MULTI-BILLIONAIRE KIDNAPPER, EVANS, PLEADS GUILTY IN COURT..

The multi-Billionaire kidnapper and kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, aka Evans, pleaded guilty, to the two counts of conspiracy and kidnap, in court on Wednesday.
Evans, who was arraigned before a Lagos High Court, presided over by Justice Akeem Oshodi of Court 18, to face series of charges levelled against him by the Nigeria Police.

Also arraigned alongside Evans are five (5) suspected members of his kidnap gang which includes: Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Chukwunonso Abuba. They all appeared before the court along under heavy security.

The counsel to Evans, Kayode Ogungbeje, who has been representing him in his N300 million fundamental rights suit against the police was also in court.
Earlier, his counsel, Katie Ogungbeje, had claimed they have been denied access to him and that he may plead guilty under duress.

However, the Head of prosecution legal team, David Igbodo, said more charges would follow between now and October 19 of the adjourned date.

A total of six suspects were brought before the court on Wednesday, including a female and five males.

Three of the suspects pleaded guilty to their charges while three pleaded not guilty.

CBN TO APPROVED CRYPTOCURRENCY & BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

Sequel to the setting up of an industry committee to look into (and articulate) a road map for Blockchain & Cryptocurrency regulation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reiterated that it will not hinder the use of digital currencies in Nigeria.  

The apex bank, in a recent brief with industry experts, stated that an agreement has been reached to formally adopt its use in Nigeria.  

A call to the Fintech Association of Nigeria confirms this and it is expected that a regulatory framework for same will be made available soonest. 

Technology disruptions will continue to drive engagements in the financial sector and this feat by the Central Bank will go a long way in enhancing Fintech initiatives in the industry.

FG MAY ADOPT SELECTIVE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE –OSINBAJO

The Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, says the Federal Government may consider increasing workers’ remuneration package, especially bonuses of certain government agencies, instead of increasing wages across board. 

According to a transcript made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice-President spoke during a session titled, ‘Conversation with the Vice-President’ at the 2017 Nigerian Bar Association National Conference held in Lagos on Monday. 

Osinbajo said though the issue of better pay for workers was a good suggestion, the government was “in a bind of sorts.” He went on to say that at the moment, the government was spending 70 per cent of its revenues on remuneration and overheads, leaving less than 30 per cent for capital expenditure. That it is correct that the country needed a more efficient civil service that would be paid more, there was also the need to increase revenues.

Furthermore, Osinbajo said “Sometimes, it is a chicken and egg situation because in order to increase revenues, we need to increase remuneration. “I think that what we are probably going to end up doing is what we have done with some of the parastatals; in other words, identifying certain government services that must be remunerated differently in order to increase efficiency. "One of the revenue generating agencies, for instance, is the Federal Inland Revenue Service"... “Improving remuneration, especially bonuses, would do a lot of good. That we saw happen in Lagos with the Lagos Inland Revenue Service, where because there were bonuses, there was improvement in revenue and reform. People were able to do better, even in our judicial system. Because we paid better; we remunerated better, people were able to improve.”

The Vice-President said the commitment of the present administration was to leave Nigeria with all the resources that could be brought to the table. He said it was also the desire of the administration to leave the country with transparency and efficiency in all aspects. Meanwhile, Osinbajo has called on the management of ECOWAS Investment Bank to increase agricultural funding in order to reduce the level of poverty and unemployment in the sub region. He said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the 15th Annual General Meeting of the board of governors of the bank. 

Report also has it that the VP said the need to boost funding to the agricultural sector became imperative as it held the key to unlocking the growth and prosperity of the continent. He said the current situation where economies of various countries were facing falling government revenues on the account of commodity price slumps, declining economic growth and the challenge of creating jobs necessitated the need for the bank to step up its intervention in member countries.

