judgement that authenticates Sir Ochala led executive as the authentic leadership of the party in the state and the willingness of the winning faction to extend a hand of fellowship to the Etim factions, it appears for the first time in over two years, there’s hope insight for APC to return to a great indivisible and united family that it once was.

    It’ll be foolhardy for anybody to believe that the matter has completely been resolved just by the Appeal Court judgement. While it is said that both factions are making sincere efforts for reconciliation, the wounds are also still fresh and alot more need to be done to bring all together. People will grumble, others because of pride or what they benefit from the fight will never want APC to be one. But with the commitment shown by the major players, there’s hope insight.

    APC cannot afford to go into the next election which is the Northern Senatorial District beyelection with a divided house and expect magic. The surest thing that can guarantee APC ‘s victory is when all key players collapse their structures in complementary to other efforts to field and sincerely work for a candidate who enjoys similar goodwill like Alex Egbonna.

    It’s an open secret that among all those who have indicated interest for the northern senatorial district bye-election, Prof. Zana Akpagu, a former Commissioner, two times Special Adviser and the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar fits the cap.

    Prof. Akpagu like Egbonna enjoys massive goodwill across the factions and party lines. He is celebrated across the five local government in the north because of how much impact he has created. Beyond the zone and the state, his name is everywhere. His acceptability knows no bounds.

    From religious, Students organisation, transport unions and even the traditional institution in the entire northern Senatorial District hold him in high esteem. He holds highly revered titles in almost all the local government. The entire state Traditional Rulers Council has also recognised his good works and have honoured him with “Eto Nkori” Chieftaincy title which is the highest traditional title that can be conferred on anybody in the state.

    The implication of this is that even the gods of land recognise and appreciate what Akpagu has done for the entire state.

    What makes Akpagu a compelling choice for the APC is that although, unarguably an old APC member who sits at number 19 in his Ipong ward membership register, he was never really involved in the factional politics in the state therefore would be more acceptable by all and sundry. He has the Alex Egbonna kind of followership because of what he has done for people.

    APC cannot afford to repeat the mistakes that made the party perform poorly in previous elections when they have opportunity to make their 2023 takeover plan easier by using a charismatic leader, a proven performer and a sterling achiever like Akpagu to win the senatorial district with the highest voting strength in the state for the party.

    Like Egbonna, if APC fields a cerebral leader like Akpagu, the chances of winning the bye-election and by extension the 2023 elections against the divided PDP which is today a house at war against itself is very huge!

    If Egbonna did it for APC, Akpagu can and will do it.

    Z-Effect Media

  • I Thought About Mercy Nku When I Heard Two Ayade Appointees Fought In Public

    I Thought About Mercy Nku When I Heard Two Ayade Appointees Fought In Public

    By Agba Jalingo – Lagos

    Since I heard about the koboko flogging, slapping and tearing of shirt incident between the Cross River state Commissioner for Sports and Cinematography, Chief Ofu Aya and the Chairman of the state Sports Commission, Emmanuel Elom, over office space, I have not been laughing over the matter.

    I was first reminded of the same frosty relationship between the immediate past holders of those same offices, Commissioner Asu Okang, who is now Information Commissioner and Hon. Orok Duke who is now the Special Adviser, Callywood. It is sheer dereliction for Governor Ayade to allow the infighting that bedeviled the Ministry and the Commission in his first term and stymied the growth of sports in the State to continue in his second term.

    I don’t want to go into how much our State lost because that is a whole new discussion. But I have been researching wide to ascertain what these two adults fighting in public over office space, have done in sports 1or are capable of offering Cross River sports development. Arguably, the results returning show clearly that they both are not only recycled in government, they also do not have any track record beffiting of the robes they are now adorned in. But in Ayade’s government, appointees don’t need to fit into anything other than the whims and caprices of those who generate the names of the “food-on-the-table” appointees. That’s all you need. Just lack food on your table and you will land an appointment on your lab.

    In my deep thought, I also wished we had a more serious governor who is interested in poaching people who genuinely have the capacity to contribute to developing our state.

