[dropcap]A [/dropcap]market leader in Oye Uga Market, Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State, Victor Isichekwe, was at the weekend arrested by the Department of State Service (DSS) for allegedly diverting government revenue to his personal account. Speaking on the arrest in Awka, the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, Market and Wealth Creation, Dr Christian Mmadubuko, said he personally made the arrest and handed the suspect over to the DSS.

He said the suspect has been in the habit of issuing fake receipts to payers to enable him divert government funds to his personal account.According to the commissioner, revenue diversion had continued unabated in the state despite efforts by successive governments to curb it. While stressing that the era of misappropriation of government funds was over, Mmadubuko warned that any persons caught in the diversion of government funds will not escape prosecution.

The commissioner said: “All those who have permit from the government to collect revenue should liaise with my ministry to ensure their job specification and the duration of their services, while the marketers should put on hold any payment till further notice.”On his part, the Head of Department of Market in the Ministry, Mrs Nkiruka Ebo Nwosu, recalled that on assumption of office in 2017, she noticed that market leaders were giving authority letters to collect revenue in their various markets.

She regretted that many of them were not complying with the directive of using the integrated pay direct system in revenue collection.

The suspect, Isichekwe, said he was printing receipt to satisfy traders in the market who were bent on being issued receipt for any government levy paid arguing that it was not for diversion.

Source : Grassroots Publishers

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it is set to resume prosecution of former Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Sunday Ehindero, for alleged N16 million fraud. Spokesperson of the commission, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Friday. Okoduwa said the case against Ehindero, who was I-G between 2005 and 2007, would continue at the FCT High Court in Abuja.
The former police boss is facing trial for and alleged criminal conversion of money belonging to the Ministry of Police Affairs into personal use while in office, according to the ICPC spokesperson.“This development followed a Supreme Court ruling dismissing the appeal filed by the former police chief, challenging the jurisdiction of the Commission and the FCT high court to try him.

“Ehindero and an accomplice had in 2012 been arraigned on a six-count charge of conspiracy to criminally convert public funds totaling N16,412,315.00.
“The allegedly diverted funds were the interests generated from the sum of N557,995,065 police money he had placed in two fixed deposit accounts at Wema Bank Plc and Intercontinental Bank Plc.
“The said money was donated by Bayelsa State Government to the force at the time to enable it purchase equipment for proper policing of the state,” she said.
Okoduwa alleged that the principal sum donated was transferred to the Ministry of Police Affairs from the accounts without the interests earned.This, according to her, formed the crux of the allegations against the accused.She recalled that on June 6, 2012, Ehindero filed a preliminary objection asking the trial court to strike out the amended charges for want of jurisdiction and competence.

He also prayed the court for an order restraining any official of the ICPC from prosecuting him, for not having constitutional power to do so among others.“In the reserved ruling delivered on Sept. 21, 2012, the trial judge dismissed the application in its entirety.
“Thereafter, the former IGP proceeded to the Court of Appeal and again his appeal was dismissed.

“Ehindero took the matter to the Supreme Court where he has been asked to face his trial.
“The matter ought to have come up on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, for further mention, but the court did not sit”, Okoduwa said.

[dropcap] U[/dropcap]rhobo indigenes of Delta State have dragged the Senate before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, over the suspension of their kinsman, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege from the red chamber. The Senate Committee on Public Petitions, Ethics and Privileges which investigated him over comment on the reordering of electoral timetable recommended his suspension.The report, which was submitted by the Committee Chairman, Senator Samuel Anyanwu explained that the erring lawmaker declined to speak to the committee when he appeared.
Dissatisfied by the action, the plaintiffs, Chief Alfred Okaka, Mr. Chris Agaga, Mr. Kingsley Okrikpo, Harrison Akpojarho, Manny Edu, Lyndon Ugbome, Moses Adegor and Godspower Emowhomuere, are praying the court to hold “that the rights of the people of Delta Central senatorial district to an unfettered representation in the legislative business of the Senate by Senator Omo-Agege constitutionally guaranteed for a tenure of four years cannot be abridged, diminuted, suspended, abrogated and or vitiated, except as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution (as amended.)”.
Defendants in the suit are Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, the Clerk of the Senate, the Department of State Services, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector- General of Police and Senator Omo-Agege.
They also want the court to declare that, “under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the plaintiffs’ elected senator (Omo-Agege), representing Delta Central senatorial district cannot be made to vacate office other than as provided for by sections 68 and 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“A declaration that the Senate has no power under the 1999 Constitution as amended to suspend from office any senator and in particular, the 8th Defendant representing the Plaintiffs and other constituents of Delta Central senatorial district in the Senate.”

