The Nation Newspaper

Tag: International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)

  • Court remands 34-year-old for alleged murder

    A Chief Magistrates Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has ordered the remand in prison custody of a 34-year-old man, Princewill Owabie for alleged murder.
    Owabie allegedly beat one Betha Wobeze, a female from Ngbola-Ndele, Emohua local government area I of the state to death on  November 19, 2018, at his residence in number  391 Ikwerre road Port Harcourt.
    The suspect also allegedly dug a shallow grave and buried his victim in his one bedroom without the consent and presence of her family.
    He is charged with a two-count charge of murder against the  Commissioner of Police.
    The charge was not read to him because the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter hence he did not take any plea.
    Members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) were present in the court to watch brief of the proceedings. The suspect however had no legal representation at the sitting.

    Read Also: Court remands marijuana dealer in Ibadan

    The prosecutor, Inspector Wilson Isaiah told the court that his offence contavenes section 319 (1) and 242 (b) of the of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol II Laws of Rivers State,1999.
    He also told the court that his offence is punishable by death if convicted.
    The presiding Magistrate, Sokari Andrew-Jaja ordered that the suspect be remanded in prison custody. He also ordered that his case file be remitted to the Directorate of public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.
    He adjourned the matter till February 21, 2019 pending advice from DPP.

  • FIDA Kwara flays alarming trend of incest

    The International Federation of Women Lawyers ( FIDA ) in Kwara on Friday advised parents to watch over their children, particularly female to guard them against incest, rape and indecent assault.

    Its Chairperson, Mrs Salmat Mohammed, made the appeal in Ilorin during a sensitisation walk to strategic public places in the state capital.

    This was as part of the activities marking the 2018 FIDA week.

    Mohammed expressed worry over the new trends of incest, rape and indecent assault cases in the society.

    She said that the trend had extended to some fathers allegedly impregnating their daughters, brothers engaging in sexual act with their sisters, step fathers with step daughters and uncles with nieces, among others.

    According to the FIDA chairperson, the high rate of rape and indecent assault gave the federation the clue to stage the walk to enlighten parents, particularly mothers on the social menace.

     Read Also:  My daughter seduced me, says incestuous dad

    She warned mothers not to entrust their daughters in the hands of any man, noting that the emerging trends had shown that even blood relations could not be overlooked in the act.

    Mohammed urged parents to always report cases of rape, incest and indecent assault to the relevant authorities, adding that the federation was poised to tackle all forms of violence against women and children.

    She said that the Nigerian law prescribed life imprisonment for anybody caught in such devilish act of indecent assault, rape and incest.

    Mohammed said that the walk was held across the three Senatorial districts in the state and the grand finale which would involved NGOs, civil society organisations and market women would hold later in the year.

    Speaking on the sidelines of the walk, Mrs Funke Balogun, the Chairman, FIDA Week Organising Committee, said that the federation would further intensify its campaign against all forms of sexual assaults against women.

    Balogun said that the major challenge in the campaign was failure of some parents to report cases of rape and indecent assault for fear of stigmatisation.

    She said that federation was offering free legal services for victims and lauded the state Department of Public Prosecution for always being helpful in prosecuting the cases.

    FIDA members in Kwara commenced the walk from their secretariat at Lanjorin road, Ilorin to Amilegbe, Ilorin South Local Government Secretariat, Ipata market, Opo-Malu to Post Office and terminated at the FIDA House.

    The members, who were accompanied by a band, carried banners with inscriptions like: “Sex against her Will is against the Law”, “Say No to Rape”, “Say No to Indecent Assault”, “Say No to Violence” and “Punishment is Life Imprisonment”.

     

  • FIDA urges stakeholders to push for adoption of VAPP Act

    FIDA urges stakeholders to push for adoption of VAPP Act

    The International Federation of Women Lawyers ( FIDA ) on Saturday urged government and relevant stakeholders to push for the adoption and effective implementation of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, 2015 (VAPP Act).

    The National President of FIDA, Mrs Inime Aguma, made the call in a statement to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Abuja.

    “The legislation addresses all forms of violence; it is a legal instrument and if diligently utilised, it will aid in improving the various forms of violence against women,” she stated.

    She noted that the theme for this year’s celebration — “Leave no one behind: End violence against women” focused on women and girls.

    She explained that “from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, 2017, our focus is on raising awareness on issues of violence against women and girls, and mobilising people to bring about change.

    “FIDA Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the commencement of the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

    “It is a huge cause for concern that despite efforts to put a stop to violence against women and girls in our societies, women are still subjected to all forms of violence.”

    According to her, the reports from FIDA Nigeria and other branches across the country reveal high number of incidences of violence against women on a daily basis.

    She said the acts include rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, reproductive coercion, female infanticide, prenatal sex selection, obstetric violence, and mob violence.

    Aguma said others include detention of pregnant women, as well as harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, marriage by abduction and forced marriage, maltreatment of widows and killings for ritual rites.

    “Other forms of violence organised by criminal networks include trafficking in women and forced prostitution.

    “FIDA Nigeria condemns every form of violence meted on our women.

    “We will continue to carry out campaigns to sensitise the public and government on the need to key into the global call for violence-free societies for all women by 2030.”

