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Ekweremadu”s UK Trial: British Lawyer, Ned Nwoko Speaks

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Hill Nigeria
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Prominent Philanthropist and British lawyer Hon. Prince Ned Nwoko has described the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as a victim of circumstance,amid his trial in a London court for alleged human trafficking and organ harvesting.

Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice were arrested by the British security agents on June 23,2022 while travelling with one David Nwamimi Ukpo who claimed to be a 15 – year kidney donor for daughter of the Nigerian senator.

Assessing the Ekweramadu saga, Prince Ned Nwoko in a statement at Abuja said the couple was under trial for alleged violation of the British Modern Slavery Act.

Hon. Nwoko who had Legal education at university of keele and kings college, university of London, before being called to the English bar as a member of Lincoln’s inn, said the case of the Ekweramadus was unfortunate and predictable.

Recalling precedence, Nwoko explained that several prominent Nigerians had unknowningly fallen prey to the manipulation of dependants seeking greener pastures abroad.

Nwoko said Nigerian domestic servants living with benefactors who took them overseas had often turned against their masters when compelled to return home.

According to Nwoko. who currently holds practicing certificate as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.
said British laws protect individuals especially the rights
to social security and welfare,a situation he said African domestic workers had often exploited for selfish interests.

He said it was instructive that a Westminster magistrate court in London had identified Ukpo, as a 21 year old boy and not 15 as he earlier claimed to
Police authorities who accused Ekweramadu of conspiring to bring a child to the United Kingdom for organ harvesting.

Nwoko who once owned the biggest law firm among African legal practitioners in the United Kingdom noted that the Ekweramadu issue was a recurring incidence which had landed many unsuspecting elite Nigerians in jail.

” It is unfortunate that distinguished senator Ike Ekweramadu and his wife got entangled in the alleged case of child trafficking.

” From my experience as a practicing lawyer in London dating to the 1990s, many Nigerians and indeed others from parts of Africa had been prosecuted and even jailed as a result of domestic servants,falsely accusing them of maltreatment. I know of 3 medical doctors in diaspora that suffered such prosecution because nannies they employed turned against them with spurious allegations of ill treatment. Girls and boys across Europe and other foreign lands often turn against their masters,to gain asylum.

“With the unfolding trial in Westminster, it is obvious that David lied about his age. Having seen London with it’s decent environment,the boy may have resisted returning to Nigeria, when it was discovered that his kidney did not match that of Ekweramadu’s daughter.The boy will not be a credible witness.He clearly has a lot to hide.

“Organ donation constitutes no crime in UK. It is permissible and legal.
Ekweramadu can only be found guilty by a jury at the crown court if it is proven that he paid the donor for the kidney. Any one can fall sick The lawmaker acted in good faith and in the interest of his daughter and this is evident from his letter to the embassy.

“His plea of not guilty is the right plea at the magistrates court. There are two likely scenarios. Either he is deported to nigeria for prosecution here or the matter is sent to the crown court for trial by jury. Either way I expect them to be acquitted. It is difficult to understand why the wife was also arrested and even more puzzling is why they were refused bail initially . They are good candidates for bail with appropriate conditions especially with the interest shown by the Nigerian embassy
“Nwoko stated.

The former member of House of representatives charged the federal government to intervene fully in the senator Ekweramadu case,given his diplomatic status.

Nwoko who is the PDP Delta North senatorial candidate in the 2023 elections expressed optimism that Ekweramadu and his wife would come out of their trial unscathed.

Delta To Complete 24-km Isoko Ring Road December

By
Hill Nigeria
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Delta Governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that the  Isoko Ring Road project running from 24-kilometre Ellu, Ovrode, Ofagbe, Orie, Okpe-Isoko, Uro to Ada-Irri traversing Isoko North and Isoko South Local Government Areas would be completed in December, 2022.

Okowa disclosed this to newsmen shortly after inspecting construction works at the bridge linking Ellu and Ofagbe on the road.

The governor, who was conducted at the site by the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Mr Noel Omodon, said that work on the entire stretch of the project had progressed appreciably and expressed certainty that it would be ready for inauguration before Christmas.

He explained that the project was divided into three sections for ease of execution, adding that the bridge being constructed was to address the perennial problem of flooding on the existing bridge on the road which was usually flooded whenever it rained heavily.

