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Dad of 20 kids arrested for defiling 12-yr-old girl, said she seduced him

40 years old Mohammed Umar of Gusupan in the Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa State has confessed to offering a 12-year-old girl N1000 before having carnal knowledge of her.

However, not only did he insist the intimacy was consensual, he added: “It was God, who brought it to me.”

The father of 20 children also said she seduced him and did not show any distress during or after the act.

But, the victim claims Umar, a father of 20 children, raped her and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the affair to anyone.

While being interrogated by the spokesman of Adamawa State Police Command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, on Friday, Umar said:

“She met me in my shop and said she wanted to buy sugar. While we were interacting, she requested for the sum of N2000 to refund to her stepmother. I dashed her N1000, then she agreed to offer her body to me”.

“After we finished the arrangement, she voluntarily went to where we agreed to meet. I joined her immediately and we had sex.

“She did not complain, not to talk of crying during sex. She enticed me for more than 3 times, but this time around, I couldn’t resist the temptation. It was God, who brought it to me.”

The little however insisted “he raped me.”

“I went to buy Sugar from his shop, then he sent me to pick a kettle for him from a house. While searching for the kettle, he grabbed and dragged me into a room and had carnal knowledge of me.

“Afterward, he held me by the jugular and threatened to slice my throat if I dare let anyone know of the affair. He told me that since last year, he had scores to settle with my father,” the victim said.

While confirming his arrest, Nguroje said he was arrested on October 11, 2023.

“The Commissioner of Police, Afolabi Babatola, had ordered the Criminal Investigation Department to ensure discreet investigation and prosecution of the suspect if found guilty.”

Imo Election Tribunal: Allegations of compromising tribunal judges are wicked, malicious – Damian Dodo, SAN

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Damian Dodo, has described allegations of his involvement with the Court of Appeal justices handling the Imo State House of Assembly and National Assembly election cases in Lagos as not only malicious but wicked,

The Silk in a statement issued at Abuja said he was not a counsel in the appeal before the tribunal, describing the imputations that he compromised the judges as untrue, wicked and malicious, and calculated to embarrass him and the panel of Justices.

A report by a national newspaper had indicated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) counsel, Echezona Etiaba (SAN) presented two petitions allegedly written by his clients accusing the three-member panel of being compromised.

It also accused Dodo, whom the report alleged to be counsel for one of the appellants of being the conduit to reach the panel headed by Justice Danjuma Mohammed, the presiding judge of Makurdi Division of the Court of Appeal.

Other members of the panel are Justice Peter Affen from Yola Division and Justice Asmau’u Musa Mainoma, who is one of the newly appointed justices to the Court of Appeal.

However, in a statement, Dodo stated that he had never met any of the parties in the said appeal, stressing that even if he had, he would never attempt to bribe any judge.

He noted that the petition was never served on him, and he never sighted same, and was therefore shocked and horrified by the audacity of the false, ridiculous, absurd, and callous allegations made against him and their lordships.

“I categorically deny all the allegations in the said petitions as being false, wicked, untrue, malicious, and calculated to embarrass the panel of Justices and myself.

“In the first place, I was neither a party nor counsel in the appeal and I do not know and have not met any of the parties in the said appeal. Even if I was a party or counsel in the appeal, I would not have in any way sought to compromise the panel or exert any influence to secure a favourable judgment for my client,” Dodo stated.

Noting that he had been in the legal practice for 37 years and had always endeavoured to carry on the practice in accordance with the highest ethical standards of the legal profession, the senior lawyer said that he had never sought to influence the outcome of any case beyond his legitimate professional efforts.

“In the same vein I have never offered a bribe or sought to bribe any judicial officer to obtain a favourable judgment for any client in all the years of active legal practice, and I never will, in this life or the next.

“It is out of character for me to brag about anything, let alone brag about some phantom governors giving any kind of assurances about the outcome of a matter in which I was not a counsel to any party on record.

“I am therefore shocked and horrified by the audacity of the false, ridiculous, absurd, and callous allegations made against their Lordships and myself,” he explained.

While expressing his sympathy with their lordships on the panel who he said had been scandalised by this most virulent and vile attack on their integrity, Dodo said the allegation was so horrendous that one of the Justices, he was told, broke down in tears.

“It is very sad for the profession. It is indeed a big shame. Regrettably, their lordships are in no position to openly defend themselves against these pack of lies from the pit of hell, beyond comments made in court. It is indeed very sad and most unfortunate.

“I expect that the petitioner will step out to substantiate the allegations in the investigation to be carried out or face the full consequences of his malevolent, wicked and inhuman attack against their lordships and myself.

