TANTITA Security Services Nigeria Limited, TSSNL, the private security company, PSC, operated by ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemuplo, alias Tompolo, has counteracted the claim by Femi Falana, SAN, that Chief of Defense Staff, CDS, General Lucky Irabor and Nigerian Navy were wrong in the burning of the crude oil vessel, recently, seized by his company for oil theft.

The lead legal consultant to TSSNL, Emmanuel Jakpa, in a statement, on Tuesday, October 18th, 2022, said: “Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, had opined that based on Section 111 of the Armed Forces Act, that scuttling the ship was arson and that the naval authorities breached the rule of law and the CDS ought to resign for backing them. However, is this so?

He contended that Falana and those opposed to the CDS incorrectly relied on the Armed Forces Act, but the applicable law in the case in question is the Hydrocarbon Oils Refining Act.

“Care must be taken not to provide unwarranted solace to the people who destroy our environment, rape our commonwealth, and cheat our nation of the resources necessary for schools and hospitals,” he cautioned.

TSSNL also queried if Falana was attacking the company for accepting a government contract to stop crude oil stealing, saying it was necessary to separate the issues “because it would seem these attacks have a common purpose to dislodge or disparage the good work by a private security company.”

According to the statement; “The Armed Forces Act is certainly good law, no doubt, but it is inapplicable to facts of this circumstance. The circumstance of this matter is that somebody using the instrumentality of a ship had interfered with Nigeria’s ownership rights to produce hydrocarbon oils for refining.”

“Unquestionably, the ship had crude oil in its cargo holds but lacked the authority to take it. The ship captain made a confessional statement admitting he lacked authority to take crude, after which they ordered the ship sunk.

“Many well-meaning lawyers quickly seized upon the rule of law issue and asked why the order to scuttle the vessel could not await legal proceedings in court. Some other well-meaning people, lawyers included, went as far as suggesting that it was all meant to cover evidence of complicity.

“Let us take the legal issues first. Was there a breach of the rule of law, or were the CDS right to say that the action taken by naval authorities was within their rules of engagement?

“While Falana relies on the Armed forces Act, it is our humble opinion that the applicable law is the Hydrocarbon Oils Refining Act.

“Section 15 of the Hydrocarbons Oil Refining Act provides as follows – ‘If any officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that any refining of hydrocarbon oils, contrary to the provisions of this Act, is being carried out, on any land or premises, he may enter thereon if need be by force, and dismantle or seize any apparatus and equipment used for or in connection with such unlawful refining.’

“The purpose of taking the crude from the wellhead was certainly for illegal refining, whether here or abroad. This clearly brings the vessel within the ambit of this law. In addition, this law permits the dismantling of the apparatus or equipment used for illegal refining. Scuttling the ship was to dismantle it.

“Section 1 of the Act already outlawed any act connected with refining without a license when it provided that, ‘Subject to the provisions of this Act, no person shall refine any hydrocarbon oils save in a refinery and under a license issued under the Act.’

“So any person taking hydrocarbon oils without a refiners’ license or permission to carry hydrocarbon oils is in breach of the law.

“Section 18(1)(b) of the law gives the power to the government to levy distress (seizure) on all equipment, plants, tools, ships, vehicles, animals or other goods or effects whatsoever used in the refining, sale or distribution, sale of hydrocarbon oils found in any premises or any land… etc used in violation of the Act.

“Some would argue that levying distress is not destruction, but apparently the Act contemplates that destruction is included in the case. See Section 25 of the Act. Importantly, Section 18(5) of the Act places the burden of proof that the action of such an officer (acting on behalf of the Government) is wrong on the person claiming that they wrongly their property.

“Section 25 provides that where the person claiming ownership of the property is able to satisfy the court, whether in a civil or criminal proceeding, brought against a person authorized by the Act to seize or detain anything, that the government is liable…

“Nothing in the Act shall affect the right of that person to the return or the thing seized or detained or to compensation in respect to any damage to the thing or in respect of the destruction thereof. This is the proviso to S.25 (2) of the Act.

