By Femi Ogunshola

Dr Kayode Ajulo, a constitutional lawyer, has urged the Federal Government to introduce electronic tags for inmates awaiting trial in correctional centers to ease overcrowding.

Ajulo, who made the call in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said this would also expedite judicial processes and optimise the utilisation of government resources.

Ajulo said the current state of Nigeria’s correctional centres system was burdened by high number of inmates awaiting trial.

He said that a significant proportion of those in the centres had not yet been convicted.

According him, it not only promotes overcrowding, but also places an enormous financial strain on government resources.

He said the primary objective of his proposal was to introduce a comprehensive system of prison electronic tags for inmates awaiting trial.

Ajulo further said that to effectively implement the prison electronic tags system, step such as, needs Assessment, collaborative partnerships, legislative framework, pilot programme, capacity building, among others must be considered.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) designate said the successful implementation of the prison electronic tags system would require a well-defined budget.

This, he said would represent a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by Nigeria’s correctional centres.

Ajulo urged government to consider the proposal and initiate the necessary steps to pilot and implement the prison electronic tagging system in Nigeria. (NAN)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Joseph Edeh

By Angela Atabo

The Makwanyane Institute Nigeria Network has offered refresher training to 20 legal practitioners on rendering quality legal services to suspects of capital offences.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day train-the-trainers workshop held on Friday in Abuja was organised for criminal defense lawyers selected from Nigeria and Ghana.

It had “Defending Persons Facing the Death Penalty” as its tag and was organised in collaboration with Hope Behind Bars Africa and Centre for Legal Support and Inmate Rehabilitation (CELSIR).

Other partners included Inclusion Project and Cornell Center on the Death Penalty Worldwide.

Mrs Oluwafunke Adeoye, Founder, Hope Behind Bars Africa, said the workshop was aimed at training lawyers to effectively represent their clients facing capital punishments.

According to her, capital punishments such as the death penalty, require special skills and knowledge on the part of the legal practitioners.

“When people, who have been charged for these offences cannot afford adequate legal representation, it becomes a big problem.

“That is why we organised this workshop to enhance the expertise of the legal practitioners to handle cases effectively,” she said.

Mr Mohammed Kassim, Senior Partner, Obour, Minta and Co., Accra and a facilitator at the workshop, said that defending persons on death row is not an easy task hence the need for continuous training on relevant skills.

Kassim, who took the participants on “Strategic Litigation on Death Penalty, Investigation and Evidence Gathering Techniques”, said that lawyers representing clients facing capital punishments must be encouraged, supported and trained effectively at all times.

Also, Mrs Aladesanmi Olamiposi, Founder and Executive Director, CELSIR, urged the participants to maintain their professional ethics when representing their clients.

“Explore all possible and ethical means to extract testimony from witnesses when establishing your case in spite of many hostilities you may face.

“As a human rights lawyer, it behoves on you to maintain composure. You must stay calm.

“You must be professional and respectful even when faced with hostile or uncooperative witnesses; you must avoid arguments or confrontations,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ijendu Iheaka and Ephraims Sheyin

By Ebere Agozie

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal by former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, seeking to nullify the February 25, presidential election of President Bola Tinubu.

In the notice of appeal, Atiku had urged the apex court to dismiss and set aside the  September 6, judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court, which affirmed the victory President Tinubu.

A seven-man panel of Justices led by John Okoro, in determining the first issue for determination, held that failure to transmit election results electronically did not affect the outcome of the election and could not warrant the nullification of presidential election.

The apex court also stated that Atiku did not produce alternative results of the presidential election that showed he won majority number of votes cast to rebuff the one declared by INEC.

The court resolved all the 7 issues distilled for determination in favour of Tinubu, stating that the appeal lacked merit.

The apex court thrashed all the grounds of appeal of Atiku and PDP on qualification, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, the 25% votes in FCT, and electoral malpractices.

“On the whole, having resolved all the issues against the appellant, it is my view that there is no merit in the appeal and it is hereby dismissed,” Justice Inyang Okoro said in dismissing Atiku’s appeal.

