Politics

Presidential Election Fallout: Army Parades Governor Wike’s Commissioner, Lawmaker, Camp Commandant Govt House Among 30 Suspects

Accuse Wike Of Allegedly Bribing The Soldiers

Wike Threatens To Drag GOC Before International Criminal Court

6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, today (26/02/2019) paraded 30 suspects including a serving Commissioner, lawmaker in the Rivers House of Assembly, a Major in Army and Governor Wike’s Camp Commandant a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, in Government House over an alleged attempt by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers to allegedly use them to comprise members of the Nigerian Army for the Saturday Presidential election.

The Army Public Relations Officer 6 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Colonel Iliyasu Aminu, who paraded the suspects to Journalists and on a live television said on behalf of the General Officer Commanding, GOC, Major General Jamil Sarham, alleged a daring attempt by the Governor of Rivers State Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to compromise security agencies particularly troops of 6 Division NA with hefty financial inducements to help him in his illegitimate act of thwarting a free and fair electoral process to his favour while accusing the NA and its command hierarchy of bias daily.

He stated that the 6 Division NA in close collaboration and synergy with all other security agencies in the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) which covers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States and its commitment and loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and resolve to be neutral and apolitical was underestimated by Governor Wike.

He said “on Saturday 23rd February 2019 at about 8:45 am following a tip up on attempt by Governor Wike’s aids to induce and compromise troops deployed at the CBN Port Harcourt premises, Major AP Ubah and 3 other Police personnel’s, DSP Owen Oyoku Irikefe (Camp Comdt Rivers State Govt House), Sgt Akanu Garba, Inspector Hycent Oboi and Sgt Nketan Chucks were arrested by a team from HQ 6 Division.

Colonel Iliyasu revealed that Preliminary investigations discovered the sum of Two Million, Two Hundred and Fifty thousand Naira (N2,250,000.00) only in a Range Rover belonging to the DSP. Other items recovered are 4 INEC 2019 Electoral Tags, Customised Rivers State Government House brown envelopes while the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (500,000.00) only was found in the Toyota vehicle belonging to Maj AP Ubah which he confessed was given to him by the Governor’s aides in addition to offer a well-furnished accommodation for the period of his tour of duty.

According to Iliyasu, said further, that on the same day, Saturday 23rd February 2019 at about 7:00 am, a member of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Opokri Wanaka representing Ahoada East in company of Dr Reason Onya Williams, Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development visited own troops Camp at Akinima and requested to be acquainted with the Commander of the troops at the location. Hon Opokri offered the Officer some amount of money he removed from his pocket but the officer not only rejected the offer but sent the duo away.

Incidentally, while the Officer and his men were manning a Check Point at Mbiama Bridge, a white Hilux vehicle with a Rivers State Government Reg No.L02-03RV RIVERS and 8 occupants was stopped for routine search and clearance. A carton and 2 bundles of INEC 2019 presidential Election ballot papers were discovered in the vehicle.

Preliminary investigation reveals that none of the occupants of the vehicle is an INEC staff, INEC Ad-hoc staff or security agent.

According to the spokesman of the 6 Division, on the spot interrogations, Hon Opokri Wanaka and Dr Reason Onya Williams revealed that allegedly tried to convince the troops that the vehicle is part of INEC convoy that was left behind and that the vehicle should be allowed to go because the electorates are waiting.

However, “When the vigilant officer refused to be convinced, Dr. Reason, immediately placed a call to Governor Wike and His Excellency requested to speak with the officer who declined and requested the Governor to please call the GOC.

After much resistance, the officer gave Dr Reason Onya Willams his number to pass to Governor Wike which he did via Whatsapp message. Within 10 minutes Governor Wike placed a call to the officer. “

The recorded audio voice telephone conversation alleged to be that of Governor Wike was played over and over for Journalists.

“The bundles of money found on the camp Commandant and the Major AP Uba were display before the Journalists.”

However, there was a mild drama during the parade which was beamed live on television, Dr Reason Onya, DSP Irikefe and other suspects denied the allegations alleging that they were deliberately frame to get to Governor Wike.

He recalled on Saturday 15th February 2019, the eve of the now rescheduled Presidential and NASS elections, one Barr Emma Okah issued a statement alleging that a very senior officer of this command attempting to tamper with INEC sensitive materials at the CBN Port Harcourt premises. A rejoinder was immediately issued by HQ 6 Division which not only rebutted the allegation but also demanded an apology from Emma Okah within 72 hours or face legal action. As at this moment, Emma Okah has arrogantly refused to heed the advice.

Ironically, on Saturday 23rd February 2019 at about 8:45 am following a tip up on attempt by Governor Wike’s aids to induce and compromise troops deployed at the CBN Port Harcourt premises, own personnel Maj AP Ubah and 3 other Police personnel’s, DSP Oyoku Ifelle (Camp Comdt Rivers State Govt House), Sgt Akanu Garba , Inspector Hycent Oboi and Sgt Nketan Chucks were arrested by a team from HQ 6 Div.

