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Health

Centre decries low prosecution of sex offenders in Adamawa

By Yakubu Musa Uba
Prosecution
Yola, Dec. 25, 2019 (NAN) The Yola Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), also known as ‘Hope Centre’ has called for an improvement in the number prosecution of rape and other sexual related assaults in the state.

The Manager of the centre, Dr Usha Saxena, made this appeal on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola.

He disclosed that the centre has attended to 224 rape survivors since its establishment in March 2018 to date.

Saxena said that the centre, established and equipped with the support of British Council under its Managing Conflict in Nigeria (MCN) programme, has been providing free treatment, counseling and legal services, among others, to survivors of Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the state.

Saxena, however, said that out of the 224 cases recorded by the centre, only 11 were undergoing prosecution; a development she said only the police and judiciary could explain better.

“That is why we need a bigger centre or more offices so that we can have desk officers from the police and lawyers in the Centre to facilitate prosecution of suspects.

“We also want such cases to be taken to High Courts, instead of magistrates or area courts that are not competent to handle rape cases,” Saxena said.

She commended the British Council and Pathfinder for their support in providing facilities to the centre.

Saxena added that the EU-Spotlight Initiative, a global partnership between United Nations and European Union to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls has also shown interest to support the centre.

“The Spotlight Initiative had already conducted forensic training for doctors and nurses of the centre.

“Also trained by Spotlight are counsellors of the centre,” Saxena said.

She explained that Spotlight would also rehabilitate a hostel provided by Adamawa Ministry of Women Affairs to serve as ‘Safe Space’, for survivors of rape who have no where to go or needed to stay briefly to complete their treatment.

Saxena lauded the recently launched National Sexual Offenders Register (SOR) for the compilation of data of those convicted for sexual violence, noting that the development will contribute positively in addressing sexual violence.

She urged Adamawa to key into it so as to give the fight against sexual violence more bite in the state. (NAN)
YMU/KTO/MST
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Foreign

Silent diplomatic efforts aided Zainab, Abubakar release by Saudi – Ministry

Silent diplomatic efforts aided Zainab, Abubakar release by Saudi – Ministry

By Isaac Aregbesola
Diplomacy
Abuja, May 2, 2019 (NAN) Foreign Affairs Ministry says its silent diplomatic efforts in the past few weeks culminated in the release of Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar arrested by Saudi authority for drug related offence.

The ministry said this in a statement by its Acting Spokesperson, Mr Friday Akpan, on Thursday in Abuja

“Zainab Aliyu, a Nigerian student who travelled for Lesser Hajj with her mother was arrested by Saudi Security Officials on Dec. 26, 2018, in a hotel in Madinah.

“She was accused of possessing a bag containing illicit drugs purportedly bearing a tag with her name.

“Another passenger, Ibrahim Abubakar, unrelated to Zainab who also travelled on the same aircraft, was also arrested on the same day,” it stated.

The ministry explained that Zainab Aliyu was released on April 30, while Ibrahim Abubakar was released on May 1.

It also stressed that the intervention by President Muhammadu Buhari directing that all efforts be exerted to secure their release facilitated the expedited final favourable resolution of the matter.

While explaining further its efforts on the release of the two Nigerians, the ministry stated that on receipt of the information on their arrest, the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah intervened.

It stated that Nigerian Mission in Saudi then requested for full investigation to ascertain the innocence of Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar.

“Investigations conducted by the Airport Authorities and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano discovered a drug cartel at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, that specialises in planting illicit drugs on innocent travellers without their knowledge.

“It was also discovered that the bag tagged in Zainab’s name was planted by the cartel without her knowledge.

“Following the arrest of members of the cartel, the Federal Government is currently prosecuting the suspects in the Federal High Court, Kano.

“The outcome of the investigation and subsequent trial of the suspects confirmed the innocence of the two Nigerians.

“The Consulate General of Nigeria in Jeddah, upon instruction from Headquarters, therefore sent series of Diplomatic Notes to the Saudi Foreign Ministry informing of the arrest of members of the syndicate in Kano and forwarding the report of the NDLEA investigation and court proceeding.”

It stated that investigation documents were forwarded to the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah to further support the innocence of the two Nigerians and also resolve the issue of luggage tag numbers.

According to the ministry, following these efforts, officials in the Consulate secured appointment and met with the Director General of the Saudi Foreign Ministry, Jeddah.

It said that the DG then requested the official in the consulate to forward the NDLEA report to all concerned Saudi agencies with a view to releasing Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar.

“All these processes followed were consistent with the usual diplomatic channel of engagement.

