NEWS
Delta Govt Protests N80m Blackmail
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
The government of Delta State maintains that it will not be cowed into paying a whooping N80 million for a TV programme, Inside Niger Delta, anchored by Felix Akugha on the African Independent Television (AIT).
Commissioner for Information, Delta State, Charles Aniagwu, expressed the position while briefing the media in Asaba, on Tuesday.
He was addressing alleged attacks on the Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa led government by the Port Harcourt-based AIT presenter, Akugha.
The Commissioner made available what he claimed to be a copy of the proposal signed by Akugha, to journalists, and averred that the essence was to come clean before the public.
He pointed out that the media briefing was aimed at educating the general public on why Akugha had chosen the path of blackmail instead of speaking facts about the Delta government.
He said, “We have been quiet because we did not want to expose the reason why he had gone offensive for a very long time.
”Long before now, Akugha had approached us and he brought a proposal to that effect, that we should be paying him N80 million annually to project what we are doing in the state.
Read Also >> BREAKING: Buhari Yet To Anoint Any Candidate – Northern Govs
“He had approached us verbally, but in September 2021, he brought this proposal and we said that apart from the fact that the amount was on the high side, the numbers of the things you want to do, we are already handling.
“Besides that, he listed the number of media outfits to be deployed but did not include our local broadcasting stations in the state.”
In addition, Aniagwu stated, “We, however, advised him to progress but take a second look at the cost he was presenting and to also incorporate our local media outfits in Warri and Asaba.
“All he wanted was to push his way through but we say that is not how we work.
“Since that time, he went on the offensive believing that he could blackmail us into doing his bidding.
“He called the programme, ‘Inside Niger Delta’ but what he ended up doing is inside the politics of Delta State.
“So, for every edition of the programme, he looks for his co-travellers to attack whatever we are doing even though he progresses in error.”
He pointed out that even when the state government had explained what it wanted to do with the N150 billion bridging finance, Akugha went about castigating the government.
“Akugha claimed that we have abandoned the ongoing Asaba-Ughelli dualization project (Federal Government Road) that efforts are on by the Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa led the government to complete.
“Beyond that, when we announced that we were going to build an International Conference Centre, he queried why we needed to give advance payment to mobilise the contractor.
“But I did explain to him on the need for the advance payment, particularly when speed was of essence and given the spiral inflation but rather than agreeing, Akugha went on a voyage of destruction.
“Even in his edition of Monday, given the rising profile of Gov. Okowa largely due to his performance and achievements, Akugha and his co-travellers painted a picture that is at variance with the reality, saying that nothing is happening in Delta.
“But we want to make it clear that the number of attacks from Felix Akugha, will not make us to engage him or pay him the N80 million he is demanding.
“If he wants to do business that is legitimate, we don’t have problems with that but he can’t force our hands to pay him.”
Young C, a Nigerian man, has been buried alive in a coffin for twenty-three hours.
On Thursday, he posted an update on his Instagram account saying, “Guys, I am still alive, I am still fine, I am okay. A lot of you might think something has happened, but nothing has happened, I am fine.
Breathing heavily he said, “My problem is just that I have run out of water, I might be forced to drink this (my urine). Guys, I am fine.”
Young C had embarked on this daring challenge on Wednesday, announcing his intention to be buried alive for 24 hours.
He shared a video on his Instagram account, emphasizing that the stunt was genuine and not a hoax. He also announced his plan to broadcast live footage from the coffin at night.
In an earlier update, Young C revealed that he had been buried for over 8 hours and was experiencing physical discomfort, including excessive sweating.
He shared a video from the coffin, showing his camera and light still functioning, and expressed his determination to complete the challenge.
This accomplishment brings to mind another challenge that American YouTuber MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) undertook two years ago to raise awareness about deforestation. In that challenge, he buried himself alive for fifty hours.
He overcame both physical and mental obstacles to finish the task and was ultimately exhumed, warning onlookers not to attempt such exploits since they could be dangerous.
Former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, along with his daughter, Fatimah Hadi Sirika, and son-in-law, Jalal Hamma, secured bail from the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
This follows their indictment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for their alleged involvement in a N2.7bn fraud tied to the Nigerian Air project.
The defendants, including Sirika and his family members, vehemently denied the charges during their appearance before Justice Sylvanus Orji, who granted them bail pending further legal proceedings.
Recall that Sirika faces a 6-count amended criminal charge before Justice Oriji, where the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, presented an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7 and filed on May 8.
This amendment was unopposed by the defendants’ counsel. Lead counsel Kanu Agabi (SAN), representing Sirika, submitted his client’s bail application dated May 6 during the proceedings.
The remaining defendants also filed their bail applications, urging the court for leniency in setting the bail terms.
Prosecutor Jacobs highlighted that all defendants were on administrative bail and requested bail conditions ensuring their presence for trial.
Following arguments from both sides, Justice Orji granted bail to each defendant in the amount of ₦100 million, requiring two sureties for each.
Furthermore, the judge stipulated that one surety must possess a landed property with valid land titles within the Federal Capital Territory.
Additionally, the sureties must provide an affidavit of means..
The defendants were restricted from leaving the country without the court’s permission, with the consequence of non-compliance being detention in a correctional facility.
He said, “I admit the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendant to bail in the sum of 100 million each with 2 sureties of like sum.
“One of the sureties must have a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory. The defendants must not travel outside the country.
“Any of them who is unable to fulfil the bail conditions will be remanded in the correctional centre.” he added
The trial dates were set for June 10th, 11th, and 20th, marking the next steps in the legal proceedings.
In a decisive move, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has enacted a prohibition preventing all heads and officials from the 23 local government areas in the state from participating in Rivers Assembly sessions, specifically targeting lawmakers aligned with the Pro-Wike faction.
The governor cautioned that any individual who attends sessions convened by lawmakers supportive of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, will face dismissal.
Recall that Governor Fubara reiterated that the state currently lacks recognized lawmakers in the eyes of the law, citing the defection of 27 legislators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the governor’s statement, this move has invalidated their mandate as outlined in the constitution.
It was however gathered that the governor’s directive was communicated via an online circular signed by Ebirieneuket Nteile C, Director of Information and Communications for Chairman Local Government Service Commission, dated Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
The circular reads “I am directed to inform you/ all officers of the 23 Local Government Councils in Rivers State, not to honour/appear before the Members of Assembly or any purported invitation by anybody or group of persons in any guise without the permission of the Acting Chairman- Local Government Service Commission.
“Any staff who disobeys or violates this instruction will be dismissed accordingly from service. Treat as very important, please.”
VIDEO: Nigerian Man Spends 23 Hours Buried Alive In Coffin
Court Grants N100m Bail To Sirika, Daughter In N2.7bn Fraud Case
N2.7bn Fraud: Sirika, Daughter To Be Arraigned Today
I’ve Dated More Than 100 Women – Singer Skales
I Got The Concept For “Men Are Crazy” From My Hubby – Simi
Fubara Bans All LGA Heads From Rivers Assembly
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
