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Why Women Groups Condemn Assault On Lady Who Exposed Neglected School in Rivers State By LGA Chairman

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Ms Miller Uchechi Ogadinma and Ahoada West Local Government Council Chairman, Hon Eugene Epelle.

By Our Correspondent

In its bid to fight against all forms of human rights abuses, a coalition of women-focused groups in Rivers State has condemned the alleged assault on Ms Miller Uchechi Ogadinma by the Ahoada West Local Government Council Chairman, Hon Eugene Epelle.

Ogadinma was reportely assaulted alongside her mother under the supervision of the Council Chairman for posting the delapitated state of the Community Secondary School, Odiokwu, on social media, calling for government attention to the neglected school.

The incident sparked outrage, with the groups saying it undermines efforts to promote women’s rights and good governance, while several other bodies and rights groups in the state have also berated the Ahoada West Council Chairman, Eugene Epelle, condemning his actions.

The groups, including Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, Society for Women and Youth Affairs, Centre for Gender Equity and Sustainable Development, Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative, League of Queens International Empowerment and Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET), in a statement in Port Harcourt on Saturday, described the attack as “unhealthy, unconstitutional, and a challenge to the promotion of good governance in the society”.

The statement reads in part, “Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre and a coalition of other women focused groups unequivocally condemn the reported assault of Ms Miller Uchechi Ogadinma in Ahoada West Local Government Area in Rivers State by the Council Chairman, Eugene Epelle, for courageously drawing attention to the dire conditions of the only secondary school in her community.

“The attack on Ms Ogadinma for voicing her concerns regarding the inadequate resources on the poor infrastructure at the community secondary school in Odiokwu, and bringing attention to the neglect of the school, meant to intimidate and muzzle citizens, is unhealthy, unconstitutional and a challenge to the promotion of good governance in the society. It violates the Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which provides for the protection of all persons from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

The groups demanded that the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, the State House of Assembly, and other officials including the police, take immediate action to address the situation, including investigating the incident, providing protection for Ogadinma, and addressing the deplorable conditions of public schools in Odiokwu, and bring perpetrators to justice.

“We call on the Rivers State Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, to direct that the matter be investigated promptly and that an independent inquiry be instituted to establish the facts.

“The Rivers State House of Assembly: The House Committee on Women should bring this matter to the floor of the House and get it treated with sufficient seriousness and the urgency it requires to deter other public officials from engaging in similar unprogressive action.

“We also urge the Rivers State Police Command to carry out a fast, impartial and transparent criminal investigation; to collect and preserve evidence; and to ensure that any person reasonably suspected of criminal conduct is brought before a competent court in accordance with the law.”

The groups also demanded that the Ahoada West Council Chairman, Eugene Epelle, tender a formal public apology to Ms Ogadinma and take responsibility for covering all medical expenses and any additional reparative measures required by the survivor.

They added that, “It is the duty of every public official to be open to feedback and to steadfastly protect rights of citizens to speak out without fear of violence or retribution. It is an undeniable truth that the pursuit of better education and accountability should be met with support, not hostility.

“We urge the authorities to provide regular public updates on the status of investigations and to make findings available to the public, consistent with due
process and the need to protect the survivor’s privacy and safety. Justice must not only be demanded; it must be seen,” they stated.

Law & Crime

Lifu Judgement : ADC Guber Candidates Forum Seeks Int. Community’s Intervention

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By Grorge Abuja
As the awaits the outcome of Justice Peter Lifu’s judgment invalidating Sen. David Mark led leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ( ADC), a Forum of the African Democratic Congress gubernatorial candidates has condemned the ruling and sought the intervention of International community.

Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court ,Abuja had in its judgment invalidated Sen. David Mark led leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The Forum had at a Press Conference on thursday at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja , described the judgment as a dangerous assault on multi party democracy and a threat to Nigetian’ s 2027 electoral process.

A former member of the house of Representatives and ADC kwara state gubernatorial candidates, Hon Zakari Mohammed who spoke on behalf of the forum urged the international Community to monitor the development and process leading to the 2027 general election.

He said ” We Call on the International Community, African Union, ECOWAS, United Nations, Commonwealth and Democratic Institutions Worldwide to Intervene Against the Growing Threat to Opposition Politics in Nigeria.
Distinguished members of the press, fellow Nigerians, representatives of the international community, ladies and gentlemen.
We address you today on behalf of the Forum of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Gubernatorial Candidates across Nigeria, at a defining moment in the history of our democracy.

“We are compelled to speak out against the November 5, 2026 judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified the leadership of the ADC under Senator David Mark and invalidated decisions taken under that leadership,
This judgment has profound implications beyond the internal affairs of the ADC. It raises fundamental questions about judicial consistency, political participation, the independence of democratic institutions and the future of multiparty democracy in Nigeria.