Preliminary investigations discovered the sum of Two Million, Two Hundred and Fifty thousand Naira (N2,250,000.00) only in a Range Rover belonging to the DSP. Other items recovered are 4 INEC 2019 Electoral Tags, Customised Rivers State Government House brown envelopes while the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (500,000.00) only was found in the Toyota vehicle belonging to Maj AP Ubah which he confessed was given to him by the Governor’s aids in addition to offer of a well-furnished accommodation for the period of his tour of duty.

Similarly, same day Saturday 23rd February 2019 at about 7:00 am, a member of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Opokri Wanaka in company of Dr Reason Onya Williams, Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development visited own troops Camp at Akinima and requested to be acquainted with the Commander of the troops at the location. Hon Opokri offered the Officer some amount of money he removed from his pocket but the officer not only rejected the offer but sent the duo away.

Preliminary investigation reveals that none of the occupants of the vehicle is an INEC staff, INEC Ad-hoc staff or security agent.

During the course of on the spot interrogations, Hon Opokri Wanaka and Dr Reason Onya Williams earlier mentioned above appeared at the spot and tried to convince the suspecting troops that the vehicle is part of INEC convoy that was left behind and that the vehicle should be allowed to go because the electorates are waiting. When the vigilant officer refused to be convinced, Dr Reason immediately placed a call to Governor Wike and His Excellency requested to speak with the officer who declined and requested the Governor to please call the GOC.

The 30 suspects were handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for investigation and possible prosecution.

***Governor Wike responding to the GOC 6 Division***

In swift reaction, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the State Government has written to the International Criminal Court to prosecute the General Officer Commanding ( GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarhem for prosecution for crimes against humanity.

Governor Wike said instead of running in circles, the GOC should explain to Nigerians the reasons why the 6 Division allegedly stormed Collation Centres in Ikwerre, Emohua and Okrika Local Government Areas with INEC Electoral Officers, accusing him of stealing electoral materials and concocting results.

The Governor stated that the General Officer Commanding 6 Division has the blood of Rivers people on his hands, stating that issuing false statements will not save the GOC from prosecution.

Speaking during a media briefing in response to the false allegations by the 6 Division that he tried to compromise soldiers of the 6 Division, Governor Wike described the allegation as false, malicious and diversionary .

He said: “We are doing a petition to the International Criminal Court. We are demanding justice for all those killed by the GOC and his lieutenants.

“We will also send a petition to all the major embassies in the country on the atrocities committed against Rivers people by the GOC and his soldiers. We have also ready sent a petition to the Chief of Army Staff on the criminal actions of the GOC”.

Governor Wike stated that he has credible intelligence that the GOC has concluded plans to open fire on his convoy, with the objective of causing a deadly shoot-out.

“Nigerians watched in utter dismay as three Local Government Electoral Officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) indicted soldiers of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army for orchestrating electoral violence, snatching election materials and criminally colluding with APC leaders to concoct results during the Presidential and National Assembly elections. Rather than respond to these allegations, the GOC is making diversionary allegations.

“These weighty indictments of the officers and men of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army by the INEC Officials confirm earlier intelligence that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division, Major General Jamil Sarham is neck deep in the killings of Rivers people and manipulation of the elections. Mrs Mary Efeture Imawuya INEC Electoral Officer of Ikwerre LGA, INEC Electoral Officer for Emohua Local Government Area, Kenneth Etah and INEC Electoral Officer of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr Leo Okon who addressed the Rivers East Senatorial District Collation Centre at Elekahia were unequivocal in their indictments of the soldiers and their criminal activities during the elections”, he said.

“The major problem they should defend is the INEC Officers who declared that the soldiers of the Nigerian Army abducted them , carted away materials and concocted results”, he added.

The governor noted that it was the soldiers and the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who abducted the Electoral Officer of Ikwerre LGA and compelled her to write results.

Governor Wike denied ever making an attempt to compromise the electoral process. He denied ever offering money to the Soldiers to act illegally.

He noted that when the soldiers arrested the Rivers State Commissioner of Urban Development and Physical Planning, Dr Reason Onya for being among the approved PDP agents to escort materials, the Commissioner called him. He noted that he requested to speak with the Officer to demand the release of Onya who was on legal electoral function for the PDP. He said the officer who declined talking called back later and he informed him that Onya was on a legal assignment. He noted that no bribe was offered.

Governor Wike said in his capacity as Governor, he spoke with about 10 different officers when PDP official agents raised concerns.

The Governor said that the mischievous press briefing by the 6 Division is tantamount to a coup against a constituted authority.

“The Army cannot be a judge in their matter. You cannot parade officials on legal Electoral duties. You cannot change the narrative. They have violated all known laws”.

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