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Administration of Criminal Justice: CLEEN FOUNDATION Set Up Observatory, Monitoring Group In Edo

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2023

Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Against the back drop of challenges affecting the full implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), a civil society organisation, CLEEN FOUNDATION, on Wednesday established and launched a CSO observatory group aimed at monitoring the full implementation of the Act in Edo State.

The independent group set up is also expected to monitor the progress and challenges in the implementation of the ACJA , the state ACJL and the “compliance rate of the criminal justice actors to the unique provisions of the ACJA/state ACJL.”

In his opening remarks, Executive Director, CLEEN FOUNDATION, Mr. Gad Peter, said the group was set up as an advocacy for the full implementation of the laws which, according to him “is a critical step towards promoting transparency, accountability and rule of law in the state and country as a whole.”

Mr. Peter, represented by Mrs. Blessing Abiri, Programme Officer, CLEEN FOUNDATION, added that the group which composed of diverse range of stakeholders including civil society organizations, human rights groups, legal experts, and other relevant stakeholders, would also serve as “a platform for knowledge sharing and continuous learning on the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in Edo state.”

He said: “We’ve been over time monitoring the implementation, and from the data we have from our past programmes similar to this, we discovered there is need to scale up the project, and this why we are in Edo State.

“We all know if the criminal justice system is not functioning well, there will be a problem.”

According to him, “… It will lay the foundation for more interaction and collaborative relationship amongst stakeholders in monitoring the implementation of the Criminal Justice Reform process in Edo state and ultimately improve the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria.

“With the launch of the CSO Observatory group, members will be capacitated on key thematic areas that would support it to deliver on their mandate.”

In his good will message, Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Daniel Okungbowa, described the coming of ACJA as a fresh air to the judiciary, adding that the Act made possible the innovative electronic taking of statement in police station.

The Chief Judge represented by Hon. Justice M.E. Itsueli, while commending CLEEN FOUNDATION for taking the bold step, urged stakeholders to work as a chain that cannot be easily broken.

He expressed the state judiciary readiness to partner with the stakeholders for the success of the group.

Also in his goodwill message, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Dankwara, represented by Officer in Charge Legal Department, CSP Peter Ugwemba, while commending the Foundation, said the introduction of ACJA has speared the police of litigation against human rights violation, adding that the police in Edo is complying by the Act.

On her part, Adesuwa Ehimuan, Chairman, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Edo State, urged the media to be more involved in enlightenment of the public on the act and also expose those perpetrating violence against women and children.

She also urged stakeholders to always involve the media in gender base violence GBV cases with a view to bringing such to the public notice, so it serves as a deterrent to others.

News

Edo Seeks FG’s Intervention On Land Dispute With Delta

Published

8 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Government has appealed to the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, intercede on the land dispute between the state and its neighboring Delta.

Deputy governor of the state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa made the appeal when he led a delegation comprising officials of the state government and members of the Edo State Boundary Committee on a fact finding mission to disputed communities.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, said the fact finding mission was part of an effort to ensure peace,

Idahosa used the avenue to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to use his good office to ensure justice, equity, and fairness prevailed in the areas in dispute.

“I passionately call on the President to use all necessary demarcation agencies to resolve these lingering issues,” he appealed.

While suing for peace from the affected communities, Idahosa noted that the state government was determined to protect the territorial dignity of Edo State and that of the people of Orhionmwon.

He pointed out that the Jameson River is a natural demarcation landmark to the disputed Ugbakele boundary Community.

While calling on the state boundary committee to be diligent in their investigation, he stressed that the outcome of the investigation will guide the recommendations of the committee to the governor.

“We decided to ask questions and the history of this area. We found out that this Jameson River is the natural boundary between Edo and Delta States.

‘You can see the previous structures of the AT&P company. This land is clearly for Edo State.

“We thank the community people and settlers. We plead they continue to maintain the peace pending the outcome of the National Boundary Commission,” he pleaded.

