Allafrica Post

A 30-year old man, identified as Nathaniel, on Wednesday defiled a  5-year old girl at Ikhueniro in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo state. Nathaniel, a member of Oudua People’s Congress (OPC) was said to have lured the minor from her house to a nearby bush where he carried out the act. It was gathered, Nathaniel, who was a friend to the girl’s family came to the house when they were away. According to sources, the said Nathaniel had earlier on the same day attempted to rape a 15-year old sister of the victim at their home, but was resisted by her before he went ahead to defile the 5-year old. It was gathered, the 30-year old OPC member had been  indulging in the act with the minor, and had threatened to harm her if she ever told anyone about it. Luck however ran out for him that fateful day, when the minor who was discovered to be coming out from the bush after an initial search, opened up and told the search party what Nathaniel has been doing with her.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of his inauguration for second term in office, urging him to “publicly commit to making every day of your stay in Aso Rock a 'Rule of Law' Day, including by ensuring that every segment of your government’s daily operations is lawful and rule-of-law compliant, for the sake of fairness, justice, your legacy, and the success of your anti-corruption agenda, which has remained stuck in limbo.” The organization expressed: “serious concerns  that the results of the ‘rule of law MOT’ in the past four years are uniquely damaging to your government’s fight against corruption and to the country.” In a letter dated 29 May 2019 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “ Making a public commitment to dedicate every day of your second term as a ‘Rule of Law’ day will help to ensure that decisions of our courts are fully obeyed,

In a bid to update electricity consumers in Edo state, on the Electricity Theft Bill, passed recently by the Kabiru Adjoto-led State House of Assembly, Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has come out to state its position on the controversial law. Edo CSOs, a network of civil society groups in the state said, it has always advocate against electricity theft, as its position is for the inclusion of estimated billing, non provision of meters, irresponsibility of power company in the procurement of transformers, poles in the law. According to a statement issued by the activists on Monday, "The issues under contention are simple, it should be on record that Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) is not in support of electricity thievery of any kind, howbeit, the position canvassed is that, the issues of criminal estimated billing, deliberate non provision of meters, irresponsibility of power company in the procurement of transformers, poles and other ancillaries

Edo State government has reaffirmed it stance on the performance of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in the state. The Head of Service,   Mr. Isaac Ehiozuwa made this known yesterday while addressing members   of Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) who protested   to   Government House over   the passage of a Bill on Electricity Theft by Edo State House of Assembly. Mr. Ehiozuwa spoke on behalf of the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and assured that, the Governor will always be on the side of the people. According to the HOS, “the Governor’s position on electricity situation in the state still stands”. The House of Assembly had on Monday passed a law to prohibit electricity theft and other related offences as well as to establish a special court to try violators which the activists say does not address the criminalization of estimated billings, none provision of metres, transformers, and   poles. Governor Obaseki last year walked the Mana

Vehicular traffic was at a standstill today at Oba Ovoramwen Square in Benin city, following a peaceful protest by members   of Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) over the passage of a Bill on Electricity Theft by Edo State House of Assembly. The activists who took their protest to the Anthony Enahoro Complex and Government House, accused the Edo Lawmakers of protecting the interest of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), against the people who elected them to represent their interest. The Kabiru Adjoto-led House of Assembly had on Monday passed a law to prohibit electricity theft and other related offences as well as to establish a special court to try violators. But, Coordinator-General of Edo CSOs , Leftist Omobude Agho, termed the Bill ‘Anti People’, decrying it speedy passed without the house consulting the people despite being a matter of public importance. According to Leftist Agho,“we are not against the Bill, but we think it is not complete

The Edo branch of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has described   as a major breakthrough, the domestication of   The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in the State. Edo FIDA Chairperson, Iryn Omorogiuwa who stated this during an event in Benin City on Thursday   to Mark 2019 FIDA week in the state said, assent to the Bill by Governor Godwin Obaseki   brought a sigh of relief to stakeholders, particularly FIDA. According to Omorogiuwa, “this is a celebrated victory and a major breakthrough in the fight against violence, especially on women”. The FIDA Chairperson said, gender protection is the first step to creating enabling environment for women to contribute towards National development, adding, it has become necessary to have effective laws to check gender-base violence as well as ensure strict compliance. Commissioner for Justice, Yinka Omorogbe said, violence against women obstructs their participation in development, saying,”gend

The much publicized 7 th edition of Okpekpe International Road Race slated for May 25th 2019 may not hold, following plans by the people of Apana Community in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo state to stop the Race, over what they described as “erroneous tagging” of the event. The people who are demanding their community should reflect on the Race name, stated that, the Take-off point of the event form major part of their land hence the need to name it, ‘Apana/Okpekpe Road Race’ and not ‘Okpekpe Road Race’, as it is currently being used. The Okpekpe Road Race is an annual event that gathers world-class athletes from around the world for a 10-kilometre distance. It is an IAAF Silver Labeled Road Race run over hills and tarred roads in the Northern part of the state, with the sum of N45m as total prize money for this year’s event. In a petition to the State Government, signed by Notary Public, Apeiye Becon Clement ESQ on behalf of the community, they call f

Edo – Despite directive by the Force headquarters, that operatives should stop the indiscriminate search of citizens mobile phones and laptops , the police in Edo, especially   Benin city still act in defiance to the directive. Some   operatives   stationed at   Oba Ovoramwen Square popularly known as Ring Road, others   attached to the various police patrol teams and that of the state security outfit code-named ‘Operation Wabaizingan’ as well as those operating in unmarked vehicles   still stop and search   residence’s gadgets in the guise of looking out   for ‘evidence’. The police had directed his men to stop the indiscriminate search of citizens handsets and laptops unless it is directly linked to a case or directed by the Inspector General of Police or any person or persons he so delegated, following reports of unprofessional conduct of   some operatives attached to the now reformed Special Anti-robbery Squad ( SARS). However, it seems the directive is not bind