The VP said the economic challenges had put greater pressure on governments of the member states to urgently diversify their economies. He said, “The population of the sub region is a youthful one, 70 per cent of our population is under 35 (years) with all the implications for providing education and livelihood. “So, the challenges of today call for greater creativity, and foresight in supporting and making investments in our member countries. “So one of the crucial issues today, which would decisively impact the future is how the bank can make a difference in the lives of our young people.” Osinbajo acknowledged the support of the bank, but noted that there was a need to galvanise more resources to enable it to effectively achieve its mandate.

However, the President of the Bank, Bashir Ifo, in his speech at the event, said during the 2016 financial year, 11 projects amounting to $121.5m were appraised.  

"I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT ASU STRIKE": SENATOR SHEHU SANI

A senator of the federal republic of Nigeria representing Kaduna Central District and  human rights activist senator Shehu Sani lent his wholehearted support to the recent strike action declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASU, in Nigeria. 

 Senator Shehu Sani took to his social media handles (Facebook and tweeter) to make known his wholehearted support to the strike.

As expected, reactions from Nigerians greeted his comment on social media.

 The activist senator received a lot of tongue lashing from Nigerians as they accused him of being part of the problem but only pretending. The reactions of Nigerians to Senator Shehu's social media posts where somuch to showing the bottled anger of Nigerians against their political class and leadership as a whole..

FG GIVES STATES AUTONOMY TO PRODUCE POWER

THE Federal Government has given State governments autonomy to produce own power so as to ensure improved power supply in the country.

It said this is because nothing in the Electricity Power Sector Reforms Act EPSRA deter States from doing such.

Speaking at the 18th monthly power sector operators meeting on Monday at the Kumbotso transmission station, Kano State, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola said interested States must obtain the necessary permit and licenses from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) depending on the areas it wants to invest in.

His words; “Let me also make this point clear today, I have heard statements made that State governments should be allowed to produce their own power.

“The truth is that there is nothing in the Electricity Power Sector Reforms Act that stops any state from doing so, so the only thing they must do is to get NERC’s permit and licenses depending on whatever categorisation of investment they want to do whether it is distribution or generation.

“So, let me be clear about that, I will support any state that wants to get involved in generating and also distributing power under its own arrangement.”

The Minister also disclosed that unlike in 2015, there has been improvements in power generation in the country.

He said this is as a result of government’s efforts in the areas of repairs of pipelines and gas supply.

According to him, the continuous attack on pipelines in 2015 had led to poor generation adding that this reduced in 2017.

“We have made some progress with generation previously, unlike in 2015, damage to gas pipelines and assets has reduced in 2017, this is as a result of government’s efforts and significant progress is now being made with the repairs and supply of gas.

“From a generation of about 2690MWs in May, 2016 we have grown to 6863MWs in generation and transmission has increased from 5000MWs to 6700MWs.”

He quickly pointed out that: “Although this does not mean that we have enough gas for all our power plants, we are atleast getting closer to where we were in February 2016 when we first crossed the 5000MWs line which was mainly fired then by gas plants before the attacks on the pipelines started.”

In his explanations, he said as at 3rd of August, 2017 the total available power which can be put on the grid was 6863MWs while the transmission capacity has risen to 6700MWs.

However, he lamented the inability of distribution companies to take-on power describing this as ‘load rejection’.

“Unfortunately, we can’t put all of that power on the grid because the DisCos cannot take the power and this is what we call load rejection.”

He blamed this on old assets inherited, bad debts that has continued to hamper DisCos’ access to credit, insufficient investment by DisCos among others.

“We have a new problem and that is inability of DisCos to take power and sell power, but there many reasons for this, old assets inherited, insufficient investments by them, and other factors.

To this end, he stressed the need for joint efforts of all stakeholders in the sector to improve power supply saying:” We need every part of the value chain from gas to generation from transmission to distribution to operate efficiently.”

In another development, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) also launched the mini-grid regulations designed to serve unserved and underserved communities in terms of availability of power.