“This is the site of the bridge; you will be wondering why the new bridge because there is an existing one here; the information we have is that when it rains heavily truly, this bridge stays under water.

“There was, therefore, the need to construct another bridge that is raised up and that is why you find the alternate bridge being constructed now.

“The alternate bridge being constructed is going to be 1.2 meters higher than this current bridge. I think that will take care of the flooding situation on the existing bridge.

“But this bridge itself is not going to be destroyed in anyway because during the dry season, it will still be useful but during the rainy season and dry season, this alternate bridge can be used at all times,’’ he said.

Okowa added that the contractor had promised that “in another few weeks, they are likely to be through with the piling process on the bridge and that in three months, they will be through with the deck of the bridge, and that they intend to deliver the project by December, this year.

“So, hopefully, we will be inaugurating this project before Christmas, this year.”

 

Doctors For Sheriff Collaborate To Hold A 3-Day Medical Mission In Aniocha North

By
Hill Nigeria
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By Patrick Ochei

Concerned Deltans in the medical field have formed an alliance under the aegis of Sheriff Care Team and Sheriff Free Medicare Project For All Deltans (SHEFMEPAD) to hold free medical outreaches across the State, starting from Aniocha North Local Government Area between 15th – 17th July, 2022, at the General Hospital Issele-Uku.

The 3-Day Medical Mission will be flagged off by the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly and PDP Governorship Candidate in the State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori at 10am on Friday 15th July, 2022, at the General Hospital Issele-Uku.

Already, registration had commenced from Friday 1st July to Friday 8th July, where patients are expected to register their attendance and obtain registration numbers for ease of operation.

The groups will be discharging a wide range of services to the people of the local government area in the following medical areas: Free Consultations and Counselling, Free Drugs Distribution, Free Eye Screening and Dispensing of Lenses, Free Laboratory Assay (Blood Sugar, Hepatitis B, etc), Surgical Procedures (Hernia Repairs, Excision Biopsy, etc), Dental Awareness Campaigns and Dental Surgeries, Physiotherapy Care and Counselling.

According to the statement signed by Dr. Alexander Awunor on behalf of SHEFMEPAD and Mr. Alex Ofuonyeadi on behalf of Sheriff Care Team, all the traditional rulers in Aniocha North had been invited to grace the occasion, while the various Presidents General of the communities in Aniocha North would mobilize their people to come out enmasse to benefit from the biggest medical mission ever to take place in the local government area.

The statement further recognised the coordinating role of the member representing Aniocha North Constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi who is on ground mobilising his constituents to leverage on the opportunity of such a rare medical programme in honour of the most acceptable Governorship Candidate in the State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

DTSG Releases White Paper On Ozoro-Oleh Crisis, Compensates Victims

By
Hill Nigeria
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Delta State Government  has released the White Paper on the resolution of the communal crisis between Ozoro and Oleh communities in Isoko North and Isoko South Local Government Areas of the state, with approval to compensate families of victims.

 

The State Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after inspecting ongoing projects at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro.

 

He said the State Executive Council had approved the White Paper on the crisis sequel to the recommendations of the Judicial Panel of Enquiry on the crisis.

 

According to him, we have looked into the Ozoro-Oleh crisis and we are already implementing the decisions of the Judicial Panel.

 

“The Judicial Panel of Enquiry has finished its work and submitted its report.

 

“The White Paper has also been released by the state’s Executive Council and the whole process to ensure peace is being implemented by the office of the Secretary to the State Government.

 

“Unfortunately, we lost some people to the crisis. And, it’s unfortunate we cannot bring them back, but I am also aware that approvals have been given to compensate the families who lost loved ones during the crisis.

 

“The cheques will be released on Thursday this week, I just hope and pray that we do not go into that level of communal crisis anymore,” the governor stated.

Missing Certificate: I Made Second Best Result In 1976 – Okowa

By
Hill Nigeria
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Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday debunked reports that he had no West Africa School Certificate (WASC) certificate, saying he made the second best result in his set in the country in 1976.

He said that the issue around the certificate was deliberate wrong perception and unnecessary politics, and explained that virtually all universities in the country offered him admission based on his outstanding performance in WASC and Higher School Certificate (HSC) examination.