“At the very least, I expect Mr. Echezona Etiaba (SAN) to issue and publish an apology in the media for this most unfortunate event.

“Those who orchestrated this most horrific attack on the integrity of their lordships and myself will definitely face the wrath of Almighty God in this life and in the life hereafter. The attack was clearly a hatchet job.

“Let me conclude by offering to their Lordships my sympathies and prayers for God’s grace against unjustified and scurrilous attacks on their reputation and integrity, for which there can be no insurance. There can be no insurance against the wicked and extremely desperate,” he stated.

According to him, the strategy of the petitioner, his sponsors and collaborators was to truncate the hearing of the appeal on October 16, 2023.

Women Affairs Minister says FG will sue stepdad, mom for sexual abuse of eight-year-old daughter

  • As Abuja father defiles 4-year-old daughter

The Minister of Women Affairs, Barr. Uju Kennedy- Ohanenye has announced that the federal government will institute a legal action against a couple, Ifeanyi and Christabel Ewuru, in Enugu over alleged sexual molestation and neglect of their eight-year-old daughter.

Making the disclosure while addressing the journalists in Abuja, the minister her ministry will file an action against the duo to ensure the survivor gets justice and serve as a deterrent to others who might want to tow the same line.

Ohanenye expressed deep concern over incessant sexual and gender-based violence, harmful traditional practices, and other forms of abuse against women, children and the vulnerable.

“This eight-year-old girl has been molested severally by her stepfather, who has given her diseases and broken her walls, which has been confirmed in the hospital, also by the lawyer and mother of this girl. The matter was taken to court, but unfortunately, the magistrate released this man on bail.

“We want to know why he was released despite the allegations against him simply because the woman cried that she didn’t want her husband to be jailed. What about the voiceless girl? What about the torture, emotional pains the girl went through and threat not to disclose the molestation?” the minister explained.

She added, “We are suing the woman for negligence. Because if she was not negligent, this girl would not have suffered this thing for a long time. And this woman had the guts to defend the man who did this to your daughter simply because you want to keep the marriage or what, I don’t know.
“We are suing the man on behalf of the young girl to make sure he pays for his sin. The rule of law must prevail, The truth must prevail. Justice must be done on behalf of this young girl.”

According to Ms Ohanenye, the establishment of mobile courts will hasten the prosecution of SGBV and other harmful practices against women and children and ensure survivors get justice.

These are things that will make this girl feel better, and this will not affect her in future as it should have done if she sees for sure that actions were being taken. No more room for these things in this country. No more business as usual. You commit a crime; you go in for it.

“That is why we are still pleading to our president, attorney general and the chief judges in states to quickly approve the establishment of mobile courts so that it will enable us to accelerate matters concerning women’s affairs and quickly defend them,” said the minister.

Similarly, an Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer, Mrs. Modupe Maduba told an FCT High Court in Kubwa, that a 35-year-old man, Onyebuchi Ezema, defiled his four-year-old daughter.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), charged Ezema, who resides in Zone 9, Lugbe Airport Road, Abuja, with assault to which he pleaded not guilty.

Maduba of the NAPTIP said this while being cross examined by the defence counsel, Opeyemi Adeyemi at the resumed trial of Onyebuchi Ezema.

During cross-examination, Adeyemi asked Maduba the time, date and place the defendant committed the said offence.

He further asked if Maduba knew where the defendant’s wife kept the victim the day it happened and if it was possible an unknown person penetrated her vagina.

The defence counsel also asked the investigator to describe where the defendant lived and if there was electricity on the day of the incident.

In response, Maduba said the incident happened on April, 15, 2020 at Lugbe Zone 6, at night.

“The defendant lives in a one bedroom self contained apartment with his son whom he sleeps with in same room alongside his wife and daughter (the victim).

“The defendant’s wife left her child with her cousin who lives in the same village, while she went to work on the said date,” she said.

The investigator added that she did not know if there was electricity on the day of the incident.

Adeyemi asked if the investigator discovered any blood stain on the minor in the course of her investigation and if a finger print examination was carried out on the child to confirm if it was the defendant’s finger.

The defence counsel asked the investigator to read out the medical report in court, if it stated that the defendant broke the victim’s hymen.

Maduba responded that she did not see any blood stain on the victim, no finger print examination was carried out and the medical report did not state whom broke the victim’s hymen.

Adeyemi, however, applied for a no-case submission to the court.

Following the defence counsel’s submission, Justice Asmau Akanbi-Yusuf adjourned the matter until Dec.13 for adoption of the no-case submission.

NAN

50 ‘repentant’ criminals become police constables in Kano

No fewer than 50 repentant thugs in Kano were converted to police special constabulary by the Kano State Police Command after undergoing training.

