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AKWA IBOM POLICE ARREST MAN FOR ALLEGEDLY MURDERING WIFE OVER INFIDELITY

The Akwa Ibom Police Command has arrested a 42-year-old man, Victor Okon, for allegedly murdering his 38-year-old wife, Victoria Okoh, at their residence in Oron. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the police received a distress call from concerned residents at 05:20 and swiftly responded to the scene. “On arrival, the officers discovered the mutilated body of the deceased lying outside the house she shared with her husband,” John said. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly attacked his wife with a machete over accusations of infidelity. The suspect attempted to evade arrest by hiding in the ceiling of the house but was apprehended by the police. The machete used in committing the crime was recovered, and photographs of the scene were taken for investigation purposes. The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the state’s General Hospital Morgue for an autopsy. The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, condemned the act and assured the public that justice would take its full course. “I warn against all forms of domestic violence and call on residents to seek lawful means of resolving disputes rather than resorting to violence,” Azare said. He pledged the commitment of the command toward ensuring the safety of citizens and urged the public to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.

GOVERNOR UMO ENO CONDOLES WITH FAMILY, NUJ OVER ABIGAIL ISAAC’S DEMISE

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has expressed deep sadness over the passing of Miss Abigail Isaac, Chairman of the Consolidated Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council. In a condolence message, Governor Eno described Isaac as a talented and dedicated journalist who left an indelible mark on the media landscape in Akwa Ibom State. He commiserated with her family, the NUJ, and the entire media community in the state over the irreparable loss. The Governor’s message, released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, reads in part: “I am deeply saddened by the news of Miss Abigail Isaac’s passing. My heart goes out to her family, the NUJ, and the media community in Akwa Ibom State.” Governor Eno prayed for the peaceful repose of Isaac’s soul and assured her family of the state government’s support during their time of grief.

FORMER AKWA IBOM GOVERNOR UDOM EMMANUEL ARRESTED OVER ALLEGED N700 BILLION FRAUD

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel over allegations of a N700 billion fraud. The arrest occurred on Tuesday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, following an invitation to the former governor. Emmanuel, who served from 2015 to 2023, faces accusations of money laundering, fund diversion, and financial mismanagement during his tenure. A petition by the civil society organization, Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT), alleged that Emmanuel received over N3 trillion from the Federation Account but left behind a debt of N500 billion and N300 billion in unpaid ongoing projects. He is also said to be unable to account for N700 billion. Investigations reportedly revealed N31 billion withdrawn in cash from an account titled ‘Office of the Governor’ between 2019 and 2023. A source stated, “We have arrested the former governor of Akwa Ibom over an alleged N700 billion fraud. NACAT’s petition prompted our investigation. The petitioner alleged that Emmanuel received N3 trillion but left behind a debt of N500 billion and unpaid projects worth N300 billion. He is also unable to account for N700 billion.” The EFCC has not yet issued an official statement regarding the arrest, and the agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, did not respond to inquiries by press time. In January 2025, NACAT had called for investigations into Emmanuel’s administration. The former governor’s aides dismissed the allegations as baseless, with his media assistant, Steven Abia, stating that Emmanuel remained unperturbed by the corruption claims.

GOVERNOR UMO ENO CRACKS DOWN ON UNAUTHORIZED PRESS STATEMENTS

In a bid to maintain a unified voice and curb misinformation, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has banned the indiscriminate issuance of press statements by government ministries, agencies, and departments. According to the Governor, “Henceforth, no press release shall be issued without his explicit approval.” Only two individuals are authorized to issue press releases on behalf of the government: the Honorable Commissioner for Information and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor. This directive is effective immediately, and any violation will result in immediate dismissal. Governor Eno emphasized that this serves as the first and final warning. The Governor made this declaration on Sunday, February 16, 2024, while attending a worship service at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Immanuel Cathedral, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. This move is seen as an effort to streamline communication and ensure that official statements accurately reflect the government’s position.