Okowa made this known while speaking to journalists after inspecting ongoing projects at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government Area.

He said: “On the issue of my certificate, I think it is a misconception. People try to play politics with everything.

“Yes, I lost my WAEC certificate, but I have the print out from Edo College, Benin City, which clearly stated that I have distinction in all subjects.

“The Higher School Certificate was attached and it has been acknowledged by Edo College and the school put it out there that I made an ‘A’ `B’ `B’.

“I do not pride myself but it was very difficult to make such grade in higher school at that time.

“My high school result was the second best nationally in 1976, when I finished. So, many universities admitted me through Telegram as at that time, and I had to start making choices of which to accept.

“Of course, it’s very clear that I finished medical school at the University of Ibadan. I was 21years and some months; I was less than 22 years of age.’’

On the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the governor called on the Federal Government to expedite action in resolving the issues, adding that every government should be sincere enough to keep to promises and agreements at all times.

“We continue to sympathise with our students who have been at home for several months now rather than being in school.

“I use this opportunity to call on the Federal government to do something urgently to end the strike.

“It’s not a good thing for the children, parents and even education in general. It is unfortunate that the Federal government has not been able to attend to issues, as requested by ASUU.

“For every government, if promises are made, we must ensure that we keep to our promises and if there are things that cannot be done, you let people know,’’ he said.

Okowa remarked that lecturers were not on strike in the four universities owned by the state, “for us in Delta State, we are fulfilling all the requirements and that’s why you can see that this university and our three other universities are all active and in session because we do not have any issues with our lecturers.

“All our four universities are in session because we pay special attention to education in Delta State, and our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has also assured that education occupies a prime position in our `Rescue Nigeria’ mission.’’

He expressed satisfaction with the Management of the university in Ozorro for successfully admitting 1,850 students in the first year, disclosing that no fewer than 3,000 applicants chose the university as first choice in the new session, starting in October.

“That over 3,000 applicants have chosen the University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, as first choice is very heart-warming and it goes to show that our decision to upgrade the Polytechnic to a University of Science and Technology is a very good decision.’’

He also lauded the university for using the engineering students to execute some projects in the school.

“We walked through some concrete paved roads executed by the university with engineering students and it is very encouraging that they are putting their students to practice and their lecturers also have the opportunity to practicalise what they teach.

“You will recall in the same manner when the school was a polytechnic that they used their students and their engineering staff to build the stadium in the campus.

“This is very encouraging because it is important that we actually ensure that our students are not only groomed up in theory but also put to practice what they learn and that’s exactly what we look forward to,” the governor said..

Ubulu Uno Community Cries Out Over Herdsmen Attack

By
Hill Nigeria
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Obi of Ubulu-Uno and second Vice Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty, Obi Kikachukwu Henry Afamefune.

 

…Regulate Their Movement, Monarch Tells Govt.

… Quit Our Community, PG Tells Herdsmen

By Christy Aboghe

Obi of Ubulu-Uno and second Vice Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty. Obi Kikachukwu Henry Afamefune has appealed to the state government to regulate the movement of herdsmen, as they are lynching attack on his people.

The Monarch made the plea while speaking with our reporter in Ubulu Uno, Delta State.

He said their actions were worrisome as his people could no longer go to their farms which have been taken over by the herdsmen and their cattle, hence they should stay away from the farmlands.

The Monarch charged security agencies to help put a stop to the odd movement of the Cattle rearer as it was becoming unbearable.

On his part, the President General and Owelle of the community, Chief Austin Ugbechie appealed to the herdsmen to leave the community.

Ugbechie said no land space was given to them for grazing of their cattle by the community, hence they should quit, adding that failure for them to leave would result to a protest by the people of Ubulu Uno.

According to him, reports of their activities, such as molesting people, raping their women and other countless atrocities in the community become unbearable.

Expressing displeasure over the gruesome act of the herdsmen, one of the Indigene of the Community, Barr. Godwin Okoh called on the State Government to come to his aid as their calmness was been taken for granted.

Okoh said the herdsmen had also destroyed his establishment, the Ubulu Unor Secondary School fence, scaring students out of the school premises during school hours with the presence of their cows.