    Cross River has consistently produced some of Nigeria’s best athletes both at the national and international stage until governor Ayade showed up. The State prided itself in competitive LG sports developmental programs that produced national stars but all that is just in the letters now as you are reading.

    For instance, Boki LGA born former Olympian and two time All African Games Gold Medalist, Mercy Nku was a product of those LGA competitions. Like several other Cross River athletes who emerged from those sporting events, Mercy Nku hit the tracks early, running in several junior competitions for the schools she attended in Cross River, and in many other competitions staged by the then Cross River Sports Council for young athletes in the local council areas of the state.

    Nku while recalling those days, had told journalists in an interview during her running days that “teachers in those days had a great influence on pupils. I started running early but not because I preferred to do so. During the inter-house sports competitions, 90 per cent of the events were on the tracks and because our teachers wanted us all to participate, most of us ended up picking a career in athletics. I was doing well and grew up to be discovered by national coaches during one of the competitions ORGANIZED BY THE STATE. In Cross River State, we had local government competitions that prepared us for the limelight.”

    In 1999, she made her big burst onto the scene, winning two gold medals for Nigeria in the All Africa Games in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1999 and also set the games records of 11.03 seconds in the 100meters race. It was an achievement that Nigeria celebrated as athletics fans got a relief that a replacement for the then ageing stars was fast evolving.

    But as fate will have it, Mercy added that:

    “My regret is that I was forced to retire too early from the track. I didn’t run to the level I had wanted because there was so much distraction. There was no support and I don’t mean financial aid. At a point I was just there floating without anyone to call for support or encouragement. There were so many enemies around me and whatever I did, they turned it against me. I was left alone, hated and unwanted. They saw me as a controversial person because I was always saying the truth about Nigerian athletics. Nobody wanted to listen to me. So I was forced to leave. But now, I feel happy and satisfied that I did my best as far as I could.”

    That support eventually came from Governor Imoke who later gave her a scholarship to study in Canada. I thought about her when I heard that those two adults where fighting in public along with their thugs and gangsters. I thought about Mercy and several other heroes who have won so many things for Cross River, particularly in the tracks and fields and rings. When I heard that these supposedly honorable men turned to urchins and decimated their dignity in public, I wished people like Mercy will have been given the chance to replicate that system that brought her up and give other children in Buanchor, Ukorshie, Effraya, Okoyong, the opportunity to burst into the national scene again. I even thought that those who behave like motor park touts will be shown the way to the garage where they belong, then I remembered it is Ayade’s government where no appointee ever gets punished for misbehaving. Yes, I thought about all that and even more!

    Thank you.

    *Yours sincerely,*
    *Citizen Agba Jalingo*

    #1125DaysToGo
    #HoldLeadersAccountable
    #CrossRiverHasTalent

  • It is not a must for every state in Nigeria to have Covid-19 – Edu

    It is not a must for every state in Nigeria to have Covid-19 – Edu

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar (more…)

  • NWC’s Decision on Cross River PDP ward and Local Government Congress is Victory Against One Man Dictatorship

    NWC’s Decision on Cross River PDP ward and Local Government Congress is Victory Against One Man Dictatorship

     

    By James Utsu

    The decision of the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to recognise the outcomes of the Ward and Local Government Chapter Congresses of the party in Cross River State held on March 7, 2020 and March 21, 2020 is a welcome development and quite commendable.

    By taking that firm and bold decision, the national leadership of the PDP has ensured the restoration of justice, fair play and equity in the fabric of the party in the state.

    Feelers from members of the PDP in the state indicate that the bold decision of the national leadership of our great party came at the right time and has saved it from monumental disaster of unimaginable proportion that would have befallen it, if they had allowed the rule of one man to prevail.

    Worth nothing is the fact that the decision of the party on the outcomes of the ward and local government chapter congresses tallies with the feelings and aspiration of founding members of the PDP, most of whom have been alienated from its activities in recent years.

    The PDP national leadership deserves commendation for taking such a laudable decision that has restored the confidence of members in PDP in the state, some of whom had prayed for a just intervention to save the party in the state from collapse.