“This clearly supports the rules of engagement cited by the CDS, a seizure may result in destruction, and where the owner is able to prove that the officer was wrong to detain or destroy his property he will be entitled to compensation in full.

“Therefore, the CDS was right, and a person cannot be liable for an offense if he was authorized by law to do the act complained of.

“Reprising it all, an officer has the right to detain or dismantle anything used in connection with illegal refining, including a ship.

“In detaining it, it could be destroyed. Any person who claims that they destroyed his property can go to court to seek redress. The burden of proof is on him. If he succeeds, he will get compensation.

“In other words, it is the Hydrocarbons Oil Refining Act and not the Armed Forces Act that meets the peculiar circumstances of this case.

“As for those worried about the rule of law or the destruction of evidence, while it is conceded that their concerns are genuine and germane, it is equally clear that the best evidence for the prosecution of a crime is a confessional statement. This is the best evidence rule in law. It is also the law that no crime will go unpunished simply because the instrument by which the crime was committed is not produced in court.

“The ship cannot tell us who owns it, nor can it tell us how many times it has been used to commit a crime, it is the people who were caught on the ship that can tell us this, and to the best of my knowledge, none of them died with the scuttling of the vessel.

“So, no evidence has been lost and people alarmed at the possible loss of evidence can rest that prosecution can still take place against all persons who may have been involved with this nefarious trade.

“I presume that the naval authorities wanted to send a clear message that those who can afford a couple of million dollars to buy pre-owned ships for purposes connected with illegal refining will lose their capital and the tools of their trade, as the hammer falls swiftly.

“By that singular act, it has raised the risk for all those who wish to enter the trade or remain in it. I do not see why anyone should complain if the ends of the law can still be met by the best evidence rule.

“Equally genuine and germane are the concerns of those who are appalled by the further degradation of our already painfully disfigured Niger Delta environment. We agree that this is one more act that further damages the delicate Niger Delta environment.

“However, it is my personal belief that if this act will deter the sponsors of illegal bunkering from putting so many million dollars into acts that will only degrade the delta further, then it is a hard but necessary choice to make.

“ It is a difficult choice, but we know that many ships seized by law enforcement agents lying at various ports across the country have sunk and discharged their cargo into the territorial waters of Nigeria polluting the environment, while lawyers fought over injunctions and counter injunctions and argued themselves hoarse sometimes for the better part of a decade.

“No lawyer or environmentalist to the best of my knowledge has raised a hue or cry over the harm done to our environment by such unintended but avoidable judicial mishaps.

“My clarion call is to all well-meaning Nigerians to support the decision of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL to find credible partners to rid our country of the menace of illegal bunkering once and for all,” he said.

The governor of Cross River State, , Professor Benedict Ayade, has introduced a made-in-Cross River noodles which will soon hit the market.

Ayade made this known via his Facebook page on Thursday October 20, 2022, While
Sharing photos of the noodles, Prof.  Ayade said, “Cross River Noodles to hit market soon.”

Here are pix of some of the already made Noodles packages & Factory   

..

.Amb Blessing Adogbeji receiving a certificate of an award

The leadership of Niger Delta Youth Council of Nigeria(NDYCN) ably led by Amb Blessing Adogbeji has appealed to the various state government affected by the recent flood disaster including the federal government to urgently come to the aid of flood victims in the Niger Delta region and other parts of the country as it has ravaged several communities and render many homeless.

Amb Blessing Adogbeji added that various communities in Delta, Bayelsa, Imo, Anabram, Kogi, Lagos etc have been ravaged by flood that have destroyed the source of livelihood of the people with incessant death toll.

The NDYCN National President Amb Blessing Adogbeji further urged the various state and federal government to immediately intervene by coming to the rescue of the flood victims,particularly those in the flood prone areas, by possibly evacuating them to safer location, for the fear of more heavy rain that are likely to be witnessed before the end of the year.

