Court grants N2 m bail to whistle blower accused of conspiracy to rob Gov Dickson

Justice E.T Okara of a Bayelsa High Court on Wednesday granted bail to one of the five ‘whistle’ blowers’ accused of conspiracy to rob Gov Seriake Dickson.

Mr Tamunatonye Jacob was granted bail to the sum of N2 million naira and a surety who must be a civil servant of not less than level grade 12 civil servant.

Okara who ruled on the bail application based on the medical condition also received application for the other four suspects.

Esther Engbeke, Tamnatonye Jacob, Wodu Ebikebomu, Emmanuel Dorgu and Sinclair Thursday are being tried for alleged conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Dickson rejects Presidential, National Assembly polls results in Bayelsa

Dickson rejects Presidential, National Assembly polls results in Bayelsa

Governor Seriake Dickson on Wednesday said that the Bayelsa results of the Presidential and National Assembly election held on February 23 was not acceptable.

The Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Muhammadu Buhari, won two of the eight Local Government Areas of Bayelsa.

Dickson said that the state government has rejected the results of APC and other candidates of the party in Nembe Bassambiri and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas òf the state.

Soldiers on patrol foil armed robbery kill suspected armed robber in Swali market, Yenagoa

Soldiers on patrol duty on Friday foiled the operations of a seven man armed robbery gang, killing the gang leader while six escaped, and two others killed by stray bullets.

The leader of the gang had pointed a gun at the target, a female victim at Swali market demanding she surrender cash and other valuables on her without knowing that an army patrol vehicle was near the scene.

A trader who witnessed the incident said that the army patrol team used a Toyota Siena vehicle from where they observed the robbery scene and shot the armed robber at the verge of dispossessing his victim from behind.

According to the witness who gave her name simply as Grace, the armed robber shot in the air to scare the victim into submission before he was gunned down by the patrol while other members of the robbery gang fled.

Accord Party Senate candidate for Bayelsa West alleges plot to rig

Accord Party Senate candidate for Bayelsa West alleges plot to rig

The Accord Party Party Senate candidate for Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Mr Owoupele Eneoriekumoh, on Thursday alleged that two leading political parties were planning to rig the forth coming Senatorial elections.

Eneoriekumoh made this known, while addressing journalists in Yenagoa, saying that the two dominant parties have concluded arrangements to rig him out of the Senatorial election slated for February 23, 2019.

Polls shift: Jonathan sues for peace, urges voters to resist vote-buying

Polls shift: Jonathan sues for peace, urges voters to resist vote-buying

Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan on Monday called on Nigerians to embrace peace and shun violence ahead the shifted general elections..

Jonathan was in Bayelsa his home state at the weekend for the polls earlier scheduled for Feb. 16 and March 2 and shifter by one week to Feb 23 and March 9 and called on Nigerians to remain peaceful..

Jonathan who made the call during a meeting with Niger Delta Youth Leaders also urged the electorate to shun vote buying and vote according to their conscience.

“Use of money to induce voters has become very prevalent in Nigeria.

“It is more pronounced here than many African countries I have been to monitor elections and it is unhealthy for our development and my NGO is working on advocacy against it.

“Politics should be about the people and anyone who wants to make quick money should go into business and quit politics which is all about service to the people.

“People should vote according to the dictates of their conscience and not be induced by money.

“I have said it repeatedly that no ones ambition should be worth the spilling of the blood of any Nigerian, peace is fundamental to economic development and the reports of insecurity and violence scares away investors.

“Anytime someone is killed either by security agencies or by any other exra judicial means it affects the reputation of the country adversely and that is why peace building is very essential especially with the youths.

“Our youths are critical in our democracy because the future belongs to them so my advise is that we should be patient and shun violence in the coming elections,” Jonathan said.

Earlier, Mr Kenedy Tonjo-West, a Niger Delta Youth leader said that representatives of Niger Delta youths from across the region were in Bayelsa to applaud the former President for his efforts at peace building.

He said that the exemplary leadership style of politics without violence and bitterness was an inspiration to Niger Delta youths.

West, who is also a Senior Special Adviser on Niger Delta Youth matters to Bayelsa Governor noted the Jonathan’s influence on the youths of the region was responsible for the prevailing peace in the region.

He said that youths from the region were in Bayelsa to seek counsel from the former president following the shift in election date.

Mr Peretubo Oweilaemi, President of Ijaw Youth Council said that youths  from the Niger Delta region remain proud of the former President who relinquished power in the interest of peace and development of Nigeria.

“The emphasis of our amiable leader Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on peace and peace building is very commendable despite his poitical persuation he has chosen to always advocate peace and we the youths are learning from him.