The state Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, stated this while addressing the repentant thugs at a ceremony held at Sani Abacha Stadium on Tuesday evening.

He said the repentant thugs were drawn from Dala, Fagge, Ungoggo, Municipal and Gwale LGAs of Kano State after completion of the two-month in-take training as members of the Nigeria Police Special Constabulary.

“Today is a happy day for the good people of Kano state and the police Command because we passed out 50 youths from the 222 repentant thugs, who have since surrendered themselves and promised never to engage in thuggery and other social vices that have been bedevilling the state, especially during the 2nd quarter of the year 2023.”

He recalled that about three months earlier, the Command invited some identified notorious individuals believed to be behind the escalation of thuggery and other heinous crimes in the state for dialogue.

According to him, a total of 222 repentant thugs were received and forwarded their names to the state government.

“We forwarded their details to the state Governor for them to be supported by way of engaging them in some life-changing programs.

“It is from this number that 50 volunteered to work with the police and to contribute to the security and development of the state.

“Taking into consideration their commitment to ensuring peace in the state since their repentance, we trained them in classes and the field and kitted them as members of the Special Constabulary.

“Today, they proved to us that the security of Kano is their concern and they will not allow any insecurity elements to jeopardise the peace being enjoyed in the state.”

The commissioner commended the supervising officers of the Command for their efforts in crime fighting and further urged them to continue with community policing engagements with key stakeholders in their areas of responsibility.

The CP directed the officers to work closely with members of the Police Special Constabulary posted back to their communities to enable them to discharge their duty effectively.

In his remarks, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed appreciation for their repentance and pledged to empower them through skills acquisition programmes.

“Kano is setting the pace as the first state in the federation to use a non-kinetic approach in bringing down the wave of crime. This is indeed a plus to our administration’s resolve to build a new Kano, where crime will give way to development, peace and order, and economic prosperity,” he said.

Many prominent personalities including the Emir of Kano attended the programme.

Punch

Ogun prophetess raped in Church

A prophetess in Ogun State was days ago raped by a 40-year-old mason, Lekan Sunday, in a church.

Prior to his arrest by officers of the state command, PUNCH Metro reports that the suspect allegedly committed the crime last Thursday.

Lekan reportedly stormed the church, Orioke Aanu Oluwa Gbohunmi, in the Ilogbo Adu area of Kemta in Abeokuta with weapons and met the victim sleeping.

He was said to have held the prophetess hostage while brandishing a knife in her face that he would kill her if she continued to give him a tough time.

When her call for help from people around the premises did not yield results, the prophetess was said to have started pleading with the suspect to pity her.

Despite several pleas with Sunday, the suspect was said to have insisted on her having sex with the prophetess.

After finally forcing her into submission and allegedly raping the prophetess, the victim was said to have approached a nearby police station, where the matter was reported. Having received the complaint, the police launched a manhunt for the suspect who had fled.

He was later arrested on Monday.

While speaking with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent, said the prophetess recognised the suspect as a mason and labourer in the area.

“The incident happened last Thursday. We arrested the suspect yesterday (Monday). The preliminary investigation into the matter is ongoing,” Odutola stated via a WhatsApp message.

The Punch

The Grace to flourish: A tribute by George Etomi to Chief Christopher Oladipo Ogunbanjo

By George Etomi

Chief Christopher Oladipo Ogunbanjo, CON (December 14, 1923 – October 7, 2023) , a pioneer of commercial law practice in Nigeria, an area of law which had previously been the preserve of foreign elitist commercial Lawyers, who recently joined the saints triumphant a few weeks to his 100th birthday. Chief Ogunbanjo’s illustrious career spanned over 70 years. He was called to the Bar in 1950. May the flights of angels, sing him to his rest. Amen

The Man, the Trailblazer; Chief Christopher Oladipo Ogunbanjo, CON

As I write my tribute in honour of a man who was my friend, mentor, employer and father figure, I am reminded that what matters most in the life of every man, is the impact he makes while he lives – the men he built and the lives he transformed through his life. Chief Christopher Oladipo Ogunbanjo (sometimes affectionately called COO) is the man who while he lived, watered other men, exposed them to sunlight and helped them grow. 

Our First Encounter 

I remember fondly the year 1979, because it was the year my path crossed with that of Chief  Ogunbanjo, and the year my career took a dimension different from what I had planned and envisaged. I had just obtained my LL.M degree from the London School of Economics and was settling into the lectureship position I had accepted with the University of Lagos, when I ran into my friend Udoma Udo Udoma, who informed me he had quit his position at the University and had taken up an appointment with Chase Merchant Bank. Intrigued by his exit from academia, I asked him what options he thought were open to me and he recommended without a heartbeat the law firm of Chris Ogunbanjo & Co(CHRISCO), a law firm at which he had interned. 

