RIVERSDIARIES: A ROUND UP OF BUSY EPISODE IN THE NATION'S LONGEST RUNNING DRAMA

Okay. It was a busy day on Monday August 5 in Rivers state. We’ll give you the lowdown on all that happened that day.
IG visits Rivers, shuns Amaechi
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Monday visited Port Harcourt, the state capital, and didn’t check on the state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi. Abubakar was in the state ostensibly to inaugurate 100 Prado Sports Utility Vans donated to the nine Niger Delta state police commands by the Niger Delta Development Commission.
The IGP also did not address his officers who waited for several hours to hear from their boss.
By the time, the state Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Joshak Habila, addressed officers and thanked them for coming out en masse. security operatives, especially those in ceremonial uniforms, who had waited to mount a guard of honour, left in disappointment.
And just to add, Abubakar’s Chief Press Secretary, David Iyofor, said there was nothing to comment on over the refusal of the IGP to visit the governor, saying that the decision was entirely the IGP’s own.
Fair enough.

A free man, sort of
Detained Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly Chidi Lloyd was yesterday granted bail in the sum of N5 million by Justice Charles Wali of the High Court, Ahoada
Almost immediately, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) protested, saying Governor Amaechi is trying to shield Lloyd from prosecution.
Lloyd, a member representing Emuoha Constituency, was arrested on July 23 at Force Headquarters, Abuja when he turned himself in, after being declared wanted in connection with the fracas on the floor of House on July 9.
The judge also ordered the Police not to re-arrest him, after he has been released.
One of his lawyers, Emenike Ebete (the dude who narrated that touching, but winding story of Lloyd being tortured and losing his sight because of exposure to tear gas) , said Lloyd would be released this morning after the order is served on the police.

He had some visitors
Seems like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have stepped into the festering political impasse in Rivers. They are said to have ‘stormed’ (newspaper speak for arrived), the state on Monday, and have already has a chat with some public office holders over a yet-to-be-made-public financial impropriety.
Already, EFCC investigators are said to have questioned Chidi Lloyd, over the finances of the state legislature, according to the Punch, while still in police detention on charges of attempted murder.
Oh, and Lloyd had sued the IG, demanding N50 billion in damages for allegedly violating his fundamental rights, wrongful arrest and detention. While the court admitted the Majority Leader to bail, it will deliver judgment on the damages on August 14.
And…
Injured member of the state House of Assembly, Michael Okechukwu Chinda’s family has petitioned the National Judicial Council alleging interference by the state Chief Judge, Justice Iche Ndu, in the case involving Chidi Lloyd.
Some folks have a problem with the court case being held in Ahoada when the offence for which Hon. Lloyd was arrested for was committed in Port Harcourt. You can’t satisfy everyone it seems.
And that is your Rivers roundup.