“The judgment of the court below delivered on September 6th, 2023 affirming the election of the second respondent as the duly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is hereby affirmed.”

It listened to Obi’s appeal for about five minutes. In dealing with the LP’s presidential candidate on the issue of double nomination of Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the court held that the issue had been dealt with in its ruling on May 26.

“As for issue Number 4 which has to do with double nomination which was not in Atiku’s appeal, it is the view of this court that this issue having been dealt with by this court, this court cannot allow the matter to be re-litigated in this very court.

“There must be an end to litigation,” Okoro held. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ogun  Branch, has condemned alleged recent rape incidents at the Tai Solarin University of Education in Ogun.

The Chairperson of the association, Mrs Taiwo Olusesi, made the condemnation in a statement she signed.

The statement was copied to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.

Olusesi said that FIDA was deeply concerned worried by the alleged incidents.

She described rape as a heinous act, and called for justice for victims.

“FIDA commends the swift action of the Ogun State Government, which has taken steps to address these incidents by promising to investigate the alleged rape cases and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We commend this action, and urge other state governments to follow suit.

“Rape of women and girls is a serious violation of their human rights and an affront to their dignity.

“It is a crime that should not be condoned or tolerated in any form.

“As an organisation committed to protecting and promoting women’s rights, FIDA calls on governments to take concrete steps to protect women and girls from all forms of gender-based violence, including rape,” she said.

According to Olusesi, FIDA will continue to stand by victims of rape and advocate for their rights.

“We call on all stakeholders, including civil society organisations, religious leaders and traditional rulers, to join hands with us in the fight against rape and other forms of gender-based violence.

“Together, we can create a safe and equitable society for all,” she said.

NAN reports that some hoodlums reportedly raped no fewer than four female students of the university on Tuesday.

The hoodlums were said to have invaded the hostels of the students located at Abapawa, an area off the university campus. (NAN)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

A group, Peace and Good Governance Advocates (PEGGA) has urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to focus its searchlight on the Plateau Election Petition Tribunal over conflicting and contradicting judgements.

The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Mani Immam made the call in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Immam warned that the judgments issued by the same state election petition tribunal could boomerang into a popular uprising.

He said the call was to ensure that the existing peace in plateau was not consumed through the actions of a few “errant officers and their political collaborators.”

It would be recalled that the Justice Mohammed Tukur-led tribunal overturned the victories of candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while the same tribunal led by Justice William Olamide upheld results of similar elections using different sets of rules.

The judgement by the Tukur-led panel sacked about 15 persons elected on the platform of the PDP on the basis of what it described as “lack of structure”.

This is in spite of previous judgments by other courts affirming the PDP’s victories in Plateau North Senatorial election and Bassa/Jos North federal constituency.

However, the Justice Olamide-led tribunal discountenanced the argument of the APC and dismissed the cases on the ground that the PDP validly elected its candidates having resolved the crisis that predated the emergence of the present state executive of the PDP with Chris Hassan as chairman.

The pre-election disputes within the PDP led a Federal High Court to order the party to repeat its congresses which all stakeholders participated in, leading to the emergence of Hassan as chairman in February 2022.

According to Immam, there is a limit to which the populace can endure electoral manipulations.

“We are calling on NJC to put a special focus on Plateau to prevent the state and the country from unnecessary tension, on account of contradictory and conflicting judgments.

“While we are non-partisan, we are, however, afraid that this judicial gambit is increasingly raising tension in the Plateau.”

The group leader, therefore, called on judicial authorities to be mindful of the ongoing developments so as to avoid unnecessary crisis in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Ebere Agozie

Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has called for stakeholders’ collaboration in reviewing the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Fagbemi made the call at the three-day national stakeholders’ forum for the review of the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of States on Tuesday in Abuja.

He described ACJA as one of the few areas where both states and national share common grounds; adding that the federal government is keen to see that the country’s criminal justice system is responsive.

