Tag: Rivers state

N96bn Alleged Fraud: Wike, Rivers leaders set to meet, decide Amaechi, Cole, others’ fate

Aminu Imam

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that leaders of the State would meet to decide on whether to commence criminal prosecution of the former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, over the alleged fraudulent sales of some valued State assets and diversion of State funds. The governor said those whose fate would also be decided during the meeting, would include, Tonye Cole, Sahara Energy Ltd, and former Rivers State Commissioner for Transport, George Tolofari. Wike, who gave this indication during a media parley attended by Rivers elders in Abuja, last…

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31 dead in Port Harcourt church stampede

Aminu Imam

At least thirty-one people have reportedly died during a stampede at the Port Harcourt Polo Club while rushing to get giveaways from Kings Assembly International Church’s Free shopping programme. The programme is aimed at helping the less-privileged in society. According to eyewitnesses, thousands of people gathered at the venue as early as 2.000am, and were trying to force their way into the premises resulting in a stampede and deaths. As of the time of filing this report, over 30 dead bodies were counted so far, including a pregnant lady and…

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EFCC declares Rivers Accountant-General, others wanted for N435bn fraud

Aminu Imam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has declared the Rivers State Accountant-General, Fubara Siminayi, along with 58 others wanted for alleged N435 billion fraud. This was made known by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren. Siminayi and four other Rivers State government officials, among others, are wanted for suspected N117 billion fraud, alleged criminal conspiracy, money laundering, misappropriation of public funds, and abuse of office”, the EFCC stated in a statement. Uwujaren called on the general public to assist in apprehending the Accountant-General and other suspects.…

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Alleged N435bn Fraud: EFCC declares Rivers Accountant-General, 58 others wanted

Aminu Imam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has declared about 59 suspects wanted for various fraudulent activities amounting to about N435bn and $397,758,000. Among the 59 were four Rivers State government officials, including the Accountant-General of the State, Fubara Siminayi, wanted over suspected N117 billion fraud, alleged criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and misappropriation of public funds and abuse of office. The Commission, in a wanted list posted on its website, said the offences range from money laundering to obtaining money by false pretence, fraud, internet-related offences and issuance of dud…

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2023 Presidency: “Nobody using me to scuttle Amaechi’s ambition” ? Party chieftain

Aminu Imam

Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential convention slated for May 30-31, a Chieftain of the party and presidential hopeful, Tein Teinbo Seliyefubara Jack-Rich, has denied insinuation that he is in the race to scuttle the presidential ambition of former Rivers State governor and current Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. Jack Rich made the denial yesterday, while speaking with newsmen in Abuja. Both Jack Rich and Amaechi are the two aspirants from the South-South geo-political zone who have signified interest in the APC presidential ticket. Incidentally, both are from…

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Rivers: Gov. Wike accuses Ogoni leaders of betraying their people

Aminu Imam

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that Ogoni leaders are the problem of Ogoniland. The Governor, who was speaking at the 30th Ogoniday celebration in Bori, the Khana Local government area of Rivers State on Tuesday,accused some Ogoni people of selling themselves out, adding that they have turned the Ogoni struggle into a money-making avenue. Governor Wike advised Ogoni people to learn to love and protect themselves the same way he has been protecting Rivers people. He also claimed that the Ogoni people attempted to kill the political career…

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Rivers: Panic as new Niger Delta militants group blow up Agip facility

Aminu Imam

A new militant group in the Niger Delta region, code-named: ‘Bayan-Men‘, has blown up an oil facility operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, (NAOC), in Ogba-Egbema-Andoni local government area of Rivers State. The angry militants, who destroyed the oil well OB5 (Obiavu-5) in the area, accused the oil firm of failing to deal directly with the host communities insisting that they were fighting for justice for their people. The self-styled commander of the Bayan-Men said the company refused to allow the people to benefit from their operations in the…

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VAT windfall: Gov. Wike eyes $750m for Rivers govt. from $10bn NLNG Train-7 project

Aminu Imam

Apparently unfazed by the Abuja Court of Appeal judgment which restrained Rivers State government from collecting Value-Added Tax (VAT) and sundry taxes yet in the State, Governor Nyesom Wike has set eyes on his administration’s collection of $750million proceeds expected to accrue from the $10billion Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Train-7 development. In a statement issued yesterday, by his Media Aide, Kelvin Ebiri, over Sunday’s send-off ceremony in Port Harcourt for out-gone NLNG Managing Director, Tony Attah, the Governor was quoted as saying that, “the 7.5 VAT from the NLNG…

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Impunity, one of factors fuelling insecurity – Rivers Gov. Wike

Aminu Imam

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has identified impunity as one of the major factors responsible for the security challenges in the country. “Part of the crisis in this country today is because of impunity”, said the governor, during an interactive session between the State government and corporate organisations in Port Harcourt, yesterday. He said, “We are talking about insecurity in this country today; what are those factors that have led to insecurity? One of such factors, as far as I am concerned, is impunity. Everybody wants to do whatever he…

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Supreme Court stops FG from ceding 17 oil wells to Imo

Aminu Imam

The Supreme Court has granted an injunction restraining the Federal Government and its agencies from ceding 17 oil wells, located at Akri and Mbede communities of Rivers State to Imo State, pending the determination of the suit brought before it by the Rivers State government. In a chamber ruling, the Supreme Court restrained the Attorney-General of the Federation, (AGF), and the Attorney-General of Imo State from taking further action on the ownership of the two oil wells till the disputes surrounding them were resolved. The apex court also barred the…

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