• Eight year- old daughter raped by her tenant.

Ifeyinwa Ezukamma, a 40-year old mother of five has been chased out of her matrimonial home by her husband’s family, for insisting on justice for her 8-year-old daughter, raped by her tenant.

Ezukamma told newsmen that the incident took place in their country home, Ogidi, Idemili North Council Area of Anambra.

She said though she caught the suspect, who claimed to be 57 years old in the act on July 23, she claimed the man had been violating her daughter since March.

The woman, who had since packed to her relatives’ home, alleged that her husband had been compromised, and therefore warned her not to pursue the matter because it would bring disgrace to their family.

“I noticed an unusual noise and movement in the bathroom. So out of curiosity, I went to check if everything was normal, to my amazement, it was a tenant in our house, an old man was having sex with my daughter.

“I called my daughter and asked her what happened, she said the old man had been raping her for some months and had threatened to kill her if she told anybody about it, that was why she did not tell me,” she said.

Ezukamma alleged that her husband collected money and asked her to do the same, and her travail started when she refused, insisting that she would get justice for her daughter.

She said the family chased her and took away her teenage daughters from her for insisting on bringing disgrace to the family and reporting the matter to a child rights organisation, after the matter was reported at a police station.

“It was my insistence to pursue this matter that led to my husband and his family asking me to leave my matrimonial home, taking my children away from me.

“I said I will not collect money to stop pursuing justice for my little daughter that was raped,“ she said.

Preliminary reports from Iyi-Enu Mission Hospital, Ogidi, where the child was taken to on Aug. 4 and examined, showed that there was penetration, but noted that the private hospital where she was taken to on the date of the incident, did not carry out a physical examination of the child.

The document signed by Dr. Madubuike Chinelo said the history was sturdily suggestive of sexual abuse.

“The episode had happened up to five times prior to the most recent encounter.

“The examination done in the presence of a chaperon showed there was hyperemia of the vaginal mucosa, no obvious vaginal discharge, and a hymen, that had already been tampered with, the client was placed on some drugs for the vaginitis,” it stated.

Child Right Brigade International (CRIB), an NGO said the matter was reported to its office on Aug. 12.

CRIB vowed to resist any cover-up; and would ensure that the suspect was charged to court and prosecuted.

Obiora Nnaemeka, Coordinator of CRIB in Anambra, said the information the organisation gathered was that the father of the victim, Mr. Alex Ezukamma, collected some money to get strike out the case from the police.

Nnaemeka said CRIB had written the Divisional Police Officer at Ogidi Station to effect the arrest of the suspect and the father of the child, and bring up the matter for investigation and prosecution.

He said this would serve as a deterrent for other would-offenders and stem the tide of rising rape and pedophilia in the society

On his part, the father of the victim confirmed to newsmen that his daughter was raped and that the man had been arrested, detained, and granted bail.

He added that the suspect had also been warned not to return to the house.

Ezukamma denied collecting any form of gratification for his raped daughter, saying though he was a pagan, he would never touch such money but would prefer to do some cleansing.

He said his family was not in support of the wife’s push for prosecution because of the shame it would bring to the family and the stigma it would leave on his daughter.

“She disobeyed me, and my elders and junior ones order not to drag our family name into the mud, and the shame it will bring to us and our daughter, that is why I asked her to leave my house.

“My wife can go to any length she wishes, but our name must not be involved,” he said.

When contacted, CSP Remigus Ekuri, DPO, Ogidi, confirmed the incident and said the matter would be charged to court as soon as the medical report was available.

(NAN)

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned “the patently unfair and arbitrary hike in electricity tariff and fuel price by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. This is unjust to many people living in extreme poverty, and entirely incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP deputy director said in a statement today: “The hike will endanger lives and increase inequality and poverty exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. SERAP will challenge this travesty in court if the Federal Government does not immediately drop these retrogressive measures against the Nigerian people.”

“Specifically, the increase in electricity tariff and fuel price clearly violates Nigeria’s obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which the country is a state party, not to take ‘deliberately retrogressive measures’ unless there are no alternative options and full consideration has been given to ensure that the measures are necessary and proportionate.”

