FocalPoint Reports

Court orders Okowa government to account for over N200bn education funds, allocations The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, in a landmark judgment, has “ordered the disclosure of the spending details of over N200bn public funds collected by the government of former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa from the Universal Basic Education Commission [UBEC] fund and allocations from the Federation Accounts.” The court ordered the Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to “disclose details of budgetary allocations and actual spending by the Okowa government between 2015 and 2019, including specific projects carried out to improve primary education in Delta State, and the locations of such projects.” The judgment was delivered by Honourable Justice Daniel Osiagor, following a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/L/CS/803/2019, brought by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). In his judgment, Justice Osiagor held that, “SERAP has cognizable legal right to inquire and ...

Mulade Commends Gov. Oborevwori for Recruitment, Urges him to consider Rural/ Riverine communities  WARRI: Following the recent approval given by the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for recruitment of teachers, health workers and others into the state’s civil service, a foremost Delta state born human and development advocate, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has commended the decision of the governor as “a right step in the right direction” while also appealing for special attention to rural areas, especially the riverine communities of the state. Chief Mulade, who is the Ibe Sorimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state, made this known on Friday, July 29, 2023, to news men during a chat over the development. In his words, he said “I want to sincerely commend the executive governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for creating the avenue for employment, which is one of the right steps in th...

Gbagi Mocks Oborevwori, Omo-Agege, Ogboru For Failing To Appear To Clear Selves At Tribunal ...no one can clear your names --- Magaji Social Democratic Party (SDP), governorship candidate in the March 18th 2023 election in Delta State, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, has mocked candidates of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) and governor of the state, Sheriff Oborevwori, All Progressives Congress (APC), Ovie Augustine Omo-Agege and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru for failing to appear before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to clear themselves of allegations bordering on forgery and falsifications. Oborevwori, Omo-Agege and Ogboru had failed to make their personal appearances to clear their names of allegations levelled against them by the renowned Criminologist, before the three-man Panel of Justices at the tribunal, headed by Justice H.C Ahuchaogu, sitting in Asaba, the State capital. The 3rd Respondent, Oborevw...

Gbagi Felicitates Asagba of Asaba At 99 Governorship candidate on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi FNIM, OON has felicitated with the indigenes of Asaba and His Royal Highness, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba on the occasion of his 99th birthday anniversary. Gbagi in a release issued on Friday July 28th 2023, by his spokesman, Kenneth Orusi, said the 32-year period of the revered monarch on the throne had translated into development, peace and overall cohesiveness among people of the state and entire country.  According to the largest private investor in the State, “I rejoice with the people of Asaba, who must be very proud to have one of the most respected traditional rulers in the State and country.  "Your passion for the well-being of your subjects, the State and the Nation at large is legendary.  "Your devotion to development and peace in all facets...

EA Communications: Latimore Has Done Well, Deserve Better Appointment in Delta Distinguished Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Information and Strategy Management, CIISM, and Full Member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq, has suggested that the position of Executive Assistant on Communications be zoned to another Senatorial District in Delta State. The renowned communication strategist in a statement on Friday and made available to newsmen in Asaba, disclosed that the state governor, Elder Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, offered him the position of EA Communications, but he is of the opinion that the position should be zoned to another Senatorial District after Delta Central occupied the office for six years during Okowa administration. Oghenesivbe said he served sufficiently for six years in that capacity, and not willing to do another term of four years in that same office, making a total of 10 years without elevatio...

TRIBUNAL: I'm Confident Of Gbagi's Victory --- Magaji As the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal awaits the adoption of final written addresses, Magaji Mato Ibrahim, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), cum lead counsel to the flag bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the March 18th gubernatorial election, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, is confident his client would come out victorious. Mr. Ibrahim, who gave this assurance in an interview with newsmen in Asaba, said he has so much confidence, as the Respondents have failed to answer the issues of non-qualification, non-compliance to the Electoral Act 2022, among other allegations of falsification levelled against them. He said: "the business we had today, at the tribunal was for the 9th and 10th Respondents to enter their defence and they were able to present two witnesses, the governorship and his Deputy testified and they were fully cross examined. "And after the cross examination,...