    Since the posting of the list of the ward and local government chapter excos, as announced by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (retired), members of the PDP in the state have been reinvigorated and are bracing up for a free, fair, and democratic state congress, which hopefully, will take place once the nation battles the current Coronavirus pandemic to acceptable level of success.

    Though, a handful of members of the party in the state who had thought that it would be business as usual are not happy because one man dictatorship has failed, they are advised to accept the decision of the national secretariat in good faith and join hands with the newly elected exco members of the 196 wards and 18 local government chapters to ensure the PDP continues to remain the strongest grassroots party in Cross River State.

    As contained in the letter communicating the decision of the national secretariat on the ward and local government chapter congresses, it is incumbent on the state chairman of the PDP, Chief Enok Edim to swear in the newly elected chapter exco with immediate effect as directed by the national working committee.

    Since the decision of the national secretariat on the matter became public knowledge, rumours have continued to make the rounds that some members of the party from the state have been lobbying the national secretariat to change their decision, and instead announce a new list of ward and local government chapter exco that would be in their favour.
    This move should be ignored by the national secretariat because these individuals desire to continue to alienate majority of staunch members from the activities of members.

    Your current decision on the new chapter is a blessing to the PDP in Cross River State.

  • I will Defend my Staff to any level with my blood – Undiandeye

    I will Defend my Staff to any level with my blood – Undiandeye

    By Blessing Enagu

    The Chairman of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Chief Tony Undiandeye has stated that he will defend his staff with his blood, should any body interfere or intimidate them in the discharge of their duties.

    Chief Undiandeye, disclosed this at the inaugural meeting with Staff within the Directorate cadre in the Commission recently in his office, also stated that the meeting was to familiarize himself and seek understanding from the top echelon of the Commission on ways of achieving their mandate.

    The Chairman assured staff that he will operate an open- door policy and an administration that gives priority to workers safety and welfare, stressing that “I will defend my staff to any level with my blood” adding that he would confront any person who interferes with staff unduly in the line of duty.

    He however encouraged them to be transparent in discharging their duties, as actions capable of undermining the position of the Commission shall not be condoned.

    The Forestry Commission Chairman while addressing salient issues, maintained that his administration will work towards providing office accommodation, vehicles and other provisions that will create good working environment for maximum productivity of Staff.

    Chief Undiandeye also maintained that the vacuum created by a retired director in the Commission would be filled according to the Civil Service rules and warned that agitation and animosity should not be generated because no Department is superior to the other.

    The new Chairman commended staff on the declaration and compoundment of timber exercise recently carried out across the State, noting that despite the many challenges encountered, it recorded huge success to the extent that it mitigated the last scale of people carrying forest products without corresponding revenue to the government.

    In his response, the Permanent Secretary of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Mr Ogbang Akwaji congratulated the Chairman on his appointment and confirmation as Chairman of the Commission describing him as the right choice for the position.

    Mr. Akwaji conveyed the confidence reposed in the Chairman by Staff who had yearned for a passionate leader with so much capacity to reposition the sector in a sustainable development path and pledged the cooperation of Staff to the new leadership.

    He restated the need for a re-invention, re-orientation and more interface with Veteran Foresters whose wealth of knowledge can be utilized and called on the Chairman to use his position to influence the review and lifting of ban on logging so that the Commission can be well positioned to regulate and ensure a sustainable forest management in the State.

    The Permanent Secretary further lamented that the embargo have made the government financially castrated and have also disconnected the forest bearing communities from government because the government through the Commission is no longer getting revenue and the communities are equally not getting their benefits.

  • Justice: Late SP Amawu’s family writes IGP, demands for thorough investigation

    Justice: Late SP Amawu’s family writes IGP, demands for thorough investigation

    culled from forefront news

    The family of late Police officer, Superintendent Amawu Gabriel Anang, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, demanding justice in the alleged murder of their son and bread winner in highly controversial circumstances in Obudu, Cross River State

    In a 48-paragraph petition cited by Theluminenews with copies sent to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as well as Executive Secretary, Human Rights Commission, Abuja, among others, the family claimed that Anang was shot and gruesomely murdered on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 inside the Obudu Police Station in Cross River State.

