• Hot Source
• Uncategorized
• October 7, 2025
• 0 views

UK supports Benue with forensic project to boost justice for rape, assault survivors

The British High Commission in Nigeria has selected Benue State as one of the pilot locations for a groundbreaking forensic science initiative aimed at improving the investigation and prosecution of rape and sexual assault cases. The announcement was made during a courtesy visit to the Benue State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs
UK supports Benue with forensic project to boost justice for rape, assault survivors

The British High Commission in Nigeria has selected Benue State as one of the pilot locations for a groundbreaking forensic science initiative aimed at improving the investigation and prosecution of rape and sexual assault cases.

The announcement was made during a courtesy visit to the Benue State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Theresa Apochi-Ikwue, by Mr. Kelvin Hurley, a British Police officer with Scotland Yard, and Mr. Roger Raweus, a retired British military officer and Senior Advisor with SPRING Tetra Tech International Development Company, Abuja.

Hurley explained that the initiative will employ modern DNA testing to analyze biological samples such as semen, saliva, or blood obtained from survivors.

The goal, he noted, is to develop DNA profiles that can help identify suspects and ensure justice is served. In cases where rape results in pregnancy, DNA testing will also be used to establish paternity.

According to him, the delegation was in Benue to seek collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Commissioners for Health, Justice, and Women Affairs, the Police, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, to create the synergy needed for the project’s smooth implementation.

The project, which is fully funded by the British Government, will provide training for police officers, doctors, health personnel, social workers, and other relevant professionals on the collection, preservation, and use of forensic evidence.

It will also strengthen investigations beyond sexual violence cases, extending to crimes such as kidnapping and banditry.

Furthermore, the British Government will assist in setting up modern shelters for survivors, support the Sexual Assault Referral Centre, SARC, in Benue, and advocate for stronger legal provisions to enable the admissibility of forensic evidence in court proceedings.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Theresa Odachi Ikwue, expressed deep gratitude to the British Government for selecting Benue as a pilot state.

She assured the visiting team of her ministry’s full cooperation and reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre, SARC, Mrs Linda Dirisu, pointed out that one of the challenges the Centre faces is that after 78 hours, it becomes difficult to obtain accurate test results from survivors.

Responding to this concern, Hurley explained that with forensic science, investigators can still gather vital evidence even after several days.

He stated that DNA traces on clothing or other materials can remain viable and assist in identifying offenders, emphasizing that forensic science remains effective regardless of time delays.

Dirisu commended the British Government for the intervention, saying it would greatly enhance the Centre’s ability to handle SGBV cases efficiently.

She pledged her full support to the success of the initiative and expressed confidence that it would significantly reduce cases of sexual and gender-based violence in Benue and across Nigeria.

Those in attendance at the meeting included Mrs Theresa Odachi Ikwue, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare; MrsbMartha Edor, Permanent Secretary; Mr. Kelvin Hurley; Mr. Roger Raweus; CSP Ameh Ann (Special Police); Mrs Andor M. Magdalene, Director of Women Affairs; and Linda Ene Dirisu-Ochigbo, State Coordinator of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre, SARC.

UK supports Benue with forensic project to boost justice for rape, assault survivors

• Hot Source
• Uncategorized
• October 7, 2025
• 0 views

Christian genocide: Insecurity affects all Nigerians – Senate counters US

Lawmakers led by the Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, have rejected United States claims of Christian persecution, insisting that Nigeria’s insecurity transcends religion and affects all citizens. The federal legislators countered what they described as a “dangerous and misleading” narrative portraying Nigeria as a country where genocide is being perpetrated against Christians. The Senate’s
Christian genocide: Insecurity affects all Nigerians – Senate counters US

Lawmakers led by the Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, have rejected United States claims of Christian persecution, insisting that Nigeria’s insecurity transcends religion and affects all citizens.

The federal legislators countered what they described as a “dangerous and misleading” narrative portraying Nigeria as a country where genocide is being perpetrated against Christians.

The Senate’s response followed a motion sponsored by Ndume and co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North), and Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), titled ‘Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ narrative in Nigeria and the international communities’.

The sponsors warned that such narratives, if left unchallenged could deepen sectarian divisions, distort international perceptions, and undermine Nigeria’s diplomatic relations and internal unity.

In the motion, Ndume noted that while Christian communities have indeed suffered tragic and unacceptable attacks in some parts of the country, Nigerians of all faiths have been victims of the widespread insecurity caused by terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts.

According to him, the mischaracterisation of these complex security challenges as a religious war does not reflect the reality on the ground, stressing that both Muslims and Christians have suffered significant casualties in different parts of the country.

“Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation whose unity and stability depend on mutual understanding, responsible communication, and accurate representation of facts,” he said.

