News

Enugu Community Express Confidence To Get Justice In Case Of Police Intimidation, Land Grabbing

Published

7 months ago

May 2, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

Chairman of the Obeagu Town Union Litigation Committee, in Obeagu Awkunanaw local government of Enugu State, Chiene Chiene, has expressed confidence that the community will get justice in the case of an alleged police harassment as well land grabbing in a petition presented to the House of Representatives.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the community had petitioned the House over allegations of land grabbing and police harassment which led to the destruction of property as well as the loss of lives by certain interests.

A petition was written to the House Committee on Public Petitions, and during hearing , the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Mike Etaba, struck out the case of land grabbing, and said it was before a court of competent jurisdiction.

He however vowed that the issue of intimidation and harassment by the police would be followed up to the letter.

In his submission, Chiene said, “We presented our petition asking the national assembly to come to our rescue to stop the police intimidation and harassment. That is why we went there so that whether this issue of whether or not our land was legally acquired should be put to rest. They are forceful land grabbers. We are happy with the situation as they are sending their legal consultant to do some underground assessments of the situation. So we believe very strongly that we would get what we are looking for which is justice and peace given the facts before them”.

He said the police should not be used to harass them as the matter is in court.

According to Chiene, there was a siege laid against the community at large as a result of the conspiracies and plans orchestrated principally by the trio of Dr. Festus Uzor, Kingsley Eze and Barrister Gozie Okoye to forcefully take over their land.

The petition presented to the House reads: “We must state that the attempt to forcefully take over and sell off our ancestral land was hatched sometime in 2009 by the ‘three musketeers’ named above. The question is what is their connection in relation to this issue at stake?

“As earlier stated, sometime in 2009, Dr. Festus Uzor was the Commissioner for Lands, Enugu State during the tenure of Bar. Sullivan Chime, Bar Gozie Okoye was the Branch Manager of Diamond Bank, Enugu while Kingsley Eze of Private Estates Int’l West Africa, (PEIWA) who was hardly known then, apparently dangled this heinous project or what we could regard as ‘operation take over Obeagu land’ to the other two who gladly saw the potentials of the ‘deal’ and keyed into it.

“Thus, Dr. Festus Uzor used his office as the Commissioner for Lands, and did sign the letter of offer to PEIWA, then Barr Gozie Okoye used his office to secure a Two-Billion-naira loan facility secured with our land, and thereafter hell was let loose, and our community became a battle ground for every land grabber to unleash their selfish pangs against us. It is needless to say that since this conspiracy was hatched and purportedly executed, we as a community have known no peace; as we have been continually victimized, dehumanized, degraded, incarcerated and made to suffer helplessly.

“We pray you to come to our rescue and protect us from the stranglehold of those named persons, particularly, Kingsley Eze of PEIWA, who have left nothing to spare in their bid to emasculate and annihilate us to enable them take over our land. We must not also fail to report the activities and oppressive conducts of SP Chidiebere Ijomah, DCP Olasoji Akinbayo and the Area Commander Metro, ACP Sogbeba Dulphine, who are being used by the land grabbers to oppress, intimidate and cow us to submit willy-nilly to the illegal acquisition and take-over of our ancestral land.”

The community prayed the House to stop the menace of the allegd land grabbers and save our community from the invasion and forceful takeover of our ancestral land.

“We are convinced you have the capacity to draw the attention of the Enugu State Government to the excesses of the officials of ECTDA who are being used by the land grabbers to forcefully dispossess us of our ancestral land. The Enugu State Government must bring an end to these unwholesome activities of these land grabbers in order to pave way for the peaceful development of the state.

“We have it on good authority that because the fraudulent loan as granted by Gozie Okoye and his cohorts to PEIWA, secured with our land, which loan has obviously been mismanaged, the AMCON may get involved, which implies that we may permanently lose our land if nothing is done now. We implore you therefore to invite the NDIC to investigate the circumstances which led to the said loan and the use of our land as security without our knowledge or consent.

“Lastly, we also pray you to direct the police high command to apply appropriate sanctions against the above named officers who have clearly abused their offices in their pursuit of their selfish interest or personal aggrandizements,” the community requested.

News

HoR to lead historic march, other Key initiatives against gender-based violence

Published

14 seconds ago

November 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

In commemoration of this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the House of Representatives will lead a landmark march on Monday, November 25, 2024, along with other strategic activities as part of its unwavering commitment to eradicating gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement issued by the HoR spokesperson, Rotimi Akin, Jr on Saturday.

According to him the march, which starts at 8:00 AM, will bring together over 1,000 participants – including Representatives and members of the public – on a symbolic walk from the National Assembly to the Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.

This demonstration of solidarity will culminate in the submission of a petition to the Inspector General of Police, demanding decisive action to safeguard vulnerable populations and ensure accountability for perpetrators of GBV.

“This march and the associated activities are not just symbolic gestures, they reflect our resolve and call to action against gender-based violence head-on,” said Hon. Abbas Tajudeen,, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“We stand united in the fight to protect the rights and dignity of all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable. Together, through collective action and legislative reforms, we can build a society where safety, justice, and equality prevail.”

Beyond the march, the 10th House of Representatives in alignment with its Legislative Agenda (2023 – 2027) has outlined *key activities to sustain awareness and action throughout the 16 Days of Activism:*

1. *Sash Demonstration Ceremony* – Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Members of the House will don orange sashes, symbolising solidarity with the fight against GBV, during plenary sessions throughout the campaign period.

