News
Police Inspector killed alongside Dr. Akunyili in Anambra laid to rest
Inspector Louis Uduk of the Nigeria Police, who was murdered alongside with Dr John Akunyili, has been laid to rest last Saturday at his home town Oron, in Akwa Ibom State.
It is recalled that Dr John Akunyili, a husband to late Dora Akunyili, a former Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) from 2001 to 2008, was murdered by unknown gunmen, alongside with his driver and Inspector Uduk who was a Police attachee security to Dr. Akunyili, on their way back to Enugu State from special duty on Tuesday Sept. 28, when the ugly incident happened.
According to the biography of late Uduk presented by his younger brother Mr Ernest Uduk, Louis sent a text message to his wife at about 5:00p.m., informing her that they were coming back from the journey.
“At about 5:00p.m., he sent a text message to his beloved wife informing her he was on his way back home. He anticipated danger when he saw more than 20 gun wielding armed men blocking the road.
“At that juncture, he advised the driver to reverse their vehicle but he refused to obey him”.
“He appealed to them to spare his life for the sake of his family and most importantly, that he was an in-law by virtue of marrying an Igbo woman.
Uduk junior said despite his plea, he was gruesomely murdered for no just cause.
In the condolence message given by Inspector Charles Utum, who represented the Nigeria Police Enugu branch, he appreciated God for everything that had happened, while at the same time, condoled the family of late Uduk for the incident he described as unfortunate situation.
Utum pledged to give support to the family whenever the Nigeria Police Enugu branch was called upon.
He said the Commissioner of Police Enugu State had advised the family of Louis, as he was known to be a peace maker, to allow peace to reign in the family.
There was also a condolence message presentation by Mboho Ufok Akwa Ibom Foundation, a group, late Insp. Louis belonged before his demise.
Earlier in his homely, Pastor Osene Humphrey of Omega and Fire Ministry Church, preached on the theme tittle, “Don’t be stupid”.
Pastor Humphrey who read the Bible passages from both Hebrews chapter 9:7 and II Corinthian 5:10, advised the sympathizers not to live and forget themselves on earth as they gathered for Uduk’s burial, saying death was everyone’s call.
“You know why we gather here this morning, is not because of any other thing but is because of the death of our brother Louis and I want to say this to any of us seated here this morning that one day, we all would leave this world.
“Is like all of us are here to trade, it is like a market place and at the end of the day, everybody goes home. Understand this, no matter your wealth, no matter your secret in life, one day you will leave them behind” .
Prayers were offered to the bereaved family by the clerics, while men of the Nigeria Police performed parade for their departed colleague.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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