Rivers crisis: Police declare Amaechi’s ADC a deserter

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi

THE Rivers State Police Command, on Monday, declared Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s Aide De Camp, Seimeikumo Debewari, a deserter.

The state police command said Debewari had seized to be the ADC to Amaechi since his disappearance and refusal to obey directives from the force.

Debewari, who is an Assistant Superintendent of Police, was said to be involved in the free-for-all that took place in the State House of Assembly on July 10, 2013.

A statement by Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Mr. Augustine Sanomi, on behalf of the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, indicated that the governor’s ADC had refused to report to Mbu or the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, as instructed.

The statement read, “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that AP/No. 100659, acting ASP Seimeikumo Debewari, who has ignored all lawful directives to see the Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General of Police has not been seen either in Rivers State Command or at the Police headquarters since 10th July, 2013.

“As the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, and by the powers conferred on me by Section 398 [1] of the Police Act and regulation cap 359, Law of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, the officer is hereby declared a deserter from Nigeria Police Force subject to the approval of the Inspector General of Police.’’

According to the statement, Amaechi’s ADC has been implicated in the Rivers assembly crisis.

It said the video clips captured the governor’s ADC assisting Leader of the House, Mr. Chdi Lloyd, to hit a member, Mr. Michael Chinda, with a mace.

“While the House Leader, Chidi Llyod, turns  himself up to the police authorities in Abuja, the governor’s ADC refused to honor the invitation,” the police statement added.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has accused Amaechi of being responsible for the circulation of posters bearing his photograph and name for the 2015 governorship election in the state.

In a statement signed by Wike’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, the minister said, “It is unfortunate that Governor (Rotimi) Amaechi and his allies are still playing an uncivilised and vengeful politics, using primitive tactics in trying to destroy someone who is building a united, peaceful and progressive Rivers State.”

Reacting to the allegation that the Amaechi administration was responsible for the circulation of the Wike’s posters, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Mr. Tony Okocha, said the governor had no hand in such act.

Okocha said, “A man who is busy setting up campaign outfits cannot pretend not to be aware that his overzealous supporters are responsible for the circulation of his governorship posters.

“A man who was declared the next governor of the state during an event in Ahoada East and he did not refute it should know the real source of the posters.

“Those supporting him (Wike) are overzealous and are doing this to impress him. We are too busy to be involved in such an inconsequential act.”