“ACJA is one of the few key legislations that both the federal and states governments share so much common grounds, as with common worries and concerns.

“The reason for this is not far-fetched, the effectiveness and functionality of the criminal justice system, and indeed, the entire justice sector, has direct effect on the overall development, stability and sustainability of any society.

“Our ministry as a leading stakeholder in the ACJA implementation will continue to collaborate with public and private sector in achieving a balanced and inclusive judicial system.

“We will ensure that the criminal justice system of our country is more responsive to the demands of Nigerians for a simple, fast, efficient, effective, fair and trustworthy system for dispensation of justice’’.

He said passage of the ACJA by all the 36 States of the federation had provided a common ground to address the critical issues and challenges confronting Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

“It has provided us a shared platform that would enable us scale up our efforts and seek new pathways practical solutions to identified challenges’’.

Also speaking, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola urged all stakeholders in judiciary to forge a common front in the implementation and administration of the ACJA 2015.

Ariwoola, who was represented by Justice Tijani Abubakar commended the federal government for initiating conversation around ACJA, noting that it would afford authorities from states and federal to interact and forge a common front.

“This forum is a right step in the right direction as it would afford authorities from federal and state to interact and seek common front in the implementation and administration of the law,” Ariwoola said.

Stakeholders who were present at the forum were the Presidents of the Court of Appeal, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Inspector General of Police, the Solicitor General of the Federation, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences (ICPC).

Others are the Nigerian Custom Service, the Nigerian Prison Service, RoLAC, National Drug, Law and Enforcement Agency, , the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Code of Conduct Bureau and representatives from the European Union. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Justice Adenike Coker of an Ikeja High Court, on Tuesday, advised defendants in custody to show up for trial to facilitate justice administration.

Coker said that some defendants tended to hide in custody and failed to show up in court due to fear, thereby prolonging their trial.

The judge gave the advice while giving a ruling in a case of Lagos State versus one Abiodun Owoya charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery.

She said: “To defendants, the more your hide in custody, the more time you spend there.

“Come to court, and if your matter is not progressing, it might be struck out.”

In the ruling, Coker noted that state counsel, Mr Y. O. Ijale, had written to the court that since  presenting prosecution witnesses had proved abortive, the court should use its discretion in the matter.

She also noted that defence counsel, Mr Chineme Nweke, had argued that the prosecution team stalled proceedings since the case began in 2020 while the defendant remained in custody.

The judge also noted that defence counsel prayed the court to strike out the case.

Coker ruled that since the case had not progressed, the defendant should be released without delay.

Similarly, the judge struck out a case of two others, David Obi and Ugo Chukwu, also charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery.

Coker struck out the case for lack of diligent prosecution.

Lagos State counsel, Mrs Titi Adeegbe, had told the court that a retired assistant superintendent of police, who was to testify, failed to show up.

The counsel prayed the court to use its discretion in the case.

Coker ruled that the case had prolonged without any prosecution witness testifying since arraignment of the defendants on March 22, 2020. (NAN)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

By Folasade Akpan

The Federal Government on Monday unveiled three policy documents that would stimulate efforts to reduce the prevalence of cancer in Nigeria.

The documents were inaugurated by the Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 2023 International Cancer Week (ICW).

The theme of the ICW is “Addressing Cancer Care Disparities through Improved Access to Research and Treatment”.

The documents are the National Strategic Cancer Control Plan 2023-2027, National cancer Research Agenda 2024-2027 and the National Strategic Plan for Prevention of Cancer of Uterine Cervix 2023-2027.

Alausa said that the three documents have priority areas of action that address governance, prevention, supply chain management, data and research as well as surveillance.

He said it was no longer news that cancer had become a leading cause of death worldwide including Nigeria, saying global distribution of predominant cancers has continued to change especially in developing countries.

According to him, the low and middle-income countries accounted for 51 per cent of all cancers worldwide in 1975 and the proportion increased to 55 per cent in 2007 and to 70 per cent in 2018.

“The rise in incidence of cancers is even worse with breast cancer which is the main focus of the October Cancer Awareness activities.