“To maintain the diplomatic pressure, another Note was sent by our Embassy in Riyadh conveying the same message to the Saudi Authorities.

“On April 26, a Note was also sent to both the Saudi Embassy in Abuja and its Consulate in Kano, forwarding court documents relating to the trial of members of the Kano syndicate,” it stated.

It added that the Legal Adviser of the Saudi Foreign Ministry confirmed that relevant agencies and departments in Saudi Arabia were going to meet to consider all the Notes Verbal and reports submitted by Nigeria.

This, it stated, was to facilitate early resolution of the case of Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar.

The ministry added that the judicial and legal process in Nigeria alos provided the critical documentation that aided the diplomatic efforts to establish the innocence of both Zainab Aliyu and Ibrahim Abubakar.

It stated that the Consulate-General of Nigeria in Jeddah is currently processing travel documents for the two individuals to facilitate their return to Nigeria.

The Ministry commended the Saudi Government, through its Embassy in Abuja and officials of Saudi Foreign Ministry, for cooperating with Nigeria in the eventual resolution of the matter. (NAN)
IAA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

INEC list factors hindering prosecution of electoral offences

INEC list factors hindering prosecution of electoral offences
By Away Kuje
Prosecution
Akwanga (Nasarawa State), Aug, 10, 2018 (NAN) The National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified three major factors hindering successful prosecution of electoral offences in the country.
Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, INEC National Commissioner, listed political interference, lack of human and material resources as some the major factors.
She stated this on Friday in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, at the opening of a two-day training on prosecution of election offences for the commission’s legal personnel and police officers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised and sponsored by European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES).
NAN also reports that over 100 INEC legal personnel and Police officers drawn from the six geo-political zones of the country are attending the training.
Agbamuche -Mbu, who is also the Chairperson, Legal Services of the commission, lauded ECES for funding the training programme, saying the workshop would enhance the capacity of legal officers of INEC and Police officers in the prosecution of electoral offences.
“Our capacity in terms of resources and personnel is simply not large enough to prosecute offences in 120,000 polling units; 8,809 wards, 360 federal constituencies, 109 senatorial districts and 774 local government areas.
“Political interference is also a factor such as instances where Attorneys-General file Nolle Prosequi for such cases, rendering the Commission powerless.
“Now, more than ever, there is the need to prevent, curtail and manage various offences.
“Recent happenings in Ekiti State during the just concluded Governorship Election have thrown up the need for a closer look at our prosecutorial efforts in the area of electoral offences.
“Vote buying has become an issue as witnessed in the Ekiti State Governorship Election and INEC cannot stand aloof and allow its efforts in planning successful election be thrown into disrepute. We must protect the secrecy and sanity of the vote.
“Prosecution of offences is fraught with many difficulties. Traditionally, the police are charged with the duty of investigating these offences, yet we find that the officers who witnessed the offence and made the arrest are moved out of location after the election,” she noted.
The INEC official expressed optimism that participants at the training would brainstorm on issues of adequacy of the law in prosecution of electoral offences, capacity of the staff to handle such, capacity and willingness of police to investigate and stringency of penalties, among others.
Agbamuche-Mbu restated the commitment of the commission to conduct free, credible and acceptable election as well as prosecuting electoral offences.
Earlier, Mr Rudolf Elbling, the Project Coordinator, ECES Nigeria, said that that the training was to boost the confidence of the legal officers and positively reposition them in handling election petitions.
Elbling, who was represented by Maria Teresa Mauro, the Senior Election Expert (Legal), ECES Nigeria, restated the centre’s commitment to continue to support INEC and other organisations for democratic governance in Nigeria. (NAN)
AKW/AOS/MST
Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

(Audio) NDLEA Lagos Command prosecutes 39 suspects in 3 months — Official 

Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Ibrahim Ali (rtd) 

 

Drugs
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, April 24, 2018 (NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, says it has prosecuted no fewer than 39 suspects between Jan. 2018 and March 2018.

Mr Lawal Opeloyeru, Principal Staff Officer, Operations and Intelligence of the agency, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.

Cue in audio

 

“We have prosecuted no fewer than 39 suspects this year alone. That is Lagos State Command alone.

“They were convicted and some of them were serving their terms of imprisonment in Kirikiri.

“The dangers of drugs are very clear to everybody. Drugs kill; they disrupt the peace and security of the nation.

“So the advice is that everybody should join hands with NDLEA to make sure that we rid the country of the menace of illicit drugs.

“We are considering constituting a joint operation with the Nigeria Customs Service so that every agency will bring its experience and expertise to bear on efforts to beat these criminals.

