Fellow Nigerians

I speak to you today as your President and fellow citizen on this epoch occasion of our country’s 60th independence Anniversary. As President, I wish to renew my appreciation to Nigerians for entrusting me with your hopes and aspirations for a better and greater Nigeria.

2. Today, it is my unique privilege to re-commit myself to the service of this great country of great people with profound diversities and opportunities. We are bound by destiny to be the largest and greatest black nation on earth.

3. At this stage in our nationhood it is important that we reflect how we got here to enable us work TOGETHER to get to where we aspire to be as a strong indivisible nation, united in hope and equal in opportunity.

.4 On October 1st 1960 when Prime Minister Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa received the constitutional instruments symbolizing Nigeria’s independence, he expressed his wish that having acquired our rightful status as an independent sovereign nation, history would record that the building of our nation proceeded at the wisest pace.

5. This optimism was anchored on the peaceful planning, full and open consultation and harmonious cooperation with the different groups which culminated in Nigeria emerging as a country without bitterness and bloodshed.

6. Our founding fathers understood the imperative of structuring a National identity using the power of the state and worked towards unification of Nigerians in a politically stable and viable entity.

7. That philosophy guided the foundation that was laid for our young nation of 45 million people with an urban population of approximately 7million occupying an area of 910,768 square kilometers. These demographics led to development challenges for which major efforts were made to overcome.

8. Today, we grapple with multiple challenges with a population exceeding 200million occupying the same land mass but 52% residing in urban areas.

9. Sixty years of nationhood provides an opportunity to ask ourselves questions on the extent to which we have sustained the aspirations of our founding fathers. Where did we do the right things? Are we on course? If not where did we stray and how can we remedy and retrace our steps?

10. Upon attaining independence, Nigeria’s growth trajectory was anchored on policies and programmes that positively impacted on all sectors of the economy. However, this journey was cut short by the 30-months of civil war.

11. We came out of the civil war with a focus on reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation that enabled the country to put in place world class development structures and a strengthened public service that well served the government. This positive trajectory continued with a return to democratic government which was truncated by another round of military rule.

12. For a cumulative 29 of our 60 years existence as a nation, we have been under military rule.

13. My summary of our journey so far as a nation is necessary to appropriately chart where we need to go and how to get there TOGETHER.

14. Today, I am aware that our economy along with every single economy in the world is in crisis. We still face security challenges in parts of the country, while our society suffers from a high loss of moral rectitude which is driven by unbridled craving for political control.

15. An underlying cause of most of the problems we have faced as a nation is our consistent harping on artificially contrived fault-lines that we have harboured and allowed unnecessarily to fester.

16. In addition, institutions such as civil service, police, the judiciary, the military all suffered from a general decline.

17. We need to begin a sincere process of national healing and this anniversary presents a genuine opportunity to eliminate old and outworn perceptions that are always put to test in the lie they always are.

18. The stereotype of thinking of ourselves as coming from one part of the country before seeing ourselves as Nigerians is a key starting point to project us on the road to our deserved nation’s evolution and integration.

19. To start this healing process, we are already blessed with the most important asset any nation requires for such – OUR PEOPLE – and this has manifested globally in the exploits of Nigerians in many fields.

20. It has been demonstrated time and time again that Nigerians in the diaspora frequently excel in science, technology, medicine, sports, arts and many other fields.

21. Similarly, the creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Nigerian at home have resulted in globally recognized endeavours.

22. I am convinced that if we pursue our aspirations TOGETHER we would be able to achieve whatever we desire. That informed our adopting the theme TOGETHER to mark this epochal event.

23. Together we can change our condition for the better and more importantly, together we can do much more for ourselves and for our country.

24. I chose the path of self-reflection because this is what I do on a daily basis and I must confess that at most times, I always felt the need for a collective reflection as I know that the foundation for a solid future which this administration is laying can only be sustainable if there is a collective commitment by Nigerians.

25. Nigeria is not a country for Mr. President, any ruling or opposition party but a country for all of us and we must play our part, irrespective of challenges we face, to make this country what we desire.