“We have seen the region which is very crucial to the country’s economy grow in peace because you advocate and preach peace all the time since you left office as President,” Oweilaemi said.

Leaders of Non Violent Youth groups including Niger Delta Youths Coalition for Peace and Progress, Ex-Militant Leaders who embraced the Presidential Amnesty programmer amongst others were at the meeting.  

Ex-Militant leader says Peremariri is safe for elections urges INEC to disregard calls to shift venues

Mr Paul Eris, an Ex-Militant leader who hails from Peremabiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area says the area is safe and conducive for Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly polls.

Hundreds who claimed to be displaced people of Peremabiri, a coastal settlement urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide alternative voting venue to enable them exercise their franchise.

The displaced persons led by their traditional ruler, Chief Progress Neverdie, submitted a petition to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Monday Udoh.

Election: Lokpobiri applauds Bayelsa people receiving Buhari, urges them to shun violence, vote APC

Election: Lokpobiri applauds Bayelsa people receiving Buhari, urges them to shun violence, vote APC

Heineken Lokpobiri Minister of State for Agriculture on Thursday commended Bayelsa people for the rousing welcome to President Muhammed Buhari who was in the state to canvass for votes.

It would be recalled that loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa turned up en masse on Tuesday to receive the President who addressed a rally in his re-election rally.

Lokpobiri who expressed appreciation in a statement signed by Mr George Oji, his Special Adviser on Media expressed optimism that Buhari would come out victorious on Saturday’s polls

He appealed to the people of Bayelsa to turn out in their large numbers to vote for President Muhammad Buhari and members of the National Assembly of the APC in the Saturday election in the state.

The Minister urged the people to conduct themselves in orderly manner and avoid any forms of violent act during the polls.

Lokpobiri assured the people of adequate protection as the security agencies have been put on red alert to guarantee peace and deal with any elements fomenting violence and misconducts during the election.

The minister reminded the people of the need to vote for President Buhari to return the state to the main stream of national politics, noting that this is the only way to attract  more federal projects and presence to the state.

The minister maintained that the Gov Seriake Dickson led government has failed to explain what he did with the huge resources that accrued to the state in the past seven years.

According to him Bayelsa remains one of the least developed states in the country despite the N1.3 trillion that accrued to the state from the Federal Government, excluding local government allocations and loans.

The minister urges the people to evaluate the impact of the Dickson's administration in their various local communities, this he said, should form the basis of voting and making a choice for the APC in Saturday’s elections.

Reacting on the finances that accrued to the state in the past seven years claims by Lokpobiri that the Bayelsa Airport slated for inauguration today gulped N120 bn Dickson said that Lokobiri was always dreaming of figures.

Dickson who had reacted in a radio broadcast monitored in Yenagoa dismissed the figures and said that the airport project cost the state less than N60 bn.

The Bayelsa government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have held divergent views on the cost of the airport funded by loans obtained from some commercial banks.

Bayelsa Airport built at N60 bn. Not N120 bn as claimed by Lokpobiri says Dickson

The Bayelsa government on Wednesday said that the International Cargo Airport slated for inauguration on Thursday was build at a cost of N60 bn.

Gov Seriake Dickson made the clarification following claim by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, that the Bayelsa International Airport was built at cost of N120 billion.

The Bayelsa government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have held divergent views on the cost of the project funded from loans obtained commercial banks.

Bayelsa APC Spokesman, Mr Doifie Buokoribo had said that the prohibitive cost of borrowing the funds utilized for the airport at prevailing interest rate of about 27 per cent over a four year tenor pushes the cost above N100 bn.

Displaced Peremabiri residents in Bayelsa urge INEC to provide alternative voting venue

The people of Peremabiri, a coastal settlement in Bayelsa on Tuesday urged the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide alternative voting venue as residents have fled the area.

Hundred of Peremabiri people led by their traditional ruler submitted a petition to the Resident Electoral Commissioner.

Addressing officials of INEC at the Commision’s headquarters in Yenagoa, Chief Progress Neverdie noted that some 3,000 adults have fled Peremabiri to Yenagoa and neigbouring communities over threats to their lives my militants.

Lokpobiri, Dickson trade blames on insecurity in Bayelsa

Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Gov Seriake Dickson had expressed divergent views on insecurity in Bayelsa.

Dickson had on Friday accused Lokpobiri and leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) of being the masterminds of election violence in the state.

Leader of APC in Bayelsa Ex-Governor Timipre Sylva, Lokpobiri had led members of APC on a protest to Police headquarters in Bayelsa over killing of APC members during rallies.