Presenting the regulations at the event, the NERC’s Vice Chairman, Sanusi Garba said this will cover customers in communities who are not captured in the 5-year development plan of the distribution companies (DisCos).

He said: “The NERC took the initiative of developing a regulation to remove some of the impediments that have sold private investments in rural electrification and the regulations provide for cost reflective tarrifs for investors and on the existing tariff methodology.

“The regulation also provides for strategies for investors in mini-grids. It is expected that investors in mini-grid will comply with our technical standards. The communities that are expected to benefit are those who are not captured in the 5 year development plan of the DisCos.”

Source: http://tribuneonlineng.com/fg-gives-states-autonomy-produce-power/

MIDDLE BELT YOUTHS GIVE HERDSMEN QUIT NOTICE TO VACATE REGION BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2017.

Reports reaching our news desk have it that a coalition of Middle Belt Youths under the aegis of Middle Belt Renaissance Forum, has asked all herdsmen currently operating in the middle belt region, to vacate the region before October 1 this year.

The said Middle Belt Renaissance Forum, which met in Abuja over the weekend, threatened total war at the expiration of the ultimatum.

The meeting which was attended by representatives of youth groups from all the states making up the middle belt region discussed extensively pressing issues confronting the area.

A communiqué by its convener, Comrade Jones Simon Alfa, urged governors from the region to be alive to to the responsibilities of governance and desist from harassing media practitioners.Source: http://www.benuereporters.com

"BLOOD OF JESUS" FOR SALE IN SA CHURCH? COSTS BETWEEN R20000 to R30000

The founder and leader of ECG ministries Prophet Shepherd ‘Major 1’ Bushiri has launched the “blood of Jesus”. According to  reports, the blood is being sold in 500ml and 750ml plastic bottles.

“The blood of Jesus is being sold at our worship center the smallest bottles 500ml are costs R20 000 and the 750ml bottle costs R30 000. We don’t care about the price but the results, because as we are speaking, the Blood of Jesus has resurrected reported five people and healed hundreds since launch.

One congregant who confessed to be a loyal member of ECG ministries revealed that the blood heals every calamity and problems.

“We have been using anointing oil which is called “The Lion of Judah” before and we have been using anointed mantles, bracelets and DVDs but this time the power is released. Major 1 introduced “The Blood of Jesus” which is real blood of Jesus which was extracted at Calvary when the Son of God was crucified.

“As sons and daughters of Major 1 we don’t really care what people will say, we understand this revelation as a ministry (ECG family), people are on the move to drag our fathers name into disrepute but God elevated him to address our problems. Meanwhile, all efforts to get a comment from church spokesperson were fruitless.

Source : Mzansi Live

RIVERS STATE IN RETROSPECT : THE AMAECHI SAGA IN A NUTSHELL: THE TRUTH ABOUT RIVERS STATE AS AT 14TH JULY, 2013.

The man called CRA:

He was Ex Gov Odili’s PAMO Clinic PRO after graduation and NYSC

2.       He was PA to Odili when he was deputy governor to Ada George

3.   Amaechi was Speaker of the RVHA when Odili was governor (1999-2007)

4.   He was removed as governorship aspirant under PDP and replaced with Celestine Omehia due to his "K-LEG"

5.    PDP (Omehia) won the guber in 2007 and Amaechi went to court to reclaim his mandate

6.    All this while he was tucked away in Ghana mostly hosted by JJ Rawlings and co (Rawlings always visits Rivers State and has been alleged by some people as conduit for billions of Rivers money. See more:Governor Amaechi In N500 Billion Wasteful Spree, Jerry Rawlings Identified As...

http://www.nairaland.com/286698/governor-amaechi-n500-billion-wasteful)

7.    After winning his mandate from the Supreme Court, he immediately swung into action with laudable endeavours – began by a Truth and Reconciliation Commission headed by the late Justice Kayode Esho.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200711290293.html All ex-militants, ex-governor Odili all partook in the peace process.