26. To achieve this, we must focus our minds, TOGETHER as a people, on ways of resolving the identified critical challenges that underlie our present state. These include:
a. Evolving and sustaining a democratic culture that leaves power in the hands of the people;
b. Supporting the enthronement of the rule of law, demanding accountability of elected representatives and contributing to good governance;
c. Increasing our commitment to peaceful co-existence in a peaceful, secure and united Nigeria;
d. Harnessing and Optimizing our tremendous human and natural resources to attain our goal of being in the top twenty economies of the world and in the process;
e. Lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years;
f. Strengthening institutions to make them stronger in protecting National Interests; and
g. Imbibing tolerance in diversity.

27. I am a firm believer in transparent, free, fair and credible elections as has been demonstrated during my period as a democratically elected President.

28. The recent build-up and eventual outcome of the Edo State elections should encourage Nigerians that it is my commitment to bequeath to this country processes and procedures that would guarantee that the people’s votes count.

29. The problems with our electoral process are mainly human induced as desperate desire for power leads to desperate attempts to gain power and office.

30. Democracy, the world over and as I am pursuing in Nigeria, recognizes the power of the people. However, if some constituencies choose to bargain off their power, they should be prepared for denial of their rights.

31. This call is made more urgent if we realise that even after a transparent, free, fair and credible election, desperation leads to compromising the judiciary to upturn legitimate decisions of the people.

32. It is necessary to, therefore support the enthronement of the rule of law by avoiding actions which compromise the judiciary.

33. Fellow Nigerians, our history has shown that we are a people that have the capacity to live peacefully with one another.

34. As a government, we remain committed to our constitutional oath of securing the lives and properties of the citizenry. I, however, call on the citizenry to also support government by providing the necessary community level intelligence in addressing these challenges.

35. In moving forward together, it is important to strengthen our economy to provide sustainable means of livelihood for as many Nigerians as possible so as to eradicate absolute poverty from our midst.

36. I want to re-emphasize my dedication and commitment, a dedication and commitment that propelled my public service career and informed my quest to continually seek for an opportunity to improve the lives of Nigerians, set the country on the path of prosperity and lead the country to a better future.

37. This administration has been focused on rebuilding and laying the foundations for a sustainable Nigeria. Of course, we have met and are still meeting the challenges inherent in any rebuilding initiative – more so that of a nation like Nigeria that has undergone avoidable levels of deprivation – but can be surmounted if we all work together.

38. I wish to re-iterate that our people and our spirit of excellence remains our most important asset.

39. In this wise, the need to return to our age-old ethical and high moral values would be necessary and this informed my launching of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy on Monday 28th September, 2020.

40. The policy would not implement itself and the first contact of the visibility of its implementation is the Public Service whose on-going reforms would be expected to be sustainable and give a radical re-direction in providing services to all Nigerians.

41. Fellow Nigerians, in addition to public health challenges of working to contain the spread of the Coronavirus, we have suffered a significant drop in our foreign exchange earnings and internal revenues due to 40 per cent drop in oil prices and steep drop in economic activities, leading to a 60 per cent drop in government revenue.

42. Our government is grappling with the dual challenge of saving lives and livelihoods in face of drastically reduced resources.

43. In this regard, sustaining the level of petroleum prices is no longer possible. The government, since coming into office has recognized the economic argument for adjusting the price of petroleum. But the social argument about the knock-on effect of any adjustment weighed heavily with the government.

44. Accordingly, in the last three years, we have introduced unprecedented measures in support of the economy and to the weakest members of our society in the shape of:
a. Tradermoni
b. Farmermoni
c. School Feeding Programme
d. Job creation efforts
e. Agricultural intervention programmes

45. No government in the past did what we are doing with such scarce resources. We have managed to keep things going in spite of the disproportionate spending on security. Those in the previous Governments from 1999 – 2015 who presided over the near destruction of the country have now the impudence to attempt to criticize our efforts.

46. In the circumstances, a responsible government must face realities and take tough decisions.

47. Petroleum prices in Nigeria are to be adjusted. We sell now at N161 per litre. A comparison with our neighbours will illustrate the point;

a. Chad which is an oil producing country charges N362 per litre
b. Niger, also an oil producing country sells 1 litre at N346.
c. In Ghana, another oil producing country, petroleum pump price is N326 per litre.

48. Further afield, Egypt charges N211 per litre. Saudi Arabia charges N168 per litre. It makes no sense for oil to be cheaper in Nigeria than in Saudi Arabia.

49. Fellow Nigerians, to achieve the great country we desire, we need to solidify our strength, increase our commitment and encourage ourselves to do that which is right and proper even when no one is watching.

