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NAPTIP advocates equal punishment for gravity of GBV Cases

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DG NAPTIP

Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi, the Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has called on Judges to serve punishment worth the gravity of offences in trafficking cases.

The D-G made the call in a statement in Abuja by Mr Vincent Adekoye, the Assistant Public Relations Officer of the agency.

It stated that Waziri-Azi made the call at the opening session of a two-day capacity building workshop of the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJN), in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

The D-G appealed to Judges across the federation to place same measure of sanction on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases.

She stated that human trafficking offenders and perpetrators of SGBV should be served with sentencing commensurable with the magnitude of offences committed, to send signals and serve as a deterrent.

CITAD Decries Alleged Gender Based Violence At Kano Higher Institution

She noted that some of the offenders often went home with light sentencing in the past, adding that the agency had recorded cases of repeat offenders and this posed great danger to the society.

According to her, Judges have indispensable roles to play in the eradication of human trafficking, curtailing of rapes and minimising cases of SGBV.

She stressed that it was important for the judges to be adequately acquainted with the provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 (TIPPEA).

“The aim of the Act as stated in section 1 is to provide an effective and comprehensive legal and institutional frame work for the prohibition, prevention, detection, prosecution and punishment of trafficking offenders and other related crimes.

“The Act is also to promote and facilitate national and international cooperation. I am pleading with you all my Lords, the Judges to always consider the stiffer penalties and convictions that are commensurable with the magnitude of crime.

“This is very important as it serves as deterrent and it will assuage the trauma of the victims.”
She enumerated some of the operational challenges faced by the agency to include low reportage, the relationship between suspects and victims, lack of cooperation from the source/vulnerable communities.

Others are difficulty of procuring witnesses from remote areas, unavailability of lawyers to take up civil cases on behalf of victims on Pro-Bono basis, and this is making it difficult for victims to get compensation from their traffickers.

Waziri-Azi also disclosed that the agency had secured conviction of 519 traffickers, rescued and counselled 17, 727 victims.

It also sponsored 17 victims to higher institutions out of which 3 were employed in the service of the agency.

Others according to her, are establishment of 20 State Task Forces across the Country and increased partnership with diverse stakeholders with a reloaded advocacy and sensitisation.

The statement also reported Justice Ibrahim-Tanko Mohammed, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, as saying that SGBV against women were severe human rights violations that must be addressed with all seriousness.

According to him, the roles of female judges in the adjudication of gender based issues cannot be over emphasised.

The statement also disclosed that at the first technical session, Justice Amina Augie, Justice of the Supreme Court, and the female judges were angered by reasons victims of human trafficking and other abuses were in pitiable traumatic state.

Augie stressed that victims had continued to nurse the wounds inflicted on them by heartless traffickers.

Having been exploited, the traffickers are often pampered erroneously or unintentionally with light sentencing.

She pleaded with judges who presided over such cases to consider the plight and exploitation of victims in deciding the cases of human trafficking and domestic violence.

Augie urged the judges to overlook some of the salient technicalities which often denied victims adequate justice, and commended NAPTIP DG for her tireless efforts in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.

The female Judges, however, called for synergy among law enforcement agencies in tackling such cases in the country.

They also called for advocacy and awareness, to reduce the vulnerability of the people and get the Judges informed properly on all emerging counter trafficking legal frameworks.

The statement disclosed that the workshop was attended by judges, prosecutors, development partners, including Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants and other stakeholders. (NAN)

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IG Withdraws Police Attached To Kano Anti-Corruption Agency

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About 40 policemen providing security and investigation support to Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission have been withdrawn by the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

The withdrawal follows investigations of multi-billion naira corruption against the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje.

DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that the IGP gave the order for the withdrawal of the policemen to the State Commissioner of Police Usaini Gumel on Thursday.

affected policemen read: “Order and Directives to all officers and men of the Nigeria police force attached to public complaint and Anti corruption commission Kano State are warned directed to report back to Command headquarters with immediate effect those with high profile cases to hand over such to Head of Operations immediately all to acknowledge please.”

A credible source at the commission told our reporter that some of the policemen are helping the commission anti-corruption investigations, providing security to the commission’s headquarters and other seized properties under investigation.