    Accordingly, the petition, written on behalf of deceased family by Benedict Obuo Amawu, Esq of Lawstars Advisors & Solicitors, said; “we are desperately in need of justice. Justice is all that we demand at this point.”

    The petitioners, who are also suspecting official complicity and mishandling of the case by Cross River State Police Command so far, have therefore pleaded with the Police high command to order a thorough and full scale investigations into circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.

    Listing the names of some police officers and persons allegedly involved and responsible for the gruesome murder and untimely death of their son, the family said; “We seek that the real truth be unravelled with the perpetrators arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws.”

    Prior to his death, the deceased was a Superintendent of Police and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Nigerian Police Force, Obudu Police Division, Cross River State.

    Below is the petition addressed to the IGP, and dated Friday, March 20, 2020:

    The Inspector-General of Police, 20th March, 2020.
    The Nigeria Police Force,
    Force Headquarters,
    Louis Edet House,
    Garki, Abuja.

    Atten: The Officer in-Charge, IGP Intelligence Response Team (IGP- IRT)

    Dear Sir,

    PETITION:

    MURDER: EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING AND UNLAWFUL SHOOTING OF SP AMAWU GABRIEL ANANG (DIVISIONAL POLICE OFFICE, OBUDU), BY SUSPECTED POLICE OFFICERS ATTACHED TO THE OBUDU POLICE DIVISION, CROSS RIVER STATE.
    THE SUSPECTED POLICE OFFICERS INCLUDE:

    1. INSP. OMINI IBIANG (Station guard)
    2. PC. EDET ANSA (Orderly to the deceased officer)
    3. ASP. EGBELA SUNDAY (Station DCO)
    4. INSP. Angelina Baggie (The officer who was co-opted to falsely represent that she was the person who took the deceased officer to the Hospital)
    5. Tony Odu (Station Chief Clerk)
    6. INSP. ARAH SUNDAY (SO)

    INTRODUCTION:

    This petition is undertaken on behalf of the entire Family of Ukani Felix Amawu; the family of the slain Police Officer, SP. Amawu Gabriel Anang shot and gruesomely murdered on the 10th March, 2020 inside the Obudu Police Station in Cross River State.

    Prior to his death, the deceased was a Superintendent of Police and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Nigerian Police Force, Obudu Police Division, Cross River State.

    For the records, we shall humbly and unequivocally state that the speculated Report with Ref: “DTO: 110700/03/2020, POLZIB CALABAR and AIGPOL FIB/COMPOL FIB ABUJA” circulated by the Cross River State Police Command is amply false. Thus, the report is a hasty conclusion aimed at hiding the killers of the late Officer as well as concealing the truth behind the unlawful shooting and extra-judicial killing of an innocent Officer, who had during his life time dedicated his ALL to the advancement of the good image of the Nigeria Police Force.

    We wish to further state that any information paraded in the media which found reliance on such reports is in itself untrue, unverifiable and baseless. Hence, the report was released and circulated without any form of investigation whatsoever. For the avoidance of doubt, the Report is herein attached as Annexure 1.

    FACTS OF THE CASE:

    The fact surrounding the death of SP Amawu Gabriel Anang is as follows:

    1. The late Officer was shot at the Obudu Police Station, specifically inside the Station counter on 10th March, 2020.

    2. The shooting is reported to have taken place at about 21:00hrs (9pm).

    3. To clearly establish the fact that the Police officer was shot, we have attached herein Annexure 2 Series, evidently showing an entry point of a straight bullet directly on the right hand chest, beside the breast of the deceased officer.

    4. The bullet from the gun shot went straight into the deceased officer’s chest and exited at his right arm/region; it would not have been possible for the officer to shot himself from that point and speculated in some quarters.

    5. The damage occasioned by the bullet at the exit point is so grave and grievous to the extent that the deceased armpit is badly damaged, thus showing the force and effect of the straight bullet.