“We consider the decision a grave assault on democratic freedoms and a development capable of destabilising the 2027 electoral process if its implications are not urgently addressed through lawful constitutional remedies.

“We hereby formally draw the attention of the international community to the unfolding developments in Nigeria.
We call on:
The United Nations Secretary-General and relevant democratic institutions of the United Nations.
The African Union Commission and its Peace and Security Council.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Commonwealth Secretariat.
The European Union and European Parliament.
The United States Government and the United Kingdom Government.
International human rights organisations and democracy-monitoring institutions.
International election observation organisations.

“We urge these institutions to closely monitor developments surrounding opposition political parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
We specifically call on them to engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the relevant Nigerian authorities on the need to guarantee political pluralism, judicial independence, freedom of association and equal opportunities for all political parties.

“We are not inviting foreign governments to dictate Nigeria’s political choices or interfere in the legitimate judicial process.
Rather, we are asking the international community to uphold the democratic commitments Nigeria has voluntarily undertaken and to ensure that the rights of Nigerian citizens to participate in free and competitive elections are protected.
Nigeria cannot sign international democratic instruments, make commitments to democratic governance and subsequently treat those obligations as ceremonial documents”

The Forum called on the appellate courts to urgently examine the judgment of Justice Peter Lifu and determine the issues raised in accordance with the Constitution, established judicial precedents and the rule of law.

It urged President Tinubu to create the environment that will guarantee free participation than harassment and muzzling of the opposition .

“You cannot demand democratic legitimacy while allowing an environment in which opposition parties face persistent uncertainty over their ability to organise and contest elections.
If you seek another mandate, face the Nigerian people.
Present your achievements, defend your policies and submit yourself to the judgment of the electorate.
That is the essence of democracy.
The opposition is not an enemy of Nigeria. Political disagreement is not treason. Competition for public office is not an act of hostility against the state”

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Law & Crime

Niger Police Assures FUT Minna of Enhanced Security

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BY UTHMAN BABA-NASEER,MINNA

The Niger State Police Command has assured the management of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, of sustained police patrols and enhanced security around the university to protect students, staff and property.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, gave the assurance when he received the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adamu Faruk Kuta, and his entourage during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Dutsen-kura, Minna.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the Police for their prompt response to distress calls and security requests, as well as their continued support in maintaining safety within and around the university environment.

Professor Kuta said the institution, which is approaching its 44th anniversary, has a growing population of about 40,000 students from different parts of the country, making sustained collaboration with the Police necessary to ensure the safety of students, staff and university facilities.

He disclosed that the university had recently commenced medical programmes and sought the support of the Police Command in providing opportunities for students to undertake practical training where necessary.

The Vice-Chancellor also praised the commitment and visibility of police patrol teams around the institution, while requesting sustained and increased deployment to address security challenges associated with its growing population.

Responding, CP Elleman described the university’s requests as part of the constitutional responsibilities of the Nigeria Police Force and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the institution.

He assured the Vice-Chancellor of improved collaboration, sustained police presence and enhanced patrols around the university, particularly at night, to protect students engaged in legitimate academic activities and prevent criminal activities.

The Commissioner urged the university management to promptly report security concerns to the Police, assuring them of the Command’s readiness to respond appropriately.

He further assured the delegation that all the requests presented would receive adequate attention, while expressing appreciation for the visit and reaffirming the Command’s commitment to maintaining a cordial and productive relationship with the university management.

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Law & Crime

Suspected cultists kill rival member in Bayelsa, hid his mutilated corpse in a sack

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By David Owei,Bayelsa
There was a sense of horror in Yenagoa, the Bayelsà following the suspected cultists killing of a rival and his his mutilated corpse in a sack.

The sack containing the mutilated body of the victim, according to sources, was dropped in front of the FCMB bank located at Obele junction in the outskirts of the State capital.

The incident according to sources occured on Monday night and the Corpse was discovered on Tuesday Morning.

The killing of the deceased has again threatened the peace recorded under the present leadership of the Police led by Commissioner Ajao Saka Adewale.

Investigation by our correspondent gathered that the deceased, whose identity is yet to be known, was reported to have defected from the notorious cult group, Greenlanders to rival notorious group known as Bobos.

And was accused to have led members of his new group on a “proof of loyalty,” to allegedly attack and kill a member of his former group at the back of Amarata.

It was gathered that suspected members of the Greenlanders were allegedly provoked and reportedly lures him out with a woman and death him several deadly matchet cuts.

Some Residents of the Obele area confirmed to newsmen that the Corpse of the deceased was kept carefully in a sack soaked in blood and left by the FCMB bank.

Concerned Youths and vigilante group contacted the police and the sack was evacuated.

In the last three days after the discovery of the bagged corpse, residents of the Sand Road, Aritalin, GweGwe and Obele streets have been thrown into restless nights due to the activities of the rival cult groups searching for one another.

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