News
Serial killer, David-West, sentenced to death by hanging
A Port Harcourt-based high court has sentenced a serial killer, Gracious David-West, to death by hanging for murder of several women in hotels in Rivers, Imo and Lagos states.
The convict, who was charged with ten counts of murder and attempted murder, had earlier confessed to killing seven ladies, one in Lagos, another one in Owerri (Imo) and five in Rivers State.
He committed the crime between July and September, 2019 but his attempt to kill his 10th victim, Benita Etim, got him exposed and led to his arrest.
David-West after killing the ladies reportedly used white cloth to tie their hands and legs before making away with their valuables.
In his judgement, Justice Adolphus Enebeli said, “Gracious David-West should be hanged on his neck until he is dead.”
The court said the prosecution team was able to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt, having advanced and presented relevant evidence and witnesses before the court.
Justice Enebeli said the confession of David-West as well as the CCTV footage of the convict tendered by the prosecution team during the trial proved that he was guilty of the crime.
The court, however, discharged and acquitted the second defendant, Nimi Thankgod, who was accused of dumping the remains of one of the victims in a dustbin.
Lawyer to David-West, Vincent Chukwu, urged the court to be lenient with his client on the grounds that he is a father of three young children.
But the prosecuting lawyer, Chidi Ekeh, said David-West deserved no mercy for the multiple murder cases.
Ekeh also said the judgement would serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded people.
News
Just in: Tinubu swears in Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas
Just in: Tinubu swears in Rivers Sole Administrator Ibok-ete Ibas
President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Vice Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (Retd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The administrator was sworn in on Wednesday after a short meeting with the President.
Tinubu announced the appointment of the retired naval chief at a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, when he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly members.
The President said his decision was based on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, saying he could not continue to watch the political situation in Rivers escalate without taking concrete action.
The suspension of Fubara and other elected representatives has been rejected and condemned by many eminent Nigerians, legal luminaries, groups such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Femi Falana, the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigerian Bar Association.
However, the emergency rule has been praised by the pro-Nyesom Wike Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule, accusing Fubara of contravening the Supreme Court ruling on the political situation in the state.
Ibas was the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021.
He is from Cross River State where he had his early education.
The new sole administrator went to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979 from where he proceeded to have a successful career in the Navy, rising through the ranks to the very top.
He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
President Muhammadu Buhari who appointed him as Chief of Naval Staff conferred him with the National Honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2022.
News
Breaking: Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers State
Breaking: Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers State
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following the protracted political crisis in the state.
Tinubu made the declaration during a nationwide broadcast, saying it is for six months.
He announced the suspension of the Executive Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and all the members of the House of Assembly for six months.
He immediately named an administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Retd), to take charge of the affairs of the state for the six-month period.
Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution interprets a state of emergency as a situation of national danger or disaster in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures to regain control.
A state of emergency allows the President to immediately make any desired regulations to secure public order and safety. (Channels TV)
News
BREAKING: Tinubu addresses Nigerians on Rivers political crisis
BREAKING: Tinubu addresses Nigerians on Rivers political crisis
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night will hold a nationwide broadcast to address the crisis in Rivers state.
Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said the broadcast will be transmitted by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
The broadcast is expected to be held by 7pm today.
Video: President Tinubu has declared state on emergency on Rivers state effective immediately, suspends Governor Fubara, his deputy governor and house of assembly members for six months.
He also nominated an administrator pic.twitter.com/jD1g9FHOez— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) March 18, 2025
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