While reiterating the urgency of the need for government to wade in, Amb Blessing noted with concern the losses reportedly suffered by many residents whose houses and business premises were submerged by flood on the heels of consecutive torrential downpour.

However, Amb Blessing advised residents in flood prone areas to always heed to warnings from different relevant government agencies, notably National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency(NIHSA) and Nigeria Meteorological Agency(NiMET) on Flood.
And also residents across the country are also enjoined to clean their drainages and desist from emptying garbages into drains to avoid blockage.

Also, the NDYCN renewed its call on all states in the Niger Delta to accord priority attention to the rehabilitation of all failed roads and drainages within her states and environs noting that this would go a long way in mitigating the problems arising from flood in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country…

By: Celestine Ukah

*Use Your new ranks to secure your environment- Delta Gallant Commandant Rev. Col Abayovwe Charges new officers

A Cross Section of Shalom Baptist Church Members & Well wishers shortly after the Commissioning 

The newly Commissioned Gallant Corp Officers

Rev Col  Kinsley Aboyovwe

The Minister In charge of Shalom Baptist Church , Ekpan, Delta State, PST. Bright Opate has been Commissioned to the rank of Major of the Gallant Chaplain Corp Nigeria, GodGift Unotokagho and Afe Grace were both commissioned as Major.

While congratulating the newly commissioned Officers Saturday October 15 2022 at Hope Baptist Church. Oil Field Road. Effurun-Warri, the Delta State Gallant Chaplain Corp Command Commandant. Rev. Col Kingsley Aboyovwe charged the three Major Commissioned Officers to see to their new ranks as assignment to affect their environment positively which they have been thought on how to police their environment.

Rev Col Abayovwe noted that the Gallant Chaplain Corp is rooted under the Nigeria Army in Kwara with the Commandant General Emmanuel Shola, adding that they have good working synergy with other military and paramilitary agencies in Delta State.

The Delta State Gallant Chaplain Corp Commandant highlighted their duties to include educating people about security consciousness, avert security bridge as well as to maintain law and order in their communities.

Speaking on behalf of the newly commissioned Gallant Chaplain Corp Officers, PST Major Bright Opate expressed gratitude to God for his commissioning as a Major , assuring that he will use the office to impact lives positively and champion security of lives and property.

PST Major Opate appreciated the Commandant General of the Gallant Chaplain Corp, Emmanuel Shola and the Delta State Commandant Rev Col Abayovwe for the opportunity , he on behalf of his colleagues promised to display the knowledge and training gathered into securing and making the society safe.

, Commodore Nesiama Rtd sympathizing with some flood victims

Yesterday  flood blocked the East-West road by Evwreni as well as stopped the Delta South Senatorial Candidate of the New Nigerian People’s Party, NNPP, Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, Rtd. and his political supporters who were going distribute relief materials to the flood victims from accessing Communities under Patani Local Government Area.

Commodore Nesiama who met other displaced persons at Evwreni promptly shared the relief materials to them.

In a chat with newsmen, Commodore Nesiama, stressed the need for immediate intervention to be in put place to avert the flood pointing out that the situation is very pathetic and terrible. “It’s àctually a disaster.

“What I have seen yesterday, and what I have seen today, we need quick intervention to mitigate this apart from trying to find support for the people in terms of making sure that they remain healthy and have food to eat. We need to immediately resolve to deal with the flood disaster.

“It’s a very serious matter. Yes, we are really stuck here today. We intend getting to Bomadi to meet with the people displaced, stuck there, but unfortunately can’t even move. We got stuck here. We have made attempts and our vehicle almost got carried away and we were told that there are even more.”

According to Commodore Nesiama,”What we intend doing now, we can’t go back with the things that we have designed to give to the IDPs camp. We are observing now that there are even IDPs in this current position that we are here because people have not been able to move and they need food. We can’t carry those foods back because we can’t get to our exact destination.”

