Crime
Transport workers develop bylaws to curb sexual harassment in motor parks
Transport workers in Kaduna State on Wednesday commenced the process of developing bylaws to curb sexual harassment and other forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in motor parks.
The transport workers were National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Tricycle Riders and Owners Cooperative Society of Nigeria, Tricycle and Wheel Riders Operators Multipurpose Cooperative and Tricycle Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
The development of the bylaws for the different groups is being supported by Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI), an NGO, under its “We for Them” project, designed to curb sexual harassment in public places.
The NURTW State Secretary, Special Duties, Mr Hassan Ibrahim, said in Kaduna during the awareness seminar on SGBV, organised by EWEI, that the union had made provisions for addressing issues of SGBV in its constitution.
Ibrahim, however, noted that the provisions were not comprehensive enough to address all issues of sexual harassment and violence.
He explained that developing the bylaw was very crucial to address other issues of SGBV that the union ‘s constitution did not cover.
Also, the Chairman of Tricycle Riders and Owners Cooperative Society of Nigeria, Mrs. Yohana Gaiya, said that the bylaw would strengthen the society’s response to SGBV incidence being committed in their packs.
“This will enable us to align our operations with existing laws relating to SGBV in the state,” she said.
Similarly, Malam Isah Abdullahi, Secretary, Tricycle and Wheel Rids Operators Multipurpose Cooperative, said that developing the bylaws would help keep their members in check.
According to him, the move will ensure a comprehensive protection of commuters against harassment and clearly define and document sanctions for any member that indulges in sexual harassment of passengers, including his spouse.
Similarly, the State Coordinator, Kaduna Civil Society SGBV Coalition, Bukola Ajao, commended the road transport workers for being decisive in curbing SGBV in their packs through documents, code of conducts and sanctions.
Ajao, a legal practitioner said that she would work with EWEI to provide the needed technical support to the transport workers to complete the development of the bylaws.
Earlier, EWEI’s Programme Officer, Gender, Mr. Mendie Jeremiah, said that the “We for Them” project was being supported by the African Women’s Development Fund.
Jeremiah said that the transport workers were already trained on existing laws concerning sexual and gender-based violence in the state.
“Today’s session was organised for the transport workers to make recommendations for the bylaw that would address sexual harassment and gender-based violence within motors in Kaduna State.
“One of the things the bylaws will address is behaviours of members within and outside the parks, as well as community members and traders that patronise them.
“The recommendations will be in line with the existing NURTW and the tricycle riders group constitutions, Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and other relevant laws and policies in Kaduna State”, he said.
Crime
NDLEA smashes int’l drug syndicate, arrests 5
Crime
Police admit officer shot man killed on Lagos fuel queue
The Lagos State Police Command has admitted that one of its officers is responsible for the death of a young man, Toheeb Eniafe.
Toheeb was shot on Wednesday at a petrol station belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited at Obalende in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
Eniafe was reported to have been shot dead while he and some others were resisting the move by some security agents to buy fuel without joining the queue.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed this on Thursday.
He said, “The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos.
“Investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available.
“Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command is working with the family of the deceased to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice,” the PRO stated.
Crime
Internet fraudster bags seven years in Port Harcourt
Justice P.M Ayua of the Federal High Court sitting in PortHarcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced one Odinakachi Prince Onyeoziri to seven years imprisonment.
He was jailed after pleading guilty to three-count charges bordering on internet fraud contrary to Section 14 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Section.
One of the count charges reads: “That you, Odinakachi Prince Onyeoziri, and Solmyr (atlarge) between June, 2021 to November, 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly caused your victims loss by inputting or suppressing data in computers thereby benefiting the aggregate sum of $3000 (Three thousand United States Dollars) and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 14(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Section.”
He pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.
In view of his guilty pleas, prosecuting counsel, I. Agwu sought to review the facts of the case through the investigating officer, Abalaka Stephen, an operative of the Commission. While being led in evidence, he told the court that the defendant was arrested by operatives of the Commission following a written petition by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, against the defendant for alleged internet fraud activities. He was thereafter apprehended sometime in February, 2024 at Owerri, Imo State.
Testifying further, he told the court that the defendant in his voluntary statement to the EFCC, confessed to being into internet fraud, spreading of computer virus, spamming and also causing his victims losses by inputting data in computers. He confessed benefiting an aggregate sum of Three Thousand United States Dollars ($3,000) by representing himself to unsuspecting victims as different individuals
Agwu, thereafter, sought to tender in evidence, the statements, and all the items recovered from the defendant. The court thereafter admitted the evidence and were marked as exhibits.
Thereafter, the trial judge declared him guilty as charged.
Defence counsel, B. Onuoha, on the other hand prayed the court for leniency. He appealed to the court to temper justice with mercy, considering his status as a first-time offender, and remorse for his actions.
Justice Ayua sentenced him to seven years imprisonment cumulatively with Three Million Naira (3,000,000.00) as an option of fine payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In addition, the judge ordered that, items recovered from the convict, two laptops, a mobile device, Toyota Highlander with Registration: NKR 736 AA, two story buildings containing six units of two bedroom flats should be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Additionally, the convict shall depose an affidavit of good behaviour before the court.
-
capital market2 years ago
Rt.briscoe, FBNH, Others halts negative performance of stock market
-
Finance3 months ago
Court orders Sen. Victor Umeh to repay N136m bank debt to AMCON
-
Abuja Update2 months ago
UNDP, FG partnership needed to achieve inclusion, equity- Minister
-
Abuja Update1 month ago
Banks drive stock market performance with N147bn gain
-
Business2 weeks ago
Tingo Group unveils Tingo Electric, Tingo Cola drink at Lagos launch
-
Health3 weeks ago
Capacity training will reduce migration of health workers- NPHCDA
-
News4 months ago
Oil thieves sponsoring malicious media campaign against Navy – Spokesman
-
Infotech1 month ago
World Backup Day: NITDA urges Nigerians to ensure backup of data