8.       He began fixing the dilapidated infrastructure left by Odili. Banned Okada’s and ordered all homes in GRA area with high fences to cut them in half. Knocked down illegal structures and began construction of state of the art schools. http://www.pointblanknews.com/artopn1695.html

9.   Was understandably active in the election of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan like all other South-South and South East governors.

10.   River State was the first port of call of the newly elected President Jonathan. Amaechi organized a reception for the president and the first lady and they danced and wined (Amaechi danced with dame Patience, while the president danced with Judith Amaechi)

11.   Amaechi then threatened to clear the Nembe/Bonny waterside and Abonnema wharf slums (where lots of waterside and riverine indigenes of Rivers State had lived for ages).

12.   The decision to do (no 11) did not go down well with lots of Rivers indigenes. But Amaechi promised reimbursement and relocation. (Unaccomplished till date), he went ahead to mow down Abonnema wharf against all pleas from anyone (including Amnesty International) who dared to plead. See more:

''Abonnema Wharf Demolitions: Amnesty International campaigns against Amaechi'' http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/mobile/online-special/evening-express/53221-abonnema-wharf-demolitions-amnesty-international-campaigns-against-amaechi.html

13.   Amaechi changed colour and began hunting down perceived enemies. Arresting people at will, and this was mostly after he won his second mandate in 2011.

14.   He removed the VC of then RSUST  (now Rivers State University)  without due process and dared ASUU to go on strike over the matter because he is the visitor to the state university and ASUU does not have a right to tell him what to do.

15.   He commenced one of the most glaring white elephant projects in Nigeria (RiversMonorail), about 74+ billion naira spent and only pillars are in place (please take a trip to PH to see for yourselves). ''N74bn Rivers State Monorail Ready by September, Says Ameachi'' http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/n74bn-rivers-state-monorail-ready-by-september-says-ameachi/139510/

He neglected provision of motorable roads around Wimpey ; Eliparanwo  and Rumuolumeni (Iwofe) axis hollering on TV that the indigenes of the area did not vote for him or support his guber ambition. ''Aside from the fact that the area is densely populated, which should make it coveted by serious politicians in climes where votes count, INEC’s records show that the people of Rumuolumeni voted en masse for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2007 and 2011 governorship polls; mandates that Governor Chibuike Amaechi is enjoying. The people wonder why Governor Chibuike Amaechi appears to have a disdain for them, despite their electoral support.

The area is also home to some important military, economic and social institutions. For instance, the Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Ignatius Ajuru, University of Education, Eagle Cement, Masters Energy Tank Farm, Saipem and many other significant security, educational and economic institutions are based here''. See more: ''Iwofe Road: Waiting for the most horrible road in Nigeria award'' http://nationalmirroronline.net/index.php/features/45647.html)

17.   Then came the oil wells matters which brewed long before president Jonathan became vice president. According to Kalabari Chiefs and elders: ''We want to put it on record that the boundary crises between Kalabari and Nembe or between Rivers State and Bayelsa State started in the 19th century up to the last administration of Rivers State, which led to the suspension of the 12th edition map produced by the Federal Surveyor General and the revenue of the disputed oil wells paid into escrow account by the Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo. It has been an on-going issue which is only now being escalated by self-seeking politicians''. (See more at:

http://nigeriaindepth.com/kalabari-chiefs-amaechi-lied-we-dont-support-him-against-jonathan/#sthash.iS6MtMxq.dpuf)

18.   And the fuel subsidy removal championed by Amaechi and other governors. http://www.businessdayonline.com/ARCHIVE/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9152:governors-call-for-fuel-subsidy-removal&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18

19.   In April 2013 (just 3 months ago) the ACN in Rivers State lambasted Amaechi for not providing 24 hrs electricity from the state turbines as promised during his campaign for 2nd term
(''Power supply: ACN asks Amaechi to apologise to Rivers people'' (read more)...