I submitted my CV and got a call from one of the senior Lawyers, Chief EOA Idowu, SAN of blessed memory, who said to me “Chief would like to have a word with you”. Indeed, Chief had a word with me, and that marked the beginning of a relationship that transcended a mere employer-employee relationship and one that blossomed into friendship, and the establishment of deep running family ties.  Despite never having met Chief prior to that day, we took an instant liking to each other, which the years and decades only strengthened and deepened; that mutual admiration which sprang up in both of us from our first meeting remained undiminished until Chief’s passing.  He had an aura at that very first meeting which made me feel liked, appreciated and welcomed into the family of Chief, the firm and which ultimately made me look up to him as a father. The warmth and acceptance with which Chief welcomed me and its progression into a father-son relationship was significant and important to me, because I had lost my dad when I was 15 and had grown up in a family of so many children, where we essentially held each other’s hand through school, as we navigated life without a father, with our older ones stepping up as father figure.  

So, meeting Chief in real life and his first reaction to me, instantly gave me that father that I lost very early in life and whom I had sorely missed. The four years I spent at CHRISCO without equivocation, shaped me into the man I have become. Not only was Chief a role model I looked up to, he was also a guardian angel to those of us he gave the privilege to work with him.

The Man, His Firm: The Chris Ogunbanjo & Co Years

I had such a wonderful time working with Chief within just three months of being there, that I urged Udoma to come back to Chief CHRISCO and enjoy the goodness of the firm with me. Chief graciously welcomed him with a warm embrace. Working in Chief’s prestigious commercial law firm opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed, within the context of legal practice. At the time, the traditional career paths for Lawyers were either litigation or teaching, Chief chose commercial law practice, an area which was considered the sole preserve of foreign elitist Lawyers. He chose the path less travelled and took his army of young Lawyers with him, and that decision has made all the difference in the development of commercial law practice in Nigeria today, and in the lives of generations of Lawyers whom he trained and mentored.  Make no mistake about it, Chief was an astute litigator in his own right, who made the decision to walk a different path – the path of commercial law practice. 

During our CHRISCO years, so many landmark events occurred in Nigeria, one of which was the indigenisation of businesses, for which high calibre legal work was required. This period was significant, because Nigeria was throwing off the last vestiges of colonialism, and new laws and policies had been passed which created a beehive of activities in the commercial and legal landscape. The commercial law space was dominated and indeed, owned by foreigners; it was in the course of my interaction and close working with Chief, that I realised that I was actually working with the pioneer of Nigerian commercial law practice. My years at the Firm, exposed me to some of the most esoteric aspects of commercial law practice in Nigeria. 

Chief was never the type to hide his client from you, as most are wont to do. He exposed his Lawyers to his clients, taught us service delivery at the highest international standards, and gave us the code of any successful legal practice. Chief Ogunbanjo did not for a second, feel threatened by the fact that he was intentionally and consciously building another generation of commercial law practitioners. He never felt poorer for making you rich, he never felt diminished by sharing knowledge, and he never felt undermined by making you grow. It is therefore, no surprise that by the time we started moving on, we became foundational members of the next generation of commercial Lawyers. The fact that many of the young Lawyers he taught and mentored in those years have established and run successfully for decades thriving, reputable commercial law practices, is testament of the quality of impact he made. 

Chief’s golden principles of a successful legal practice, which I continue to preach are simple:  You must bring in the work, you must do it to the highest professional and ethical standard, and then get paid for it. 

The roll call of notable and prominent Nigerian Lawyers that went through Chief, is a lesson on the magnanimity of his spirit. The likes of Hairat Balogun, the first female Attorney-General of Lagos State, Senator Dipo Odunjirin, Chief EOA Idowu, Senator Udo Udoma, Mr Bode Johnson, Chief Tunji Ayanlaja, Chief Tokunbo Thomas, Mr Asue Ighodalo and others too numerous to count, are just a few of the many he impacted and groomed.  

Chief Christopher Ogunbanjo: the Gracious Man, the Benevolent Friend and the Loyal Boss

Chief had style, whenever he travelled internationally with any one of his Lawyers, you flew first class with him, siting right next to him. What greater confidence could a young Lawyer have, when Chief permitted you to have the best and be the best?  At CHRISCO many of us travelled to different parts of the world, representing the firm and country in various high flying commercial law work. 

