Rape: Outside Court Settlement, Light Penalty Encouraging Vice in Nigeria

Settlement of rape and sexual abuse cases out of court and offenders getting light penalty for such crime have been identified as factors encouraging widespread rape cases in Nigeria. This observation was made at the Strategic Consultative Meeting on Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act held on Monday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, and organised by KIF in collaboration with the Nigerian Feminist Forum (NFF). The participants at the event were unanimous that the VAPP Act of 2015 "is a comprehensive and robust instrument to promote women’s rights," which have often been undermined by out-of-court settlement and light punishment for penetrators of sexual abuses, including rape. However, they noted that the political will on the part of respective state governors was also required for the domestication of the Act and its effective implementation at the state level. The National Coordinator of the Nigerian Feminist Forum, Mrs. Blessing Duru, while lamenting that only 18 states in the country have so far domesticated the law, said looking at the VAPP Act from the feminist perspective, it was justified despite the gender balance of the law, because it seeks primarily "to ensure better protection for women and girls against violence, especially sexual abuse. Duru underscored the importance of working for safer environment for women through various avenues like better health facilities, skills acquisition, opportunity to lead and accommodation of persons with disability in the scheme of things at all levels. She urged the various stakeholders in Delta State to seize the opportunity provided by the domestication of the law in the state and the passion shown by the state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who in October 2020 accented to the VAPP Act passed by the state House of Assembly in July this year. In her remarks, the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Child Rights, Bridget Anyafulu, said the governor has demonstrated great interest and political will regarding the law by assenting to it amid the COVID-19 challenges, adding that "the state now has family courts where awaiting trial and diligent prosecution have been eliminated," as lawyers were available to offer services on pro bono basis. Also, the Executive Director of Koyenum Immalah Foundation (KIF), Faith Nwadishi, who was represented by the Delta State KIF Coordinator, Hope Nwadishi, said the nongovernmental organisation decided to partner the NFF to strengthen the process of implementation of the VAPP Act in the state. According to the KIF boss, "We're encouraged to partner the Nigerian Feminist Forum to strengthen what the state is already doing, having actually enacted the VAPP law, but a lot of Deltans are not aware of it. So, this event, which drew participants from strategic state ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media, is meant to strengthen the implementation through better awareness towards making it a household document; something we can discuss at social gatherings and our individual family circles." The Director of Overseas Development Agency (ODA), Mrs. Patience Ogbewe; Director, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Theresa Udochukwu; Rev Fedelia Njonkeonye (MIM); the state Focal Person of NFF, Chinonso Okechukwu, and representatives of several CSOs also attended the meeting.

#EndSARS: NPA Incurs over a billion Naira Loss, MD Laments ...As NIWA partners agency on goods evacuation

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, on Monday in Abuja disclosed that the revenue generating agency incurred more than a billion naira loss to vandalism during the recent #EndSARS protests in the country. This came as the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) declared its readiness to partner the NPA on goods’ evacuation from the ports as a way of solving the problem of trucks causing gridlock on the roads leading to various ports. The issue on losses suffered by the NPA through the vandalism inflicted on it by irate youths and looters who took advantage of the #EndSARS protests came up during the 2021 budget defence session the NPA had with the Senate Committee on Marine Transport. According to the NPA boss, the sum of N807million had been earmarked for the rehabilitation of the burnt portion of the agency's building. This, she added, was different from the money to be spent on replacement of 27 vehicles set ablaze by the vandals and three others stolen. Usman said: “These vehicles were operational ones, and they need to be replaced as soon as insurance companies come up with the aspect of losses to be shouldered. "Aside the burnt building and vehicles, other working tools like 317 computers were looted as well as photocopiers, and the cost of replacing them will be above N1billion when added to the N807million already estimated for the rehabilitation of the burnt building." She, however, assured the committee that the agency, based on the ongoing arrangement with the Lagos State Government and NIWA, is coming up with a lasting solution to trucks gridlock on various roads leading to the ports in Lagos. An electronic call up system, she explained, had been put in place for trucks accessing the ports for the evacuation of goods. Accordingly, Usman said: "Trucks park has been established in Orile, Lagos, which is to serve as a call up centre for any truck waiting to evacuate goods at the ports. "Besides this arrangement, an ultra-modern rail line leading to Apapa ports and water transportation being offered by NIWA are also helping out." In his presentation, the Managing Director of NIWA, Dr. George Moghalu, informed the Senate committee that the N3.9billlion budget estimates proposed for the agency in 2021 will be primarily implemented towards scaling up the development of inland water transportation in Nigeria. According to him, out of the N3.9billion budget estimates, N1.3billion is for recurrent expenditure; N1.4billion for capital expenditure and N1.1billion is projected as remittance to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF). In his remarks after the budget defence session, the Chairman of the committee, Senator Danjuma Goje (APC Gombe Central), told the agencies to scale up their projected revenues drive in 2021 for easy implementation of the budget. "Be rest assured that this committee shall, through its oversight functions, monitor your revenue drive in 2021 as well as remittance into the CRF," he said.