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news/power-supply-acn-asks-amaechi-to-apologise-to-rivers-people/);
and running the state with impunity (''ACN accuses Amaechi of wasting Rivers resources:
http://www.nationalaccordnewspaper.com/index.php/world/political-news/533-acn-accuses-amaechi-of-wasting-rivers-resources).

Amaechi without due process suspended indefinitely (sacked) 11 LGA Chairmen for coming late to a meeting and swore in replacements. Reacting to the suspension of the council chairmen, the Rivers State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria described Amaechi’s action as unlawful, illegal, null and void. (''Amaechi Suspends LGA Chairmen For Coming Late To Meeting'' http://www.nairaland.com/1342184/flashback-news-amaechi-suspends-lga)

21.   Chux Ubani posted: ‘’Amaechi himself does not respect the Rule of Law to which he is a beneficiary. He came in through the judgment of the Supreme Court. He sacked the chairman of a local government without recourse to due process. He stopped the payment of allowances of the 5 members of the House of Assembly without due process. He went to the House of Assembly uninvited. His ADC and CSO beat up a member of the House, under his full glare and supervision. Now people are blaming Jonathan. Let us wake up from our slumber and see that Amaechi who does not respect the Rule of Law has aligned with some dubious people to discredit the president.

22. Now most of the roads he began with zeal are in a sorry state. Eyesore. Potholes in many places except for Stadium rd, Elekahia rd, Old Aba rd and Trans Amadi rd.

23. Those who swore to make Nigeria ungovernable began to lose out with Boko Haram since the USA, Nigeria and Britain have branded BH a terrorist organization and the born-to-rulers found a willing tool in Amaechi. The same ACN which was fouling Amaechi’s stalled governance style suddenly began praising him overnight. Amaechi opposed the now successful state of Emergency in the Boko Haram states and warned the president not to go ahead with the decision.(''Embattled Amaechi leads Nigerian Governors to reject State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe...'' http://www.9jabook.com/forum/topics/embattled-amaechi-leads-nigerian-governors-to-reject-state-of)

24.   He began to snub and disrespect Rivers PDP elders and other party people in his state and openly lambasted the president at any available forum including church services and burial ceremonies.

All those bent on undermining President Jonathan became his friend.

Most times he talks from both sides of his mouth: change positions whenever he likes (“Orubebe is an incompetent minister”/January 2013; “Orubebe is a transformational leader”/March 2013 - See more at: http://nigeriaindepth.com/stanley-azuakola-how-gov-amaechi-gets-away-with-eveything/#sthash

The account below is that of a Rivers Indigene long before he supervised the beating of the lawmaker against his interest with his ADC, CSO and his loyalist, Chidi Lloyd:

Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is the Governor of Rivers State. He was Personal Assistant to Governor Peter Odili before he found the favor that elevated him to become Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, a position he occupied while the coffers of Rivers State was murderously plundered and scavenged upon. He kept quiet at that time as he had to watch over his own till. He did not launch a revolution. Neither did he even dare call for one. I am sure he was very timid at the time.
How many people came out to revolt when Abacha was slaughtering and stealing out monies? Did Amaechi revolt then?Did Amaechi come out to revolt when his mandate was seized from him?

Have Rivers people come out to revolt against the huge bilions of naira that Amaechi and his goons have swallowed in the past few years?

While the people go out to revolt, Governor Amaechi would most likely be seeping champagne in his state-owned private jet OR possibly jetting off to his favorite resort in Ghana….Most likely the same place he ran to when his ‘mandate’ was seized from him.

Nigerians must continue to speak up for the good of the land. That is what we must continue to do and not allow some others lead us foolishly into despair while they run off with their families.

Has Amaechi not been utterly dictatorial in the way and manner with which he manages the affairs of Rivers State?

Very soon, his tenure will be over. What will happen to the billions ‘poured’ into the Greate Port Harcourt Development Scheme?

