Allafrica Post

Human Rights Lawyer, Barrister Leo Osa Uwagie has described the poor sanitary condition of some detention facilities in the country as form of torture to detainees. Barr Uwagie noted that, the poor sanitary condition especially that of the police force compel detainees to pay for bail to quickly leave these facilities for health reasons, which ordinarily they know is free. Uwagie was one of the guest speakers at a One-Day Symposium to mark 2019 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, held on Wednesday in Benin city, which was organised by the Edo Civil Society Organization (EDOCSO), an umbrella body of civil society groups in Edo state. The Human Rights Lawyer charged the Ministry of Environment to ensure detention facilities across the country meets required standard for such purpose. He urged environmental officials to also visit public institutions with detention facilities for thorough monitoring, as it would go a long way to ensure they are fit to...

The Edo Civil Society Organization (EDOCSO), a network of civil society groups   on Thursday held a One-Day training for its members on the Administration of Criminal Justice in Edo state. The training which   took place at the organization’s office in Benin city, is one of series of training to equip members with relevant   knowledge of the state’s justices   system. Governor Godwin Obaseki had in March 2018 assented to the Edo State Criminal Justice Administration Bill into Law, saying, the law would strengthen the protection of the rights of citizens and ensure fair and speedy administration of justice. However, taking members through some areas in the Law, the Deputy Coordinator-General of the group, Leftist Annie Umoru admonished members on the need to be abreast with the law as it will empower them to engage relevant   authorities effectively. According to Leftist Annie, “We have to equip ourselves with the relevant laws so we can be ab...

Barely 24-Hours after the senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State, Nicholas Tofowomo declared an alleged police brutality of some youths who staged a peaceful protest to Government House in Akure as unlawful, a former Ondo State House of Assembly candidate, Ilaje Constituency II, Hon Emmanuel Lebile has joined in the condemnation of the alleged police action, describing it as malicious. The senator had on Monday condemned the alleged brutality of youths from Ilaje Local Government Area of the state who where at the governor’s office to protest against the non-development of the riverine areas by the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Commission (OSOPADEC), but were dispersed by the operatives attached to the governor’s office. However, in a chat with The Nigerian Observer on Wednesday, Hon Lebile said it was an act of patriotism for the youths to unite and peacefully demand for what rightly belong to them as people from the area. Lebile who contested on ...

Following the heavy downpour which resulted in flooding in some parts of Benin city, the Edo state capital recently, residents of the affected areas has urged the state government to enforce relevant environmental laws to check indiscriminate dumping of waste in drainages and bring down structures built on erosion channels. The residents who are from erosion prone areas of Upper Sokponmba road (St Maria Goretti area), Ikpoba slope, Ewa road, Evbotubu, Behind Court of Appeal, Ugbowo-Lagos Road by Army Barracks Isihohor, Oba Eweka street of Benin-Auchi road and environs   said, poor waste management culture and non-adherence to building laws are reasons for the flooding. Recall last week, flooding from   heavy downpour   in parts of the state capital took over some houses, destroying properties worth   millions of   Naira, following which the state government cautioned residents to ensure that drains and water channels are not blocked from hindering ...

Despite a new directive by Edo State Government against indiscriminate parking on major roads and highways, commercial motorists still park, pick and drop passengers at unauthorized areas in Benin city, the state capital. The directive which also affect private motorists has been mostly violated by commercial bus and taxi drivers who undermine the presence of traffic officials stationed at ‘No Parking’ zones to carry out these acts of indiscipline. At Sapele, Sokponmba, Mission, Airport, Akpakpava and other major roads in the metropolis, these motorists are observed going about their day-to-day business in areas with ‘NO PARKING’ signs. Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq had recently in a statement, warned motorists in the state to obey the new directive, after an earlier directive showed a list of roads where parking of vehicles were ban in Benin City. According to the Edo SSG, “The State Government warns that commercial buses and other motorists c...