A statement signed by Mr George OJi, Special Adviser to Lokpobiri on Media noted that Dickson in his characteristic manner has resorted to blame-game against the main opposition political party.

Lokobiri stated that accusing APC in the state of, "plotting to use the security agencies to rig, manipulate and unleash violence on voters in the state." Was false and mailious.

“In the warped imagination of the governor, the leadership of the main opposition political party in the state, "is arming thugs with all sorts of ammunition and weapons to attack the electorates."

“This allegation comes as no surprise to those who are familiar with the political antics and deceit of the governor.

“It is on record that every time the governor contemplates or indeed perpetrates any political violence and sinister acts, he is always the first to come out to cry blue murder.

“APC is not surprised at this recent allegation by Dickson.

“Suddenly, it has dawned on His Excellency that the game is up for him following last week's protest rally led by the leadership of APC where the plot by the Governor to use the police to kill, maim, cause violence and eventually rig the forthcoming elections in the state was exposed to the whole world.

“It is on record that Dickson is the one stockpiling arms and using the instrumentality of some security agencies to harass, intimidate and bully the people.

“ It is also an indisputable fact the the governor has gone ahead to appoint militants as Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Local Government Councils and to use them to continue to perpetrate violence across the state.

“Luckily, the security agents are now on red alert to deal with anybody caught fomenting trouble or instigating violence in the state.

“Only last week, some hoodlums, who were later found to be card-carrying members of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) were apprehended with guns molesting and harassing innocent citizens in Yenegoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

“These miscreants upon interrogation revealed the source and funders of the arms found in their possession, ,” Lokpobiri stated.

Lokpobiri boasted that APC was like a moving train  in Bayelsa and not even Dickson can stop the movement.

“The APC is moving in full force to reclaim the state, starting with a landslide victory at the Presidential and National Assembly polls, which will take place on Saturday, February 16. 

“The door-to-door political campaign of APC has since commenced throughout the nooks and crannies of the state and Dickson is obviously frightened at the wave and massive support APC is receiving in its fold in the state.

“The Minister of State of Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri is of the firm position that there is no reason for APC, a party cruising to electoral victory to be involved in any form of political violence or amassment of weapons, or the recruitment of any political thugs for that matter.

“Lokpobiri believes that Dickson is only trying to run away from his negative shadows haunting him, by stoking non existent allegations to cover up his failure in office.

“The governor should face the obvious challenge of explaining his stewardship in office to the people of Bayelsa. He must explain what he did with the over N1.3trillion he has so far received from the Federal Government,” Lokpobiri stated.

Lokpobiri said that the governor is conscious that his tenure in office would soon come to an end and it would be time to account for his stewardship, adding that it was the reason Dickson. is panicky.  

Lokpobiri, Dickson trade blames on insecurity in Bayelsa

Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Gov Seriake Dickson had expressed divergent views on insecurity in Bayelsa.

Dickson had on Friday accused Lokpobiri and leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) of being the masterminds of election violence in the state.

Leader of APC in Bayelsa Ex-Governor Timipre Sylva, Lokpobiri had led members of APC on a protest to Police headquarters in Bayelsa over killing of APC members during rallies.

A statement signed by Mr George Orgi, Special Adviser to Lokpobiri on Media noted that Dickson in his characteristic manner has resorted to blame-game against the main opposition political party.

Lokobiri stated that accusing APC in the state of, "plotting to use the security agencies to rig, manipulate and unleash violence on voters in the state." Was false and mailious.

“In the warped imagination of the governor, the leadership of the main opposition political party in the state, "is arming thugs with all sorts of ammunition and weapons to attack the electorates."

“This allegation comes as no surprise to those who are familiar with the political antics and deceit of the governor.

“It is on record that every time the governor contemplates or indeed perpetrates any political violence and sinister acts, he is always the first to come out to cry blue murder.

“APC is not surprised at this recent allegation by Dickson.

“Suddenly, it has dawned on His Excellency that the game is up for him following last week's protest rally led by the leadership of APC where the plot by the Governor to use the police to kill, maim, cause violence and eventually rig the forthcoming elections in the state was exposed to the whole world.

“It is on record that Dickson is the one stockpiling arms and using the instrumentality of some security agencies to harass, intimidate and bully the people.

“ It is also an indisputable fact the the governor has gone ahead to appoint militants as Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Local Government Councils and to use them to continue to perpetrate violence across the state.

“Luckily, the security agents are now on red alert to deal with anybody caught fomenting trouble or instigating violence in the state.