    6. Independent findings have revealed that upon being shot, the deceased was left in the pool of his blood.

    7. Findings also show that all the men and officers on duty had abandoned the officer to die in the pool of his blood.

    8. The above is a clear indication that the act of annihilation, murder and ungodly killing orchestrated by the act of shooting was premeditated and neatly carried out with the intention to ensure that the life of the Officer was completely terminated.

    9. In support of the above fact that the deceased officer was abandoned to die, it is on record that it was an innocent civilian who later rushed the deceased Officer to the Hospital, by this time he had passed on.

    10. To put records straight, while driving along the street of the Police Station in Obudu, the innocent civilian had noticed the commotion at the Police Station.

    11. Thus, he rushed inside the Station and noticed the deceased DPO was in the pool of blood, without being attended to.

    12. It was this innocent civilian who had packed his vehicle at the road side, that later rush the deceased Officer to the Hospital with the lone support from a female Police Officer identified as PC Monica.

    13. Further findings reveal very that the good Samaritan female police PC Monica who aided the innocent civilian to rush the deceased officer to the Hospital was not even on duty on the date/time of the incidence.

    14. The aforementioned Officer merely rushed to the scene of the incidence upon hearing the sudden and unfortunate sound of the gun that was released on the late officer.

    15. She (Monica) was able to hear the gunshot sound since her apartment (Police Barracks) is directly behind the Police Station, where the Officer was brutally shot and allowed to die like a common criminal by men who should ordinarily protect the lives of Nigerians including that of their superior (deceased DPO).

    16. To show how the Police in Obudu are complicit and desperately seeking to hide the truth, they have suddenly gone ahead to instruct one Inspector Angelina to pretend and act that she was the one that rushed the deceased Officer to the Hospital contrary to the facts as stated above. We request that this fact be thoroughly investigated for the avoidance of doubt.

    17. Assuming without conceding that Angelina was the person that rushed the deceased to the Hospital, the question that is begging for answer is why could it have been a woman’s responsibility to rush a dying Officer to the Hospital? Amidst the presence of able Police men on duty.

    18. It is on record that several men were available the night the act was perpetrated, some of these men include the deceased orderly (Edet Ansa), a Police constable who has overtly stated that when the incidence happened, he took the gun away to his house.

    19. Why was Edet too in a hurry to take the gun away, even when a man’s life was at stake? Besides, from the information that was hurriedly circulated after the death of SP Amawu, the deceased allegedly took the gun from the Station guard, who should have hurriedly taken possession of same from the deceased after the incident, what was Edet’s business with the said rifle at that material time?

    20. The above are some of the questions; we feel are necessary for investigation. We would later make reference to other men who were at the station.

    21. Interestingly, when some of the family members were contacted on the night of the event, they rushed to the Police Station that night at about 23:00hrs (11pm), only to discover that the Police had hurriedly washed and were cleaning the blood stains at the counter where the Officer had been shot.

    22. Again, why were the Police officers who are presumed to know the nitty-gritty of investigation in a hurry to wash and clean the blood area which ordinarily should form the first point of investigation?

    23. Despite the glaring facts revealing that the deceased DPO, SP Amawu Gabriel Anang was deliberately shot, the Cross River State Commissioner of Police in the person of CP Uwem Akpang is completely adamant on the matter and has refused to sniff facts outside his preconceived notion of the facts surrounding the deceased’s murder and has flagrantly refused to direct swift, prompt and proactive investigation into the matter.

    24. The Commissioner of Police has overtly resorted to upholding mere speculations. Thus, relying only on hearsay testimonies disclosed by the very same Police Officers in Obudu who are prime suspects in the unlawful shooting and extra-judicial killing of an innocent Police officer who has meritoriously served with clean records which now speaks for him.

    25. To lend credence to the fact that the CP is merely acting on hearsay, on 16th of March, 2020 in a meeting session with the Commissioner of Police, other Senior Police Officers alongside immediate family members and community representatives of the deceased Officer, the CP raised unprofessional and rather baseless issues that have no nexus whatsoever with the death SP Amawu Gabriel Anang.

    26. Interestingly, the CP admitted that prior to his death, SP Amawu Gabriel Anang had informed him one-on-one that in one of their operations in Obudu, his men had withdrawn and left the deceased officer alone in the middle of an operation.