50. Fellow Nigerians, let us collectively resolve to continue our journey beyond the sixty years on the clear understanding that as a nation we are greater together than being smaller units of nationalities. By the special grace of God we shall come through any transient challenges.

51. It is my sincere hope that by the end of this anniversary on September 30th 2021, we will all be proud of taking this individual and collective self-assessment for the progress of our great Nation.

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

God Bless us all. Thank you.

▪︎THURSDAY,  OCTOBER 1, 2020

Daily Law Tips (Tip 664) by Onyekachi Umah, Esq., LL.M, ACIArb(UK)

Introduction: 

Ahead of the intrusion of Africa by Europeans, Africans had families and marriages according to native law and customs. Today, we Africans, still have a choice to conduct customary marriages with or without English marriages. However, customary marriage comes with its own legal implication on divorce, custody, inheritance and property ownership rights. Custody of a child under customary marriage seems to be perpetually vested on a particular sex but will this change when faced with the Child’s Right Act and other laws in Nigeria? This work will reveal how custody of a child is managed under customary marriage and native laws in Nigeria.   

It is common to find Nigerians that are married both under the English Marriage System and the Customary Marriage System. The good news is that English marriage and Customary Marriage of same couple is valid and allowed. However, this comes with its own legal implications. English marriage is a jealous marriage and will not allow or condone any other type of marriage unlike customary marriage. It is even a crime to conduct customary marriage after conducting an English Marriage. 

Customary Law, Customary Marriage and Custody: 

Customary marriage is a polygamous marriage, it allows a man to have multiple wives and at times a wife to have multiple husbands. Customary laws are accepted usages, practises and ways of life common to a particular ethnic group. Customary laws are not written and a court will respect customary laws so far as they are not contrary to any written law in Nigeria, natural justice equity and good conscience. Hence, any custom that conflicts with any law in Nigeria is invalid and unenforceable.  

Across some native laws and customs in Nigeria, the custody of a child from customary marriage is vested on the father of the child and not on the mother of the child. Unlike in English marriage where custody of a child is determined according to the best interest of the child, in some customary marriage, the interest of the child does not count/matter. Unfortunately, in some customary laws, a husband is almost a mini-god to his wife and a wife has no right to custody of a child. It is important to point out that some customary laws consider the best interest and welfare of a child before awarding custody. Click to read my works on child rights in Nigeria. 

Customary Law and Child Rights Act/Laws: 

In the light of the supremacy of the constitution of Nigeria and all other laws in Nigeria, over any native law or custom in Nigeria, it is impossible for any custom in Nigeria to overrule or superseded any written law in Nigeria. In 2003, the National Assembly in Nigeria (the federal legislature) made a federal law to specially protect children. The federal law is known as the Child’s Right Act; it provides that in any matter concerning a child (like custody of a child), the best interest and welfare of the child must be considered. Going by this federal law, any custom that gives the custody of a child to any person (including father and mother of the child) without consider the best interest and welfare of the child is inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria. And as such, the said custom cannot stand.

However, there has been arguments that the Child’s Right Act cannot operate and apply to states in Nigeria. On the strength of this argument, the powers of the Child’s Right Act seem not to be utilised in many states in Nigeria. So, some states have gone on to enact and make their own Child’s Right Law. Most of the states in Northern part of Nigeria are yet to enact/adopt their own equivalents of the Child’s Right Act. Where there is a Child’s Right Law in a given state, there cannot be any native law and custom in such state that will contradict the interest of a child. Hence, it is safe to say that based on the Child’s Right Act and the various Child’s Right Laws in states in Nigeria, any custom in Nigeria that gives custody of a child without considering the best interest and welfare of the child is null and void, wasted and dead. 

Conclusion: 

Surely, under native laws and customs in Nigeria, custody of a child of customary marriage rests on the father of the child. In some customs, the best interest and welfare of a child can prompt custody to be granted to the mother of the child or any other person. However, some customs at all costs reserve custody of a child for the father of the child. Such customs are unlawful, illegal and nullified by the Child’s Right Act and Child’s Right laws in Nigeria. To further purge and correct native laws and customs across Nigeria, more states are encouraged to enact/adopt the Child’s Right Act and ensure that the best interest and welfare of a child is always considered in giving custody. Click to read my works on English and Customary marriages in Nigeria.  