[dropcap]B[/dropcap]iafran groups spread across the south eastern states of Nigeria have condemned the hard stance of the family members who categorically banned pro-Biafran groups from participating in the burial ceremony.

In a communiqué made available to Emeraldng.com and signed on behalf of the groups by Uchenna Madu, representing MASSOB; Okechukwu Orji representing EPC and Eberechukwu Anigbogu representing MOBIN, the coalition “frowned at the reprehensive stance of the family and without fear of contradiction maintain that it’s a shame that such a position was taken in the burial of a great Biafran-who lived all his life defending Biafra and Biafrans.”

The group said in as much as Achuzia may have had a great many laurels to his name, he was best known for defending Biafra and all it stood for. It said Achuzia was a warrior of the Biafran war and secretary general of the Supreme Council of Elders of the remnants of the Biafra territory, and remained in active service even in old age till death.

The communiqué further read: “We received with rude shock the position of the family and see it as a great insult to the collective intelligence of all Biafrans, especially war veterans and not just Biafrans, but every right thinking people in the world.

“It is an insult on late Achuzia who has also attended several Biafracentric burials in his lifetime and also wished to be buried as a Biafran.

“It is on record that our late leader had specifically stated during his lifetime, that three categories of people should be allowed to bury him, including Pro-Biafran groups.

“Therefore, the position of the family goes contrary to the wishes of their father and as such, could attract curses upon those who have thwarted the last wishes of “Air Raid.”

“We have waited patiently for a possible change of heart by the family, but they have vehemently decided to stand against the wishes of their late father for reasons best known to them.

“Consequently, we state here, without fear of contradiction that we will stay away from the said burial and allow the family do whatever they deem fit

“Like the Pontius Pilate, we are washing our hands from this calamitous act perpetrated by late Achuzia’s’ family.”

The 24 represented groups are listed below:

Biafra United Liberation Front (BULF)

Biafra Peace and Civil Defence Corps (BPCDC)

Eastern Peoples’ Congress (EPC)

Igbo Youth Cultural and Restoration Initiative (IYCRI)

Bilie Human Rights Initiative (BHRI)

Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN)

Salvation People (SP)

World Union of Biafran Scientists (WUBS)

Shadow Government of Biafra (SGB)

Biafran National Liberation Council (BNLC)

Biafran Revolutionary Organisation (BRO)

Biafran Liberation Crusade (BLC)

Joint Revolutionary Council of Biafra (JRCB)

Biafra Revolutionary Force (BRF)

Customary Government of Biafra (CGB)

Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)

Biafrans in Diaspora (BD)

Biafran Intellectual Clergy Forum (BICF)

Biafran Movement for Sovereignty (BIAMOS)

Foundation for the Empowerment of the Victims of War and Next of Kins (FEVWNK)

Biafran Central Council (BCC)

Biafran United Liberation Council (BULCO)

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he remains of the

Nigerian civil war veteran, will be buried at midnight according to Asaba tradition on Saturday in his family compound at No. 2 Idumojei Quarters, Asaba. Mr Onyeka Achuzia, the son of the deceased, said his father was Ikemba of Asaba and would be buried according to the tradition of Asaba.

The ceremonies continued on Friday with a funeral service conducted by the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star at Achuzia’s residence. The preacher at the service, Chukwuma Dike, cautioned against material acquisition, which he described as vanity.“Everything is vanity in this life. Your children cannot use your PhD to earn income when you are gone. “They cannot access your bank accounts unless they follow the processes to change the signatory,” he said.

Dike described the name, ‘Achuzia’, as a key that could open doors because of the legacies he left behind. He urged his children to remain united to sustain the values Achuzia represented. At a reception held at St. Patrick’s College, Asaba, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa was represented by his Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Fidelis Tilije.