Supreme Court Swears in 72 SANs at Opening of New Legal Year …As CJN warns lawyers to shun act capable of derailing democracy

...new SAN calls for increase in award of SAN rank The Supreme Court on Monday conferred the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 72 legal practitioners. The conferment, which formed part of activities marking the commencement of the 2020/21 new legal year, was performed by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vuvour on behalf of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, and accompanied by 16 other Justices of the Supreme Court. Rhodes-Vivour, who noted that the new SANs emerged successful from a total of 172 earlier shortlisted for the rank, urged them to be more committed to their work and the legal profession, an attitude he said earned them the rank in the first place. The event, which was held at the main courtroom of the Supreme Court, started exactly by 10 a.m. and was in strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocols, as a lot of dignitaries, including spouses of awardees, were barred from the main courtroom. Among the new SANs are the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offence Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye; Akwa Ibom State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uwemedimo Nwoko; Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpo, and Uzoma Azikiwe. Justice Rhodes-Vivour said: "It is the fervent desire of every legal practitioner in Nigeria to be a Senior Advocate, but it doesn't come that way, as hard work, perseverance, endurance and courage are required to touch the finishing line. You must roll up your sleeves and get down to work with unrestrained enthusiasm and dexterity; then you can begin to coast home to victory. "Legal practice is not for the mentally docile or those averse to breaking new grounds, even in the face of daunting challenges." The Justice, who described the outgoing legal year as "an unusual year in the history of mankind, that many wished it never existed,” noted that the judiciary, in spite of the enormous challenge, was able to hear 697 civil, 168 criminal and 35 political cases totaling 700 out of 908 cases filed in 2019/2020 legal year. "In the same vein, the court considered a total number of 208 appeals, being 134 civil, 52 criminal and 22 political appeals. In all, a total number of 189 judgments were given within the legal year under review,” he said. Meanwhile, the CJN used the occasion to warn against certain behaviour of some lawyers, which he said had become a source of serious concern, adding that severe sanctions would henceforth be meted out to any unprofessional conduct exhibited by such persons. While urging lawyers to show ability and capacity to counsel their clients rightly and "not mislead them for pecuniary gains," he stressed that "obedience of lawful court orders has no alternative in any society. A threat to this is simply a call for anarchy.” In his contribution, the Attorney General of the Federal and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), admonished the newly-sworn in SANs to uphold justices at all times and work for smooth cause of justices. According to him, "As a leader of the bar and defender of the law, a senior advocate is expected to bring to bear on the profession high standard of diligence, honour and preparation of his cases." Malami, who was represented by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata, also reminded them that their new status "confers no immunity on the disciplinary processes of our noble profession." He noted that Judges, not being wholly free to defend themselves, are peculiarly entitled to receive the support of the bar against unjust criticism and clamour. Also, the National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata, in his remark, called for improved welfare for judicial officers at all levels, adding that it is high time true autonomy was installed for the judiciary, which according to him, is often the neglected arm of government. Akpata noted that the "fight against corruption is best fought by tackling the incentives for corruption such as the extremely inadequate compensation packages for our judicial and public officers generally." Meanwhile, the NBA president charged the National Judicial Council (NJC) not to relent in its efforts to rid the bench of corruption, and to continually tackle the issue of indiscipline from judicial officers. In his vote of thanks, Mr. Obafemi Adewale (SAN), who spoke on behalf of the 72 new SANs, while thanking the CJN and the Supreme Court for their conferment, however, called for increase in the number of legal practitioners receiving the award yearly. "We must, however, respectively urge my Lords and the LPPC to please go a step further. In the United Kingdom, from where we copied this tradition, there are about 1,700 barristers on the roll (2019 records), and 1,700 are Queen's Counsel which is about 10 percent. "In Nigeria, on the other hand, we have a little over 120,000 on the roll; an estimated 30,000 of them are in active legal practice. Yet, with the addition of 72 today, the total number of SAN from inception in 1975 is now just 620. "This, in fact, includes the 108, who have passed on to the great beyond. The remaining 512 constitute less than two percent of the total population of lawyers in active practice, and certainly less than one percent of the names on the roll," Adewale said.