AKWA IBOM STATE POLICE COMMAND LAUNCHES ENFORCEMENT DRIVE FOR THIRD-PARTY INSURANCE

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched an enforcement drive to ensure that all vehicles in the state have third-party insurance coverage. This move is in line with Section 68 of the Insurance Act and Section 312 of the 1945 Motor Vehicle (Third Party Insurance) Act. Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the commitment to enforce the mandatory third-party vehicle insurance from February 1, 2025, as directed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun. “Vehicles found without valid third-party insurance will be seized and taken to the nearest police formation. Such vehicles will only be released upon the presentation of valid insurance documents,” said DSP Timfon John, Police Public Relations Officer. Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has thrown his weight behind the enforcement drive, emphasizing the importance of third-party insurance in ensuring the safety and well-being of road users. The Governor also directed the state’s Ministry of Transportation to work closely with the police command to ensure the success of the enforcement drive. However, the enforcement drive has raised questions about the roles of different agencies in checking vehicle particulars. In Nigeria, three organizations are responsible for checking vehicle documents: the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), and the Police. The overlap in responsibilities has led to confusion among motorists, with many calling for a clarification of roles and streamlining of responsibilities. Despite the confusion, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command’s enforcement of third-party motor insurance compliance is a step in the right direction towards ensuring road safety and accountability. Motorists are advised to cooperate with the authorities and ensure their vehicle documents are up to date to avoid penalties and fines.

TRAGEDY STRIKES AKWA IBOM DEPUTY GOVERNOR’S FAMILY AS DAUGHTER DIES AFTER CHILD DELIVERY

The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, has been thrown into mourning following the tragic loss of her daughter, Mrs. Eyankeyi Blessing. According to reports, Blessing, who tied the knot just seven months ago, succumbed to complications arising from childbirth at a hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Late Blessing The unfortunate incident occurred on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, leaving the family, friends, and well-wishers in shock. To make matters worse, Mrs. Blessing also lost her baby in the process, making it a double tragedy for the family. Eno and Late Wife As news of the tragic incident spread, sympathies and messages of condolence have been pouring in from government officials, politicians, and friends, offering support to the grieving family during this difficult time. The incident comes just a few months after Governor Umo Eno, Dr. Eyakenyi’s boss, lost his wife, Deaconess Patience Umo Eno, after a protracted illness. Dr. Eyakenyi’s daughter, Mrs. Blessing, had a grand wedding ceremony in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, which was attended by numerous high-profile dignitaries from across the nation. The wedding was officiated by Dr. Sylvanus Ukafia, Founder of Insight Bible Church. Dep. Gov. Eyakenyi The family is currently receiving condolences and support from various quarters, with many expressing their shock and sadness at the sudden loss. As the family navigates this difficult time, they have requested prayers and support from the public.

MINISTER EKPERIKPE EKPO DENIES PLOT TO SABOTAGE PRESIDENT TINUBU’S RE-ELECTION

The Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. (Obongemem) Ekperikpe Ekpo, has denied allegations of being involved in a plot to sabotage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election efforts. This comes after a malicious advert circulating in the media space, particularly in Akwa Ibom State, made baseless claims against the Honourable Minister regarding his working relationship with the Akwa Ibom State Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno. In a statement, Spokesman for the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Louis Ibah, stated that Governor Eno is leading a peaceful administration in Akwa Ibom State and has no interference with activities that go on in the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ibah also emphasized that Honourable Minister Ekpo is known by all as a loyal and dedicated member of the APC, and his commitment to the party and its ideals is unwavering. The Honourable Minister played a pivotal role in the formation of the Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum (ADF), a political platform that contributed significantly to the APC’s successes in the 2023 elections. Louis Ibah noted that Ekpo’s efforts led to the emergence of the Senate President and two House of Representatives members in the 2023 polls, and a Local Government Chairman and many councillorship seats in Essien Udim and Ika Local Government Areas in the just concluded LGA election in the state. Ibah stated that Ekpo remains resolute in his commitment to securing a landslide victory for President Tinubu in Akwa Ibom State, as well as the re-election of the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio, and winning of more seats for the APC in the Houses of Representatives and State Assembly come 2027. The partnership between Honourable Minister Ekpo and Governor Eno has attracted multinational firms and multimillion-dollar investments to Akwa Ibom State, reviving dormant projects such as the Jindal Group of India’s commitment to offtake 450MMscfd of gas for their steel plant, and the launching of the Presidential CNG Initiative Programme with two certified conversion centers. Louis Ibah stated that Ekpo reemphasizes that his relationship with Governor Eno is based on his conviction that only through an atmosphere of peace and unity can development come to Akwa Ibom State.

BUA REFINERY PROJECT THREATENED AS COMMUNITY ACCUSES FIRM OF ILLEGAL LAND ENCROACHMENT

A fresh crisis is brewing at the BUA Refinery and Petrochemicals located in Akwa Ibom state as the Ekid community accused the oil firm of illegally encroaching into their land The community has threatened to shut down the refinery complex, insisting that the Stubbs Creeks Forest, where the project is located, is their territory. The dispute follows a lingering disagreement between the Ekid community and their neighbours, Ibeno, over the ownership of the said land. According to the Ekid people, BUA Refinery and Petrochemicals should have followed the footsteps of Mobil Producing Nigeria, which had its operational base in the area, by meeting with the landowners and paying compensation accordingly before acquiring the land. Udonsak In a document submitted to the Akwa Ibom State Land Use and Allocation Committee, the National President of Ekid People’s Union, Dr Samuel Udonsak, accused BUA of illegal encroachment on their land without following the due process. “ExxonMobil Qua Iboe Terminal is situated in the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve. It was first dereserved, then the land acquired and compensation paid to the Ekid people who are the landowners of the Stubbs Creeks Forest,” Dr Udonsak said. “This is how land can be acquired in the Stubbs Creek Forest, and nobody should be cajoled by greed for lack of knowledge to regard Ibeno as landowners of the Stubbs Creek Forest. That is what BUA ought to have done and must now do. Identify the area of its interest, meet the landowners (Ekid people), and we would be delighted to meet with them,” Dr Udonsak added. The community insisted that BUA must secure a lease from the Ekid people, the landowners, before approaching the government for land titles. “With the secured lease terms from Ekid, the landowners, BUA would then approach the government for land titles as appropriate, anything less than that amounts to criminal encroachment and Ekid people will resist it until eternity,” Dr Udonsak said. The Stubbs Creeks Forest Reserve, also known as Akoiyak Ekid, is a gazette forest reserve in Akwa Ibom state, established in 1930. The reserve has attracted several researchers from within and outside Nigeria, as it is considered a hotspot for biodiversity, especially its floral and faunal resources. In 2021, a public dispute emerged between Eket and Ibeno Local government areas of Akwa Ibom State on the ownership of Stubbs Creek forest reserve. This dispute was intensified following the interest of BUA Group of Companies in the forest. The BUA Refinery and Petrochemicals project, which is being developed by BUA Group, a Nigerian conglomerate, aims to strengthen Nigeria’s refining capacity, reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuels and petrochemicals, and help build a stronger industrial and manufacturing base for Nigeria. Once completed, the refinery will produce high-quality gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and propylene, all meeting Euro-V specifications. The project is backed by Abdul Samad Rabiu, the founder and chairman of BUA Group, and Axens, a company that provides technologies and equipment for the oil and petrochemical industry. Management has said that the refinery will be completed by the end of 2025. However, the dispute over the ownership of the land is one of the reasons for the slow pace of progress on the refinery project, according to the community.

AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNOR, PASTOR UMO ENO, DISSOLVES STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has relieved all commissioners of their duties, effective January 10, 2025. The Governor praised the commissioners for their contributions to the administration’s delivery on the ARISE Agenda. In a press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, Governor Eno expressed his sincere appreciation to the outgoing Executive Council members for their dedicated service to the state. He wished them well in their future endeavors and thanked them for their contributions to the development of Akwa Ibom State. As part of the dissolution, all Honorable Commissioners and Special Advisers have been directed to hand over to their Permanent Secretaries or the most senior director where there is no Permanent Secretary. A dinner is scheduled to take place at the Banquet Hall later today to bid the commissioners and others farewell. This move marks a significant development in the administration of Governor Eno, who was sworn in as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.