News
CASTRATION OF RAPE OFFENDERS: NHRC Urges El- Rufai To Withhold Assent
Alhassan Bala,Abuja.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concern over the recent amendment of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law No.5 of 2017, providing stiffer penalties to the offence of rape, including castration of offenders, saying that castration in this regard negates human rights standards and principles and therefore should be jettisoned.
The Commission is therefore calling on the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to withhold his assent to the amended Penal Code Law until the State Assembly expunges the aspect of the law that stipulates castration of culprits “because this is contrary to Section 34 (1)(a) of the Constitution of Nigeria and its implementation therefore constitutes a violation of right to dignity of human person”.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu Esq. who stated this in Abuja weekend while reacting to new Kaduna State House of Assembly legislation on rape and other Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) observed that the said amendments violates Section 2(ix) of Anti-Torture Act of 2017, which outlaws “mutilation such as amputation of essential parts of the body such as the genitalia, ears or tongue and any other part of the body”.
According to the Executive Secretary, the amendment violates principal corpus of international human rights norms, including article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which provide that no one shall be subject to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. “Which means there can be no justification for torture, no exceptional circumstance whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability or any other public emergency, may be invoked as justification for torture”, the human rights Chief Executive Officer recalled.
The Commission, whilst acknowledging the power of the Kaduna State House of Assembly under section 4(6) and (7) of the Constitution of Nigeria “to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the State or any part thereof,” states that in this circumstance, legislative power has not been exercised for the common good, for human rights and dignity of citizens of Kaduna State, he emphasised.
Ojukwu therefore restated that torture cannot be justified even with criminal jurisdiction exercised in accordance with internal law such as the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State, otherwise it will be tantamount to legislating torture.
The Chief Human Rights Officer in Nigeria cited the 2017 Penal Code Law, wherein the offence of rape carried a sentence of 21 years imprisonment for the rape of an adult and life imprisonment for the rape of a minor, and “the Commission considers these provisions to be comprehensive in line with national best practices, whereas the new amendment is capable of undermining the progress Nigeria is making in the protection of human rights and advancement of the rule of law.
He stated the readiness of the Commission to work together with Kaduna State and relevant stakeholders to implement a state-wide strategy of combating rape and other sexual and gender-based violence(SGBV) which will be focused on social mobilisation and communication, enhance reporting of rape and SGBV cases, effective investigations and prosecution based on the pre-existing legal regime.
News
Arewa APC Merger Group Hails President Tinubu for Release of Detained minors
The Arewa APC Merger Group has thanked President Bola Tinubu for his swift and compassionate response in ordering the release of detained minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests.
In a statement signed by National Coordinator Hon. Musa Mujahid Zaitawa in Abuja, the group expressed gratitude for the President’s decisive action, which has brought renewed hope to many Nigerians.
The group commended President Tinubu for showing strong leadership on the issue, noting that his actions demonstrate a commitment to justice and the well-being of Nigeria’s youth.
They emphasized that this move reassures citizens of the President’s dedication to fairness and the protection of human rights under his administration.
The release order from President Tinubu came after the Arewa APC Merger Group took substantial steps to advocate for the detained children.
In response to reports of mistreatment, including allegations of malnutrition and poor conditions, the group provided essential food and support to the minors both at the Federal High Court in Abuja and while in custody.
This effort underscored the group’s commitment to the welfare of young Nigerians and their resolve to seek justice.
Hon. Musa Mujahid Zaitawa stated that the group is encouraged by the President’s response and considers it a positive signal of his administration’s commitment to addressing national issues with compassion and responsibility.
The Arewa APC Merger Group remains hopeful that this action will set a precedent for prioritizing the rights and well-being of Nigeria’s youth across the country.
President Tinubu’s decision to release the children reflects his administration’s acknowledgment of the calls from various stakeholders to uphold justice and safeguard the future of young Nigerians.
The Arewa APC Merger Group expressed their appreciation for this significant step, which they believe will strengthen public confidence in the government’s dedication to the rights of all citizens.
News
Breaking: Court Drops Charges Against Minors
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday struck out the charges brought against a total of 119 #EndBadGovernance protesters.
All 119 protesters were arraigned on Friday, November 1 on charges bordering on Treason felony, inciting to mutiny, among others.
The defendants were arraigned in two batches at the previous proceeding.
The first batch comprised a total of 76 protesters which included 32 minors and the second batch a total of 43 protesters.
The trial judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, struck out the suit following an application by the counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation, M. D Abubakar, to take over and discontinue the matter.
Punch
News
NNPP Crisis: Assembly Members Deny Factional Differences
By Salisu Baso
As the crisis erupted within Kano’s ruling party NNPP, with some members calling for the governor to stand independently, the Kano State House of Assembly has denied knowledge of any of its members being involved in the rifts.
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Lawan Hussain, representing Dala Constituency, revealed this to newsmen in an interview with journalists over the publication of an online newspaper, Daily Nigeria, stating that some members of the NNPP in the House have joined the factional crisis.
He described the news as a fabricated and mischievous story from unpatriotic elements planning to destroy the peace reigning within the party. He said that as far as the members of the House are concerned, there are no conflicts between the governor and the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The Majority Leader therefore assured the party parliament members of their solid support for the leader of the Kwankwasiyya and state governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, adding that the governor considers Senator Kwankwaso his mentor.
On the issue of some party members calling for the governor to be independent (Tsaya da Kafar Ka), Hon. Dala said the governor is operating independently without interference from any person. He therefore accused some opposition politicians from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, of sponsoring unpatriotic people to ignite a crisis in the state with a view to disrupting the government’s development initiatives.
Arewa APC Merger Group Hails President Tinubu for Release of Detained minors
Gov. Yusuf, Falana SAN, Secure the Release of 71 Kano Minors Arrested During August Protest
Breaking: Court Drops Charges Against Minors
NNPP Crisis: Assembly Members Deny Factional Differences
Kano Commissioner Sponsors 500 Students for NCE Program
Exclusive: How Kano Govt. Withdraws Accreditation of 14 Journalists Covering Government House
Northern Power Outage: Kano Manufacturers Lose Over 100 Billion Naira, May Lay Off Workers
APC Crisis : Chieftain gives Ganduje 7 days ultimatum to resign
Civil Society Situation Room Applauds KANSIEC for Peaceful Conduct of Elections
Kano Assembly Describes Power Outage to North as Economic Sabotage
Arewa APC Merger Group Hails President Tinubu for Release of Detained minors
Gov. Yusuf, Falana SAN, Secure the Release of 71 Kano Minors Arrested During August Protest
Breaking: Court Drops Charges Against Minors
NNPP Crisis: Assembly Members Deny Factional Differences
Kano Commissioner Sponsors 500 Students for NCE Program
Exclusive: How Kano Govt. Withdraws Accreditation of 14 Journalists Covering Government House
Northern Power Outage: Kano Manufacturers Lose Over 100 Billion Naira, May Lay Off Workers
APC Crisis : Chieftain gives Ganduje 7 days ultimatum to resign
Civil Society Situation Room Applauds KANSIEC for Peaceful Conduct of Elections
Kano Assembly Describes Power Outage to North as Economic Sabotage
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