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NHRC calls on Govt to Decriminalize Petty Offences

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From Alhassan Bala,Abuja

The National Human Rights Commission NHRC has called on government at all levels to put measures in place to decriminalize petty offences to serve as one of the strategies to decongest detention/correctional facilities across the country.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission Tony Ojukwu Esq made this call during sensitization on decimalization of petty offences for stakeholders in the Justice Sector Institutions in Borno State.

The event was organized by the NHRC in collaboration with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as an activity under the NHRC/UNHCR IDPs/Returnees Human Rights Monitoring Project.

Ojukwu who was represented by the Commission’s Director of Women, Children and Vulnerable Groups Mr. Harry Ogwuche Obe, said reports by human rights monitors on the field show that Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) also referred to as Population Of Concern (POCs) are held in detention and correctional facilities over petty offences such as begging, hawking, loitering, failure to pay debts, disrespect to parent, prostitution etc. “this seriously contributes to congestion in these facilities” he added.

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He advocated that such petty offences should be considered as simple infractions or mere misdemeanor that non-custodian sentencing could be used as a punitive measure to curtail.

He added that “due to their vulnerability, the POCs always come in conflict with the law, as such the Commission will engage further with legislatures in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states to ensure seamless processes to decriminalize of petty offences”.

He said once the decriminalization law is passed in any of these states, it will affect not only the IDPs but every one living within the community.

Participants at the event said due to poverty, petty offences are on the increase among the POCs because their circumstances have made them vulnerable, and constantly in need and unable to take care of their basic necessities.

While calling on the government and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in addressing factors responsible for such petty offences, they also called on parents to raise up to their responsibilities by educating their wards to avoid been caught up in the trap of petty offences.

NHRC calls on govt to Decriminalize Petty Offences

The National Human Rights Commission NHRC has called on government at all levels to put measures in place to decriminalize petty offences to serve as one of the strategies to decongest detention/correctional facilities across the country.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission Tony Ojukwu Esq made this call during sensitization on decimalization of petty offences for stakeholders in the Justice Sector Institutions in Borno State.

The event was organized by the NHRC in collaboration with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as an activity under the NHRC/UNHCR IDPs/Returnees Human Rights Monitoring Project.

Ojukwu who was represented by the Commission’s Director of Women, Children and Vulnerable Groups Mr. Harry Ogwuche Obe, said reports by human rights monitors on the field show that Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) also referred to as Population Of Concern (POCs) are held in detention and correctional facilities over petty offences such as begging, hawking, loitering, failure to pay debts, disrespect to parent, prostitution etc. “this seriously contributes to congestion in these facilities” he added.

He advocated that such petty offences should be considered as simple infractions or mere misdemeanor that non-custodian sentencing could be used as a punitive measure to curtail.

He added that “due to their vulnerability, the POCs always come in conflict with the law, as such the Commission will engage further with legislatures in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states to ensure seamless processes to decriminalize of petty offences”.

He said once the decriminalization law is passed in any of these states, it will affect not only the IDPs but every one living within the community.

Participants at the event said due to poverty, petty offences are on the increase among the POCs because their circumstances have made them vulnerable, and constantly in need and unable to take care of their basic necessities.

While calling on the government and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene in addressing factors responsible for such petty offences, they also called on parents to raise up to their responsibilities by educating their wards to avoid been caught up in the trap of petty offences.

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Holiday Bonanza: Dangote Reduces PMS Price to N899.50k

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the price of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) product to below N900 per litre, to provide much-needed relief for Nigerians ahead of the holiday season. Africa’s first privately-owned oil refinery, which previously lowered the price to N970 per litre on November 24, has now announced a new price of N899.50 per litre. This reduction is designed to ease transport costs during the festive period. In a statement issued by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, the company also introduced a special offer to further benefit consumers. In addition to the holiday discount, Dangote Petroleum Refinery is allowing consumers to purchase an additional litre of fuel on credit for every litre bought on a cash basis. To alleviate transport costs during this holiday season, Dangote Refinery is offering a holiday discount on PMS. From today, our petrol will be available at N899.50 per litre at our truck loading gantry or SPM. Furthermore, for every litre purchased on a cash basis, consumers will have the opportunity to buy another litre on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank,” said Chiejina. The refinery also expressed its gratitude to Nigerians for their continued support as the country enters the festive season. Chiejina further emphasised the refinery’s commitment to ensuring Nigerians have access to premium quality petroleum products that are competitively priced, as well as environmentally and engine friendly. He highlighted that the refinery’s operations mark the end of Nigeria being a dumping ground forfor substandard and ‘blended’ imported products, which have posed significant risks to human health, machinery, and the environment. The Dangote Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (BPD), is the largest single-train refinery in the world. It is fully capable of meeting 100% of Nigeria’s refined petroleum product requirements, with a surplus available for export.

 

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Gov. Yusuf accuses opposition parties of fueling political crisis in Kano metropolis

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

 

 

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has accused actors in the opposition parties of fueling civic unrest and political instability in Kano.

Governor Yusuf pointed the accusing fingers while briefing journalists during the State Executive Council Meeting Wednesday, vowed to deploy drastic measures necessary to nip the resurgence of thuggery in the bud.

The Governor’s reaction follows the recent bloody crisis between some suspected political thugs who unleashed terror on another gang of politicians.

In a statement by Spokesperson of the Governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Governor Yusuf revealed that intelligence brief abreast with after the state security council held Tuesday clearly exposed the atrocities of those sponsoring unrest in Kano.

According to the statement, the Governor posited the elements in the opposition, who are not comfortable with the steady development, peace and stability in the state, embedded to provoke needless crisis.

Gov. Yusuf however reassured determination of his administration to confront the challenges with equal force, insisted government would not henceforth, tolerate attempt by any elements to frustrate the enduring peace and tranquility in the state.

In the release, Governor Yusuf assured the resolution of the government to work with all the security agencies in the state to checkmate the excesses of the criminal minded elements being sponsored to cause problem.

Governor Yusuf will soon reopen the state own Reformatory Centre, at Kiru local government area as part of measures to rehabilitate and control drug abuse in the state.

During the Wednesday council meeting, the Governor also brief plans to inaugurate the newly constituted 46 of Shura Consultative Council compose of renowned Islamic Scholars, members of the academia, and other stakeholders.

To check unemployment, the Governor is determined to roll massive youth empowerment initiatives in the coming year to ensure that a significant per cent of the youth become self’relient.

 

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President Tinubu Arrives In Lagos Ahead Of Christmas Holiday

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President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Lagos from Abuja ahead of the Christmas celebrations.

The President was received at the airport by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, along with other state officials.

He is expected to proceed to his private residence in the state.

His arrival follows the presentation of the 2025 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

He described it as the “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity.” The proposal, he explained, is aimed at stabilizing the economy, fostering an equitable business environment, and promoting inclusive growth.

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