My authorities are:

1. Sections 1 and 2 of the Child’s Right Act and its equivalent in states across Nigeria. 
2. The judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (on application of customary law) in the case of ANLA v. AYANBOLA & ORS (1977) LPELR-24887(SC)
3. The judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (on meaning of customary law) in the case of USMAN v. UMARU (1992) LPELR-3432(SC)
4. The judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (on whether a father has absolute right to custody of child under customary law) in the case of OKWUEZE v. OKWUEZE (1989) LPELR-2539(SC)
5. The judgment of the Court of Appel (on meaning of “Custom” and “Customary Law”) in the case of ”ANUNOBI v. NWANKWO (2017) LPELR-43774(CA)
6. The judgment of the Court of Appeal (on whether a father has absolute right to custody of child under customary law) in the case of OKAFOR v. OKAFOR (2016) LPELR-40264(CA)

#SabiLaw

#DailyLawTips

#SabiBusinessLaw

#SabiElectionLaws

#SabiHumanRights

#SabiLawOnBeatFm

#SabiLawLectureSeries

#CriminalJusticeMonday

#SabiLawVideoChallenge

Speak with the writer, ask questions or make inquiries on this topic or any other via [email protected] or [email protected] or +2348037665878. To receive our free Daily Law Tips, follow our Facebook Page:@LearnNigerianLaws, Instagram: @LearnNigerianLaws and Twitter: @LearnNigeriaLaw

Please share this publication for free till it gets to those that need it most. Save a Nigerian today! NOTE: Sharing, modifying or publishing this publication without giving credit to Onyekachi Umah, Esq. and “LearnNigerianLaws.com” is a criminal breach of copyright and will be prosecuted.

This publication is the writer’s view not a legal advice and does not create any form of relationship. You may reach the writer for more information.

Powered by www.LearnNigerianLaws.com {A Free Law Awareness Program of Sabi Law Foundation, supported by the law firm of Bezaleel Chambers International (BCI).}

A man has been jailed to a cumulative 125 years in prison by a Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri for fraudulently obtaining food items worth N12.9 million.

The accused, Allen Abel was dragged before the court by the Commission of the Economic and Financial Crime for fraudulently obtaining food items valued at N12.9 million on the pretext of executing a fake contract for Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHDSD)’s School Feeding scheme under the Social Intervention Programme (SIP) of the Federal Government.

Abel was arraigned before Justice Aisha Kumaliya on Thursday, July 2, 2020, alongside Suleiman Adamu, Usman Adamu and Kingsley Madubuagu by the Maiduguri zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the 20-count charge that borders on forgery, possession of false documents, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

The count three of the charge read: “That you, Allen Abel, Suleiman Adamu and Usman Adamu sometimes between February and March 2020 at Maiduguri, Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained 1313 (One Thousand Three Hundred and Thirteen) cartons of spaghetti and 480 (Four Hundred Eighty) bags of rice both worth N12, 110,000.00 (Twelve Million One Hundred Ten Thousand Naira) only from one Lelle Hyelwa Sini of Lelle Foresight Construction Co. Ltd. under the false pretence of executing a contract of supply of food items, purportedly awarded by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development (Federal Government School Feeding Programme, under the Social Intervention Programme, SIP), which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and Punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

Abel pleaded guilty to the twenty count charges upon arraignment and Justice Kumaliya convicted him accordingly and adjourned the case to September 30 for sentencing.

At the resumption of hearing on Wednesday, Justice Kumaliya sentenced Abel to 7 years imprisonment each on counts 1 to 6, and 9 without an option of fine; 5 years imprisonment each on counts 7, 8 and 11-20 respectively without an option of fine. All sentences are to run consecutively.

The judge, in addition, asked the convict to restitute Lele Foresight Construction Company the total sum of N12.1 million and HIE Global Investment Limited the sum of N769,800.

In another development, Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High court, Maiduguri has sentenced one Babagana Abatcha to two years imprisonment with an option of N500,000 fine.

The convict was arraigned by EFCC’s Maiduguri Zonal office on a one-count charge of criminal breach of trust to the tune of N9 million.

The charge against him read: “That you, Babagana Abatcha sometime between 2017 and 2018 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being entrusted with care over certain properties to wit: N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira) only, by one Umar Gujja Ali being payment for the execution of a purported contract awarded to you by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Maiduguri, did dishonesty misappropriate the entire sum and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311of the Penal Code Laws of Borno State Cap.102 Vol.3 of 1994 and punishable under Section 312 of the same Law.”