He said their disastrous act was overwhelming and if not curtailed could lead to crisis.

The victim, Mr Francis Ngele

Narrating his ordeal, the victim, Mr Francis Ngele said, upon asking the herder who was on his farmland to graze his cattle to move the animals away while he work, unknown to him the herder lynched  him with a cutlass when he turn to clear his farm.

 

Delta State Police Boss Assures Ika Residents and Rail Passengers Of Safety

By
Hill Nigeria
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Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Ari Mohammed Ali has assured residents of Ika South,  Ika North east Local Government Area and other citizens who travels to and from the state via the railway station located at Agbor of adequate security and safety.

CP Ari Muhammed Ali gave the assurance when he visited the Railway Station at Owa Ewere in Ika North East LGA in company of the Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, ACP Sa’ad Ibrahim, the Area Commander Agbor, ACP Friday Idachaba, and the Commanding officer Army 181 Aphibions Agbor, for an ‘on the spot’ assessment of the security situation in the area.

He said that all modalities have been put in place to ensure that the ugly trend was brought to a halt so that residents and passengers boarding the train to and from Delta State will be adequately protected.

 

The first point of call by the CP was the railway crossing byq1qqq Emuhu in Ika-South, Benin-Asaba express way where these hoodlums sometimes kidnapped their victims and take them to the bush, other places visited by the CP were the third power line by Boji-Boji Owa, Idumuesah in Owa Alero road, and  the Agbor Railway Station.

The CP after assessing the security situation and arrangements paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty Obi Dr. Emmanuel O. Efeizomor II (JP) the Obi of Owa-Oyibu and also to the Dein of Agbor, His Royal Majesty, Benjamin Ikenchuku (Keagborekuzi I).

 

During the courtesy visits, issues bothering on the kidnapping trend within their Kingdoms were discussed and solutions were proffered.

On his part, HRM Obi Dr. Emmanuel O. Efeizomor noted that the Government and the Police should support and empower the local vigilantes as the Police cannot be everywhere at the same time.

 

The Monarch also noted that series of meetings were ongoing with a view to fishing out the moles in the community that were conspiring with the hoodlums.

 

The CP assured the two Monarchs that the Command is working in close synergy with the military and other security agencies.

Okowa Hails Obaseki At 65

By
Hill Nigeria
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Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated his Edo counterpart, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on his 65th birth anniversary.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, said that Obaseki deserved to be celebrated on this occasion for his dependability and outstanding accomplishments in Edo.

He lauded Obaseki for his ingenuity and untiring effort which he had brought to bear in stimulating governance in his state.

Okowa said that the Edo governor had continued to demonstrate patriotism and unrelenting service to his state and the nation, and prayed to God to grant him long life, good health and wisdom as he continued to serve his people and Nigeria.

“My dear brother, since you were elected as Gôvernor by your people of Edo, you have remained irrevocably committed to the development of the state through policy formulations in infrastructure and human-capacity development.

“As a politician, you have been a great voice on national and contemporary issues facing our great country, and Edo people can attest to your outspokenness, commitment and steadfastness in building the state, and indeed, nation-building.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I heartily rejoice with my brother governor, an outstanding professional, reputable politician and seasoned administrator, Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, on his 65th birth anniversary.

“It is my prayer that God will continue to bless you with robust health and wisdom to lead your people to more glorious days,” Okowa stated.

2023: Atiku-Okowa Presidency Will Truly Rescue Nigeria – Aniagwu

By
Hill Nigeria
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Nigerians have been assured that the Alhaji Atiku Abubakar-Ifeanyi Okowa presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections will truly rescue Nigeria with a pragmatic approach to the mission.

Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu gave the assurance on Friday while speaking on a live television programme “Focus Today” on African Independent Television (AIT).

He said that PDP Federal Government would leverage on the acknowledged experience and capacity of its flag-bearer in redeeming the country, especially in addressing the dwindling economy, unabating insecurity, unemployment and poverty.

He said that Nigerians were eager for a change in governance in the country because they had gone through very frustrating experience, particularly in the key sectors that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) promised to deal with in the last seven years, but had failed abysmally.