The family received condolences from the governors of the five South-Eastern states, while the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, led executives of the socio-cultural organisation to the ceremonies. Achuzia was a secretary-general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, where he further propagated the ideas of Igbo nation which he stood for till his death.

In a condolence message published in the burial brochure, Okowa, in a statement signed by Mr Ovie Agas, the Secretary to the State Government, described Achuzia as an epitome of virtues.“A veteran of the Nigeria civil war, a leader of thought, inspirational community leader, bridge builder, elder statesman and above all, selfless leader whose life time achievements transcended community and national boundary.

“I recall that despite being a Deltan, Col. Achuzia rose to become the secretary-general of the pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, a platform from where he fought relentlessly for the advancement of his people,” Okowa said.

Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo Governor, in a message, said Achuzia was a combatant and seasoned soldier whose precision in the discharge of his military duties was second to none. “His contributions toward a united and indivisible post-war Nigeria was unrivalled. This was evident in his pontifications on poignant contemporary political issues.

“His rare sense of diligence, organisational prowess, indefatigable and intrepidness during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war earned him the name, ‘Hannibal’, from his friends and foes.“In his capacity as a commander on the Biafran side, Hannibal displayed his administrative ingenuity and laid foundation for the prosecution of the 30 months war.

“However, he surrendered and joined hands in the building of one Nigeria. “He was indeed a great patriot and worthy statesman,” Okorocha said.

Achuzia, aged 90, died on Monday, Feb. 26, about 8.a.m. at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba.

[dropcap]A [/dropcap]final year student of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, identified as Orumah Efemena, has reportedly committed suicide.The deceased, who was said to have suffered bouts of depression in recent times, reportedly took his own life on Wednesday, after drinking poisonous liquid substance suspected to be an insecticide, after learning that he would be staying another academic session in the institution.It was gathered that Orumah did poorly in his final examinations and would be having to stay an extra year, a second time, having suffered a similar fate in the previous academic year. Although no authority was able to officially confirm the incident, some students from his department; Pharmacy Department, who spoke under anonymous conditions, confirmed the development, saying the deceased switched to depression after realising his imminent fate.

According to some of the sources, the deceased was found dead in his hostel room. They said two cans of a dangerous insecticide, which had been linked to a couple of suicide cases recently were found in his room.He was, however, said to have been rushed to the university health centre where he was pronounced dead.A lecturer of the institution who also confirmed the incident said medical report indicates that the student took substances believed to be an insecticide.
Another student who simply identified herself as Amaka, said, “He was in class the day he died and looked very happy and exchanged jokes with his course mates. Some of his friends were even with him at home but after they left he drank sniper and died.”When contacted, DELSU’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Freeborn Aganbi, confirmed the incident, adding that security report indicated that the deceased had had to repeat the same year twice, a situation that could have inflicted frustration on him.
“This is why staying off campus isn’t advisable. If he had been staying on campus, there’s the possibility that one or two friends could be around him to talk him away from his frustration and eventually from taking his own life”, Aganbi said.

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]bout nineteen NYSC members in Delta state will have to repeat the exercise.The NYSC accused them of absconding from their service-year programme and would repeat it whenever they presented themselves to the authority.The State Coordinator, Mr Benjamin Omotade, said this during the passing out of the 2017 Batch A, Stream 1 corps members in Asaba on Thursday.

Omotade said that 16 would have their service year extended for between two weeks and four months.
He said that they corps were found wanting and had been reprimanded in accordance with the bye-laws of the NYSC.
He, however, said that three corps members who distinguished themselves in their primary places of assignment during the service year had been selected for recognition and awards.
He said that two who belonged to Stream 1 would receive the Chairman’s Award while one would be conferred with the state Honours Award during the 2017 Batch A Stream 11 passing out.

He said that the recognition and awards were also in line with the policy of the scheme.
He advised the corps members to go home and re-unite with their families after a meritorious service to the nation.
Also, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta admonished the corps members not to be deterred by security challenges and unemployment.
Okowa was represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Oghenejaro Ilolo.
The governor said that their participation and experience in the scheme were to equip them with the necessary skills and strategies for survival as adults in a competitive world.