Christian genocide: Insecurity affects all Nigerians – Senate counters US

• Hot Source
• Uncategorized
• October 7, 2025
• 6 views

There’s political genocide against Christians in northern Nigeria – Aisha Yesufu

A sociopolitical activist, Aisha Yesufu, on Tuesday disclosed that there is political genocide against Christians in northern Nigeria. This comes after American comedian and television host, Bill Maher, claimed there have been coordinated attacks on Nigerian Christians. Maher alleged that there is a “Christian genocide”, adding that the attacks were driven by foreign actors. “I’m
There’s political genocide against Christians in northern Nigeria – Aisha Yesufu

A sociopolitical activist, Aisha Yesufu, on Tuesday disclosed that there is political genocide against Christians in northern Nigeria.

This comes after American comedian and television host, Bill Maher, claimed there have been coordinated attacks on Nigerian Christians.

Maher alleged that there is a “Christian genocide”, adding that the attacks were driven by foreign actors.

“I’m not a Christian, but they are systematically killing the Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over 100,000 since 2009. They’ve burned 18,000 churches. These are the Islamists, Boko Haram,” he said.

However, Yesufu posted on X: “You are shouting that Northern Christians are being persecuted but you championed Muslim Muslim ticket!

“Their Christianity was not Christian enough for you during the 2023 election.

“Your hypocrisy stinks to high heavens. When will you talk about the Northern Christians political genocide?”

There’s political genocide against Christians in northern Nigeria – Aisha Yesufu

• Hot Source
• Uncategorized
• October 7, 2025
• 4 views

‘Abuse of court process’ – SAN dismisses suit on Jonathan’s qualification for 2027 election

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Oba Maduabuchi, has described the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election as an abuse of court process. Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Maduabuchi said the issue of Jonathan’s qualification had
‘Abuse of court process’ – SAN dismisses suit on Jonathan’s qualification for 2027 election

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Oba Maduabuchi, has described the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election as an abuse of court process.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Maduabuchi said the issue of Jonathan’s qualification had already been settled by a competent court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and no appeal has been filed against that judgment.

He stated that until the existing judgment is overturned, it remains the valid legal position, adding that anyone attempting to relitigate the matter is “simply abusing the process of the court and is a busy body”.

The senior lawyer explained that the 2018 constitutional amendment — Section 137(3), which limits a person to one further term if they have previously completed another’s tenure — did not exist when Jonathan first took the oath of office in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Maduabuchi maintained that the law cannot be applied retroactively and that there was no legal restriction preventing Jonathan from seeking two full terms as President under the constitutional provisions in effect at the time.

He said: “Let me start by saying that that suit in the Federal High Court Abuja is an abuse of court process.

“An abuse of court process is when you want to relitigate a case or an issue that has already been settled by a court of competent jurisdiction.

“The issue of the qualification or non-qualification of Dr Goodluck Jonathan have been settled by the court in Yenagoa. Nobody has taken that issue on appeal. And until that judgment is set aside, it remains what the law is, and anybody who decides that he wants to take it to a court of coordinate jurisdiction is simply abusing the process of the court and is a busy body.

“But what controls a given situation is the position of the law when the act in the issue was done. What was the position of the law in 2011?

“When Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan took the oath of office as President of Nigeria, what was the position of the law? Was Section 1373 part of our laws then? You already said the law came into effect in 2018.

“So when Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was taking the oath of office to complete the tenure of Yar’Adua there was no statutory limitations in existence then which could inhibit him from running his constitutionally guaranteed two terms.

“There was no inhibition. When in 2018 you brought in the amendment of 1373, did Goodluck Ebele Jonathan take an oath as president after the amendment?”

‘Abuse of court process’ – SAN dismisses suit on Jonathan’s qualification for 2027 election

• Hot Source
• Uncategorized
• October 7, 2025
• 3 views

Keep quiet, you’re too small for me report to Tinubu – Umahi knocks Rufai Oseni on live TV

A drama ensued on Arise Television on Tuesday morning when the Minister of Works, David Umahi appeared in an interview on The Morning Show. The minister, at some point, was angered by the questions that were put out to him by one of the show’s anchors, Rufai Oseni, who also accused him (Umahi) of having
Keep quiet, you’re too small for me report to Tinubu – Umahi knocks Rufai Oseni on live TV

A drama ensued on Arise Television on Tuesday morning when the Minister of Works, David Umahi appeared in an interview on The Morning Show.

The minister, at some point, was angered by the questions that were put out to him by one of the show’s anchors, Rufai Oseni, who also accused him (Umahi) of having reported him (Oseni) to President Bola Tinubu over his views on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road.

The former Ebonyi State governor said he is a professor in the field of engineering to the dismay of Rufai, who demanded to know the year the minister became a professor.

Umahi, who explained that he did not obtain professorship from any school but from his experience in the engineering field, added, “Keep quiet and stop saying what you don’t know. I’m a professor in this field. You don’t understand anything.”

“You are too small for me to report the President. Stop saying I reported you to the President, you’re too small,” Umahi added after Rufai had repeatedly accused him of reporting him to the President.

“I understand engineering very well. You have no knowledge of what you ask. You have no knowledge of what you’re asking.”

“Minister, it’s it’s alright, keep dignifying yourself, and let the world know who you truly are,” Rufai responded.

Keep quiet, you’re too small for me report to Tinubu – Umahi knocks Rufai Oseni on live TV