According to him, the issues of security, building the economy and the anti-corruption war has heightened the expectations of Nigerians and now the people expect that there will be changes because the APC failed to deliver on their campaign promises.

“Beyond members of our party, Nigerians believe that the PDP should get it right as the major option for the people ahead of the 2023 general election.

“Our economy is at its lowest ebb, corruption and the need to curb it and the issue of hunger, poverty and unemployment as people are no longer sure of where their next meal will come from.

These are some of the issues that leaders must interrogate as we move closer to the 2023 general elections.

“It will no longer be business as usual, it is not enough to identify these challenges, leaders must tell Nigerians how they intend to address them.

“I am confident that the PDP candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta have articulated the issues they want to tackle and how they intend to rescue the country,”

The Delta Information Commissioner said Atiku was instrumental to the growth of the economy during the Obasanjo regime, adding that Governor Okowa has brought his administrative and political sagacity to bear on the economy of Delta in the last seven years.

He said the Atiku-Okowa ticket will return the party to winning ways and the country to the path of development which had eluded the country in the last seven years.

“The Atiku-Okowa ticket have the needed experience to turn things around for this country because Nigeria is like a patient in an emergency room, you need a doctor who is well equipped to go and carry out the operation to rescue the country,” he stated.

Aniagwu further said the party has commenced a hunt for credible Nigerians across political, religious or ethnic sentiments to give strength to its recovery plan for Nigeria.

“What Atiku and Okowa want to do is not what you are used to. They want to look at the elements in the youths; that vibrancy…. The Atiku/Okowa ticket will return power to the youths and appreciate the role and position of women”.

On the capacity of Governor Okowa to galvanize votes for the PDP, Aniagwu said that beyond Okowa’s acceptability, he valued consensus and does not run a one-man show.

‘’This means that Okowa will work with other leaders in the south and across the country to galvanize the voters. He believes that to have an inroad in Rivers State, for example, he will need leaders led by Wike to get the votes.

‘’Okowa will work with Wike very well. Okowa will also reach out to our brothers and sisters in the South-west and in the South-east which is already happening. The challenge at hand is not a one-man show’’ he said.

Responding to the northern/southern dichotomy in the emergence of Nigeria’s next president, Mr Aniagwu enjoined Nigerians to move away from such divisive tendencies as purportedly encouraged by the current Federal Government.

‘’We agree that the Buhari administration has not been able to open up our system for us to appreciate our diversity rather, they took advantage of this diversity in the wrong way. Atiku and Okowa will make this diversity work for us positively.

‘’Everybody knows Atiku as a man who is much detribalized and Okowa as a man who believes that everybody has a role to play irrespective of tribe. When you have these two individuals who are open and believe in the strength of everybody, it is an advantage.

‘’Development-wise, what we have done in Delta State and what Atiku did with former President Olusegun Obasanjo is enough for them to know that there is something new that is coming on the horizon” he said.

NSCDC Arrests Boat Containing Illegal Refined Petroleum Product

By
Hill Nigeria
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Men of the newly inaugurated Commandant General Special Anti Vandal Monitoring Unit led by the Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil  Defence Corps (NSCDC), DCC Brah have arrested a boat containing about 100,000 thousand litres of petroleum product suspected to be Automated Gasoline Oil (AGO).

This was made known by the, Public Relations Officer of the Corps,  DSC. Emeka Peters Okwechime in Asaba.

According to him, It was revealed that the Oil thieves took their heels upon sighting men of the NSCDC Special Squad.

The said boat was arrested at the Pessu Water Side in Delta State.

In a related development, men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Ughelli South Division, on the 13th June, 2022,  on a  tip off were taken by men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Niger Delta Freedom Fighter, and the Nigeria Army to Avocados creek where suspected vandals were said to be vandalising  Shell pipes.

He said that a local boat containing about 41 pieces of  pipes was intercepted at Okologba community in Patani Local Government on the above date while suspects were at large.

As at the time of filing this report, investigations were still on going.

Okwechime also said that an illegal dump site where over 80,000 liters of petroleum product suspected to be illegally refined Automated Gasoline Oil were hidden in under tanks, in Udu LGA of the state was also raided by the Commandant General Special Anti Vandal Monitoring Unit, adding that investigations were in speed gears to arrest those behind the crimes.

 

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