2. *Convergence of State Assembly Speakers* – Monday, December 9, 2024
A strategic meeting at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, will bring together Speakers of State Houses of Assembly to discuss legislative strategies for combating GBV nationwide.

3. *National Citizens’ Summit and GBV Conference 2024 -* Tuesday, December 10, 2024
This summit will conclude the 16 Days of Activism with discussions on constitutional reforms and securing endorsements for gender equality initiatives championed by the House.

The House of Representatives invites all Nigerians to *participate in this historic march on Monday, November 25, 2024.* Participants will receive orange T-shirts—the official colour of the United Nations campaign to end violence against women—symbolising hope for a future free of violence.

*Details of the March:*

• *Date:* Monday, November 25, 2024
• *Time:* 8:00 AM
• *Starting Point:* Speaker’s Car Park, National Assembly
• *End Point:* Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Headquarters

Gender-based violence continues to devastate families and communities across Nigeria. The 10th House of Representatives however, remains steadfast in driving systemic reforms, fostering collaboration, and championing accountability to address this pervasive issue.

Together, let us take a decisive stand for justice, equality, and the protection of human rights, paving the way for a safer, more equitable Nigeria.

News

Police rescue abducted Emirates Airlines Airport Services Manager

Published

5 minutes ago

November 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Ghana Police Service has announced that Sylvia Patience Baah, the Airport Services Manager of Emirate Airlines in Accra, who was kidnapped has been rescued.

The Police said the victim is currently reunited with her family.

“The Ghana Police Service would like to state that the victim of the alleged kidnapping, Sylvia Patience Baah, the Airport Services Manager of Emirate, Airlines in Accra, has been rescued and reunited with her family.” The Police said in a statement.

According to the Police, a team of Police medical officers and clinical psychologists have been assigned to assist the family to ensure that everything is in a perfect condition and assured the family and the general public that the suspect will be arrested and face the law

“Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has spoken to the victim and her family and they are in good spirits. A team of Police medical officers and clinical psychologists have been assigned to assist the family during this critical time.” Part of the statement read.

Transparent, Rewarding!
The victim was allegedly kidnapped by an unknown men on Thursday ,November 21, 2024 night.

Below is the full statement:

KIDNAPPED VICTIM, SYLVIA PATIENCE BAAH RESCUED

The Ghana Police Service would like to state that the victim of the alleged kidnapping, Sylvia Patience Baah, the Airport Services Manager of Emirate Airlines in Accra, has been rescued and reunited with her family.

The Police are currently continuing the search for the suspects behind this incident and we want to assure the public that we will surely bring them to face justice.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who gave us pieces of information in the course of our rescue operations in particular and the public in general for their support and cooperation.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has spoken to the victim and her family and they are in good spirits. A team of Police medical officers and clinical psychologists have been assigned to assist the family during this critical time.

News

Wike Aide to Ugochinyere : You’re a political misfit in Hushpuppi’s mode

Published

24 minutes ago

November 23, 2024

Naijablitznews

…a ‘Ghana must go bag’ specialist

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has described Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, a federal lawmaker as a political misfit in the mode of ‘Hushpuppi’
and a product of the internal aberrations within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Olayinka’s comments followed Ugochinyere’s recent allegations that Wike and other members of the G5 governors are determined to destroy the PDP.

While appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Ugochinyere accused Wike and former governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) of working against the PDP’s interests.

In response, Olayinka, in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, criticized Ugochinyere’s political trajectory and alleged motivations.

Olayinka slammed Ugochinyere as a product of the PDP’s structural flaws, claiming he lacks the moral authority to question the loyalty of seasoned party members.

He stated, “This is what happens when someone who joined the PDP yesterday is given the party’s ticket today. If the PDP had functioned properly, a ‘Political Hushpuppi’ like Ugochinyere would never have emerged as its candidate while still affiliated with another party.”

He further alleged that despite being elected on the PDP platform, Ugochinyere maintains ties to his former party, the Action Peoples Party (APP), which he reportedly uses to exploit political opportunities, particularly in Rivers State.

Olayinka also mocked Ugochinyere for allegedly fabricating political titles to sustain his political relevance.

He claimed Ugochinyere has been parading himself as the “Spokesperson of Opposition Lawmakers Coalition in the 10th National Assembly,” a position that does not officially exist.

“In saner climes, such behavior would be met with legal consequences. CUPP is not a registered political party, and there is no record of a coalition of opposition lawmakers appointing him to any position,” Olayinka said.

Olayinka alleged that Ugochinyere uses his APP platform and the self-assigned title to leverage resources from Rivers State, calling his activities “political hustling” and a consistent pattern of exploitation.

“Whether he is using his former party, APP, or his so-called opposition lawmakers’ coalition, his goal has always been the same — to ‘cash out.’ It’s unfortunate that this kind of character continues to thrive in our political system,” he added.

Olayinka advised Ugochinyere to redirect his energy toward serving his constituents, noting that they have expressed dissatisfaction with his performance. “Instead of obsessing over Wike and the G5, he should focus on fulfilling his legislative duties to prevent his constituents from passing further votes of no confidence against him,” he said.

The back-and-forth underscores the tensions within the PDP and the broader political discourse about loyalty, representation, and integrity in Nigeria’s political landscape.