General
Rivers APC Congratulates Newly Elected Ward Executives
By Nwaorgu Faustinus
Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the unprecedented success and peace recorded during its ward congresses of 5th May, 2018 in the 319 Wards of the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State as an act of God, the beginning of the collapse of the fascist regime of Governor Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike and redeeming the State from further downward slide.
The party leadership in a statement circulated to journalists by Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the Media Consultant to Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, State Chairman of Rivers APC on May 6, 2018 further described the positive outcome of the Ward Congresses as good prevailing over evil, light shining out darkness. With this success, we are convinced that Governor Wike and his agents in APC will not only be ashamed but counting their loses, adding the party expects Wike to start preparing to account for the evil he and his agents envisioned against Rivers State and her people.
The APC noted that considering the unprecedented vandalization of its State Secretariat by well-known elements of the party induced by Governor Wike of Rivers State, the party have set up a Stock-Taking Committee to ascertain the level of damage of the property of the party vandalised and stolen which the culprits of this heinous crime will pay.
The committee under the chairmanship of Barr Amachree the party Administrative Secretary with Chief Emeka Bekee the party’s Secretary as its secretary will assist the police in her investigation of this evil plot envisaged to ruin our party and cast aspersion on the party’s leadership” Chief Davies said.
The statement reads: “The party describes those behind the vandalization of her Secretariat as cowards and enemies of democracy and urges the Police to ensure that the law takes its full toll on all those implicated in the wanton vandalisation of the party’s secretariat situated at old GRA Port Harcourt.
“The Chairman reiterated that no party member found culpable in this heinous crime no matter how highly placed he or she may be, will go scot free in this regard.
“The party admonishes her members who are dancing, dining with Governor Nyesom Wike a PDP Chieftain to endeavour to join him instead of acting as moles and stooges of a retrogression person. The party emphasized that enough is enough for the acts exhibited by these double faced elements.
“The APC congratulates the newly elected Ward Leaders and urge them not to relent until the evil administration of Governor Wike is rooted out from Rivers State. The party explains to the newly Ward leaders to be prayerful, watchful and committed towards the ideals and vision of the party and to be good Ambassadors of the party at their various Wards as we collectively march to reclaim our State come 2019.
“The party assures Rivers State and her people that with the collapse of the evil plot of Governor Wike and his misguided elements to truncate the Congresses, our envisaged plan to redeem the State is now closer than before.
“The APC also reassured her leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi the erstwhile Governor of Rivers State and the incumbent Minister of Transportation that the party will collaborate and assist him in rebuilding the party to the enviable status envisioned by the founding fathers of the party in the State . The party maintained that those who want to pull down the party structure in the State will live to regret their actions.
“The party emphasised that anyone who evaluates today’s Congresses that took place in the 319 Wards of the party as not peaceful, credible, free and fair must be operating from outside the State or have a different agenda as the event was applauded by the International, Local Independent observers, INEC and APC National Leadership that supervised and conducted it.
“The party concluded by commending the Police and other security agencies for ensuring a peaceful congress in the State and averting the blood bath that Wike and his agents have plotted against the state and her people.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Onamusi Onadeko, has been sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N50,000.
The former lawmaker, who represented Ogun East Federal Constituency in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2003, was sentenced by Justice Chizoba Oji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
He was found guilty on count 11 and convicted for making inconsistent statements but discharged and acquitted on counts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Mr Onadeko’s journey to the court started in 2017, when he was charged by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for his alleged involvement in the award and execution of a N68.7 million contract.
The politician, according to a statement from the ICPC, was accused of using his private companies, Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines Limited, to execute several constituency projects while working as a Senior Legislative Aide to late Senator Buruji Kashamu, who represented Ogun East Senatorial District between 2015 and 2019.
The commission, had in the course of the eight years trial told the court that several contracts like buying of ambulance vehicles, supply of hospital equipment and drugs for Primary Health Centres, as well as construction of classrooms for some selected schools in six communities of Ogun East Senatorial District, were awarded to both Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines, where the convict doubles as a Managing Director and nominal Director, respectively, an action that violates Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
ICPC also accused Mr Onadeko of making an inconsistent statement that contradicted the one previously made to the Commissioner for Oaths, where he stated that he is a Director of Haines and Baines Limited in an affidavit dated June 30, 20216, but subsequently wrote another statement while under investigation on May 5, 2017, that he is not a shareholder or Director of Haines and Baines Limited.
This action violates Section 25(1)(b) of the ICPC Act and, upon conviction, is liable to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
However, Mr Onadeko, through his counsel, Mr Wahab Olatoyebi, argued in the course of the trial that his client was not a public officer as his appointment at that material time was on a short-term basis and non-pensionable, hence he, (Onadeko) did not fall within the category of those that could be tried under Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 which criminalize and punish abuse of office by public officers.
But this argument was rejected by Justice Oji, who stressed that based on the defendant’s letter of appointment as well as the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Federal Government of Nigeria v. Farouk Lawan, legislative aides are public officers and therefore could be prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abduction of students and teachers from Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The governor formally inaugurated the commission at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde said that although the successful rescue of the victims brought relief to the state, it did not provide complete closure.
He explained that the decision to set up an independent commission was not intended to undermine the efforts of security agencies but to ensure that every question surrounding the incident is thoroughly addressed and lessons are learnt to prevent a recurrence.
He charged members of the commission to conduct a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based investigation, assuring them of the state government’s full support. He also called on individuals and relevant institutions to cooperate fully with the panel.
Speaking on behalf of the commission, its chairman, Professor Mojeed Owoade, pledged that members would carry out the assignment with integrity, professionalism, and fairness. He added that the panel would seek an extension if necessary to complete its work.
Governor Makinde gave the commission four weeks to submit its report.
Earlier this month, the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, eight of the kidnappers had been arrested, but the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 23 sentenced three suspects in the abduction to life imprisonment.
According to the court, the sentencing of Mr Abdulrazak Umar, known under the alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Mr Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Mr Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, will start from the date of their arrest.
Before their sentencing by Justice Salim Ibrahim, counsel for the defendants pleaded with the court to sentence them on liberal terms, adding that they were first-time offenders and had pleaded guilty.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Two Chinese, Mr Zhang Hong Lin and Mr Gao Pei Hai, have been convicted and sentenced by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for conspiracy and the illegal mining of solid minerals.
They were both found guilty on all five counts levelled against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and sentenced each to five years’ imprisonment on each count, with an option of a N50 million fine covering all five counts.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the mineral resources recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The defendants were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and the unlawful possession of mineral resources intended for export without lawful authority.
“That you, Zhang Hong Lin, Gao Pei Hai, and Gao Pei Yu (currently at large), sometime in 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court, conspired among yourselves, with the intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of revenue accruing therefrom, and without the permission of the appropriate authority, engaged in the exportation of mica products, copper-bearing, and lithium-bearing mineral resources out of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(8)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 1983, and punishable under Section 8 of the same Act,” one of the charges read.
The defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them, with the prosecution counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa, calling the investigating officer, Matthew Orogwu, who reviewed the facts of the case and tendered documentary evidence before the court.
After presenting the evidence, Kofarnaisa urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants in line with the charges.
