Judiciary

By Funmilola Obagbayegun

Oyo State Family Court 2, Iyaganku, Ibadan has adjourned a case of alleged sexual exploitation of a ten-year-old girl by skit maker Maruf Abdullahi, also known as Trinity Guy.

At the resumed hearing in the case, the defence counsel, Mr Dare Adebayo while cross-examining the prosecution witness queried if he had ever been to a correctional facility, to which he answered in the affirmative.

Also, at the hearing, the Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Oyo State chapter, Mrs Ademubowale Adelabu, said the association took interest in the case because it involved a minor.

Mrs Adelabu described the defendant’s action as sexual exploitation of a minor, calling for justice on behalf of the victim. 

After the submissions of both the Prosecutor and Defense Counsel as well as interested parties, Magistrate Serifat Adesina adjourned the case till March 25, 2025, for mention.

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Health

By Funmi Adekoya

To end Sexual and Gender Based Violence, SGBV, as well as Child Early and Forced Marriage in Nigeria, government and other stakeholders must collaborate.

This was the observation of Experts on Sexual and Gender Based Violence, Child Early and Forced Marriage.

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is any harmful act that is perpetrated against person’s will and that is based on socially ascribed differences between male and female, this include rape, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, trafficking in persons and harmful traditional practices.

According to data from the Nigerian National Population Commission, Gender Based Violence, as experienced by the Nigerian women throughout their lifetime from either their present husband, is reported as 19% for demonstrative or emotional violence, 14% for physical violence, and 5% for sexual abuse.

Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) is a complex and multifaceted task that requires collective efforts from individuals, communities, governments, and organizations.

According to the Coordinator of a non-governmental Organisation, Care fronting Nigeria, Dr. Maji Peterx government at all levels should ensure implementation of policies against Sexual and Gender Based Violence.

He identified fostering international cooperation to combat cross-border Sexual and Gender Based Violence, human trafficking, and other forms of violence that impact vulnerable populations.

Dr. Peterx also called for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of SGBV prevention and response initiatives and make necessary adjustments based on feedback and data.

Also speaking, Program Manager, International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA Nigeria, Mr. Fikih Obaro highlighted some key steps to end Sexual and Gender Based Violence, and Child Early and Forced Marriage.

In his own contribution, Programme Coordinator, Child and Youth Protection Foundation, Mr. Olatosimi Kolawole advised Civil Society Organizations to collaborate with government in the implementation and monitoring of policies on sexual and Gender Based violence.

Mr. Kolawole also advocated responsible reporting of SGBV cases by the media, avoiding sensationalism and victim-blaming narratives as well as 

using media platforms to raise awareness and promote positive messages about respect, consent, and equality.

Remember, ending SGBV is an ongoing process that requires each person’s actions, no matter how small, which can contribute to a safer and more equitable world.

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Lifestyle

The Ondo State Government has announced the extension of maternity leave from three to six months as part of efforts to ensure a total child development.

The Head of Service, Mr Kayode Ogundele announced this while receiving members of the Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Ondo State chapter, in his office, Akure.

Mr Ogundele said the move was to build a society where children were healthily raised and had all that was required in terms of maternal care.

The HoS said the decision was to enable mothers to give their newborn babies adequate attention during the leave period, stressing that, medical experts affirmed that, breastfeeding should be exclusive in the first six months.

Mr Ogundele said, the current government’s efforts were aimed at providing a better society for women and had also recently established the agency for the Protection Against Gender Violence.

Earlier, the state Chairperson of FIDA, Mrs Catherine Ogunjebi, advocated the elimination of some encumbrances in the administration of maternity leave irrespective of marital status.

Isaac Afolabi

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Lifestyle

Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, and other women group have embarked on a peaceful walk to advocate more women inclusion in the nation’s political process as a way of commemorating this year’s International Women’s Day in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The peaceful walk began from the Governor’s office in Alagbaka, Akure and terminated at the Ondo state House of Assembly.

The women carried placards with various inscriptions such as “NAWOJ demands, total rights of women, NATO stands against women “HARASSMENT”, “FIDA demands 35% affirmative action to register their displeasure on the shutting down of gender bills” by the national assembly.

Leading the protest was NAWOJ chairperson in Ondo state, Mrs Doris Olumoko, who stressed the need for more elective positions for women in the country and the speedy passage of gender bills into law.

In her contribution, FIDA chairperson, Mrs Jumoke Ogunjebi said it was high time women were carried along in the scheme of things due to the roles they played in both the electoral and political processes.

Also speaking, special assistant to the Ondo state governor on gender matters, Mrs Olamide Falana noted that women needed to be duly compensated for their immeasurable contributions to nation building.

Receiving the women on behalf of the Ondo State House of Assembly speaker, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr Olugbenga Omole said their grievances would be presented to the assembly.

Women groups such as FIDA, FOMWAN, WOWICAN, NCWS and Association of medical women were part of the protest.

Tosin Aderibigbe

Judiciary

A magistrate court sitting in Akure ,Ondo  State has sentenced a woman ,Opeyemi Omoyemi to three and half years imprisonment for brutalising a twelve year old boy ,Joel Sunday,who is her house help .

Omoyemi, a widow was also jailed for one year for being found guilty of Violence Against Persons Prohibition.


The jail terms are to run concurrently.
Our Correspondent who monitored the proceeding reports that the convict was arrested by men of the State Police Command after she used blade to inflict deep cuts on the body of the victim at Adebowale area of Akure .

The thirty six year old widow had accused the boy of stealing some pieces of meat from her pot of soup.

The presiding Magistrate ,Mrs olufunmilayo Edwin, said the defendant was guilty of count one ,four and five.
Meanwhile ,counsel to the convict ,Foluso Kayode had said the judgement would be appealed .


Members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists were also in court in solidarity with the twelve year old Joel Sunday.


In the meantime,the chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers,FIDA, in Ondo State ,Mrs Catherine Ogunjebi has descibed the verdict as a good development towards curtailing gender based violence in the state .


Mrs Ogunjebi while reacting to the judgement said children of Mrs opeyemi omoyemi ,the convict were already being taken care of by the ministry of women affairs 


Also speaking ,The chairperson ,Nigeria Association of women Journalists, Ondo state Council ,Mrs Doris Olumoko, was of the view that quick dispensation of justice would serve as deterrent to others who delighted in brutalising children.

Similarly ,the Wife of Ondo state Governor,Mrs Betty  Anyawu-Akeredolu hailedthe Magistrate court for granting justice in the case of the twelve year old Joel Sunday who was brutalised by his guardian.


Reacting to the judgement in Akure, Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu said the verdict would send strong signal to curtail the abuse of children in the state. 


Olufisoye Adenitan.

Crime

A thirty year old man, Olorunniyi Esan Caleb has been arrested by the Ekiti State police Command for allegedly raping a seven year old girl.

The man allegedly raped the girl around Falana area of Ado-Ekiti in his room when there was nobody at home. 

The victim whose one of her parent is physically challenged was a neighbour of the suspect.

Confirming the arrest to Radio Nigeria on telephone, the spokesman for the command, Mr. Caleb Ikechukwu said the suspect had been locked up at the Ologede Police Station.

Mr. Ikechukwu noted that the victim had been taking to hospital for medical treatment.

He explained that the force would investigate the matter and prosecute the perpetrator.

The case was reported to the Ologede police station by the chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, in Ekiti State, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Ojo before the police made the arrest.

Olaniyi Alade