SATURDAY, 16 JANUARY 2016. Lassa Fever: Three dead, 200 underobservation – Rivers Commissioner

The
Commissioner for Health in Rivers, Dr
Theophilus Odagme, has confirmed
that three persons have died, while
more than 200 others are currently
under observation, following the
outbreak of Lassa Fever in the
state.Odagme made the disclosure in
an interview with the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on
Saturday.He said that up to 50 people
who had contacts with the first
reported two cases could be out of
observation because they had not
shown symptoms of the disease.The
commissioner said that the medical
doctor, who died after contracting the
disease, had been buried after
consultations with the family.He said
the doctor died at a hospital outside
Port Harcourt and that contacts he had
hours before his death were among
those under observation.According to
the commissioner, government has set
up a special centre to manage new
cases of the disease, noting that no new
case has been reported.Odagme also
said that the State Government was
working with the World Health
Organisation (WHO) and the Federal
Ministry of Health to tackle the
disease.“We have been working with
WHO and the Federal Ministry of
Health. They are with us in ensuring
that their supports come on board.They
are with us.He advised people with
symptoms of the disease to report to
the nearest health centre for test and
treatment

WEDNESDAY, 13 JANUARY 2016. Drama As Olisa Metuh Tears ConfessionStatement, Attempts To Swallow It In EFCCCustody

Drama As Olisa Metuh Tears Confession Statement, Attempts To Swallow It In EFCC Custody, PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh has run into another trouble after creating a scene in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), tearing the statement he made on oath. The EFCC may arraign him in court for alleged wilful destruction of government property and obstruction of operatives from performing their job, The Nation learnt. The anti-graft agency has drafted forensic experts to analyse the shredded statement. A source in the commission said Metuh went dramatic because his “self-imposed hunger strike” did not help in saving him from detention. The source said:“Apparently distraught that his hunger strike stunt has not softened the resolve of the EFCC to keep him in custody, pending arraignment in court for alleged thievery running into millions of naira, Metuh seized and tore to shreds copies of a statement he had voluntarily made to the commission. “ The suspect was presented with copies of his statement to endorse by the investigating officer but rather than signing the document, Metuh, apparently on realising the weight of his confession, seized the documents and tore them. “Metuh was said to be contemplating stuffing the papers in his mouth in a bid to swallow them when he was stopped by operatives who recovered the torn pieces of paper from him. “ Responding to a question, the source added: “We have drafted forensic experts to analyse the torn statement. There is no hiding place for him. “We decided to let the public know his misdemeanour in custody. We will present the report of the forensic analysis to the court whenever he is charged.” The source, however, said Metuh’s unruly behaviour could attract a separate charge in court. The source said:“The tearing of statement is tantamount to wilful destruction of government property and it is a serious offence, “Also, the fact that he obstructed operatives from performing their job is a criminal offence. We will explore the possibility of filing a separate charge against him at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.” [The Nation]