NEWS
Cross River House of Assembly To Enact Stricter Kidnapping Laws
The Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, has announced plans to enact a state law that will impose severe punishment on kidnappers.
He made this disclosure during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), who sought the Assembly’s support in rescuing their colleague, Prof Ekanem Ephraim of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, who had been kidnapped a week earlier.
According to reports, the kidnappers had disguised themselves as patients. The Speaker expressed his deep concern over the rising cases of kidnappings in various parts of the state.
He emphasized that once the law is enacted, anyone caught in the act of kidnapping within the state will face significant consequences for their actions.
He said “I really feel very sad by the frequency of abductions. The recent case of Professor (Mrs) Ekanem Philip Ephraim of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital is very worrisome.
“I understand your pain and want to assure you that we will do everything possible to secure her immediate release from the kidnappers’ den. The State governor and the security operatives are working round the clock to bring her back safely.
During the meeting, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly appealed to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) not to follow through with their threat of withdrawing their professional services.
He assured the NMA that the kidnapped doctor of Neurology, Prof Ekanem Ephraim, would be safely released.
Dr Felix Archibong, the chairman of the NMA, led the delegation and expressed the unspeakable trauma that the victim was enduring.
He highlighted the recurring incidents of kidnapping targeting their members and called on the government and security agencies to take decisive action to put an end to it.
Dr Archibong pleaded for the prompt and unhurt release of Prof Ephraim
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) wishes to clarify that despite a minor incident at a section of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) earlier today, the plant remains operational and continues to produce on-spec refined petroleum products.
ALSO READ: Tinubu Swears In Ibas As Rivers Sole Administrator
This was disclosed in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X on Wednesday night by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi O. Soneye.
The NNPC Ltd assures the public that there is no cause for concern, as all sections of the recently rehabilitated plant are in full operation, Soneye explained.
The House of Representatives has moved to investigate the Federal Government’s conditional cash transfer programme following complaints of delayed and unpaid disbursements to beneficiaries.
Leading the motion, Honourable Abass Adigun reminded the House that in August 2024, nominees were informed they would receive N50,000 each for three months.
However, while some beneficiaries received their payments much later than expected, others have not been paid at all.
READ MORE: FG Set To Roll Out Cash Transfers For 20m Vulnerable Nigerians
He noted that the National Cash Transfer Office has not responded to inquiries regarding these outstanding payments.
The programme, which was first introduced during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration under the National Social Investment Programme, was suspended by President Bola Tinubu in January due to allegations of corruption.
However, the government announced its resumption in February, expanding it to cover 12 million more households.
With this probe, lawmakers aim to address the lack of transparency surrounding the disbursement process and ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive their payments.
President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator of Rivers State following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly.
The brief swearing-in ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja at approximately 3:00 PM, with top government officials present, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Principal Secretary to the President Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Appoints Vice Admiral Ibas As Rivers Administrator
Ibas, who previously served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, arrived at the Presidential Villa around 12:48 PM before taking the oath of office.
The swearing-in followed President Tinubu’s Tuesday night announcement declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State.
In a national address, Tinubu justified the move, citing governance paralysis caused by political conflict, constitutional violations, and security threats.
The crisis in the state has been fueled by a bitter rivalry between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State have failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“It has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025, and I so do,” Tinubu declared.
With the state’s elected leadership suspended for an initial six-month period, Vice Admiral Ibas has been tasked with managing state affairs.
Tinubu assured that while the executive and legislative arms are affected by the suspension, the judiciary will continue to operate as usual.
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” Tinubu stated.
“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.”
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