I remember fondly one event which displayed clearly Chief’s integrity and his willingness to protect his own, even at a great personal inconvenience.  It was in the dying days of the Shagari regime, when there was a borrowing gale in Nigeria, and the Federal and State governments were outdoing each other in borrowing. At that time, the Federal Government (FG) was trying to borrow an obscene amount of money. The lenders in trying to structure the transaction, sought to make the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) the primary borrower, as opposed to the FG being the primary Obligor. CBN ‘s role under the law was limited to currency undertaking, but in this case, the lenders wanted CBN to be the primary obligor, and the FG as Guarantor of the transaction and Nigeria’s Oil Reserves and resources as security for the transaction. As is usual with most foreign lenders, they sought to insure the risks associated with the transaction, and the insurance company sought legal opinion on the enforceability of the transaction. This request for a legal opinion came to my desk, and after diligent research, I gave an opinion stating that the transaction structure was against the CBN Act and the extant law. I stated that Nigeria’s oil reserves could not be given as security to lenders, and that pledging our oil assets was against the Constitution, because revenue from Nigeria’s oil resources go into the Consolidated Revenue Fund for distribution between the FG and the States. The FG could therefore not pledge the national asset in that manner, as the security would be unenforceable.

That legal opinion was a blow to the transaction, and it tied down the transaction. Chief did not know about the legal opinion. However, as soon as Nigerian Government officials who were waiting for the transaction close got to know that the legal opinion that halted the transaction emanated from Chief’s firm, he received severe backlash, his friends in power were greatly displeased with him, and they did not conceal their displeasure.  Alarmed by the events and the tension the opinion generated, Chief called me and I defended the opinion.  On a Saturday, we both went to the office, because he wanted to confirm the accuracy of the opinion and its compatibility with the law. Convinced of the accuracy of the opinion, he said to me “George, I stand by the Opinion”. As a young Lawyer, his response left an indelible impression on me, one I have never forgotten to this day; that event was a watershed in my heart and legal career. It taught me that, loyalty is something that must be reciprocated to even a subordinate. Someone of a lesser mien could have baulked in the face of such political pressure, but not Chief, definitely not Chief Christopher Oladipo Ogunbanjo, my boss, mentor, friend and father. 

Chief laid the foundation for the growth of commercial law, by starting different commercial law associations, like the Nigerian Maritime Law Association. As a proud son and Mentee, I followed in his footsteps when I saw a need for a Section on Business Law within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and took steps to ensure the actualisation of the NBA-SBL. I am glad that in my time as pioneer chairman of the SBL, the SBL honoured him with a Lifetime Award.

Chief welcomed me into his family, I share same birthday with his late wife and she called me every year to celebrate with me; this made me feel special. I continue to enjoy a close relationship with his children, to this day. 

As I celebrate the life and times of Pa Ogunbanjo, and mourn his physical translation, I acknowledge that my personality and practice have benefited greatly from his generosity of spirit and his unrestrained benevolence. 

The last photograph I took with Pa Ogunbanjo was on his 99th birthday, and given how strong and healthy he looked, I was confident that we would be present to celebrate his 100th, but, here we are!!! A mere mortal cannot interrogate his Creator, so I will not ask God why He did not give us the privilege to celebrate Pa Ogunbanjo at 100. I am immensely thankful to have shared in Pa Ogunbanjo’s light, and to have enjoyed almost five decades of friendship with him. I join his family, my family, the legal profession and Nigeria at large in mourning the loss of a legend, pacesetter and trailblazer. To the distinguished ChrisCo alumni, I offer my deepest condolences because I know that the demise of our dearest COO is a loss that is keenly felt by each of us, because he was a worthy friend and mentor. Chief Christopher Oladipo Ogunbanjo may have left us in the physical, but his untainted, pristine legacy will forever endure.  

Adieu Pa Chris Ogunbajo!!! Always loved, Forever Cherished!!!! Never Ever Ever Forgotten!!!!

George Etomi 

Former diplomat says Women Affairs Minister’s threat to sue UN paints a negative picture of Nigeria

By Babafemi A. Badejo, Ph.D

The Promised Nigerian Suit against the United Nations: A case for the proper Socialisation of cabinet members

Today, October 17, 2023, it was widely reported in the media that Ms. Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, Nigerian Minister of Women Affairs, while on an AIT interview yesterday, in an unexpected, haphazard manner gave the United Nations (UN) a one-month ultimatum from October 16, 2023 to November 15, 2023 to render published account on all the monies received in the name of Nigeria from donors. The Minister promised to proceed to file a suit on November 16, 2023, against the UN if the accounts are not rendered. But can an International Organisation like the UN be dealt with in such a cavalier manner?

