By Suleiman Anyalewechi

With the outrage and grief that trailed the  murder of Achumugu James Etubi, the manager of a popular hotel in Umuahia the Abia state capital by  some suspected personnel of  the Nigerian military a few days ago yet to  subside, the state was again thrown into another of anguish and mourning on Friday April 19 2024 following the gruesome killing of a young Abiriba born Aba  based business man by the police.

The Victim, Mr Emmanuel Michael Okocha was on Wednesday, April 17 allegedly shot by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad RRS of the Nigeria police attached to the  Abayi/World Bank Aba police formation.

His offence? His alleged  refusal to grease the ever itching palms of the police operatives who were on a routine stop and search operation on the ever busy Aba/Owerri road of the commercial hub of Abia state .

After battling hard to save young Okocha ,from gunshot wounds at the Living Word Hospital,he reportedly succumbed to death late  yesterday ( Friday April 19 ) .

An eye witness account revealed that on the fateful day, late Okocha was on his way back from his home town Abiriba to Aba ,when he was  stopped by the police operatives who subsequently demanded for his vehicle documents and driver’s license.

The victim was said to have obliged . However ,after  perusing the documents and finding them to be in order,the police personnel that conducted the inspection returned the documents

But instead ,of allowing Okocha to leave ,the police operative allegedly demanded to be ” settled” , .

The victim was said to have refused ,insisting that after wasting his time in the process of verifying his vehicle papers ,he will not part with any money.

He was said to have been shot by another operative in front of his vehicle, when he was about driving of .

On discovering that bullet had  hit  the late Okocha, the police operatives were said to have ran into their Sienna Toyota operational vehicle and fled the scene ,leaving passersby and other sympathetic people around to rush the victim to the nearby Living Word Hospital .

The victim after series of  surgeries and other medical efforts to save him , died late yesterday Friday April 19 .

As at the time of reporting ,Abia state police Command was yet to react to the development. Several efforts made to reach the Command spokesperson Chilaka Maureen ASP for comments were unsuccessful.

The leadership of Abiribe Community in Aba ,has however , called on Governor Alex Otti, to intervene and  ensure that all those suspected to be involved in the murder of their illustrious son are brought to book.

The Community which is  one of the dominant forces in  the business life of Aba has called for an emergency general meeting today Saturday April 20 ,at their Community Town Hall Aba to deliberate on the  next step to take concerning. the sad incident.

…Tinubu, Obi, Govs, other leaders mourn

From Emmanuel Uzor, Awka

The remains of Dr Chuwkwuemeka Ezeife, former governor of Anambra state have been laid to rest in his country home, Igboukwu in Aguata local government area of Anambra state.

Ezeife was lowered into the grave by 12.14pm after church service by the Salvation Army church with various leaders of the country.

President Ahmed Bola Tinubu described the late former governor as a true Nigerian that believed in the indivisibility of the country.

Tinubu who was represented by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo state said Ezeife was a patriotic, leader, great bridge builder and an outstanding academic who put justice, equity and integrity above any personal interest or desire

“He was a pan Nigerian who had the penchant for excellence in whatever he did and believed in the unity and diversity of Nigeria puting into consideration it’s position as a supper power, he took everybody as his own not minding your regional or religious origin”

In his speech, Governor Chukwuma Soludo eulogized the former governor, describing him as a true son of Anambra state who contributed immensely to the development of the state.

Soludo thanked President Tinubu for his constant support and encouragement to the government of the state and Ezeife’s family since the death of the ex governor.

The first son of Ezeife, Agbachukwu Ezeife said that the family would greatly miss him and his fatherly advise, adding that one great thing he thought his children was appreciation.

“We shall miss him greatly and one of the things that we learnt from my father is appreciation but it the prayers of every father for his children to surpass his achievements and it is our promise that we keep the light shining and go beyond what our father achieved” he said.

The Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi and deputy governors of Anambra and Ebonyi States, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim and Mrs. Patricia Obila were also in attendance.

Others were former governor of the state, Senator Chris Ngige and the Director General of South East Governors’ Forum, Senator Uche Ekwunife among others.

Here is New Telegraph’s news roundup of the top 15 latest Nigerian news making headlines today Saturday, April 20 2024.

JUST-IN: Tinubu Appoints Board Of SEC (See Full List)

On Friday, President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) board of directors, New Telegraph reports.

President Tinubu in a press statement issued by presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale…Read more 

Tinubu Appoints Omosehin As Commissioner For Insurance

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the boards of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and that of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC).

This is contained in a statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale…Read more 

Tension Heightens Over Control Of Rivers PDP

There is palpable tension among the supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike over the control of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State.

With the rejection of the PDP caretaker lists by Fubara…Read more 

My Philanthropy, Charity Not Politics, Religion – Obi

The National leader of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi on Friday said the attribution of politics and religion to his philanthropy and charity works is malicious and frivolous.

Obi in a statement issued by the  Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR)…Read more 

JAMB To Reschedule Candidates Affected By Glitches As UTME Commences Nationwide

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has commenced the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), for no fewer than 1, 985, 642 registered candidates.

According to the examination board, the UTME will end on April 25, 2024…Read more 

NNPC Ltd, First E&P Achieve 20,000bpd Production At OML 85 – Soneye

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and its Joint Venture partner in OML 85, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (First E&P), have commenced oil production from the asset, also known as Madu Field.

Production from the field which is located in shallow waters offshore Bayelsa State…Read more 

Tinubu Govt Has No Plan To Borrow From CBN – Edun

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has clarified that the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has not resorted to borrowing from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Edun spoke on Thursday with journalists following a meeting with investors…Read more 

Army Will Stop At Nothing To Neutralize Terrorists, Kidnappers – COAS

Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has said that the Nigerian Army would do all it takes to combat terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal groups that pose a threat to national security.