    27. It is clear that when this matter was reported, the CP had treated same with kid gloves and till date, no reasonable findings/discipline has been meted on the officers directly affected. The CP has refused to summon and sanction the officers who had withdrawn and left the DPO to his fate in the course of that operation.

    28. It is important to mention very pointedly that at the said meeting; the CP had admitted and informed all who were present that the deceased SP Amawu Gabriel Anang had on several occasions, requested and pleaded that he be transferred from Obudu. Hence, he was sensing danger to his life.

    29. The CP merely said he was reluctant about the requested pleas for transfer, since according to the CP, he wanted to first seek and obtain the consent of the Executive Governor of Cross River State before the transfer.

    30. One thing that is unclear is as to whether the transfer of a DPO and/or a Police Officer ought to have been subjected to an Executive consent as in this case especially when the deceased had communicated the danger of his life.

    31. The life of the deceased Officer may have been used to trade personal and pecuniary gains/benefits. We humble request that this too be thoroughly investigated.

    32. For the deceased Divisional Police Officer’s men to withdraw in an operation leaving their superior to his fate, it is a clear indication that plans were already on-going to ensure that his life was completely terminated. He saw it, he suspected it, as a fine officer, the poor man alerted his superior and requested for immediate deployment, but he was left to die as a common criminal without any justification whatsoever.

    33. Notwithstanding the seriousness associated with this matter, the corpse of the deceased officer is still lying in Obudu despite the family request that an independent Autopsy vis-à-vis a Ballistic analysis be carried out to ascertain the reason behind the unlawful shooting and extra-judicial killing of the deceased Officer.

    Despite the clarity of facts, the Police Officers in Obudu are determined to conceal the truth with a view to hiding the killers of the deceased DPO, SP Amawu Gabriel Anang. In an attempt to deceive the general public as well as the deceased family, the Police in Obudu through their DCO (ASP. EGBALA SUNDAY) have comically alleged as follows:

    i. That the deceased shot himself, in another twist, they have also alleged that the deceased died as a result of accidental discharge. Thus, hiding the picture which clearly reveal that death was occasioned by a straight bullet which was directly shot at the deceased’s chest.

    ii. Further, they have concoctedly alleged that there was a protest in Obudu Police Station on the night of the incidence, without arresting the protesters till date.

    iii. That the said protest was led/masterminded by the Student Union Government (SUG) President of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Obudu.

    iv. That the student came in that night and demanding for the release of their students who were detained at the Police Station.

    v. They have deceitfully alleged that in order to disperse the crowd of the protesting students, the late deceased DPO hurriedly came out that night, collected a rifle from the station guard and shot into the air.

    vi. In their hilarious narrative, they have also said that upon shooting into the air, the deceased DPO went inside the counter and after proving the rifle, the (deceased) removed the magazine (firearms) into his pocket.

    vii. According to their contradictory testimonies, they have also said that the deceased DPO dropped the gun after he had removed the magazine, but that the gun subsequently exploded with a bullet coming out of same.

    viii. Further to the paragraph above, they have also alleged that the exploded bullet went and hit a wall first and thereafter erupted into the deceased body. To every reasonable person, this line of testimony is amply deceitful and ornamentally untrue; the narrative is far from reality when considered in practical terms.

    ix. For the records, the Police in Obudu have shown a cracked wall on the picture attached as Annexure 3, wherein, it is alleged that the bullet first hit and cracked the wall before exploding and thus, harming the deceased body.

    x. It is important to state emphatically and contrary to their analysis that the height of this wall is less than 2.9ft tall. How a bullet would have hit such wall and proceeded upward to pierce the upper region of a man who is over 5.9ft tall is completely a mystery. Unfortunately, that wall is not a stone wall which one may have assumed that the bullet could not have penetrated same.

    xi. The damage and injuries on the body of the deceased are so severe, the effect could not have been that heavy assuming without conceding that the exploded bullet actually hit the purported cracked wall before touching the deceased body.

    xii. The testimony of the various Police Officers is a bundle of lies in every respect, unfortunately, this is what the Cross River State Police Command had hurriedly published vide Annexure 1 above, expecting the whole world to believe that a seasoned/competently trained Police Officer with a United Nations emblem had unprofessionally killed himself. This is totally fictional. As a family we contend and contest this false representation in its entirety.