He said,”This is not politics, because some people came to me that this people are in the Delta Central and I said I don’t mind.

“They are human beings, am not targetting people in my constitutional constituency alone”.

Commodore Nesiama also gave an instant employment to one of a young man he met at the Evwreni. He noted also that the employment is take careter for the teeming unemployed youths with a view to take them out of the streets and make them better persons in the society.

Commodore Nesiama said it’s painful that he is not able to access the Communities in Patani.

“We will find another strategy to do that, we can decide to send some of these things through the boat with some of our representatives down there. It’s going to take about seven (7) to eight (8) hours to get there from here by what I have been told.”

The beneficiary of the employment, Mr. Kenneth Ogheneovo Francis expressed delight at the kind gesture of Commodore Nesiama.

He said,”I feel so great. Am grateful and God will strengthen him. More grease to his elbow for he has given me another step forward.”

Also in a chat with newsmen, an indigene of Evwreni Community, Raymond Udokuroh said Commodore Nesiama surprised the flood victims at Evwreni with his visit.

He noted that the political leader who represents the people of Delta Central in Abuja did not give them anything during this flood disaster.

“But a man who we did not know, he has not even tasted power, surprised the people of Evwreni with a lot of food items and also created job opportunity for one of our Indigenes. Empowerment for one of our boys. Definitely, if this kind of man go to government, he will do alot to us.”

Udokuroh also prayed God Almighty to protect Commodore Nesiama and to ensure that he wins his election to become the senator representing the people of Delta South Senatorial District.

Earlier, Mrs. Joy Omote Elo Amojo who was seen boarding a wooden canoe told Commodore Nesiama that the road from Evwreni axis of the East-West road is very difficult to pass through. She said she paid five hundred naira for the canoe to cross her to Patani before embarking on her journey to Bayelsa State. According to her, she is spending more in terms of transportation to yet to her destination.

Our Correspondent who monitored the activities at the road reports that so many people who were displaced by the ravaging flood are currently stranded.

By: Celestine Ukah 

*Ughelli South communities need urgent help from Okowa – Flood Victims

The entire Arhavwarien Kingdom and its surrounding communities have been submerged by the ravaging floods currently taking over communities in Delta State and other parts of the country .

Areanewsng.com reports that the entire Arhavwarien Kingdom was hit by the dangerous busy heavy flood moving waters , forcing residents to flee their ancestral homes without moving away any of their properties.

The flood which is now becoming like a pandemic has affected several communities in Delta State leading to shutting down of so many Councils LGAs, currently out of 25 LGAs 19 LGAs are facing heinous attack of floods in various towns in Delta state.

The affected residents and communities are calling on the Delta state Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to come to their aid and find a lasting solution to the floodings ravaging communities.

Arhavwarien people is also urging governor Okowa to visit the flood victims and assure them of government care in such a time, adding that responsible government should show love its people just as other flood affected States governors are displaying to their citizens .

Submerged building  in  – Arhavwarien Town,  Ughelli South Local Government Area

They as well appealed to President Buhari to mandate relevant federal agencies like Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, State Emergency Management Agency, National Emergency Management Agency and others to come and assist them in alleviating their pains.

By: Ella Ogba

The Senator Representing Anambra North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Stella Oduah says Eight LGAs in Anambra state and several communities have been submerged as well as 170 deaths recorded in the ongoing flood ravaging some parts of the state.

Senator Oduah made this disclosure at the Senate plenary Thursday October 13, 2022 during call for urgent intervention for flood victims in Anambra especially in the riverine areas and other parts of the country under urgent public importance motion moved at the Red Chamber.

It would be recall that Anambra is having 21 local government areas of which Eight of them currently have most of their communities under water, as a result of flood. Though most of them are not strangers to water, as they are mostly referred to as the riverine areas of Anambra State, residents of the areas are already used to water, and have nothing to fear about it. They are mostly fishermen, and are conversant with water.