Only 7 Detainees Escaped from Our Custody, Says C'River CP

The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed that only seven suspects escaped from its custody last Sunday, and not 17 as reported on social media. The state Commissioner of Police, Abdulkadir Jimoh, who confirmed the incident on Monday in Calabar, the state capital, said social media reported the incorrect number of the fleeing suspects, who escaped from a police cell at the state police headquarters at Diamond Hill in Calabar. Jimoh alleged also that some policemen suspected to have aided the escape of the detainees, comprising suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, have been arrested, and are being interrogated as part of the investigation of the incident. The commissioner told journalists that three of the fleeing suspects were trailed and gunned down while trying escape through the axis of Calabar River in Calabar South area, as one was apprehend and returned to the police cell. The CP said the remaining three fleeing suspects are still at large, but that they are being trailed by the police. Aside from the confirmation by the commissioner, the state police command's Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, in a statement confirmed that seven detainees escaped from the police cell in Calabar, contrary to her earlier claim that only three detainees escaped.

Domkat Bali’s Burial Plans Stir Trouble among Kinsmen

The burial plans for the late former Chief of Defence Staff, late General Domkat Bali, have stirred serious controversy among his kinsmen, as a socio-economic and cultural development organisation of the Tarok nation, Ngwang Ishi O’Tarok (NIO), warned Tarok elders to desist from the plan to bury the late army general in Abuja against their culture. In a statement signed by the President and Secretary of the group, Chief David Dashe and Nangor Ndam respectively, the group reminded the Tarok elders that Bali, as at the time of his death, was still the Ponzhi Tarok and president of the Langtang Joint Traditional Council as affirmed by the Federal Court of Appeal Jos division on November 11, 2020. Dashe said: “We learnt that some elders have relocated to Bali’s residence in Abuja, and issued funeral arrangements programme for his burial without consultation with the Langtang Joint Traditional Council, which is the proper thing to do considering that the deceased was the Ponzhi Tarok and president of the Langtang Joint Traditional Council and a member of Plateau State Joint Traditional Council for Chiefs and Emirs. “These arrangements, which they are making for him not to be buried as a ‘Royal Majesty’, are in total disagreement with the Langtang Joint Traditional Council, the NIO and the Tarok nation. “Based on the foregoing, the NIO, on behalf of the Tarok Nation, warned the Tarok elders from hijacking the funeral arrangements of the late Ponzhi Tarok, Domkat Bali. “His Royal Majesty Domkat Bali died as a ‘first class chief’ in office, and the arrangements for his burial must be handled by the Langtang Joint Traditional Council, his immediate family and the government of Plateau State.” The President of the group, Dashe, observed that the Tarok nation has an age-long tradition for burial rite that must be maintained and sustained for the youths and the unborn generation to learn from. While appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari, the state Governor, Simon Lalong, and the Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba, for mourning late Bali, Dashe advised them and the public to disregard the funeral arrangements programme released by a section of Tarok elders, and wait for the one to be released by Langtang Joint Traditional Council.