When contacted on the matter, the force public relations officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, neither responded to a call or reply to a message sent to his known phone number at the time of filing this report.

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Dangote Group is the elixir of Gateway int’l Trade Fair – OGUNCCIMA

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Ogun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) has described the Dangote Group as the driving force of the Gateway International Trade Fair.

This is just as companies under the leading African Indigenous Conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited, hit the trade fair with their various products as part of strategies to increase market share and deepen customers’ affection.

The President of the chamber, Engr. Mike Akingbade, stated this when Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun officially opened the 13th edition of the Trade Fair at the M.K.O Abiola Trade Fair Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta

Akingbade lauded the support of Dangote Group in sustaining the Trade Fair, which he noted has led to the prosperity of the state and economic freedom for the people.

“A special commendation must be given to Dangote Industries Limited which has remained the major sponsor of the Gateway International Trade Fair for many years. The committed support of the Dangote Group is the elixir with which the trade fair is activated and OGUNCCINA is eternally grateful for the wonderful gesture of the company,” he said.

He said the 13th Gateway International Trade Fair with the theme: “Achieving Economic Prosperity through Business Connection, Trade and Investment, “is aimed among others, to allow businesses to expand their reach, access new markets, and diversify their customer base. He emphasized that forging robust business connections, participating in trade activities, and making strategic investments will unlock new markets, stimulate economic growth, and enhance overall prosperity.

The Regional Sales Director, Dangote Cement PLC, Lagos/Ogun, Mr Tunde Mabogunje in his goodwill address, assured Ogun state government and OGUNCIMMA of the continuous support of the company, noting that the Group is dedicated to enhancing the prosperity of Nigeria by creating opportunities for Nigerians and businesses in the country.

Mabogunje said visitors to the Dangote Group’s pavilion at the fair will have the opportunity of buying products of these companies at reasonably reduced prices as the Dangote businesses will be selling at discounted prices.

He also hinted that the Dangote Refinery will be part of the next edition of the Trade Fair.

“We want to appreciate Ogun state for bringing us as a partner. We want to assure you that we will be here next year bigger. By next year, our refinery will be part of the Trade Fair,” he said.

Governor Dapo Abiodun who visited the Dangote pavilion immediately after performing the ribbon-cutting ceremony, commended the company and others for supporting the Trade Fair which he noted is aimed at stimulating economic growth.

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Tuggar urges Nigerians in Netherlands to stimulate Nigeria’s economic growth

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has met with Nigerian professionals in the Netherlands ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s participation at the Nigeria-Dutch Business and Investment Forum.

The event, which took place on February 24, 2024, provided a platform for fruitful discussions on various topics of importance to the Nigerian diaspora community. The Minister emphasized the importance of fostering strong ties between Nigeria and its diaspora communities worldwide. He highlighted the “Tinubu 4Ds” framework, which focuses on Democracy, Development, Demography and Diaspora as central pillars for engaging with Nigerians abroad.

Amb. Tuggar posited that the administration of President Tinubu recognizes the immense potential of the Nigerian diaspora in driving national development and that the government is committed to creating enabling environments for diaspora investments and contributions to key sectors of the economy. He also submitted that the government remains dedicated to upholding the dignity and rights of Nigerians living abroad.

In addition to discussing the Tinubu 4Ds framework, the engagement also focused on investment opportunities in Nigeria. The Honourable Minister highlighted the favourable business climate, ongoing economic reforms, and investment incentives available to Nigerians in the diaspora interested in investing back home.

He also informed the gathering that the government is committed to ensuring Financial Vehicles such as the Diaspora Fund which will harness funds to be used for infrastructure, healthcare, and agricultural programmes. He further stated that one of the priorities of the government via its 4D Foreign Policy will prioritize the diaspora by establishing frameworks such as the Diaspora Fund and Sector-based communities that make it possible to harness the greatness of the Nigerian Diaspora in the Netherlands via its skills and ideas to drive development back home.

The Minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to exploring mechanisms for granting dual citizenship to Nigerians abroad and enabling diaspora voting in future elections.

 

 

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