Asking for accountability and transparency is very proper. The spirit of seeking answers to lighten up grey areas that may be indicative of corruption is a great idea. Experience shows that some UN officials are corrupt, and some have accordingly been jailed. However, there are laid down arrangements for such requests by a sovereign nation. Not to follow the laid down procedure and embarking on media grandstanding can only portray Nigeria in bad light. Nigeria is telling the world that it lacks the requisite leadership and structures for appropriate operation in the community of nations.

The United Nations system’s counterpart in Nigeria is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Even, if the Minister of Foreign Affairs, after exhaustive dialogue within his Department of International Organisations has decided on the need to request for transparency from the UN, it is expected that he would take the case to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) before articulating, if at all, such a weighty position at a media show.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed the UN General Assembly last month and met with the UN Secretary-General. He was not reported to have indicated that Nigeria was experiencing a lack of accountability and transparency with the UN entities working in Nigeria. So, it is a shock that a Nigerian Minister is so amateurish in diplomatic relations. Our inadequacies from lacking the appropriate arrangements for the necessary training and socialisation of new entrants into office are being shown to the world.

In addition, one expects that a Minister of Nigeria would have been apprised of the importance of diplomatic and functional immunities that the UN and its officials enjoy. In which Court is our Minister of Women Affairs intending to embark on her frolic? What would be the charges? What is the expected outcome of such a litigation process? Would a more organized strategic follow-through reporting of officials through diplomatic channels against a media inspired, arrogant, poorly thought-out litigation choice not have yielded a much better outcome?

President Tinubu needs to have his Ministers coordinated and appropriately socialised into their respective duties. The UN must readily support anti-corruption, including allegations against its own staff members when evidences are adduced through appropriate mechanisms.

The Minister of Women Affairs will do well to address corruption in her Ministry by collaborating with the ongoing probe, by at least one of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies. Charity is better if it begins at home. She needs to be more procedural and take advantage of available expertise in the government she is a part of. She could also make a big difference by embarking on ways to empower women and thereby reduce national poverty.

Babafemi A. Badejo, author of a best-seller on politics in Kenya, was a former Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, and currently a Legal Practitioner and Professor of Political Science/International Relations, Chrisland University, Abeokuta. Nigeria.

Nigerian Women Trust Fund announces Brenda Anugwom as new CEO

Brenda Anugwom is the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF).

The Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund is a women’s political action committee dedicated to increasing women’s representation and addressing gender equality in line with the National Gender Policy of 2006. 

In a statement published on its website, the NWTF said:

“We are thrilled to introduce Brenda Anugwom as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) to support women’s rights, political participation, and social development through various programs and initiatives. With a career dedicated to justice, gender equality, and social development, Brenda brings invaluable experience and expertise to lead NWTF into the future.

“Brenda’s unwavering commitment to advancing the rights of women and marginalized communities has been a defining feature of her career. She has held key leadership roles in various organizations, contributing significantly to research on discriminatory laws related to violence against women in Africa.

“Brenda’s previous leadership roles include serving as a Country Advisor for Policy Vault Africa, where she skillfully facilitated crucial partnerships with government agencies, contributing to the digitization of government policies and laws. Additionally, her expertise as a Procurement Legal Expert for the Nigerian Governors Forum played a pivotal role in guiding all 36 Nigerian states to align their Public Procurement Laws with international standards.

“Beyond her professional achievements, Brenda is an active advocate, speaker, and trainer on critical topics such as gender-based violence, women’s political participation, and human rights, amplifying NWTF’s voice in these important discussions. Her dedication to making a meaningful impact in the lives of women and marginalized communities aligns perfectly with NWTF’s mission to increase the representation of women in Nigerian governance at all levels and address the gender imbalance in elective and appointive positions.

“The NWTF, established in 2011 in response to a vacancy of gender-focused political action committees supporting women in politics, transparently provides aspiring women with financial and other forms of resources towards their political campaigns, irrespective of political inclinations. Brenda’s appointment marks a new chapter in our commitment to empowering women and advancing gender equality in Nigeria through NWTF’s mission.

“Brenda holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Rule of Law for Development from Loyola University Chicago and a Barrister at Law (B.L) from the Nigerian Law School. Her appointment further strengthens our resolve to create a more inclusive and gender-balanced Nigerian governance landscape.

“Join us in welcoming Brenda Anugwom as NWTF’s new CEO, as together, we strive to achieve our vision of a more inclusive and gender-balanced Nigerian governance landscape where women are empowered to lead at all levels.