“Only last week, some hoodlums, who were later found to be card-carrying members of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) were apprehended with guns molesting and harassing innocent citizens in Yenegoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

“These miscreants upon interrogation revealed the source and funders of the arms found in their possession, ,” Lokpobiri stated.

Lokpobiri boasted that APC was like a moving train  in Bayelsa and not even Dickson can stop the movement.

“The APC is moving in full force to reclaim the state, starting with a landslide victory at the Presidential and National Assembly polls, which will take place on Saturday, February 16. 

“The door-to-door political campaign of APC has since commenced throughout the nooks and crannies of the state and Dickson is obviously frightened at the wave and massive support APC is receiving in its fold in the state.

“The Minister of State of Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri is of the firm position that there is no reason for APC, a party cruising to electoral victory to be involved in any form of political violence or amassment of weapons, or the recruitment of any political thugs for that matter.

“Lokpobiri believes that Dickson is only trying to run away from his negative shadows haunting him, by stoking non existent allegations to cover up his failure in office.

“The governor should face the obvious challenge of explaining his stewardship in office to the people of Bayelsa. He must explain what he did with the over N1.3trillion he has so far received from the Federal Government,” Lokpobiri stated.

Lokpobiri said that the governor is conscious that his tenure in office would soon come to an end and it would be time to account for his stewardship, adding that it was the reason Dickson. is panicky.  

Chevron 2012 rig explosion: Koluama youths seek out of court resolution of conflict

Seven years after a gas explosion at Chevron’s oilfield off Bayelsa coastline, youths from Koluama have proposed an out of court settlement of conflicts caused by the incident of Jan 2012.

The position of the youths was contained in a letter to the Commanding Officer of the Front Operations Naval Base koluama 2 made available  in Yenagoa..

Hundreds of Koluama youths had on Sept. 15 2014 boarded the North Apoi oil platform operated by Chevron over nonpayment of compensation for the rig blowout and vacated the facility after officials of the oil firm opted for dialogue.

The January 2012 explosion sparked off a fire incident which burnt at the oil rig for over 50 days before it was put out.

Victims of the Chevron’s  KS Endeavour Rig Explosion in Funiwa oil field in September 2015 dragged the  firm to a San Francisco court in the United States where the hearing has been ongoing.

Bayelsa begins probe of activities of surveillance contractors at oilfields

Gov Seriake Dickson has inaugurated the Commission of Enquiry Into Activities of Surveillance Contractors, with the former Chief Judge, retired Justice Margaret Akpomiemie as its Chairman.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, availed on Saturday said the Commision was inaugurated on Friday evening

According to the statement, other members of the Commission include, SP Whoknows Tiger, Anthony O. Obrike, AC Christiana Okafor and Ebikake G. Ebikipah while Barrister Dele J. Dele is to serve as its counsel.

Minister decries underdevelopment of Bayelsa despite N1.3 trn allocation in 7 years

Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development on Friday decried the slow pace of development in Bayelsa.

He noted that the level of development was at variance with about N 1.3 trn that accrued to the state in seven years from the federation account.

“Look, in this state controlled by PDP, they have done nothing. What the admisitration has gotten is more than N1.3 trillion in about 7 years from the Federal Government.

“This is excluding local government allocations, and loans. Yenegoa, it is the darkest city in the world. In fact, if I knew the situation was this bad, I would have lit up the entire Yenegoa.

Interest of International Community in Nigeria electoral process justified--- - Gov Dickson

Gov Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa on Friday said that the interest of the international community on Nigeria’s electoral process was legitimate and justified.

Dickson who spoke in a radio broadcast monitored in Yenagoa said that Nigeria was part of the comity of nations and had played significant roles in the affairs of other nations in promoting democracy.

He said that foreign countries have a role as observers in the peer review role in the workings of the electoral system to ensure that elections were free and fair provided the foreign observers were not partisan.

Absence of witness stalls trial of 5 ‘whistle blowers’ accused of conspiracy to rob Gov Dickson

The trial of five ‘whistle blowers’ standing trial for conspiracy to rob Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa in his hometown was stalled on Wednesday over absence of prosecution witness.

The accused, Esther Engbeke, Tamnatony Jacob, Engr. Wodu Ebikebomu, Emmanuel Dorgu and Sinclair Thursday are being tried for alleged conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

The accused had denied the charge and told the court that they contemplated disclosing a location where Dickson stashed cash to benefit from the whistle blowing policy of the federal government.

They have been in prison since their arrest in May 2018.

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the prosecuting team led by Andrew Arthur told the court that a prosecution witness,  Insp. Ekpang Columba, slated for cross examination was absent for election duties.