“SERAP urges President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately drop the misguided hike, and to establish independent impact assessment of the increases on the poorest segments of society, and to identify alternative measures, such as cutting the bogus allowances of people in the Presidency and members of the National Assembly.”

“The hike is lacking in compassion, as it will hit the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians the hardest, increase inequality levels in an already very unequal Nigeria. It definitively signals that socio-economic rights are a very low priority for this government.”

“President Buhari should reconsider these arbitrary measures and put human rights at the centre of his government’s policies.”

The draft Bill seeking to regulate water resources in the country has turned out to be quite controversial, known as National Water Resources Bill, 2020.

The proposed law was first sent to the parliament by the executive in the eighth national assembly.

While the Bill passed in the house of representatives, it failed at the senate. Godswill Akpabio, minority leader at the time, led opposition senators to kick against the Bill.

Bukola Saraki, former senate president, had suggested that the Bill be stood down and brought back again for consideration after some adjustments may have been made but that never happened till the end of term of the eighth Senate.

In July, the proposed law resurfaced in the lower legislative chamber and has since passed second reading.

While calling for a public hearing, some lawmakers from the middle belt region of the country alleged that the Bill was smuggled back into the National Assembly.

The Bill is a consolidation of existing laws; Water Resources act 2004, National Water Resources Institute act, River Basin Development Authorities act, and the Nigeria Hydrological Services act.

Click below to download the draft Bill in PDF Format

The bill seeking to regulate water resources in the country has turned out to be quite controversial.

The proposed law was first sent to the parliament by the executive in the eighth national assembly.

While the bill passed in the house of representatives, it failed at the senate. Godswill Akpabio, minority leader at the time, led opposition senators to kick against the bill.

Bukola Saraki, former senate president, had suggested that the bill be stood down and brought back again for consideration after some adjustments may have been made but that never happened till the end of term of the eighth senate.

In July, the proposed law resurfaced in the lower legislative chamber and has since passed second reading.

While calling for a public hearing, some lawmakers from the middle belt region of the country alleged that the bill was smuggled back into the national assembly.

Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate and one of many who have kicked against the bill, argued that it is designed to give “absolute control” of the country’s water resources to the federal government.

The bill is a consolidation of existing laws; Water Resources act 2004, National Water Resources Institute act, River Basin Development Authorities act, and the Nigeria Hydrological Services act.

Here are highlights of the bill;

ESTABLISHMENT OF WASH FUND

Section 1(1) of the bill ensures that the nation’s water resources are “protected, used, developed, conserved, managed and controlled” while taking into account “citizens’ right of access to safe water and basic sanitation; meeting the basic human needs of present and future generations”, among others.

Section 151 provides for the establishment of Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) fund.

“There is hereby established the Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (in this Bill referred to as ‘the WASH Fund’) for the purpose of financing the development of water resources as well as for expanding access to Water Supply and Sanitation facilities and for the promotion of Hygiene practices across Nigeria,” it reads.

STATES MAY CONTROL WATER SOURCES BUT UNDER FG’S POLICIES

Section 2(2) provides that “states may make provisions for the management, use and control of water sources occurring solely within the boundaries of the state but shall be guided by the policy and principles of the federal government in relation to Integrated Water Resources management, and this bill.”

YOU DON’T NEED LICENCE TO USE WATER FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES

Section 3(1) provides that you do not need a licence to use water for domestic purposes.

“Notwithstanding the provisions set out in section 2 of this Bill, but subject to Regulations issued by the relevant State Agency identified pursuant to Section 79 hereunder, and in overriding Public Interest, a person may, without a licence; (a) take water from a water source to which the public has free access for the use of his household or for watering domestic livestock,” the article reads.

“(b) use water for the purposes of subsistence fishing or for navigation to the extent that such use is not inconsistent with this Bill or any other existing law;

“(c) where a statutory or customary right of occupancy to any land exists, take or use water without charge from the underground water source, or if abutting the bank of any watercourse, from that water course, for reasonable household use, watering livestock and for personal irrigation not for commercial purposes; or (d) store and use runoff water from a roof.”

ESTABLISHMENT OF WATER RESOURCES COUNCIL, COMMISSION

The bill provides for a body known as the National Council on Water Resources and Water Resources Regulatory Commission.

