The couple was arraignment for money laundering allegedly carried out in 2015.

Embelakpo is a former aide on Sustainable Development Goals to the then Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.

Following the opposition by Defence Counsel, Mr Andrew Arthur, to the arraignment of Embelakpo, the latter’s plea could not be taken.

However, the wife, who was arraigned alongside him pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge slammed on her.

Arthur had argued that Embelakpo had been discharged by the court and could not be tried a second time for the same offence.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr M.T. Iko, countered the argument, insisting that the accused was not discharged on merit.

The trial Judge,  Justice I.H Ndahen,  adjourned the case till October 19 for ruling on the arguments of the two counsel.

According to the charges, Beauty Apere received various amounts in naira, dollars and pounds sterling between May 2015 and April 27, 2016.

The EFCC alleged that the funds were proceeds of unlawful acts, punishable under the Money Laundering prohibition Act.

The commission also charged her for forgery of medical and birth certificates which purportedly emanated from the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.

The court granted her bail to the tune of N10 million and two sureties who must have landed property in Yenagoa.

The defendant would be in the custody of the Yenagoa Correctional Service pending when she would meet her bail conditions.

The EFCC urged the court to adjourn to October 19 to enable the commission to produce witnesses to establish its case.

Source: NAN

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This is as he asserted that Nigeria will, however, remain one despite its current challenges.

Clark made the remarks on Tuesday at a mass held to mark his 94th birthday anniversary in Abuja.

Clark, who said that he was against secession, decried the unwanted killings across the country.

“You asked me whether I support secession, the break up of Nigeria. I said if I’m to secede, where do I go to? Who owns this country more than myself? We either succeed or fail together.

“Nigeria will remain one country. My only regret is the number of killings happening in Nigeria every day.

“No personal regret, but my only regret in life is the position of Nigeria.

“There was healthy competition in the past among our leaders. We played politics without fear or favour, without any rancour, but now, it is a different thing.

“I’m appealing to everybody, let’s have one Nigeria; a united Nigeria where everybody is equal. A united Nigeria where everybody has a right to aspire to whatever position he wants to aspire to.

“A united Nigeria where religion does not determine what it should be and where ethnicity does not determine what it should be,” Clark said.

Meanwhile, Venerable Festus Nwafili of the Anglican Church, Asokoro, who officiated the mass, urged the celebrator, as a leader, to maintain his truthful disposition.

“God’s expectation of you is to promote His righteous course by your words and actions. You owe the nation to speak the truth on the challenges bedeviling it,” Nwafili said.

Also speaking, Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa), described Clark as an Ijaw foremost leader.

“He is our father and we are very happy with the leadership he has given to our people.

“We are happy with his service to Nigeria. You know, he has been everything, Commissioner of Education in old Midwest, he built all the schools.

“As a matter of fact, the school I attended in Torebeni, Bayelsa, was built by him.

“And then, he became a federal commissioner for information, became a senator, became several things.

“He has been our foremost advocate, not just for the Ijaw nation, not just of the Niger Delta and the South-South, but for most, an advocate for a fair, just and equitable Nigeria.

“So, that’s what he has come to symbolise, and we are very happy with it,” said Dickson.

Source: NAN

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The occasion will be chaired by the Managing Director of The News Group, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

The event which will hold at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos has as its theme, “Economy, Security and National Development: The Way Forward.”

According to the Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr. Olumide Iyanda, in a statement he issued, the event will examine online publishers’ roles in the ever-changing Nigerian society.

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev Dr. Matthew Kukah, is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on the  theme of the conference.

Former Director-General of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, WAIFEM, Professor Akpan Ekpo, and a former Director with the Department of State Services, DSS, Mike Ejiofor, are the discussants.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, will represent the Presidency.

Policymakers in the private and public sectors will grace the occasion.

Meanwhile, a business forum between GOCOP members and representatives of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR; Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria, PRCAN; Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks, ACAMB; Advertisers Association of Nigeria, ADVAN; and Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria, MIPAN, shall hold at Sheraton Hotel on Thursday, October 3.

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He made the remark when congratulating his Bayelsa State counterpart, Henry Seriake Dickson, on the successful arrival of the maiden flight to the Bayelsa International Airport Amassoma on Thursday.

Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said that the successful arrival of Air Peace 5N-BUV at the newly-built Bayelsa International Airport in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw local government area, marked the beginning of a new dawn in the state.

According to the Governor, “the successful completion of the Bayelsa International Airport and subsequent commencement of flights into the Airport marks a turning point in economy of Bayelsans as they would no longer travel long distances to access air transport.

“Yesterday’s event is also a testimony of the dogged determination of PDP Governors to provide monumental and life changing infrastructure for the people of their respective states.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta State, I congratulate my brother Governor Hon. Seriake Dickson and the good people of Bayelsa State on the successful completion of the Bayelsa International Airport.

“While we look forward to the official inauguration of the airport, we have no doubt that the airport will contribute significantly to the economy of Bayelsans as it will also make access to air transport services closer to Bayelsans.

“The socio-economic implication of the commencement of commercial flights in and out of Bayelsa airport is the creation of more jobs, more revenue generated as well as increased turnover for hoteliers, airport taxi operators and other ancillary businesses at the airport. It’s indeed a new dawn for Bayelsans,” he said.

Okowa said he was particularly happy Governor Dickson achieved the feat on the 7th anniversary of his restoration administration in Bayelsa State, adding that the people did not make any mistake in returning him to office when they massively voted for his second term.

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Governor Okowa’s birthday message is contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu.

Okowa said the people of Bayelsa State were blessed to have Dickson as governor, while noting with appreciation, the immense contributions of Governor Dickson to the development of Bayelsa State and Nigeria in general.

Okowa said Dickson had every cause to celebrate and thank God Almighty for His benevolence on the joyful occasion of his birthday anniversary.

He noted that the governor had done well in the state, especially the construction of the Bayelsa Airport in Yenagoa and other landmark projects spread across the state.

“On behalf of my family, the Government and the people of Delta State, I write to felicitate with you on the occasion of your birthday anniversary, today, January 28, 2019.

“Over the years, you have given yourself to the cause of peace and development in Nigeria and Bayelsa State. For this, we owe you an enduring debt of gratitude.

“In a life that has seen you reach an enviable height of your public service and political endeavours, there is great cause for you, members of your family, your many associates and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for His benevolence upon you.

“As you deservedly celebrate this day, it is my prayer that Almighty God continues to bless you with robust health and many more years of happiness,” he said.

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Okowa made the remark on Saturday at the funeral service conducted for the deceased at Toru-Angiama, Patani local government area of Delta State.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife Dolapo; former President Goodluck Jonathan, Peoples Democratic Party flag bearer for the 2019 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; former Governor James Ibori; governors of several states of the country and personalities attended the ceremony.

“Governor Dickson is a very humble man, a family man and hard working; these are some qualities his mother bequeathed on her children,” Governor Okowa said, adding, “we give God the glory for the life of Mama and we pray that God will continue to strengthen her children.”

Bayelsa State Governor, Dickson, thanked those who attended the ceremony, disclosing that the children of the deceased in conjunction with the Delta State government would build a school and a hospital at Toru-Angiama town in memory of their late mother.

Apostle Zilly Aggrey in a sermon at the service, urged Christians to always think about what they would be remembered for.

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