IYC Spokesman Binebai Princewill Appreciate Leaders, Delegates, Supporters On His Victory  By Ndu Samuel  Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Amb.  Binebai Yerin Princewill has appreciated leaders, delegates, supporters and his friends on his victory in the just concluded IYC national election. Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill issued the appreciation message to newsmen in Warri yesterday after returning from Central Zone.  In the appreciation message he personally signed, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspapers Worldwide, Princewill had particularly noted that the appreciation message will be incomplete without mentioning names of people that massively supported him morally and financially.  "I want to specially appreciate Chief Promise Lawuru, the one and only Ozigizaga of the universe, my leader and elder brother, High Chief Kestin Pondi, MD Tantita Security Services, my mentor and leader, Rt.  Hon. Julius Pondi, mem...

Gbagi Mourns, Describe Late Chief Obule's Demise As Irreparable Loss Governorship candidate on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, FNIM, OON, has joined the family, business associates and the people of Sapele local government area of Delta State, in mourning the death of a politician and a business mogul, Chief Ufuoma Charles Obule. Gbagi, the largest employer of labour in the State, in a release issued on Wednesday July 26th 2023, by his spokesperson, Orusi Kenneth, said the death of Obule has deprived the State of one of its most remarkable political leaders who believed in the liberation of the State. According to him: “The late Obule, was a complete gentleman. He was a smooth political operator and a very reliable ally with an unmatched record of support. ‘‘I will not forget our days in Sapele, he is one man who believed that I have what it takes to liberate the State.  "That he died last night when he is yet to see...

DELTA GUBER: Our Party Agents Were Chased with Guns, SDP Witness, Gbagi Tells Tribunal The star witness and governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi FNIM, OON, has informed the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal that his party agents were chased with guns from the polling centers. The SDP gubernatorial candidate, told the tribunal this, when he was cross examined. He told the tribunal that one of those chased away from the collation center, his photograph was stolen and a foreign name superimposed with his name. According to the renowned Criminologist, the polling agents refused to sign because of the irregularities, electoral malpractices and non-compliance to the electoral Act 2023. He said: "Because of the massive fraud and what went wrong, our polling agents did not sign. "Our polling agents were chased away by guns and they did not sign. "For emphasis purposes my noble Lords, one of the collating off...

Gbagi, SDP Rides to Victory as Sheriff, Oborevwori Admits this Before Tribunal The gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), in the March 18th governorship contest and governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has finally owned up that one of his contended names, Sheriff, was not truly given to him by his biological parents. Oborevwori's admittance today Wednesday July 19th 2023, during a session of cross examination by  Paul Erokoro SAN, one of the counsels to the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, staggered his supporters and counsel who were not pleased with the testimony. Oborevwori, who was represented by Sunday Onoriode, as a witness, revealed that the name Sheriff was given to the governor by his Uncle due to his love for him. Onoriode, who contradicted himself, after disclosing that Sheriff was given to him by his Uncle, told the tribunal that all the names g...

Delta Gov'ship Election Result Was Procured With Over N106 Billion, Gbagi Tells Tribunal Result of the Delta State governorship election was procured with over N106 billion, the standard bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, FNIM OON, has told the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the State capital. The former Minister of State for Education, told the tribunal that the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is the 1st Respondent in his petition, declaring the candidate of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), Sheriff Oborevwori winner of the March 18th election, does not reflect the wishes and will of the people of the State. He dropped the shocking revelation when he was cross examined by counsels to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Respondents. The renowned Criminologist, told the tribunal that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Machine, accredited less than wh...

Onyeme Should Tell The World When, How, Why He Left NOUN, Gbagi's Aide Our attention have been drawn to a report by one Fidelis Egugbo, dismissing a forgery matter before a court of competent jurisdiction, in this case, the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Asaba, the State capital. The report with the headline: "Delta Guber: Egugbo Punctures Lies Of Gbagi", is very laughable, as it did not come to us by surprise. But what is amusing is that, Egugbo, who ordinarily is not an authority could claim to dismiss what lawyers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), Monday Onyeme and Sheriff Oborevwori who are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Respondents, fruitlessly tried to stop but failed woefully. Documents and other admissible evidence have been tendered and admitted at the tribunal by the three-man Justices, headed by Justice H.C Ahuchaogu. A statement on Monday July 24th 2023, by ...