    CONCLUSION

    We are desperately in need of justice and demand that the truth be unravelled with the perpetrator arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    It is rather worrisome that despite that allegation of protest, no student and/or student leader(s) have been arrested in connection with the death of SP Amawu Gabriel Anang. At least one would have expected that the alleged protesting students/their leaders be arrested and thoroughly investigated with a view to uncovering the whole truth.

    The students purported to have been detained have since been released. In less than 24hours after the incidence, a picture attached as Annexure 4 was taken. Thus, same clearly show that there was no detainee as at 11th March, 2020. From the attached picture, the detention board had carefully been cleaned up.

    Based on the above, the testimony of Police Officers in Obudu vis-à-vis the publication (Annexure 1) by the Cross River State Police Command is totally untrue and unverifiable, same is a product of hasty conclusion. As a family we contend and contest same in their entirety, the false representation as per the report and all testimonies.

    Once again, we are desperately in need of justice. Justice is all that we demand at this point. We seek that the real truth be unravelled with the perpetrators arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws.

    To this end, we appeal very respectfully that you use your good office(s) to arrest, investigate and prosecute all Police Officers in Obudu, particularly, officers mentioned above and same include: Inspector Insp. Omini Ibiang (Station Guard), PC Edet Ansa (Orderly to the deceased Officer), ASP. Egbala Sunday (Station DCO), INSP. Arah Sunday (SO), ASP I. Egwa (Station 2 IC), Inspector Angelina Baggie (co-opted to falsely represent that she was the person who took the deceased officer to the Hospital). Other suspected officers Tony Odu (Station Chief Clerk), Sergeant Itoro etc., as well as every officer connected to the matter.

    From the facts and circumstances of this case, these named persons have information as to the unlawful shooting, extra-judicial killing and gruesome murder of our deceased son, husband, father and brother – late SP Amawu, Gabriel Anang. Apart from the joint act of conspiracy, one of them should be able to reveal the fellow that released the trigger on the late officer.

    Other personnel and officer in the Police Division should also promptly be investigated and interrogated with a view to ascertaining the whole truth.

    We also demand that the SUG President of the Federal College of Education Obudu and all the students linked with this murder should be arrested, investigated and prosecuted where a prima facie case is made out against them. Their arrest and timely investigation will give preliminary insight into the unfortunate incidence. The students said to have been detained on the night of the incidence should as well be arrested, investigated and prosecuted where necessary.

    The Commissioner of Police (CP Uwem Akpan) should be questioned and disciplined for the act of monumental neglect and laxity in this matter and above all, we demand that an independent Autopsy and Ballistic Analysis be conducted in this case. Those responsible for the hasty publication of Annexure 1 and misleading the general public without necessary verification and prior investigation of the matter should be disciplined as well.

    Sir, we hold the view in accordance with our extant criminal laws that a case of Murder of this nature, especially, a case where a serving Police Officer was shot and murdered in cold blood at his own division, should not be treated with kid gloves. Truth be told, it is a direct confrontation on the integrity/prowess of the esteem institution of the Nigeria Police Force.

    We demand for JUSTICE and request very respectfully that this matter be given accelerated and prompt attention.

    On your request, we shall avail necessary information and further clarification as may be required.

    Thank you and accept our warm regards.

    Yours faithfully,

    BENEDICT OBUO AMAWU, ESQ
    (On behalf of the deceased family)
    07031846089

    Cc:
    1. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abuja.
    2. The Executive Secretary, Human Rights Commission, Abuja.
    3. The President of Senate, through the Clerk of the National Assembly, Abuja.
    4. The Director General, State Security Service (SSS), Abuja.
    5. The Director, Amnesty International, Nigeria.
    6. The Ordinary President Ahmed Isah, Human Rights Radio, Brekete Family, Abuja.