Will the Greater Port Harcourt Development Project go the way of TINAPA (of Cross River State)? Time will tell.

Will the incoming governments continue with the largely scandalous Mono Rail Projects or will it DUMP it for more pressing and more sustainable projects? Time will tell.

Years after and billions of naira after, what has happened to the much flaunted Rivers Mega Hospital? Two years to the end of Amaechi’s reign as Governor, the Rivers Mega Hospital has become a sad story. Every one is keeping mute while the loud mouthed Governor parades the country and insults the intelligence of the average Rivers man.

What was supposed to be a PPP Project driven by a Canadian ‘company’ Clinotech failed. And then it became a contract to Clinotech. It is still failing.

An existing UPTH was razed down for the ‘greatly’ expected Mega Hospital. Nothing has come out of it. Tens of billions have been so recklessly plunged into what might eventually turn out to be the biggest scam in the Niger Delta.

Anyway, the revolution will come someday. And it will be televised. And it will start at the right doorsteps. And at that time, we (especially Rivers people) would have overcome our timidity. And civility too.

Time will tell.

George Kerley is a social commentator from Rivers State, Nigeria

- See more at: http://nigeriaindepth.com/when-a-rivers-governor-continues-to-talk-too-much-george-kerley/#sthash.Q3iyxC36.dpuf

Amaechi lied that he had Kalabari Chiefs' support after deceiving them to a meeting:

RE: PURPORTED KALABARI SOLIDARITY VISIT TO GOVERNOR AMAECHI:
KALABARI NOT IN SUPPORT OF GOVERNOR AMAECHI AGAINST THE PRESIDENT

We, as concerned Chiefs, opinion leaders and Kalabari elders, on behalf of the overwhelming majority of Kalabari, and indeed all Rivers people, note with strong consternation and utter embarrassment the persisting penchance of few members of the Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s government in convening phantom meetings of ethnic groups and describing same as solidarity visits to the governor; and thereafter publishing pre-written communiques as having emerged from such stage-managed meetings.

This pervading politics of deceit in Rivers State Government House was directed against Kalabari people on 11 June 2013, when protegees of governor Amaechi deceitfully invited Kalabari Chiefs and elders to meet with the governor and thereafter made several publications in the mass media to the effect that Kalabari Chiefs and people have declared unalloyed support for Governor Amaechi in his senseless fight against the presidency.

We summarily and categorically state that it is not true that Kalabari Chiefs and elders paid a solidarity visit to Governor Amaechi on Tuesday, 11 June, 2013, and declared support for his administration or person against our dear Ijaw son President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR.

Kalabari people had at no time decided to undertake such an adventure in solidarity with, or in support of Governor Amaechi concerning any issue involved in the feud with Mr. President. It is our considered position that what took place in Rivers State Government House was a cheap ambush and a show of shame by a handful of politically desperate people to belittle Kalabari while pursuing their myopic and selfish agenda.

The truth was that the governor initiated the meeting and Kalabari Chiefs and people attended because they had thought that the governor wanted to discuss matters affecting Kalabari land but to their utter embarrassment protegees of the governor converted the meeting into a solidarity visit to the governor by Kalabari people.

This open manipulation did not go well with the people at the meeting and the duly appointed representative of the Amayanabo of Kalabari HRH Chief Gbobo Disrael-Bobmanuel after due consultation with the Kalabari sons and daughters present at the meeting, discarded the so-called “solidarity speech” and instead thanked the governor for inviting them and offered that Kalabari-Ijaw people were ready and willing to mediate in the feud between Governor Amaechi and Mr. President.

In his reply, Governor Amaechi was visibly unhappy with what he referred to as the noncommittal disposition of Kalabari people in the on-going crisis.

The Governor showed no welcome for the suggestion of reconciliation and openly tried to incite the Kalabari people against his perceived federal enemies. The governor insisted that his travails were due to his fight for the restoration of Kalabari oil wells.