“There is established an advisory standing body to be known as the National Council on Water Resources (in this Bill referred to as ‘the Council’),” section 4(1) states.

“(2) The council shall meet at least once every year and at other times as directed by the chairperson (minister of water resources).

“(3) The Council shall establish committees and subcommittees as required to investigate and analyse issues tabled for discussion before the council and to formulate recommendations.”

Section 16(a) states that the “[Commission will] regulate, protect, conserve and control water resources identified in this Bill as water sources crossing state boundaries in accordance with section 2 as well as the first schedule of this act for equitable and sustainable social and economic development and to maintain environmental integrity.

“(b) regulate the allocation, supply and distribution of water resources for all uses, and to promote equitable, sustainable and efficient best practices and conduct;

“(c) ensure that licensees, authorised developers, as well as other users of water resources whether for consumptive or non-consumptive purposes and their infrastructure meet the technical, social and commercial requirements and obligations specified under this Bill in a manner which promotes fairness as well as the well-being of all citizens;

“(d) protect licensees and the public with regard to quality of service in the sector and the determination of and payment tariffs;

“(e) ensure that licensees achieve the highest possible level of accountability and responsiveness to environmental and community needs.”

FUNDING OF COMMISSION

According to section 43(2), “there shall be paid and credited to the fund established in subsection (1) of this section;

“(a) fees, charges and other income accruing to the Commission from licensees and other things done by it in terms of this Bill, excluding any fines or penalties recovered pursuant to this Bill;

“(b) 2% of the Nigeria Ecological Fund; (c) funds allocated to the Commission by the National Assembly, pursuant to a request by the Commission for additional funds required to meet its reasonable expenditures.”

COMMISSION’S DECISION BINDING

According to Section 37, whatever the commission decides is binding and enforcement may be done by the federal high court “as if the decision is a judgment of such Court provided that the Commission has issued a certificate to the Complainant for leave to proceed to the Court for enforcement of the decision.”

Licensees that, “without reasonable cause”, do not comply with the directive as given, under section 37(3), “shall be liable to a penalty of up to N1,000,000 (one million naira) and a further penalty of not less than N50,000 for every day during which the non-compliance continues.”

POWERS OF THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES

Section 11(1) states that the minister shall chair the management of the country’s water resources.

Section 11(2) states that the minister “may delegate the power under subsection (1) of this section to any person or Institution as deemed appropriate.

“12(1) The minister may, in consultation with the Federal Executive Council, by notice in the gazette, establish a committee to coordinate implementation of any international agreement entered into by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a foreign government or any other international body or organisation relating to; (a) investigating, managing, monitoring, and protecting water resources; (b) regional cooperation on water resources;

“(c) acquiring, constructing, altering, operating or maintaining waterworks connected to such agreement; or (d) the allocation, use and supply of water according to the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization and avoidance of significant trans-boundary harm.

“13(1) For the purpose of this Bill, the functions of the Minister shall be; (a) to formulate national policy and water resources management strategy to guide the integrated planning, management, development, use and conservation of the nation’s water resources and provide guidance for formulation of hydrological area resources strategies under section 94 of this bill.”

YOU CAN’T DRILL BOREHOLE FOR COMMERCIAL USE WITHOUT A LICENCE

Section 75 states that no corporate organisation or individual shall commence borehole drilling business in Nigeria unless such driller has been issued a Water Well Driller’s Licence by the commission.

As contained in section 77, “a drilling permit shall; (a) authorise the construction of one or multiple wells in specified locations in compliance with the conditions of approval specified for the purpose; and

“(b) be given at the catchment level by the CMO subject to licensing provisions under this PART V of this Bill and any regulations made pursuant hereto.”

On failure to comply with the provisions of the bill, section 78 holds that such a driller “commits an offence and is liable to a fine of N500,000 or to imprisonment for a term of 1 year”.

ESTABLISHMENT OF CATCHMENT OFFICE, WATER INSTITUTE

The bill provides for the establishment of a Catchment Management Office (CMO), in each hydrological area, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency and National Water Resources Institute.

Section 52(2) states that “the purpose of a Catchment Management Office shall be to implement in each Hydrological Basin over which it has responsibility, the regulations and Policies of the Commission in accordance with this bill.”