Brenda Anugwom’s brief profile
Brenda Anugwom is a distinguished leader with over two decades of dedicated service in the fields of justice, gender equality, and social development. As the newly appointed CEO of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) to support women’s rights, political participation, and social development through various programs and initiatives, Brenda brings a remarkable portfolio of experience and expertise. She has held key positions in various organisations, including serving as a Legal Advisor to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in South Sudan and contributing significantly to research on discriminatory laws related to violence against women in Africa.

Brenda’s leadership experience is evident from her past role as a Country Advisor and Consultant for Policy Vault Africa, where she skillfully facilitated strategic partnerships with government agencies, contributing significantly to the digitization of government policies and laws. Her expertise in procurement and legal matters is exemplified through her role as a Procurement Legal Expert for the Nigerian Governors Forum, where she played a pivotal role in guiding all 36 Nigerian states to align their Public Procurement Laws with international standards.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Brenda actively engages in speaking engagements and facilitation roles on critical topics such as gender-based violence, women’s political participation, and human rights. She is also a skilled trainer, equipping individuals and organisations with effective project management and advocacy skills.

She holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Rule of Law for Development from Loyola University Chicago and a Barrister at Law (B.L) from the Nigerian Law School. Brenda’s impact is evident in her unwavering dedication to making a lasting difference in the lives of women and marginalized communities.

Tragedy as motorcyclists lynch Police Inspector in the presence of wife, three children

A 45-year-old police inspector, Festus Onori, has reportedly been killed by some commercial motorcyclists in Ogwashi-Uku, the Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.

It was gathered that the deceased was lynched in the presence of his wife and children on their way to church on Sunday.

The deceased’s older brother, Austin, on Monday, said the inspector was on his way to church with his wife and three children when a commercial motorcyclist hit his vehicle from behind in Okpanam.

He said, “My brother drove a distance of about one pole after the minor accident to park properly and came down to ensure that the motorcyclist and his passenger were unhurt only for more than 20 men to pursue him with sticks and clubs, prompting the deceased to run back into his car.

“As my brother drove off for fear of being hit, motorcyclists pursued him. As they continued to chase him, their number increased.

“When he got to Marble Hill (Okpanam), he diverted through that road to the expressway thinking that they would be discouraged and retreat. Behold, they pursued him to the Ogwashi-Uku community even facing Kwale when the fuel in his vehicle got exhausted on the Ogwashi-Uku-Kwale Expressway.

“Then, they mobbed him to death in the presence of his wife and three children.

“They also destroyed his vehicle. It was a passerby who, according to the wife’s statement, carried him to Ogwashi-Uku Police Station before he was confirmed dead.”

He said the 45-year-old deceased was an Inspector at the Marine Police Station, Cable Point, Asaba.

According to him, the widow said that the motorcyclist and his passenger who hit the inspector’s vehicle at the back did not sustain injuries in the earlier accident that led to her husband’s death.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, said he was yet to get official information on the incident.

“I have not received official information on the incident and so I cannot comment on the matter,” he said.

The Guardian

How law student used Jack and Jill allegory to uncover legal technicalities

  • Locus standi and Statute bar, Twin weapons of Injustice;  Case of Jack v. Jill

By David Akinwunmi

Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water, Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill came tumbling after…

J

Interesting to note that, Jack fell down due to the negligence of the hill keepers who failed to pass across important information to tourist who would like to have a relaxing view of the world by climbing up the hill. In essence, the hill keepers are perceived to be liable for Jack’s Injury. However, Jack is still being treated at the hospital while his best friend- Jill took it upon himself to sue the hill keepers on behalf of him (Jack). 

When Jill approached the court, without hesitation the court pronounced: “Mr Jill, you are just a meddlesome interloper, you lack proper standing in this suit.” Jill in a bid to gain proper standing in his friend’s suit jumped on one of the exotically designed furnitures of the  court’s gallery in order to gain a fit standing. It was at this point the court laughed in Legalese and explained  Locus standi thus:

“It is on the issue of locus standing that I cannot pretend that I have not had some serious headache and considerable hesitation in views on locus standi between the majority and minority judgments – between Justice of equal authority who were almost equally divided.” Oputa JSC AG kaduna v Hassan 

The court expatiated further: 

“Locus Standi’ means no more than the court will entertain a suit only at the instance of one who has a legal capacity to institute the proceedings. For a person to be able to maintain an action, he must be able to establish that his interest is about to be adversely affected by the action taken or contemplated by the defendant”

Aguda A. Porthacort Law week Nigeria

Jill on hearing this, was still of the unshakeable contention that he has legal capacity, for reasons that he has sufficient interest in his friend’s well being. After a heated argument for about 30mins, the court schooled him on who is deemed to have interest and aggrieved: 

a’ person aggrieved is ‘not a man who is disappointed of a benefit which he might have received if some other order had been made, but a man who has suffered a legal grievance, a man against whom a decision has been pronounced which has wrongfully deprived him something, or wrongfully refused him something, or wrongfully affected his title to something’ 

EX Parte: SIDEBOTHAM

And added: “…it is only when the civil rights and obligations of the person who invokes the jurisdiction of the court, are in issue for determination that the judicial powers of the court may be invoked. In other words, standing will only be accorded to a Plaintiff who shows that his civil rights and obligations have been or are in danger of being violated or adversely affected by the act complained of.”