We disagree with Amaechi on this deceitful claim that his political travails were as a result of his fight for the restoration of Kalabari oil wells. This to us is mere blackmail because the Kalabari oil wells did not remove the Chief G.U. Ake led PDP executives nor caused the conflicts in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and grounded his jet plane on account of doubtful ownership.

We consider it most dishonorable that in a political feud between Governor Amaechi and President Jonathan, the governor would ask Kalabari-Ijaw people to support him blindly against the President.

May we ask, that with a yearly budget of over 400billion Naira in the past six years amounting to over N2.4 trillion, what meaningful projects has Governor Amaechi executed in Kalabari land despite its huge oil and gas resources for him to seek solidarity with Kalabari?

We want to put it on record that the boundary crises between Kalabari and Nembe or between Rivers State and Bayelsa State started in the 19th century up to the last administration of Rivers State, which led to the suspension of the 12th edition map produced by the Federal Surveyor General and the revenue of the disputed oil wells paid into escrow account by the Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo. It has been an on-going issue which is only now being escalated by self-seeking politicians.

Kalabari Chiefs, elders and leaders therefore refuse to be drawn into this imaginary display of support for Governor Amaechi. We rather call on the governor to stop his antagonist stance and support President Goodluck Jonathan. We believe that Rivers State is better placed with a South-South person as President rather than the Vice Presidential position. We therefore declare our unflinching support for President Goodluck Jonathan.

- See more at: http://nigeriaindepth.com/kalabari-chiefs-amaechi-lied-we-dont-support-him-against-jonathan/#sthash.iS6MtMxq.dpuf

POSTSCRIPT: 11 former loyal Amaechi lawmakers joined the 5 to make it 16 lawmakers who impeached the speaker (loyal to Amaechi). At that point, Chidi Lloyd rushed to fetch Gov Amaechi from govt house (his deputy gov was already there before him). Amaechi forgot protocol and supervised the brutalizing of those who ‘’worked against’’ his speaker.

Bottomline: 16 people formed the quorum with 11 ‘’betraying’’ Amaechi’

The Rivers state chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Hon Felix Amaechi Obuah has said that the party recognize Hon. Evans Bipi as the speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, noting that Rt. Hon. Otelemabama Amachree is no longer the speaker.

He explained that it was unacceptable for only five lawmakers to impeach a speaker and elect a new in any normal circumstance, but noted that some of the lawmakers switched their positions and supported Bipi, but that the intervention of Amaechi disrupted the take over.

“Why did the Governor suddenly appear in the House with all his security aides! Five people cannot impeach 27 legislators but I know that something happened. When the Governor came in to the House, those who voted Evans Bipi as a new speaker switched their loyalty immediately. Do you know how many millions must have gone in there!”, Obuah alleged.

He added: “As far as Rivers state PDP is concerned, we recognize Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi as the new speaker of the Rivers state House of Assembly. Evans said that 16 out of the 32 lawmakers voted for him. This was the reason when the former leader of the House, Chidi Lloyd saw that they were losing, he ran to the Government House to tell the Governor.

Obuah also described as untrue the comment credited to Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi that the state was under siege.

The Governor had made the comment when the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration investigating the political crisis in the state House of Assembly visited him in Government House, Port Harcourt.

Amaechi had said: “We are under siege here, for two months now, we have not met with security men. Security Commanders in the state don’t come to me any longer. They are either scared or they don’t deliberately want to see me. They had withdrawn soldiers attached to me yesterday. And this morning, they withdrew the APC attached to Government House,” Amaechi said.

But the PDP chairman noted that the Governor’s comment was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, who he declared as the best CP at this period.

“As far as I am concerned, that is his (Amaechi’s) opinion. Everybody in the state is going about their normal duties without any molestation. That is a way of tarnishing the image of the Police in the state and we will not accept that,” he said.