Lt. Gen. Lagbaja who spoke at COAS first quarter conference in Abuja…Read more 

Ganduje Remains Our Nat’l Chairman – APC

Day after the suspension Dr Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party on Friday said the former Governor of Kano State remains its national chairman.

Felix Morma, National Publicity Secretary of the party gave the assurance…Read more 

FG Orders NPA To Enlist Technical Guidance Of IMO In NSW Implementation

As part of efforts to secure government revenue and improves the overall country image in international trade indicators, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has been mandated by the Federal Government to enlist the technical guidance of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in preparedness for the seamless implementation of National Single Window.

The Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko was named by President…Read more 

Presidency Replies PDP, Says Tinubu Confronting Nigeria’s Problem Headlong

Bayo Onanuga, Special Advisor to the President on Information and Strategy, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s government has been taking a direct approach to solving Nigeria’s issues.

Onanuga who spoke in Abuja in a statement made available to New Telegraph…Read more 

Ondo 2024: Why Some Aspirants Will Step Down For Me – Akinterinwa

A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ondo State, Hon. Wale Akinterinwa, has expressed confidence in winning the primary election fixed for Saturday, April 20.

Akinterinwa who rounded off his campaign tour of local governments…Read more 

PDP Faults Tinubu’s Policies, Cries Out On Worsening Insecurity, Hardship

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday blamed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies for the rising rates of unemployment, food price hikes, economic hardship, and deteriorating insecurity.

The opposition party who spoke during its 98th NEC meeting National Secretariat…Read more 

Kenya’s Defence Chief, Nine Other Soldiers Killed In Helicopter Crash

It was a dark Thursday when a Kenyan Military helicopter conveying high-ranking officials, including the Defence Chief reportedly crashed in Elgeyo Marakwet County, about 400 kilometres northwest of Nairobi, resulting in fatalities.

New Telegraph gathered that among the casualties was General Francis…Read more

FG Reiterates Plans To Provide Affordable Homes For Civil Servants

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to provide affordable homes for civil servants through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme, in line with pillar 6 of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation plan 2021-2025 (FCCSIP-25).

Dr Folasade Yemi Esan spoke on Thursday during a site inspection…Read more

Related

Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has described the late ex-governor of the state, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife as a man who had a legacy of patriotism, fairness, and equity. 

Soludo while speaking at the commendation service in honour of Ezeife held in Awka, on Friday, said the deceased lived a life of great principles and values.

Highlighting Ezeife’s leadership qualities during his tenure as governor, Soludo disclosed that a Yoruba man from Osun State, identified as Adebayo, whom Ezeife employed in the state civil service has been promoted to permanent secretary by his government.

He said, “A Nigeria where nobody asks you where you are from. Where anybody can live anywhere. Here in Anambra, in the true essence of that.

“It was under your leadership that you employed one Adebanjo from Osun State into Anambra civil service and today under my leadership, we not only recruited 5000 teachers, which we have citizens from about 18 states employed here but we have also promoted that same person Okwadike employed into the civil service as Permanent Secretary in Anambra State.

“That is what Okwadike was about and that is how we are living up keeping the touch light and keeping the banner flying.”

On his part, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, described the late ex-governor as the “hero” of Igbo land, following his great contributions and service towards the well-being of the people of the South-East geopolitical zone.

Iwuanyanwu said, “He served Ohanaeze Ndigbo in many capacities. He was the Chairman of the Council of Elders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Northern zone comprising Abuja and the 19 Northern states. He was a member of the Ohanaeze Presidential Advisory Council MOPAC. He was also a member of Ime Obi Ohanaeze.

“We are honouring him as the ‘hero’ of Igbo land because of his contributions to the growth of the region and the wellbeing of the people. He was a true nationalist who fought for justice and equity of all the people.”

Similarly, former governors Peter Obi, Senator Chris Ngige, Okwesilieze Nwodo of Enugu State and former Anambra deputy governor, Dame Virgy Etiaba, also described the late Ezeife as a nationalist who fought for justice and equity of all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliations.

 

The former minister for Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said, “In Ezeife, the Igbo man found him as one of those that told the story of a people. The sagacity of the late former governor placed him on the vanguard of unity and fairness.

 

“The issue of political equity and economic resourcefulness are still issues that need to be addressed in the Nigerian polity of today.”

 

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party Obi, on his part, said, “Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere and Dr Ezeife fought for justice all through his lifetime and this is the same justice that we are still fighting for in Nigeria today.”

 

Ezeife, popularly called “Okwadike,” was Anambra State governor from January 2, 1992, to November 1993, during the aborted Third Republic, passed away at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, on December 14, 2023, at the age of 85. 

The Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, has announced that the end-to-end full automation of the thirty-one High Courts in Anambra and the Ministry of Justice, when completed by the end of the year, would make the state the first to achieve such feat in the Nigeria justice sector.

Speaking after she received the “Amazon of the Frontline Bar” award from the Aguata branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, during the 2024 Law Week of the branch, Professor Ifemeje, who dedicated the honour to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, said that the present administration has also embarked on massive renovation of all the Ministry of Justice Outstations in Nnewi, Awka, Onitsha, and Otuocha.

She stated that the innovative, disruptive and transformative projects going on in the state justice sector are in line with the Governor’s promise of expeditious dispensation of justice.

Other achievements of the state government in the justice sector, according to the Justice Commissioner, include solar installation in all the High Courts, Court of Appeal, Federal High Court and Court of Appeal in Anambra, as well as all four Correctional Service Centres in the state.

She recalled that the Soludo administration has equally deployed virtual hearing facilities in all the High Courts and four Correctional Service Centres in Anambra.

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