Arthur said that the Policeman was on a training ahead the forthcoming general elections and therefore urged the court to adjourn.

The judge, Justice E.T Okara, subsequently adjourned the case to February 22, for cross examination of the prosecutor’s witness by the defense counsel

The five acused are facing trial before a Sagbamam High Court sitting in Yenagoa in Charge No. SHC/9C/20188.

Columba, also the Investigating Police Officer,had testified on December 12, 2018 during the cross examination that no weapon was found on the accused  when they were arrested.

Chevron 2012 rig explosion: Koluama youths seek out of court resolution of conflict

Seven years after a gas explosion at Chevron’s oilfield off Bayelsa coastline, youths from Koluama have proposed an out of court settlement of conflicts caused by the incident of Jan 2012.

The position of the youths was contained in a letter to Chevron through the Commanding Officer of the Front Operations Naval Base koluama 2 made sighted by our correspondent.

Hundreds of Koluama youths had on Sept. 15 2014 boarded the North Apoi oil platform operated by Chevron over nonpayment of compensation for the rig blowout and vacated the facility after officials of the oil firm opted for dialogue.

Bayelsa APC protests killing of its members in rallies, demand Police protection

The leadership and loyalists of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa on Monday staged a protest against killing of its members in its rallies ahead the 2019 polls.

Leader of APC in Bayelsa Chief Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Agric, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri led the protest to Police Headquarters in Bayelsa.

Addressing thousands of party followers who had marched from the party secretariat to the Police headquarters chanting solidarity songs, Sylva said that the killing of an APC member at a rally in Sagbama was one two many.

He recalled that the party campaigns have been riddled with several attacks by members of rival political party while their perpetrators have not been brought to book.

PDP presidential candidate promises youths 70 per cent in cabinet if elected

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alh Atiku Abubakar has given assurance that his administration would be composed of 70 per cent youths if voted into office on Feb 16.

Abubakar gave the assurance at the PDP mega rally held on Saturday in Benin.

He said his decision was based of available statistics which showed that majority of registered voters in the country were youths.

He said that in view of this there was the need to prepare them for the future, as well as meaningful careers.

He appealed to the gathering to vote for the PDP to enable the party continue to put the Nation on the part of prosperity that the PDP administration was known for.

He further appealed to the gathering not to allow  rigging as it would amount to rigging their future.

He noted that it was the first time in the history of the country that more than 31 million people were out of jobs at once.

Earlier, Mr Uche Secondus, National Chairman of the party said that the PDP Presidential candidate was coming to rescue the country from "poverty, hunger, and mass killing".

He gave assurance that the candidate was also going to bring his wealth of experience to governance, and appealed to INEC not to rig the elections.

Similarly, the Edo PDP chairman, Chief Dan Orbih said that the gathering showed that the State was ready to elect the party's presidential candidate as president come Feb 16.  

Police trains officers, men in zone 5 on Democratic Policing, elections management

The Nigerian Police Force  (NPF) on Friday in Benin, held a 2-days capacity training programme  for officers and men of the Force in zone 5 comprising Edo Delta and Bayelsa ahead of the Feb 16, and March 2 general elections.

The training done in collaboration with Hi-Tech Security Services and Training Limited was on Democratic Policing and Elections Security management.

Declaring open the training, AIG Alkali Usman, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) for the zone, said that the training was to prepare the men and officers for the forth coming general elections.

Represented by the Edo Commissioner of Police, CP Olusegun Odumosu, the AIG stressed that the training would help ensure that the officers and men were abreast with all the policy thrust of policing in the discharge of their duties during the elections.

He noted that there was the need for the Police to be ready for the conduct of the elections as the major responsibilities during the elections lies on the shoulder of the Police and INEC.

According to him there was need for officers to carry out their responsibilities with every sense of care and diligence as everything revolves round the police.

"The world is watching and we should all work to ensure that the police is counted on the part of history positively.

"We are law enforcers and not law makers", he said. 

Earlier, Commissioner of Police Lawrence Alobi (Rtd), Chief Executive Officer of Hi-Tech Security Services and Training Limited in his opening remarks said that the training was to ensure that the officers carry out their functions during the elections effectively in line with  extant rules and regulations guiding the Force.

Alobi said that there was the need for the Police to be well prepared and equipped for the elections, adding that the training was comprehensive and holistic.

He also said that security was central in the conduct of elections, hence the need for officers to be trained.

He further advised that the Police should work harmoniously with the press during the elections as partners. 

No fewer than 100 men and officers from the command were participants at the training, with resources persons drawn from the security service community.