The 2012 flood can be said to be one of the most devastating, but an elder in Omor community of Ayamelum, LGA Mr Sunday Ibe during an interview with our correspondent that year had said: “We are not afraid of water, infact, the farmers and fishermen among us practically live in water, as most of them prefer to live in farm settlements, where they farm and fish, only coming into the communities when their products are due for sale, or at weekend.

Meanwhile, in Anaku, the Local Government Headquarters of Ayamelum Local Government Area, flood submerged the entire secretariat, while motorists, residents and visitors to the area were also reportedly trapped, as there was no access way back to town.

Mr. Paul Nwauba, one of those trapped, said that the flood was an annual occurrence that needed permanent solution. He also called for assistance in the form of boats to rescue trapped people. “We have been experiencing such but it is worse now as it has submerged the Onitsha/Ayamelum road, thereby trapping those at the Local Government Area, especially Anaku. The Ezu river has been submerged too, and the river covered by flood, thereby making it impassable for travellers and residents,” he stressed.

From left: Sir Richard Odibo, Chief Sir Sam Odjoji, Amb. Gloria Adebiyi &Chief Dr. Fidelis Adaka

By: Celestine Ukah

The Association of Justices of the Peace AJP, Delta State, has described the Federal Commissioner Representing Delta state in the National Population Commission, NPC, Sir Richard Odibo as a great man whom God has elevated to serve humanity.

This eulogy was made Tuesday October 11, 2022 at the residence of the Federal Commissioner in Warri, Delta state by the association of the Justices of Peace President, Chief Sir Sam Odjoji.

Chief Odjoji appreciated Sir Richard Odibo for his selfless, humble and steadfast effort he has exhibited in serving as the National Population Commission which has endeared many to him and across other sectors of endeavours.

While seeking for partnership with NPC AJP in Delta, The AJP president Chief Odjoji, said the group will be willing to partner with the NPC in the area of Advocacy on peace building and Security especially in the forthcoming 2023 polls, noting that the panacea for any meaningful development is peace and that all should promote and speak it at all times.

He pointed out some of the group’s intending programmes to include seminars on peace and conflict Resolution in various parts of the state which will focus more on youth as well as jingles on radio, television, stickers and installation of billboards centred on peace in parts of the state, the president therefore appealed for support and collaboration in Making it achievable.

According to the AJP lack of equity, communication gap, political, religion and ethnic differences, betray of trust and frustration are identified as major causes of conflict in the society, while prevention of the under listed is better than cure.

A surprise award was presented to Sir Odibo according to the President “From our observations , you were recommended as one of our awardees in recognition of your Peaceful Disposition, Humanity and Selfless Service to humanity”.

While responding the Federal Commissioner Representing Delta State in NPC, Sir Richard Odibo commended the AJP for the award and their kind words to him, he described the sward as uncommon, adding that Sir Richard Odibo foundation is focused on empowering youths in order to take them off social vices as well as impact positively to humanity.

The Delta NPC reps also decorated AJP members as ambassadors of NPC in creating awareness to people in their various communities for the forthcoming census and population count.

Also speaking the Delta State Director of NPC, Mr. Patrick Notobi described his Boss Sir Odibo as a gift to Delta state, saying he’s a humble, selfless personality. He assured the AJP of working in synergy with them.

Secretary of the Justices of Peace, Chief Dr. Fidelis Adaka stressed that Sir Richard Odibo has been very focus and steadfast in his ways for the past years ,he however called on him to sustain his track records which is worthy of emulation by all for positive transformation and development of the country.

Chief Engr. Innocent Azomani- Treasurer, Amb. Dr. Gloria Adebiyi, OON,
Chief Vincent Ebah- Auditor, Comrade Smart Pupu- Chairman Delta Central, Chief Israel Ogidigben-Secretary Delta Central were among the AJP members present at the courtesy visit.

While Others that spoke include: Mr. Tadafe Daniel, Chief James Akpovwan and Mr. Edu.