…Accuse Wike of attempting to bribe officers
By: Felix Ikpotor
The authorities of the Nigerian Army 6 Division, Port Harcourt has accused the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike of attempting to bribe officers of the division with financial inducement to compromise the electoral process ongoing in the country.
Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Col Aminu Illyasu stated this Tuesday while briefing newsmen at the division’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.
He said on the Saturday 23rd, 2019 while the Presidential and National Assembly elections were on, officers of the state government were caught with ballot papers belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, by officers of the division at Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.
The officers are Mr. Wanaka Okpokiri who is the lawmaker representing Ahoada West Constituency in the State Assembly and Dr. Reason Onyia the Commissioner for Urban Development.
Illyasu 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 Central Bank Nigeria, CBN, Port Harcourt premises, own personnel Maj. AP Ubah and 3 other Police personnels, DSP Oyoku Ifelle who is the Camp Commandant, Rivers State Government House, Sergeant Akanu Garba , Inspector Hycent Oboi and Sergeant Nketan Chucks were arrested by a team from the 6 Division Headquarters”.
He said, “preliminary investigations by the army led to the discovery of 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”.
Illyasu added that, “same day Saturday 23rd February 2019 at about 7:00 am, a member of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Okpokiri Wanaka in company of Dr Reason Onyia 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.
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”.
The army image maker said when the officer refused to be convinced, Dr Reason immediately placed a call to Governor Wike and who requested to speak with the officer who declined and requested the Governor to call the General O officer Commanding (GOC), adding that after much resistance, the officer gave Dr Reason his number to pass to Governor Wike which he did via WhatsApp message and within 10 minutes Wike placed a call to the officer.
A voice clip purported to be that of recorded conversation between the governor and the officer was played newsmen to listen.
The suspects, exhibits and other youths purported to be arrested on same day in company with the government officials were paraded by the army.
PHSpectator recalls that on Saturday 15th February 2019 the eve of the botched Presidential and NASS elections, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Barr Emma Okah had issued a statement alleging that a very senior officer of the command attempted to tamper with INEC sensitive materials at the CBN Port Harcourt premises, which has been refuted by the army.
Illyasu said despite the allegations by Wike, the command will remain apolitical and steadfast in carrying out its duties.
However, attempts to speak with the suspects was aborted as they were shouting ontop of their voices which caused a rowdy scenario at the venue prompting the army officers to guide them out of the place.
The suspects, 30 in number were later handed over to the police.