While describing the resolve of the House of Representatives to intervene in the running of the State Assembly, Obuah lauded the National Assembly (the Senate) for displaying maturity in its handling of the crisis.

He said that the House of Representatives did not really investigate the matter before it took the decision, noting that he was sure that the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration, led by Senator Kabiru Gaya would do a good job.

“Governor Amaechi is looking for a Police Commissioner that he will use to intimidate the opposition in the state. But the CP is a gentleman who does not want to tow the path of past Commissioners. His refusal to do the Governor’s will is why they are now calling for his removal”.

He however prayed that the outcome of the committee should be such that would bring a lasting peace to the state because “all of us belong here and we all need peace for democracy to have its root deepened into the political system of the state and not rancor and bitterness”.

Meanwhile, the minister of State for Education, M. Nyeson Wike has faulted the comment credited to Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka that First Lady, Patience Jonathan is behind the crisis that has engulfed the state.

Wike, who stated this when he went to the hospital to visit Hon. Micheal Chinda, the lawmaker representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II in the state Assembly, said it was wrong for Soyinka to make such comment, noting that it was capable of escalating the crisis.

“How can Prof. Wole Soyinka make such comment,” he said, urging the police to investigate the matter.

“Governor Amaechi has totally lost control of the state, which is why he went to the Assembly to disrupt proceedings in the House. You don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that he is no longer in control of the state,” he said

http://nigeriaindepth.com/amechi-saga-in-a-nutshell-the-truth/

''Amaechi started this crisis by striking the posture of an opposition element; a strange bedfellow, within the ruling party. He chose to fight the party and the Presidency from within, rather than honourably resign and join his allies in the All Progressives Congress (APC) parties, to which he is now the rallying point. People say he has the constitutional right to do what he is doing, but the party also has the right to protect itself from a member who now acts in the interest of the opposition. This is power play, and it is game on.
Amaechi says he is under siege. What did he expect? He would do the same to anyone who undermines him. The hand that disturbs the bee’s nest will be stung''.
-Vanguard http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/game-on-in-rivers/#sthash.kh7Sttnh.dpuf

RITA DOMINIC PRAYS FOR MORE HEIGHT NEXT LIFE

Rita Dominic, one of Nigeria's finest and Nollyhood so I've make belief divas (and a veteran actress) wishes for better height per adventure she is given a choice to return to this life afresh.
Rita Dominic made this indication on NTAi program #BaseRealTalk late last Saturday the 29th of April, 2017.  

DIEZANI's BRIBE MONEY TO INEC STAFF : EFCC SECURES FINAL FORFEITURE ORDER

Justice Mohammed B. Idris of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, today April 27, 2017, ordered the final forfeiture of the proceeds of bribe given by former Petroleum Minister, Deziani Alison Maduekwe to some staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in the build up to the 2015 General elections.

The properties belonging to Christian Nwosu, the convict, are a landed property measuring 100ft by 80, lying and another situated at Okotomi layout, Obodogwugwu Quarters, Okpanam, Oshimili North LG and 100ft by 50, lying in the same local government area of Delta State. 

Also to be forfeited by Nwosu to the federal government is the sum of N5m (Five Million Naira) recovered from the convict.Nwosu and two others were earlier arraigned on April 5, 2017 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC before Honourable Justice Idris on a 7-count charge bordering on receiving gratification to the tune of N264,880,000.00 (Two hundred and sixty-four million, eight hundred and eighty thousand naira) in which the convict (Nwosu) pleaded guilty of receiving N30m (thirty million naira) from the said campaign bribe money.

The convict and two others, Yisa Olanrewaju Adedoyin and Tijani Bashir had on March 27, 2015, allegedly received the slush bribe money from the former minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke during the administration of the former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in the build up to the 2015 general elections.

The 2nd and 3rd accused persons, Adedoyin and Bashir, pleaded not guilty while Nwosu pleaded guilty to the charge against him.

The Court adjourned the matter to May 3, 2017.