Upon his arraignment, the convict pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge, which prompted the prosecution to present witnesses and tendered several exhibits in proving its case.

Delivering his judgment on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, Justice Fadawu sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with an option of N500, 000 fine.

The court further ordered the convict to pay N7.9 million in restitution to the nominal complainant or, in default, serve six years imprisonment, with the years running consecutively.

The Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Abdulmumuni Danga, is to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a seven-count charge of rape following his alleged assault of one Elizabeth Oyeniyi earlier this year.

This newspaper reported how Ms Oyeniyi accused Mr Danga of brutalising her after he allegedly raped her multiple times on March 29.

The 23-year-old, showing her severely blistered arms and thighs, told PREMIUM TIMES she was targeted after posting a comment about the commissioner’s stepsister, who has been her friend for years, on Facebook.

In an interview she granted shortly after the incident, Ms Oyeniyi told this newspaper that Mr Danga personally flogged her and said he could have killed her but for her young son who was with her.

She said the commissioner then stripped her while at least 15 men, who worked for him, watched. The suspected thugs also allegedly filmed her nude as she was being whipped and humiliated.

After the attack, Mr Danga drove her to a hotel close to the Kogi State House in Lokoja, the state capital, where he allegedly forcefully raped her three times overnight, the victim claimed.

While Mr Danga denied the allegations, activists, rights groups, including Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, mounted pressure on the police for an investigation. The group also called on the Kogi State government to sanction Mr Danga. Afterwards, the state had promised to launch an investigation into the matter.

Meanwhile, five months after, the police have instituted a criminal case against the ckmmissioner after inviting all parties involved.

Records obtained by this paper showed that Mr Danga appeared in the police headquarters in Abuja on June 2 and July 5 for interrogation. He made statements on the two visits.

According to the documents for service obtained by this paper, Mr Danga was charged on seven counts, including rape, brutality, coercion and torture at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Judicial Division.

He is to be arraigned alongside one Success Omadivi, 35, who was also indicted in the course of investigation.

The case filed on September 4 will be prosecuted by the police on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, this paper learnt.

The offences leveled against Mr Danga include falsification of documents and threatening medical officer to forge test result, having carnal knowledge of Ms Onyeniyi without her consent, inflicting physical injury and torture by flogging.

All are contrary to multiple sections of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.

“That you ABDULMUMI_JNI DANGA ‘M’ with other persons now at large; on or about the 29th day of March, 2020 at Lokoja; within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did falsify an audio recording purporting same to be the audio of Dr. Chinonyerem Welle, Medical Director, Police Hospital, Area 1, Garki, Abuja saying that she issued medical report for the rape and assault of Elizabeth Onyeniyi ‘F’ unlawfully; and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 7 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.

“That you ABDULMUMINI DANGA ‘M’, SUCCESS OMADIVI ‘F’ with other persons now at large; on or about the 29th day of March, 2020 at Lokoja; within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did falsify an audio recording purporting same to be a lady talking to another female saying that Elizabeth Onyeniyi ‘F’ confessed to her that she was not raped by the Defendant, ABDULMUMINI DANGA ‘M’ but that it was Natasha that asked her to say she was raped; and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 7 Of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, ” the charge sheet read in parts.

Justifying the transfer of the case to Abuja, the police officer who conducted the investigation, Amaka Okoh, stated that if the case is tried in Lokoja or anywhere in Kogi State, there is a strong likelihood Ms Oyeniyi and other witnesses may be victimised by Mr Danga, who is a politician.

“That in view of the above security concern, is desirable that this matter be tried in the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja,” Mrs Okoh said in an affidavit she signed and submitted to the court.

The Inspector-General of Police has dragged the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, Abdullahi Binuyo, to a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, over alleged fraud involving $120,000.

Binuyo was charged for conspiracy, fraud, cheating and forgery in a suit numbered CR/975/2020 filed on September 9, 2020.

Rimamsomte Ezekiel, a lawyer in the Legal Prosecution Section of the Force Criminal Investigation Department at the Force Headquarters alleged that Binuyo in January 2017, in Abuja, defrauded one Tunde Ajala and his company, BMA Nigeria Limited.

