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Rivers Assembly inferno: Acquitted suspects allege pressure to implicate Fubara’s CoS

Four individuals who were previously arrested in connection with the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, the alleged attempted assassination of a former Speaker of the Assembly, and the murder of the late Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Ahoada East local government area of Rivers State, SP Bako Angbashim, have publicly denied
Rivers Assembly inferno: Acquitted suspects allege pressure to implicate Fubara’s CoS

Four individuals who were previously arrested in connection with the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, the alleged attempted assassination of a former Speaker of the Assembly, and the murder of the late Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Ahoada East local government area of Rivers State, SP Bako Angbashim, have publicly denied any involvement in the crimes.

Chime Ezebalike, Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Macpherson Olimini, and Prince Lookman Oladele were detained for several months at the Kuje Correctional Facility before being granted bail.

They had faced serious allegations linking them to the arson at the Rivers State Assembly complex and other high-profile incidents.

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, Ezebalike, who spoke on behalf of the group, alleged that certain political figures loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, attempted to bribe them with large sums of money and an all-expense-paid trip to Ghana for them and their families.

The aim, according to Ezebalike, was to coerce them into “falsely implicating” Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in the Assembly fire incident.

Ezebalike revealed that after enduring torture and inhumane treatment during their detention, they believed their ordeal had ended.

However, he alleged that just weeks ago, a top political figure from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area invited one of them with the intent of luring them into making fresh confessions to align with recent allegations made by former Head of Service in the state, Geroge Nweke.

Ezebalike emphasized that the press briefing was not merely to recount their personal experiences, but to issue a call for justice and to prevent the abuse of power.

He insisted that no youth in Rivers State should ever have to endure the “torment and unlawful treatment” they suffered.

The group also appealed to civil society organizations, human rights groups, and advocates for justice to support them and resist any attempt to use the security apparatus for political witch-hunts against innocent citizens.

Rivers Assembly inferno: Acquitted suspects allege pressure to implicate Fubara’s CoS

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Organizers of ‘Take-It-Back’ protest vow to reconvene

Organizers and supporters of the ‘Take-It-Back’ protest, who were dispersed with tear gas by operatives of the Rivers State Police Command, have vowed to reconvene in their quest for justice, declaring that “freedom has never been free.” Addressing journalists at the Nigeria Labour Congress Secretariat in Port Harcourt after the protest on Monday was forcefully
Organizers of ‘Take-It-Back’ protest vow to reconvene

Organizers and supporters of the ‘Take-It-Back’ protest, who were dispersed with tear gas by operatives of the Rivers State Police Command, have vowed to reconvene in their quest for justice, declaring that “freedom has never been free.”

Addressing journalists at the Nigeria Labour Congress Secretariat in Port Harcourt after the protest on Monday was forcefully halted, former spokesman of the Civil Society Organizations in Rivers State, Solomon Lenu, emphasized that peaceful protest is a constitutional right of every Nigerian citizen.

Lenu expressed concern over the safety and well-being of protesters following the incident.

He stressed that “no amount of intimidation would prevent them from speaking the truth and demanding justice and equity.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Trust Africa Initiative, Chetam Thierry-Nwala, revealed that organizers had duly informed and sought approval from the police prior to the protest.

Thierry-Nwala expressed disappointment over what he described as a “betrayal of democratic principles” by the security forces.

He alleged that security operatives shot at a protester’s leg and also arrested a journalist who was covering the event.

He condemned the use of force and insisted that no Nigerian is more entitled to fundamental rights than another.

Members of the Take-It-Back Movement, Civil Society Organizations, and the Niger Delta Congress had gathered at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt on Monday for the protest.

However, their peaceful assembly was disrupted by operatives of the Rivers State Police Command.

Security personnel reportedly asked the protesters to relocate to another venue, but the demonstrators, undeterred, began singing solidarity songs and proceeded with their march from the park towards the Aba Express Road.

This prompted the security forces to fire tear gas and gunshots into the air, causing the protesters to disperse in search of safety.