On the institute, this is covered in section 114(1), which notes that there shall be “established an institute to be known as the ‘National Water Resources Institute’ (in this Bill referred to as ‘the Institute’) which shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in its corporate name.”

“(2) The Institute shall be responsible for the promotion and development of training courses in water resources management and related fields and without prejudice to the generality of the fore-going shall; (a) advise the Minister on national water resources training needs and priorities;

“(b) perform engineering research functions related to such major water resources projects as may be required for flood control, river regulation, reclamation, drainage, irrigation, domestic and industrial water supply, sewage and sewage treatment.”

Section 94 (1) makes provision for “the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (in this Bill referred to as ‘the Agency’),” while section 100 (1) lists the functions of the agency.

“The Agency shall; (a) advise the Federal and States Governments on all aspects of hydrology and hydro-geology;

“(b) project, prepare and interpret Government policy in the field of hydrology; (c) work with local and international meteorological services Agencies and Institutions, to issue forecasts for floods and other water related issues.”

OFFENCES

Section 147 provides that “any person who, in any declaration required to be made under this bill, makes any statement which he knows to be false or does not have reasonable grounds to believe it to be true, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of 100,000 Naira or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 6 months or to both.

According to section 148 (1), “No person shall; (a) use water otherwise than as permitted under this Bill;

“(b) fail or refuse to provide- (i) access to any books, accounts, documents or assets; and (ii) data or information, when required to do so under this Bill;

“(c) fail to comply with any condition attached to a license issued or deemed issued under this Bill;

“(d) fail to comply with a directive issued by the Commission; (e) unlawfully and- intentionally or negligently tamper or interfere with any water works; (f) fail to procure a licence or other approval required under this Bill upon the expiration of an existing right to use water recognised upon the commencement of this Bill.”

Section 148(2) states that “Any person who contravenes any provision of subsection (1) of this section commits an offence and is liable, on-

“(a) first conviction, to a fine of N50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years, or both; (b) second or subsequent conviction, to a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for a period not, exceeding 10 years or both.”

Culled from TheCable

Air Peace has said that contrary to a recent online report, the former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Office, Mr Kingsley Kuku never purchased aircraft for the airline. It said the report was a rehash of old, false stories.

In a statement from the company’s Solicitors, Alegeh & Co, Air Peace said the report is not true, emphasizing that Kuku is neither a shareholder nor a director in the company and was not involved in any way with the airline.

“We are Solicitors to Air Peace Limited and Chief Allen Onyema. Our Clients have just become aware of an online story, claiming that Kingsley Kuku, the former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Office, purportedly used “billions of Naira stolen from the Presidential Amnesty Programme………. to purchase airplanes to start Air Peace”.

“The online story, in a bid to appear credible, refers to the United States Department of Justice [“DOJ”] as the source of this information”.

“On behalf of Our Clients, we hereby state unequivocally and for the records that the said online story is untrue, false, baseless and a rehash of old, false and untrue stories.

“Kingsley Kuku did not at any time purchase any airplanes for our client, Air Peace Limited, and he is not a shareholder or Director of Air Peace Limited.

“Kingsley Kuku is not in any way and/or manner connected to and/or involved in the ownership and operations of Air Peace Limited,” the statement said.

The company also stressed that Air Peace Limited was set up with legitimate funds borrowed from Nigerian banks and that of the owner and this has been investigated and verified over time.

“Air Peace Limited was set up with legitimate funds of Our Client, Chief Allen Onyema, who has been recognized and honoured internationally and locally for his work in promoting peace and ethnic harmony in Nigeria and with banking facilities obtained from banks.

“This false, untrue and baseless online story is a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image and legacy of Our Clients. There is no iota of truth in the said story and same should be ignored and disregarded,” the statement also said.(thenigerialawyer)

Armed Fulani herdsmen have again attacked residents of Southern Kaduna communities, killing many including a Christian cleric and abducting many.

The attacks, which took place in Kemari Rimi, Kallah, Gefe, Libere, Maraban Kajuru, Maraban Rido, Rafin Roro, Kawuwan Magani and Buda ward all in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State between August 16 and September 6 claimed a total of four lives.