“Breast Cancer has remained the commonest cancer in Nigeria for a long time now and the incidence is still on the increase.

“This is followed by cervical and prostate cancers. Childhood cancers especially haematological cancers and retinoblastoma are also increasing daily”, he added.

Alausa said that the gory statistics has shown that cancer has become an emerging disease in Nigeria and of serious public health concern.

This, he said, informed the resolve of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to take the leadership role and harness all available material and human resources within its domain to disrupt the pattern from gaining grounds or becoming established.

“I want to assure you that under this administration, we are deliberate in our commitment to vigorously address the health needs of Nigerians with particular interest in cancer care.

“This underscores my delight in the unveiling of Abuja and by extension Nigeria, as a member of City Cancer Challenge network today as a welcome development.

“We are ready to partner with City Cancer Challenge Foundation and its partners and indeed all stakeholders to advance cancer care in our country.”

Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, said that the National Assembly was committed to ensuring that the Cancer Health Fund (CHF), was beefed up to meet the care needs of indigent cancer patients.

According to him, N750 million was budgeted for the fund in the 2020 Appropriation Act, to take care of the breast, cervical and prostate cancers which based on statistics are prevalent in Nigeria.
Oloriegbe who was the Senate Committee Chairman on Health of the ninth National Assembly, said that the fund as labelled in the appropriation was supposed to be a counterpart of government with a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

“The appropriation reduced to N250 million the following year and in 2023 it came down to N150 million.

“Recently we had a meeting to talk about the implementation of that fund for more effectiveness and efficiency and we the parliamentarians are committed to increase it to one billion naira in the 2024 budget.

“We will also establish a childhood cancer care fund of N500 million”, he added.

The Director-General, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Dr Usman Aliyu, spoke about the National Cancer Research Agenda.
He said that it serves as a roadmap for collective efforts, bringing together the best minds in the field and harnessing the power of research to make a meaningful difference in the lives of cancer patients.

He added that the agenda was centred on prevention and early detection, diagnosis and treatment, support and care as well as research and innovation.

“Through research in these areas, we aim to develop effective preventive strategies, improve early detection methods, enhance treatment options, and provide better support and care for cancer patients and survivors.

“Additionally, we emphasise the need for a strong focus on research and innovation in the areas of cancer cell biology and genomics, implementation, and behavioural science, which will be the driving force behind the development of new and more effective policies on cancer prevention and therapies.”

To achieve the goals, Aliyu said that collaboration and partnership were crucial.
He said that the National Strategic Cancer Control Plan and the National Strategic Plan for prevention of cancer of uterine cervix were products of the previous plans from the Federal Ministry of Health.

“It is our intention to ensure that we align with National Health Development Plan as well as the global strategy for elimination of cancer of the uterine cervix by the year 2030.

Also speaking at the event, the Regional Director for Africa and Europe, City Cancer Challenge (C/Can), Sophie Bussman-Kemdjo, said that the theme of the week was a powerful call to action on the disparity care for cancer.

Speaking about the C/Can initiative, she said it was aimed at supporting cities around the world as they work to improve access to equitable, quality cancer care.

“The reality is that many people living with cancer, particularly those living in countries limited by a lack of resources, don’t have a fair shot at receiving quality cancer care.

“A recent study revealed that nearly 60 per cent of the 27,000 Nigerians surveyed confront enormous barriers in accessing healthcare.

“It’s a challenge, but it is one that the C/Can initiative in Abuja is rising to meet.

“In Abuja, we have mobilised the commitment and brought together the expertise of leading organisations to work with city stakeholders to design, plan and implement data-driven, locally-driven cancer care solutions.”

According to her, C/Can which is present in 14 cities across the world will be supporting Abuja to better understand its cancer care landscape through a comprehensive analysis of the needs, gaps and opportunities, targeting critical areas for strengthening and informing a city-wide strategy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that C/Can is a Swiss based foundation that supports cities from low and middle income countries around the world in their efforts to close the access to cancer treatment. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza