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Group condemns Impeachment move against Deputy Governor over defections to APC

A civil society organisation, the Indigenes Without Borders Foundation (IWBF), has faulted the impeachment proceedings initiated against the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, describing it as politically motivated and procedurally flawed.

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At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Hon. Patrick Michael, a member of the IWBF Board of Trustees, said the deputy governor was being targeted for refusing to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the platform on which he was elected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ewhrujakpo’s decision not to follow Governor Duoye Diri and some members of the State Assembly into the APC last month reportedly triggered tensions within the Bayelsa political establishment.

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Michael claimed the impeachment notice was improperly served, arguing that it violated the constitutional process.

“The notice was published in newspapers a day after the governor’s defection instead of being personally served on the deputy governor, as the law requires,” he said.

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The IWBF vowed that Bayelsa indigenes would resist any attempt to remove Ewhrujakpo “for exercising his constitutional right to belong to a political party of his choice.”

The impeachment notice, dated October 15, 2025, and signed by 14 members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, accuses Ewhrujakpo of gross misconduct, absenteeism, and dereliction of duty.

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The lawmakers also alleged that the deputy governor refused to resign his PDP membership during a political meeting held at Government House, Yenagoa, on the day of the governor’s defection.

The letter, addressed to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, reads in part:
“Take notice that there is a notice of allegation against you of gross misconduct in the performance of your duties as Deputy Governor, Bayelsa State. A copy of the allegation is attached for your response in writing.”

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The lawmakers urged the Speaker to commence investigative proceedings in accordance with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Prominent signatories to the notice include Abraham Ingobere (Brass 3), Dr. Charles Daniel (Brass 1), Tari Porri (Ekeremor 1), Living Mitin (Ekeremor 2), Michael Ogbere (Ekeremor 3), Werinipre Pamoh (Kolokuma/Opokuma 1), Richard Ibegu (Ogbia 1), Sunday Bernard Kennel (Sagbama 2), Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown (Sagbama 3), Bonny Inikiyo Ayah (Southern Ijaw), Monday Bubo Obolo (Southern Ijaw 1), Moses Marlon (Southern Ijaw 3), and Ayibanengiyefa Egba (Yenagoa 1).

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However, the impeachment process has been temporarily halted by an order of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which directed the Bayelsa Assembly and other respondents to appear before it to explain why they should not be restrained from proceeding with the impeachment.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on October 27, following an ex-parte motion (FHC/ABJ/CS/2219/2025) filed by the deputy governor against the State Assembly, its Speaker, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Attorney-General of Bayelsa State, the Chief Judge, and the Clerk of the House.

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In the suit filed on October 17, Ewhrujakpo sought an interim injunction preventing the defendants from removing him from office on grounds that his refusal to defect from the PDP to the APC amounts to gross misconduct. He also asked the court to restrain the state government from recognising any APC member as deputy governor or withdrawing his security detail.

After reviewing the supporting affidavit and arguments presented by Ewhrujakpo’s counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, Justice Nwite ordered the defendants to “appear and show cause” why the interim injunction should not be granted.
The case has been adjourned to November 13 for hearing of the substantive motion.
As of press time, the deputy governor’s media team had yet to issue an official response to the allegations.

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Observers say the episode underscores rising political tensions in Bayelsa following Governor Diri’s defection and may deepen divisions within the state’s ruling structure as both camps brace for the next electoral cycle.

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Suspected notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnappings arrested by Police

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Suspected notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnappings arrested by Police

The Police Command in Rivers on Wednesday, said it has arrested an alleged notorious kidnapper linked to multiple kidnapping incidents in the state.

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The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, stating that the suspect was arrested on Jan. 10.

She said that the suspect aged 30, was identified as the ringleader of a notorious kidnapping syndicate, that coordinated several abductions for ransom across the state.

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According to her, the suspect who is responsible for multiple kidnappings along the Port Harcourt International Airport Road, Omagwa, was apprehended by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit.

“The suspect was planning to relocate his operational armoury and camp to Agbonchia/Oyigbo Road in Eleme Local Government Area before his arrest,” she said.

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She said that the recovered items include an AK-47 rifle with breach number 2125 and two magazines loaded with 36 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm live ammunition.

The spokesperson said that during preliminary investigations, the suspect voluntarily confessed to being the ringleader of the kidnapping syndicate.

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According to her, the suspect and exhibits are currently in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang. (NAN)

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Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation

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Govt suspend Doctors for leaving scissors in patient’s stomach after operation

The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has acknowledged that the death of Aishatu Umar, a five-time mother, resulted from professional lapses at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre, a government health facility in Kano.

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According to a statement issued by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Suleiman, an internal probe initiated by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, revealed that medical staff failed to remove surgical scissors from the patient’s body after an operation, a mistake that proved fatal.

Following the findings, the Board ordered the suspension of three staff members connected to the procedure, barring them from all clinical responsibilities with immediate effect.

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The case has also been handed over to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee, which will conduct a more detailed inquiry and determine appropriate sanctions in accordance with existing regulations and ethical guidelines.

“The Board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathizes with them over this painful loss. We reassure the public that negligence will not be condoned in any form,” the statement read.

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Aishatu Umar reportedly died after complications arising from a surgery in which surgical scissors were allegedly left in her abdomen.

Her husband, Abubakar Muhammad, said she repeatedly complained of worsening health conditions after the operation, but her concerns were not adequately addressed before her death.

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The tragedy has triggered widespread anger among Kano residents, drawing attention to systemic weaknesses in supervision and accountability within public hospitals.

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Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community

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Masquerade arrested, detained by Police over alleged attack in community

The Anambra Police Command says it has detained a masquerade, allegedly involved in unprovoked violent attacks on residents of Awgbu Community in Orumba North LGA of the state.
In a statement issued in Awka and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the incident happened on Monday.
“The Anambra Police Command wishes to inform the public, especially the people of Anambra and other concerned persons, that it has taken into custody the masquerade involved in the unprovoked and violent attacks on innocent citizens.
“The act led to a breach of public peace in Awgbu, Orumba North LGA.
“The suspect is currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice,” Ikenga added.
He described the conduct by the masquerade, as seen in the viral video currently in circulation, as “unacceptable, unlawful, and would not be tolerated under any guise”.
An eyewitness in the community told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the masquerade, accompanied by some youths, went out of its way to attack unsuspecting members of the public and destroyed people’s property.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he said that the incident occurred during the last “Ofala” festival in honour of the late Traditional Ruler of Awgbu, Igwe Michael Okechukwu.
NAN reports that the festival was supposed to be a solemn cultural and symbolic celebration of the life and reign of the late monarch. (NAN)

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