Bello JSC Abraham Adesanya v. FRN

Simply, Locus standi is  the doctrine of law which restricts persons who are not directly affected by a legal sufferance from instituting an action in court. Only persons who have directly suffered a loss should bring an action to court in that regards. By implication Jill doesn’t have locus standi in this claim. 

Jill being a knowledgeable …. And a renowned  activist for social Justice, knows too well that- to every law is an exception. He then asked the court in his capacity as Amicus curae, “what are the exceptions to the doctrine of locus standi” this particular day, it was a very interesting time  in court, one of those few days when the court turns into a school, and the judge, a professor. The court of education then listed the exceptions thus: 

       Public interest litigation

       Human right claims

Public interest litigation as the name implies, is simplicita, suing for the interest of the general public.

  ‘Public Interest Litigation’. As per the court, PIL means a legal action brought in the court of law on behalf of those persons whose legal rights are violated and they can’t approach the court due to their economic or socially disadvantageous position. Jonata Dal v. chardhary (1992)

Jill was still very curious to hear more on the exceptions to locus standi whence the chief Justice brought to his notice that in the year 2009 he (the chief Justice of Nigeria) created an exception to locus standi in section 3 of the FREP rules; pursuant to the authority granted him by section …. Of the constitution. Giving an opportunity to Non governmental organizations to institute human right actions. 

A very educative and enlightening session it was that raining Tuesday morning. Court of course closed with the assertive baritone voice of the registrar…. Courttttttt! 

Fast forward to some few years later, the injured Jack was perfectly okay and wanted to sue the hill keepers for the injury he acquired due to their  negligence. Jill of course had explained the concept of locus standi to him; realizing that he (Jack ) had locus standi, approached the court and the court held that his case was statute bar! 

Again, the court became a citadel of learning even though it frowns at such situations. 

“An action becomes hypothetical or raises mere academic point when there is no live matter in it to be adjudicated….

When an issue has become defunct, it does not require to be answered or controvert about and leads to making of bare legal postulations, which the court should not indulge in;….”

Per Chukwuma Eneh JSC Agbakoba v. INEC

However, in the interest of justice, the court explained  statute bar thus:

“In my interpretation “statute-barred” simply means barred by a provision of the statute. It is usually as to time i.e. the bar gives a time limit during which certain actions or steps should be taken, and one is barred from taking action after the period specified in the statute. Any action taken after or outside the specified limit or period is of no avail and has no valid effect. The bar can be lifted or the limit extended only if the statute allows it to be done. Where there was no such extension, the action carried out will be invalid, and the court will treat as such.”PER KALGO J.S.C. Araka v. Ejeagwu 

Jill who already understands the archaic and redundant language used by the court due to his last experience, explained to Jack in simple terms:

Statute bar is a legal doctrine that disallows one to bring his case to court because a certain time has elapsed. It’s therefore necessary to always approach the court in good time; as early as possible. However, an exception to the principle of statute bar is criminal cases as it has always been said, “time does not run against the state”

Jack and Jill having accepted their fate like in most other cases were mere technicalities in law would supersede substantial issues and evidence, highlighted some recommendations to this principle: 

The principle of locus standi and statute bar are important components of the legal system, but their strict application can sometimes lead to unjust outcomes. To prevent this, two recommendations can be made.

Firstly, the principle of locus standi could be expanded to allow individuals or groups who have a legitimate interest in a case to bring a claim, even if they are not directly affected by the matter. This would ensure that important issues are not left unaddressed due to technicalities, and that justice is not denied to those who are indirectly impacted by a legal dispute.

Secondly, the statute bar could be reformed to allow for more flexibility in its application. Instead of imposing strict time limits on bringing a claim, the courts could be given discretionary power to extend these limits in cases where it is just and equitable to do so. This would prevent individuals from being barred from seeking justice based solely on procedural grounds, and would allow for a fair consideration of their claims on their merits.

By implementing these recommendations, the legal system can strike a better balance between upholding the principles of locus standi and statute bar, while also ensuring that justice is not compromised due to technicalities.

David Akinwunmi is a 300 Level law student at the Lagos State University, LASU.

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