“The issue of seizing substances like this without apprehending the owner is not good for prosecution.

“So we will work together to ensure that when we have a situation like this arises, those who are connected to it are arrested. “

Cue out audio

He alleged that some of the illicit drugs were from Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria.

He added that the agency was working closely with other neighbouring countries to stop the smuggling of such drugs.

Opeloyeru said the agency would deepen collaboration with customs to end the smuggling of illicit drugs. (NAN)

AIC/AJA/YEE
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi/Emmanuel Yashim

Judiciary

10 men docked over alleged damaging of FRSC vehicles, building

10 men docked over alleged damaging of FRSC vehicles, building
By Martha Nuhu
Prosecution
Jos, March 29, 2018 (NAN) The police in Jos on Thursday arraigned 10 men in an Upper Area Court, Kabong, Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau, for allegedly destroying a building and vehicles of Federal Road Safety Corps. (FRSC)
The defendents are Abbas Sharanu, Saheed Lawal, Musa Jibrin, Mapi Musa, Bashir Ibrahim, Jethro Danas, Panam Hassan, Usman Umaru, Sanusi Sanusi and Auwal Abubakar, all of Bauchi Road, Jos.
They were charged with criminal conspiracy, disturbance of public peace, joining unlawful assembly and voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
The police prosecutor, Mr E.A Inegbenoise, told the court that one Bernard Tele, of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested and brought the defendants at the Nasarawa Gwom police station on Feb. 26.
Inegbenoise said that the defendants all armed with cutlasses, knives and jerry cans of fuel destroyed a building and cars at the FRSC office at Bauchi Ring Road.
The prosecutor added that they also destroyed cars belonging to motorists which were impounded in the compound and inflicted injuries on one Ira Ambram.
The offences contravened sections 97, 113, 341 and 247 of the Penal Code.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The magistrate, Mr S.N Dashe, admitted the defendants to bail of N50, 000 each and a surety each in like sum.
Dashe said that the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and submit to the court a copy of their passport photograph and permanent voter card.
He thereby adjourned the matter until May 22, for hearing. (NAN)
ADY/HS/MST
Edited by Halima Sheji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NAPTIP to prosecute traffickers to Libya

NAPTIP to prosecute traffickers to Libya
NAN-HG-5
Prosecution
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, Jan. 9, 2018 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it will prosecute those involved in the trafficking of Nigerians to Libya to serve as deterrent to others.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Ms Julie Okah-Donli, said this while fielding questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.
Okah-Donli explained that in the process of profiling of the returnees, the information of how they got to Libya and the persons responsible would be taken to identify the traffickers and punish them accordingly.
She said that her officers and men are currently in Libya to get necessary information on those responsible for the trafficking of Nigerians whether they are in this country or abroad, they must be arrested and dealt with according to law.
According to her, if any suspected trafficker in Libya is identified and the person is not willing to come back, such suspect must be repatriated to face the trial in Nigeria.
“Information is critical, we are in a process to get useful information from the returnees that will lead to the arrest of those involved in the trafficking business.
“We are working seriously to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book no matter who is involved,” she said.
Okah-Donli, who is part of the Federal Government delegation to evacuate Nigerians from Libya, disclosed that so far 972 returnees have been brought back to the country.
She explained that 485 returnees were evacuated on Sunday and another 487 were also received in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The director-general said that her agency had begun counselling of the returnees in the camp in Port Harcourt before they are taken to shelters for continuation of the counselling.
She added that victims of human trafficking among the returnees, after going through medical examination and counselling, would be rehabilitated before they are integrated into the society. (NAN)
MS/OIF/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NAPTIP seeks arrest, prosecution of foreign based traffickers

NAPTIP seeks arrest, prosecution of foreign based traffickers

NAN-HG-8

Traffickers

By Mustapha Sumaila

Abuja, May 18,  2017 (NAN) Mrs Julie Okah-Donli, the Director-General of National Agency for the prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), on Thursday called for the arrest and prosecution of foreign-based human trafficking rings and mafia across the globe.

Okah-Donli made the call when she received a delegation from the Spanish embassy led by Mr Raphael Mouib in Abuja.

She explained that the activities of such foreign based traffickers had constituted major threat to the global anti-human trafficking efforts.

The NAPTIP Boss specifically tasked members of the European Union and other international organisations to provide useful intelligence on the operations base and location of the human trafficking “lords” for the purpose of bursting their rings for prosecution.