Rimamsomte alleged that Binuyo forged and signed as Mr Hakeem Thanni, for Ahad International FZC company in an investment agreement with BMA Nigeria Limited and Mr Tunde Ajala.

He further alleged that “with intention to defraud and under false pretence obtained $120,000 for Tunde Ajala and his company BMA Nigeria Limited.”

The Oyetola aide was also alleged to have “cheated Babatunde Ajala and his company BMA Nig. Ltd of $120,000.00”.

The offences were said to be punishable under various provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences and the Penal Code Law.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and Delta State Police Commissioner (COP) from arresting or detaining ex-Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo gave the order in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1267/2020, following Gbagi’s ex parte application for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.

Gbagi’s application followed the controversy generated by the September 18 stripping of four employees of his hotel in Asaba over alleged missing money.

The court also granted Gbagi leave to serve the originating processes and all other subsequent processes in the suit on the COP by substituted means.

The judge ruled the IGP and the COP, who are first and second respondents, “are at liberty if they wish to file their response jointly and/or severally within 14 days.”

He adjourned till October 16 for hearing.

Besides the court’s order, Gbagi’s September 28 application had also sought an order directing parties to maintain status quo, pending the hearing and determination of the application for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of the Applicant.

The alleged stripping incident happened on September 18 and Gbagi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has since denied any wrongdoing.

Elisha Abbo has downplayed the verdict of a federal court that asked him to settle up to N50 million in fines for assaulting a woman last year.

Mr. Abbo told Newsmen Monday afternoon that Nigerians mounted pressure on the judge to convict him for an offence he committed on videotape, saying the judge wouldn’t have found him culpable otherwise.

“The judgment is an injustice and abuse of the rule of law,” Mr. Abbo told Peoples Gazette shortly after the judgement was handed down Monday afternoon. “It is a jungle justice similar to that of social media.”

“I feel for the judge who was under pressure from the public and gave the judgment based on sentiments and not the facts and truth,” Mr. Abbo said. “It will not stand.“

A CCTV footage captured Mr. Abbo as he humiliated and unloaded a series of slaps on a female attendant at an adult toy shop in Abuja.

The May 2019 incident was later exposed by Premium Times a few weeks later, triggering public backlash and a Senate investigation. Mr. Abbo apologised, but was nonetheless arrested by the police and charged for criminal assault.

A magistrate in Abuja found him not guilty of criminal assault last month. A Senate panel that investigated the matter had since returned its findings, but the Senate leadership has declined to make the report public, despite repeated requests from rights groups and everyday Nigerians.

On Monday morning, the Maitama Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, awarded up to N50 million in liability against Elisha Abbo.

The verdict stemmed from a civil lawsuit filed by the victim Osimibibra Warmate.

Justice Samira Bature, in suit number FHC CV/2393/19, lampooned Mr. Abbo for his conduct.

Mr. Abbo’s lawyers have said they would appeal the judgement immediately.

Nigerians have been celebrating since the news of the verdict broke on Monday. They see it as crucial to boosting the moral of victims of abuse in the country’s judicial system.

A 15-year-old girl has fled from her home town in Plateau State to Ekiti State to escape a marriage allegedly organised by her father.

The Publicity Secretary of the Federation of Women Lawyers in Ekiti State, Lola Aluko, said the minor fled on Thursday, September 17, 2020, to stay with her brother, identified as Adamu, to avoid the marriage.

Aluko, in a statement titled, ‘Teenager flees home in an attempt to escape child marriage’ and made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti on Monday, said the victim later reported at the group’s office on September 22.

She said, “Calls were put through to her brother, requesting him to be present at a scheduled meeting on September 23, 2020. The girl was then taken to a secret home (a FIDA shelter) to spend the night.

“On the day of the scheduled meeting, the minor was brought from the home to FIDA’s office. Her brother, Adamu, came and from the information he gave, their father had effected the arrest of a man in Plateau State, claiming that the man sponsored her trip to Ekiti.

“Even though the man was released the following day, the girl’s father threatened to re-arrest the said man if she did not return to Plateau State on Monday, September 28, 2020.

“FIDA swung into action, called the National Human Rights Commission, Ekiti State branch, which then linked us with the Plateau branch. We called the Plateau branch, gave them a summary of the case, and we were assured that they would take up the case and ensure that the man is safe.

“Her brother was made to sign an undertaking that the minor will report at our office every Wednesday by noon for counselling,” Alao stated.