Last Saturday marked a historic turn-around in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area when the people of the area who were known as core Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) faithful LGA applauded and declared their total support for Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At meeting of political stakeholders, opinion leaders, chiefs and community leaders held simultaneously in the twelve wards of the LGA, the people resolved to follow Governor Amaechi to the APC to end the “draconic and tyrannical rule” of PDP. The people also declared that their support for Governor Amaechi is planked on his monumental achievements in the socio-economic, political and infrastructural development in the area.
The access road and bridge across Bolo Creek linking Bob Town to the city, access road from Eteo to Ogu Town, the citing of Energy City at Ipkoama, several Model Primary Schools and Health Centres across the length and breadth of the LGA, resuscitation of Fish Farm at Wakama-ama, provision of Portable Water at Owuogono-ana, to mention but a few, are clear testimonies of the Governor’s love, selfless service and magnanimity for the Ogu/Bolo people. The peop1e owe Governor Amaechi a lot for his courage and passion towards Ogu/Bolo people, and have therefore resolved to follow him wherever he goes.
The people of Ogu/Bolo LGA further assured Governor Amaechi of their steadfastness, adding that the entire people at the grassroots will ever express their gratitude to him with their votes and promised him of victory over his travails. The few Amaechi critics in the area are political gladiators who have nothing to offer to the people. They have been tried; tested and failed.
The Ogu/Bobo people equally commended the Council boss, Dame (Hon.) Maureen Tamuno for her untiring efforts in transforming the LGA, particular1yin the execution of projects and empowerment programmes which they described as “peop1e-orientd”. They extolled her sterling qualities as the first female executive Chairman of the LGA and prayed God to continue to grant her fortitude and wisdom in piloting the affairs of Ogu/Bolo.
In the same vein, the people hailed the transparent, purposeful and visionary leadership provided by Chief Jonah Tamuno (Commissioner, Local Government Service Commission), Chief Johnwill Obed (Special Adviser to the Governor on
Pollution), Hon. Barr. Adokiye Oruwari (Secretary, Rivers State Special Empowerment Scheme Implementation Committee) and Hon. Israel Iboms.
Meanwhile, in response to recent statements made by members of Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) in Ogu/Bolo LGA on Sunday, the Council boss, Dame (Hon.) Tamuno dismissed threats against the, hoisting of APC flags in the area. She called on the people of the area to be weary of same politicians who caused violence in the past, stressing that they have come again with threats of violence. She, however assured that APC flag will be hoisted in the area and that APC has come to stay in Ogu/Bolo LGA.
She described Governor Amaechi as “a lion of the tribe of Judah, a conqueror and defender of the people” who will stop at nothing to ensure that impunity does not strive in the state. She maintained that APC is not the party to beat in Rivers State, adding that GDI depends on rented crowd. ##
N19.2bn Scam: Sylva, EFCC Counsels Quarrel In Court
There was drama on Tuesday at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court as former Bayelsa State Governor; Timipre Sylva frustrated attempts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to re-arraign him and six others on a 42-count amended charge bordering on fraudulent transactions and money laundering to the tune of N19.2 billion.
The embattled former governor, who was within the court premises, however, took refuge in another court where he had gone earlier to ask for the release of his travelling documents and refused to appear before Justice Ahmed Mohammed for the arraignment.
Immediately after the court presided over by Justice Adamu Bello had adjourned ruling on his application for the release of his international passport, Sylva walked towards the door of another court where he was to be re-arraigned. But before he could enter into the courtroom, his lawyer, Prince Latef Fagbemi, came out and whispered to him and he quickly returned to the other court where he sat with some of his aides and relatives.
But inside the court room, tempers were high as the prosecution counsel, Chief Rotimi Jacobs and Sylva’s counsel, Fagbemi were locked in verbal war to the chagrin of the presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed, who accused them of desecrating the legal profession.
Before then, the defendants had told the court that their clients were not aware of the arraignment, saying hearing notices were not served on them.
For instance, out of the six accused persons, only two, Gbanga Balogun (third accused) and Samuel Ogbuku (fourth accused) were present in court.
Sylva, Francis Okuburo, Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited and Haloween Blue Construction and Logistics Limited were not in court.
They are facing a 42- count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N19.2 billion allegedly committed during the tenure of Sylva between 2009 and 2012.
Trouble started when the prosecuting counsel, Jacobs told the court that Sylva was within the court premises, but had refused to show respect to the court by not appearing before it for his arraignment.
Irked by the statement, counsel to Sylva, Fagbemi sprang to his feet and accused Jacobs of not showing respect to him.
“You are rude to me; the fact that you are handling cases for the EFCC does not mean you should not know your senior. You are in a court of law and not at a political rally.”
Though, the ex-governor was present in court, his counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN objected to his client taking a plea on the grounds that they were not served with hearing notice. He contended that the provision of the law which allows for 7 days before arraignment should be complied with.
Counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, however urged his Lordship, Justice A.R Mohammed to proceed with the arraignment since the accused persons were already in court. Besides, he added that the defence already have a proof of evidence and the amended charge. But Fagbemi insisted on the defence’s right to a hearing notice, the statement added.
At this juncture, counsel to the 4th accused person, Ajayi Olowo informed the court that he had filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter and asked for a short adjournment for the motion to be argued. Counsel to other defendants aligned themselves with his submission.
Jacobs however urged the court to take their arguments on the motion orally to save the time of the court and ensure speedy trial. He noted with concern, the antics of the former governor which he claimed are aimed at frustrating his trial and urged the court to do something in the interest of justice.
Consequently, Justice Mohammed adjourned the case to January 23, 2014 for hearing on the notice of preliminary objection.
Sylva and the other accused persons are to be prosecuted on a 42-count amended charge.