Organizers of ‘Take-It-Back’ protest vow to reconvene

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Nigeria looking at opportunities from Trump’s tariffs – Finance minister, Edun

Minister of Finance, Wale Edun has said the Economic Management Team is looking at how Nigeria can benefit from the fallout of the tariffs imposed on several countries by United States President Donald Trump. Trump had on April 2, 2025 announced sweeping tariffs on all imports into the country, including those from Nigeria. Edun spoke
Nigeria looking at opportunities from Trump’s tariffs – Finance minister, Edun

Minister of Finance, Wale Edun has said the Economic Management Team is looking at how Nigeria can benefit from the fallout of the tariffs imposed on several countries by United States President Donald Trump.

Trump had on April 2, 2025 announced sweeping tariffs on all imports into the country, including those from Nigeria.

Edun spoke at the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) Corporate Governance Forum for Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs) in Abuja on Monday.

The event also marked the launch the GOEs’ Scorecard, an initiative developed by MOFI. In line with the initiative, the GOEs are to be assessed and rated according to the criteria set out by MOFI, which they must meet.

At a media briefing after the main event, Edun spoke on how the Nigerian government is responding to Trump’s tariffs, which have unsettled several countries.

The minister said the Economic Management Team is looking at how Nigeria can benefit from the development.

He said, “For the Economic Management Team of Mr. President and for indeed his whole government, we are going back to the drawing board to look at the scenarios that may play out if the current tariff situation is prolonged.

“For Nigeria, in terms of exports, it’s not too bad because oil minerals are excluded by America from being in any way sanctioned with tariffs. But based on our non-oil exports and based on the formula that the Americans are using, we do have a 14% tariff on our exports. But it’s a lot better than Vietnam, which has 46%.

“So we need to look at these situations and see what the opportunities are. The Nigeria of today, with a relatively stable economy and an attractive investment environment, including attractive exchange rate, is a place where if they can’t produce in Vietnam, they can come and produce in Nigeria.

“We are here, we are ready, we are waiting, and we have what will be attractive to them in terms of policies, in terms of market, and in terms of export capacity.”

The minister stressed that strong corporate governance is key to attracting investment into state-owned enterprises.

Speaking during the event, MOFI MD, Dr. Armstrong Takang noted that, globally, GOEs deliver essential services that drive economic growth and poverty reduction.

Takang described MOFI as custodian of public wealth, managing a diverse portfolio spanning energy, infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing, agriculture, and digital services.

“It holds majority stakes in over half of its over 50 portfolio companies, making it a critical driver of Nigeria’s economic landscape and currently actively engaging with GOE boards to enforce policies that maximize value, contrasting with its prior passive stance that led to value erosion,” he said.

According to him, the organization leads reforms within Nigeria’s GOE ecosystem,”influencing stakeholders and setting standards and positioning Nigeria’s GOEs as drivers of innovation and global competitiveness within the GOE ecosystem, while acting as a catalyst to attract private sector collaboration and investment into Nigeria’s GOE ecosystem”.

Nigeria looking at opportunities from Trump’s tariffs – Finance minister, Edun

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Delta family petitions police over son’s alleged torture to death

The family of late Paul Obukohwo, an upcoming artiste from Agbarho community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission alleging unlawful torture to death of their 24-year-old son in police custody in Asaba, the State capital. The family similarly dispatched copies
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The family of late Paul Obukohwo, an upcoming artiste from Agbarho community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission alleging unlawful torture to death of their 24-year-old son in police custody in Asaba, the State capital. The family similarly dispatched copies

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Miners’ deaths: Otti woos S’East govs on joint security task force

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has promised to intensify security cooperation with states that share boundaries with Abia to prevent incursion of criminals from neighbouring states. This collaboration by South-East governors, he said, was expedient to ensure that criminals don’t stray into Abia from other states to commit crimes. Otti stated this in the
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Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has promised to intensify security cooperation with states that share boundaries with Abia to prevent incursion of criminals from neighbouring states. This collaboration by South-East governors, he said, was expedient to ensure that criminals don’t stray into Abia from other states to commit crimes. Otti stated this in the

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Katsina mob kills two siblings over suspected livestock theft

A 35-year-old man, Gaddafi Isah, and Badamasi Isah, aged 30, have been beaten to death by a mob over the suspected theft of livestock at Katsayal village in the Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State. A counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, made this known in a post on his
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A 35-year-old man, Gaddafi Isah, and Badamasi Isah, aged 30, have been beaten to death by a mob over the suspected theft of livestock at Katsayal village in the Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State. A counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, made this known in a post on his

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