The director-general told the visiting envoys that blowing the lead off the European-based human trafficking barons who have continuously mounted pressure on their home-based pimps for massive recruitment of victims would be a major boost to the current onslaught on human traffickers.

According to her, “the arrest and prosecution of those human traffickers that are based in any of the European countries is very crucial to our latest efforts to end human trafficking in Nigeria.

“We are imploring you to join hands with the Government of Nigeria and precisely NAPTIP in the area of intelligence sharing aimed at exposing those foreign based human trafficking madams who are believed to be behind the exploitation of our youths.

“We want them to be exposed and made to face the wrath of the law, this is one of the ways of ensuring success of the latest fight against human trafficking”.

Mouib had earlier said they visited NAPTIP to brief the management on the scope and the implementation strategy of the 11th European Development Fund project.

The leader of the delegation also said that they were at the agency to intimate it of the plans to commence the implementation of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) project, which was designed to address some of the human trafficking issues in the country.

According to him, the main objective of the project was to reduce Trafficking In Persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM) at national and regional level, and between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) continues with specific emphasis on women and children.

He disclosed that there would be various components of the project which would be managed by the International and Iberoamericana Foundation for Administration of Public Policies (FIIAPP) include capacity building for Officers of the Agency in the areas of investigation and prosecution as well as awareness creation. (NAN)

MS/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

N4.8bn MDGs job: Adamawa Govt to prosecute contractors

N4.8bn MDGs job: Adamawa Govt to prosecute contractors

NAN-H-65

MDGs

By Martins Abochol

Yola, April 25, 2017 (NAN) Gov. Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa has threatened to prosecute contractors that absconded with N4.8 billion Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) funds in the state.

Bindow on Tuesday in Yola directed the Ministry of Justice to take necessary action against the contractors.

He gave the order while receiving the investigative report on the implementation of MDGs contracts from 2007 till date.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Bindow had earlier constituted an investigative committee into the implementation of the MDGs contracts from 2007 till date.

The committee was given four weeks from their date of inauguration to submit the report.

The governor, who said that his administration thrived on transparency and accountability, vowed that the misuse of state resources would not continue.

According to him, the era of shortchanging the people of the state is gone, saying “my administration is committed to clearing the rot in the system’’.

The governor referred the reports to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Bala Sanga, and directed him to take necessary legal action.

Earlier, Alhaji Alfa Belel, the Chairman of the committee, told the governor that the MDGs office had refused to provide payment vouchers between 2007 and 2009.

However, Belel said that the office only provided the committee with payment vouchers from 2010 till date.

He said that N11 billion was received by the MDGs office within the period under review, noting that some projects were not executed.

He said that 1,591 contracts were awarded but only 300 were fully paid, adding that some of the contracts were fully paid without contract sites.

The chairman said that the committee also uncovered huge sums as un-remitted tax within the time under review.

Belel said that the committee had toured all the 21 local government areas in the state to access the contract sites.

He commended the governor for cooperating with the committee and thanked him for finding them worthy to serve the state in such capacity. (NAN) MK/JEO/MST

Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Judiciary

Man, 24, accused of raping a minor, discharged over lack of prosecution

 

NAN-H-54

Discharge

Jos, March 13, 2017 (NAN) A Jos State High Court on Monday discharged and acquitted one Yinusa Adam, 24, who is being tried over alleged rape of an eight-year-old minor.

Adam was alleged to have committed the crime in an uncompleted building behind Bauchi Road Motor Park, in Jos North Local Government Area of  Plateau.

The accused, a resident of Bauchi Road, in Jos, was arrested on Feb. 1, 2016, at about 10.00 a.m., while allegedly raping the girl.

He was subsequently arraigned and charged with having carnal knowledge of a minor, an offence the prosecutor, Mr. O. S. Ocho, said was contrary to sections 282 and 283 of the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

When the case came up for hearing before Justice Christine Dabup, on Monday, Ocho told the court that he was unable to bring any witness to testify against the suspect because the nominal complainant had relocated out of the jurisdiction of the court.

“The second reason is that the Investigating Police Officer has been transferred out of Plateau; he is now inAbuja,” he said.

The prosecutor pleaded with the court to strike out the case.

Ocho’s plea was promptly accepted by the defence Counsel, Mr J.J. Moroloye.

Ruling on the matter, the judge said that the case could not be continued.

“Since the prosecution is not ready to continue with the case based on the reasons adduced by him, this case has to be struck out.

“This case is hereby struck out for want of diligent prosecution; the accused is also hereby discharged and acquitted,’’ Dabup declared. (NAN)

TYC/DOR/ETS
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Edited by Nyisom Dore and Ephraims Sheyin