Those killed in Buda are Reverend Alubara Audu, 45, Adamu Tata, 40, and Ishaku Peter, 37, while Sani Peter, 25 and Esther Sani Peter, 20, were abducted during the attack.

Until his death, Reverend Audu was a senior pastor of ECWA Hausa Buda LCB.

Few minutes away, the terror group simultaneously launched another attack on neighbouring Kemara Rimi where they abducted Ojo Aminu, 35, Danfulani Makaranta, 37, Namiji Gwamna, 36, Ali Musa, 36, and Grace Mathew, 16.

On August 16, the attackers struck again in Kallah Village on the banks of Kaduna River, killing a farmer, Danladi Abarshi, who attempted to go back to his village that was previously attacked and is currently occupied by the invaders.

His corspe was recovered few days later by the police, who discouraged native Adara people from going on the recovery mission.

Eleven days after on August 27, the terrorists laid siege on Maraban Kajuru, shooting one Sunday Barau and abducting Daniel Shuaibu and Abednego Paul.

Pius Hargai was also abducted from his family house in Maraban Rido.

They remain with their abductors, unable to meet the demand for ransom at the time of this report.

On September 2, four persons were again abducted from Rafin Roro Village in Kasuwan Magani Ward of Kajuru LGA.

One person escaped while others remain in captivity.

Awemi Dio Maisamari, National President of the Adara Development Association, said the purported peace dialogue happening in the area was turning out to be a ruse and a diversionary tactics to enable the attackers continue their activities.

He said, “With the continuation of such hostilities by Fulani herdsmen even when various peace moves are being initiated, it is becoming clearer that the purported dialogue is serving as a diversion to enable the attackers to continue their diabolical activities. We are left wondering whether it is worthwhile engaging in such dialogue and peace talks if this continues.

“The Adara Development Association wishes to state that the time for civil and security authorities and even Fulani community leaders to continue feigning ignorance of the perpetrators of these crimes and their whereabouts has since gone. Also, the challenge thrown by Governor el-Rufai asking for details of occupied villages in Southern Kaduna has since been adequately answered. Any further failure to adequately address these issues will be a confirmation that government is only interested in reeling out rhetoric while their actions and inactions serving as encouragement are speaking loudest.”

Recall that the Nigeria Bar Association cancelled the invitation of Governor el-Rufai of Kaduna State from speaking at its annual conference over alleged gross human rights violations and complicity in the Southern Kaduna genocide.

El-Rufai had also controversially said that some leaders in the state wanted money for peace to reign but his administration won’t appease ‘trouble makers’.

His statement generated national outrage with many accusing him of siding with the attackers instead of protecting all.

A young Nigerian man was recently spotted selling a portrait of suspected internet fraudster, Hushpuppi in traffic.

In the short video making the rounds on social media, the seller was spotted with a huge portrait of Hushpuppi.

By Ibironke Ariyo
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) INTERPOL i-24/7 desk has successfully uploaded 150, 000 Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (STLD) to INTERPOL Global System (IPSG) in Lyon, France seamlessly.

The Service spokesman, Mr Sunday James, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

James said that INTERPOL i-24/7 was a major system supporting arm manned by officers of the NIS at the unit in the Service Headquarters.

He said that the Comptroller General, NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede was updated in a brief on the development by the team in view of the report received of the success so far.

He added that the Nigerian SLTD detection and tracking system domiciled at the NIS Headquarters has successfully yielded result and worth appreciating by Nigerians and the global Community.

“This is an effort put in place by the Service team to rid the world of attempts and deliberate acts leading to identity theft, frauds and other organised crimes perpetrated globally using SLTD.

“This integration according to INTERPOL POLICE GLOBAL SYSTEM (IPSG) is the first in Africa and 54th in the World.

“By implication, this feat has enabled Nigeria to upload 150,000 SLTD to IPSG-Lyon, France through a secure channel on Monday 7 Sept. 2020.

“This success was achieved with the immense support of the Interpol Global System (IPSG) United States National Central Bureau (USNCB) Washington, National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja and the NIS team.

“The successful integration and uploading of such quantity of Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) among member nations on the Interpol Global System (IPSG) was worth recognising ” he said. (nannews)