Earlier, Idahosa and his team interfaced with stakeholders and community leaders of Oben, Ikobi, Iguelaba, and Obozogbe-Nugu communities to verify their claims and grievances.

News

Police Arrest, Charge Content Creator To Court In Edo

Published

10 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command says it has arrested a 24-year-old content creator identified as Osarobo Omoyemen, for allegedly sharing a content on Tiktok capable of “inciting hostility against the Police and triggering unnecessary tension within the state.”

In a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Saturday, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said the suspect, popularly known as ‘Madam Oil Rice,’ recently circulated a “false claim on social media alleging that she was kidnapped along Upper Sakponba Road in Benin City and later rescued by Police operatives who purportedly detained her at Akpata Police Station and collected the sum of Ten Thousand Naira as bail.”

Yamu said worried by the allegation, the command immediately commenced investigation, adding that it was revealed that the entire story was completely fabricated and deliberate.

According to the police’s imagemaker, Madam Oil Rice fabricated the story just to attract followers and viewership, stressing that she had confessed to having fabricated the story.

“During interrogation, the 24year old female suspect, Osarobo Omoyemen confessed that she staged the incident solely to generate online content and attract followers to her TikTok page.

“It was also discovered that she deleted an earlier video in which an accomplice in the background was appealing to viewers to follow her page, clearly exposing the motive behind the false alarm.

“The content was not only misleading but capable of inciting hostility against the Police and triggering unnecessary tension within the state.”

Yamu, while noting that the “suspect has been identified, arrested, and charged to court on Thursday 20th November, 2025 for prosecution, said “efforts are ongoing to arrest her accomplices to ensure they face the full weight of the law.”

The PPRO, who said Madam Oil Rice’s arrest and charge to court was aimed at serving as a “deterrent to others who may attempt to misuse social media to create panic or disrupt public peace,” said “the Edo State Police Command strongly warns against the creation and circulation of fake news capable of disturbing the peace and security of the state.”

He urged members of the public “to verify information before sharing and to refrain from acts that may mislead the public or undermine the efforts of security agencies.”

News

FULL LIST: FG Shuts 41 Unity Schools Over Insecurity

Published

17 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government on Friday ordered the temporary closure of 41 unity schools over the rising cases of abduction across the country.

The decision was announced in a circular issued by the Director of Senior Secondary Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Binta Abdulkadir.

“Sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the immediate closure of the listed Federal Unity Colleges.

“Principals of the affected colleges are to ensure strict compliance. Please accept the warm regards of the Honourable Minister,” the circular read.

The affected schools are FGGC Minjibir; FGA Suleja; FTC Ganduje; FGGC Zaria; FTC Kafancha; FGGC Bakori; FTC Dayi; FGC Daura; FGGC Tambuwal; FSC Sokoto; FTC Wurno; FGC Gusau; FGC Anka; FGGC Gwandu; FGC Birnin Yauri; FTC Zuru; FGGC Kazaure; FGC Kiyawa; FTC Hadejia; FGGC Bida; FGC New Bussa; and FTC Kuta-Shiroro.

Others are FGC Ilorin; FGGC Omu-Aran; FTC Gwanara; FGC Ugwolawo; FGGC Kabba; FTC Ogugu; FGGC Bwari; FGC Rubochi; FGGC Abaji; FGGC Potiskum; FGC Buni Yadi; FTC Gashau; FTC Michika; FGC Ganye; FGC Azare; FTC Misau; FGGC Bajoga; FGC Billiri; and FTC Zambuk.

Recall that some students from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, were kidnapped by terrorists.

The incident comes just days after a similar attack in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were kidnapped, heightening concerns over the deteriorating security situation in educational institutions across the region.

On Thursday, over 50 schools were shut down in Kwara State following attacks by bandits.

President Bola Tinubu had also cancelled his scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola to coordinate the government’s response to the worsening insecurity.