Anambra and Delta States hold meetings to curtail movement on the Niger bridge

The governments of Anambra and Delta States are currently holding meetings which is aimed at curtailing the movement of people on the Niger bridge. Talks are being held to control the movement of of people who are defying the Presidential order restricting inter-state movements by still making use of the bridge.

Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Adinuba made this known in an interview with reporters in Onitsha on Monday. He spoke about the destruction of the barricade built by Governor Willie Obiano at the Asaba-end of the bridge which was carried out by youths of Delta State.

He further revealed that it was the destruction of the barricade that prompted the meeting where the two governments agreed to jointly curtail the human traffic on the bridge. He said,

“Top officials of both Delta and Anambra State governments have met thrice today and will meet again tomorrow or so. The meeting is to conclude arrangements on how to check the influx of people, who defy the presidential order restricting inter-state movements as part of the far-reaching measures to check the spread of COVID-19."

According to him, the meetings have been held amicably.

“Subsequent meetings will follow the same trajectory of peace and solidarity as each party is quite committed to the battle against the coronavirus pandemic,” Adinuba said.

Activist exposes Chief Judge's involvement in child trafficking

Human rights activist, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, has accused the Chief Judge of Delta State, Marshal Umukoro, of victimisation by evicting him from his house over child trafficking allegation he levelled against him.

Aghogho alleged that he was unlawfully evicted from his rented apartment on Friday in the Abraka area of the state by court baliffs, members of Abraka vigilante and Divisional Police Officer of Abraka Police Station, Hassan Jimoh, on the orders of Justice Umukoro.

Reports uncovered how the Chief Judge was working in conjunction with Emmanuel Dolor in trafficking children from the state.

He said in a bid to silence him and sweep the allegation under the carpet, the Chief Judge decided to hijack his case with suit number UNACC/384T/18, which bordered on tenancy matter at Ughelli North Area Customary Court in the state.

The activist alleged that Justice Umukoro forwarded all his petitions calling for the probe of child trafficking allegations by the National Judicial Commission to Chairman of the Area Customary Court, Attienie Harrison, and Department of State Service in Asaba. He said,

"The case upon which the unlawful eviction of 22/5/2020 was relied upon is still pending at NJC with a petition dated 7/10/19 and another dated 26/11/19 at the Code of Conduct, Abuja, with the said Ughelli North Area Customary Court Chairman among the subjects.

Same case is still pending at the High Court of Justice, Ughelli, with suit number UHC/63/2020 where both the CJN and Delta State CJ are parties.

This is a ploy by the CJN/NJC to silence me in order to permanently kill the allegation of child trafficking levelled against the CJN/NJC and Delta State Chief Judge."

Aghogho alleged that all adoption procedures in the state were in gross violation of the Child Right Act 2003 vis-a-vis the Delta State Child Right law 2008 and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.

He added that the Ministry of Women Affairs in the state under the supervision of the Delta State Judiciary headed by Umukoro was using the following bank accounts: ECO Bank 2152023855, Zenith Bank 1011047631, for the purpose of child trafficking/illegal adoption of children in the state.

The activist also said that his life was in danger as he had been threatened with arrest. He therefore called on Nigerians and international community to come to his aid in safeguarding the life of innocent children being sold by government officials.