    NAN

  • Woman catches 50yr-old lover raping her 15yr-old daughter

    Woman catches 50yr-old lover raping her 15yr-old daughter

    A woman, Blessing Joshua, 40, has allegedly caught her lover, Oku, raping her 15-year-old daughter in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    The woman said she was shocked to see her 50-year-old lover, Oku Ekanem, from Akwa Ibom defiling her crying daughter.

    The incident, which occurred at 1am on Monday at Swali area of the city generated outrage from members of the public.

    The state security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo reportedly stormed the crime scene and arrested the suspect.

    The victim’s mother, Blessing narrated her trauma to the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

    She said: “It happened on Monday at about 1am. I was watching television with my neighbour till late and retired to bed at about 1am. It was not quite long, I heard the scream of my child and l ran to the direction of the scream. But l was shocked when I saw him defiling my child.

    ” He claimed it was the work of the devil and I told him that this would be last time, the devil would use him and that I would take the matter seriously.

    He pleaded and barricaded the door to prevent me from calling neigbours. But I tricked him and ran outside with my child to call police patrol team at our junction.

    “He was arrested but he denied the act. But a test carried out at the hospital showed otherwise.”

    Reacting to the development, the Chairperson of FIDA in Bayelsa State, Dise Erhisere described the incident as “barbaric and ‎wicked act’.

    “It is barbaric and inhuman. We condemn it and call on mothers to be vigilante and careful with their girl child”, she said.

     

  • FIDA tasks stakeholders on rights of violated children

    The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) on Tuesday called on relevant stakeholders not to relent in the fight against violated children.

    A statement issued in Abuja quoted the Vice President of the association, Mrs Inime Aguma, as making this appeal at the National Executives meeting held in Kwara.

    The theme of the meeting was” Protection of children and young persons from sexual abuse”.

    She called on agencies of government, ministries, security agencies, National Assembly, National Human Rights Commission, faith based organisations, Judiciary, CSOs and other relevant organisations at the federal and state levels to continue to fight for rights of children.

    “FIDA Nigeria observes with dismay the incessant abuse of children as young as four months by persons who ordinarily should provide care, protection and security.

    “FIDA Nigeria cannot afford to stay silent in the face of such dehumanisation and degradation of our future generation,” she said.

    Aguma said the theme was to create a platform to build the capacity of members to continue to provide legal services to violated children.

    She said the association has 33 branches providing free legal clinics where parents, guardians and good citizens of Nigeria can report cases of these menace, and members are obliged to ensure proper prosecution of these perpetrators.

    “As lawyers, we believe that we are equipped to take action through the instrumentality of the law to make our society a better place for our children.

    “For example, in Niger State, a 12-year-old boy was sexually abused by a man, the perpetrator was arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to one month imprisonment.

    “The child victim eventually died from the severe injuries and damage from the assault,” she said.

    Aguma said the perpetrator was re-arrested and is being prosecuted for murder for the death of the boy.

    Besides, she called on all states in the country yet to adopt the Child Rights Act to domesticate and ensure its full implementation together with all laws concerning children especially the establishment of a family court in each state.

    “We acknowledge the role of the media in projecting this menace especially the use of the social media in creating this awareness.

    “We however appeal to all media outfits to continue in exposing the perpetrators of this menace.

    “Let us break the silence and join FIDA Nigeria to say NO to all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation of all children in Nigeria,” Aguma urged.

  • Girl Child Day: FIDA wants gender offenders prosecuted

    The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) on Tuesday called for proper prosecution of offenders of sexual and gender based crimes to serve as deterrence.

    Mrs Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, Assistant Public Relation Officer, FIDA, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja as the world marks this year’s International Girl Child Day.

    She said that punishing offenders would encourage victims of such crimes to report and speak out, adding that this will bring an end to stigmatisation.

    Onyenucheya called on the Nigerian Police to always conduct thorough investigations in order to unearth culprits behind such dastardly crime.

    She said that violence and abuse could affect a child’s development, dignity, physical and psychological integrity; hence culprits must be punished to eliminate such crimes in the society.

    NAN reports that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) provides for the prosecution of such offenders.

    She called on the appropriate authorities to implement such provisions of the Act in dealing with perpetrators.

    “The provisions of the Act are rich and if adequately used will punish offenders and deter the-would be offenders.

    “The Act captures a broad array of offences that are related to violence, whether physical, social, emotional or psychological,’’ the spokesperson said.

    According to her, the Act addresses the issue of gender based violence, women being harassed, the issue of rape and generally issues militating against the rights of women and girls.

    Onyenucheya-Uko said that every girl child was entitled to education as stipulated in the Child Rights Act, and urged parents and guardians to ensure that children get safely to school.

    Besides, she called on the government to ensure that all schools were protected from all forms of vices such as theft, kidnapping and sexual abuse, among others.

    “These girls have rights to education and the education for our girl child should not be denied; but the action of Boko Haram insurgents denied our girls their rights to education.

    “The government at all levels should provide security for schools across the country in order to protect the students,’’ she said.

    According to her, the girl child should not be treated less from the boy and community should see a girl child as having potential to be great.

    The spokesperson said that no meaningful development could take place if the issue of girl child education was not factored into national development processes.