Gbagi's Counsel Nails Ken Pela At Tribunal Over Committee's Indictment There was a mild drama, at the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the State capital after the flag bearer of Labour Party, Ken Pela, denied allegations of indictment at the Delta State Building Society and Ughievwen Community Microfinance Bank where he worked years ago. During cross examination on Thursday July 20th 2023, by Magaji Mato Ibrahim, SAN, the lead counsel to the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi FNIM, OON, the LP gubernatorial candidate denied any indictment. He however agreed before the three man Panel of Justices led by Justice H C. Ahuchaogu that a Committee was setup to investigate issues of embezzlement at the Building Society at a time. He equally agreed that he didn't supply those information of the indictment on his nomination form. He argued that his reason for not supplying the inf...

DELTA GUBER; Ogboru Didn’t Attend University Of Kent In Canterbury, Gbagi Tells Tribunal  There was drama at the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the State capital as the star witness and gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, revealed that the standard bearer of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and 12th Respondent in his petition, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru did not attend the school he claimed. The flag bearer of APGA, Ogboru, claimed he attended Huron University, the University of Kent in Canterbury in 1993. But Gbagi, a renowned Criminologist insisted that a verification report marked exhibit 2p17, by the tribunal shows that he (Ogboru) never attended the institution. He told the tribunal that Ogboru lied on oath, maintaining that a copy of the verification report from the University of Kent in Canterbury showed the 12th Respondent never attended the school. Gbagi, a f...

DELTA GUBER: Onyeme Was Dismissed For 'Forgery', SDP Sole Witness, Gbagi Tells Tribunal Facts have emerged why the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme was dismissed from the services of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). Onyeme, worked as Bursar at NOUN, but was dismissed after a Panel of Enquiry set up by the former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi FNIM, OON, found him wanting of 'forgery'. Gbagi, a sole witness and Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the March 18th governorship election in the State told the tribunal during cross examination. Onyeme, is the 4th Respondent in Gbagi's petition before the three-man Justices presided over by Justice H C. Ahuchaogu at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the State capital. Gbagi, a renowned Criminologist, who was cross examined by the counsels to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Respondents, told the tribuna...

DESOPADEC Director Holds Talks with Ijaw Media practitioners, promised Support  The Executive Director of Social Services in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Favour Izoukumor, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the Commission's office in Warri, Delta State, played host to members of the Ijaw Publishers Forum, IPF, a professional body of Ijaw-owned media practitioners in the state. Chief Izoukumor, who was a former commissioner in the state intervention agency before his recent appointment as ED, also promise that the commission will not hesitate to play its roles in supporting the growth of the IPF. Earlier, the chairman of IPF, Comrade Ozobo Austin, on behalf of the body congratulated the ED of Social Services and presented an official letter in that regard while commending Chief Izoukumor for his well-deserved appointment. Speaking during a brief presentation, Comrade Ozobo reeled out lists of demands of IPF on the Commission. ...

PRESS RELEASE: DELCOF JOINS VOICE WITH NUJ AND NLC ON PETROL PRICE REVERSAL The Delta State Civil Society Organizational forum, a coalition of over 250 non-state actors and Civil Society organizations in Delta State have expressed serious concern on the further hike in price of petroleum motor spirit from N540 to N617/liter, stressing that it was totally inhumane and unpatriotic. Dr Agboro. Chairman of the Forum said, Despite the hardship and suffering of citizens, with the astronomical increase in the prices of petroleum products and high inflation inflated on Nigerians as a result of the original hike on May 29 which was a part of President Tinubu’s inaugural gift, there is still an increase in premium motor spirit to further cripple the common man to make him more miserable. It looks like a feeling that some people in power are bent on treating the citizens as a conquered people and can treat them anyhow they like without repercussions, this demonstrates why it takes the...

Gbagi Congratulates Victory Gbakara, Winner Of Nigerian Idol Season 8 Reality Show Governorship candidate under the auspices of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the March 18th 2023 election in Delta State, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi FNIM, OON has rejoiced with his friend cum founder of God’s Will Mission, Archbishop Solomon Gbakara, whose son, Victory, won the season 8 edition of the Nigerian Idol Competition. Gbagi, a former Minister of State for Education cum owner of Gbagi Foundation, a platform he has used to touched lives in various ways  congratulated Victory Gbakara, the winner of Nigerian Idol Season 8, whom he described as a true son and proud ambassador of Ughievwen kingdom. The son of the seasoned preacher and personal friend to Gbagi, a philanthropist, emerged winner of the Reality TV Show on Sunday, after defeating fellow finalist, Precious Mac, from Bayelsa State. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kenneth Orusi, Gbagi said that the 26-yea...