The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Chinasa Nwaneri and three others.

Nwaneri is a former Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Special Duties.

He was said to have been arrested on Sunday by security operatives who trailed him to a hotel where he was lodging.

Sources said the governor on assumption of duty as commissioner for lands discovered through some documents that his signature was allegedly forged.

In a statement made available to DAILY POST, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Imo State Command, ASP Henry Okoye confirmed that Nwaneri was in the Command’s custody.

He said the governor’s former aide was arrested over allegations of “malicious damage, fraudulent activities, obtaining money under false pretence and illegal use of government power/authority to harass, intimidate and frustrate the citizens of Imo State”.

He stated that investigation was still ongoing, assuring that further development would be communicated in due course.

CREDIT: DAILY POST

The Akwa Ibom State Government has issued a warning to Sterling Global Petrochemical Company, an international oil prospecting firm operating in Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, and Eastern Obollo local government areas, regarding reported mistreatment of local workers.

The state has mandated the company to provide the employment status of all individuals working on its projects, including expatriates, or risk having its license and land revoked.

Chief Assam Assam, SAN, the Director General of Government Business and former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia and Belarus, who chairs the mediation committee between the oil firm and the affected communities, issued this warning on Monday. He was responding to allegations of the company’s disrespect and non-compliance with worker engagement rules.

Assam emphasized that any employment of Akwa Ibom workers must meet globally accepted conditions, whether in public or private sectors. He criticized the company’s insensitivity and use of military intimidation, stating the government will not tolerate actions that treat Akwa Ibom residents as second-class citizens.

“Sterling Global must learn from Governor Umo Eno’s labor-friendly approach and act as a responsible corporate citizen. Failure to comply will result in the state government revoking the land granted to the company. We will not accept our people being reduced to slaves in their own land. We need to see the list of your employees to ensure no arms are imported under the guise of equipment,” Assam stated.

He further warned that non-compliance would lead to the revocation of all licenses and land grants, and the expulsion of unverified expatriates from the company’s facilities.

Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Mr. Aniefiok Nkom, criticized Sterling Global for its irresponsible operations, disregard for court orders, and refusal to engage with the state government to resolve ongoing issues.

Mr. Okon Okon, Executive Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, revealed that Sterling Global has not paid any tenement or PAYE taxes, indicating a deliberate attempt to evade taxes.

Transition committee chairmen for Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, and Eastern Obollo LGAs lamented the hardships inflicted by Sterling Global and praised the state government for intervening as the situation had become intolerable.

When asked to provide the staff list, Sterling Global’s Human Resource Manager, Mr. David Walker, admitted he did not have it with him but mentioned that 3,710 people are employed on the company’s projects. Walker presented the company’s conditions of service but clarified it did not include the positions and salaries of expatriates, as these are only for nationals.

Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, urged former South African President Jacob Zuma to form a coalition with opposition leader Julius Malema ahead of the general election on May 29.

Primate Ayodele warned that if the current president, Cyril Ramaphosa, wins, he would ensure Zuma is permanently imprisoned.

In a statement from his media aide, Oluwatosin Osho, Ayodele advised Zuma to ally with Malema to avoid embarrassment and prevent the ruling party from winning the election.

Ayodele emphasized that Ramaphosa’s victory would lead to Zuma’s incarceration and result in South Africa facing severe economic setbacks.

“If Jacob Zuma doesn’t want to go to permanent jail, he should form a coalition with Julius Malema. If Cyril Ramaphosa wins, Zuma will be sentenced to jail. The future of Jacob Zuma is in his hands, and he has the chance to decide his fate now. It’s best to initiate a coalition with Julius Malema to avoid future embarrassment. If Ramaphosa wins, South Africa will collapse and suffer an economic setback,” Ayodele stated.

Previously, Primate Ayodele had predicted that Zuma would be disqualified from participating in the general election.