Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) says no security personnel under whatsoever guise has right to torture or victimise any citizen of the the country.
Coordinator-General, EDOCSO, Comrade Agho Omobude, gave this revaluation on Saturday in Benin City while embarking on a sensitisation rally on the existence of Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Edo State and the protection it provides for an average Edo citizen.
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Members of EDOCSO during the sensitization rally on Saturday in Benin City.
The enlightenment rally which was supported by CLEEN Foundation took members of EDOCSO to some major streets within the popular King’s Square, Benin.
Enlightening the public further, Omobude said under the ACJL, no security personnel has right to beat or harass any citizen just because such citizen is under detention, stressing that being in detention does not deny such person his or her fundamental rights as citizen of Nigeria.
Comrade Agho Omobude leading his members during the rally
While disclosing that ACJL gives security agencies power to arrest and investigate, Omobude noted that the same law restricts them (security personnel) from beating, harassing anybody either in the detention or under any condition, adding that this, the same security agencies do not want Nigerians to know.
He said, “Administration of Criminal Justice law says no security agent has right to beat or harass anybody either in detention or the person is carrying tattoo on his body, or have any haircut. The law forbids them (security men) from searching your phone. The law says no citizen should be under detention for more than 48 hours. If they do any of these to you, take them to court, they will pay for it.
“As a citizen of this country, you are the highest office holder. This is what the law stipulates for you, so you must be aware of this law. I am aware and I know that security agencies do not want you to know about this law that had been passed into law since 2018, and that is why we are out here to enlighten the citizens.”
EDOCSO members chanting solidarity songs
The Coordinator-General advised those who have knowledge of the ACJL to reach out to members of the public on how they can access and activate the law for their own benefit particularly in terms of protection.
On her part, Annie Iroro, Deputy Coordinator-General, EDOCSO, said the organisation has been holding meetings with stokeholders on the need to fully implement the ACJL, stressing that though some are claiming to be complying, the compliance is very low hence the rally to enlighten the public.
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Iroro noted that there are basic things all citizens need to know about the law which according to her are in favour for the average man and also provide protection to him.
She said the full implementation of the ACJL is a process that need to be followed, adding that EDOCSO is on the front banner until it is fully implemented and all security agencies comply.
…He starves me, our children, beat me, left me almost naked in public —Wife
A minibus driver complained before a local court in Lusaka, Zambia, that his wife sleeps in leggings to prevent him from making love to her.
Richard Makura, 48, of Kanyama compound was testifying in a case in which his wife, Patricia Mulenga, 40, a business woman sued him for divorce on allegation that he was violent.
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According to the Zambian Observer, the two got married in 1996 and have three children.
Patricia told the senior court magistrate, Lewis Mum, sitting with two other magistrates, Abbyshine Michelo and Esther Mulomba at Kanyama Local Court that Richard has been beating her over petty issues since her father in 2004.
She explained that in 2006, he threatened to burn her clothes and was forced to seek refuge at her parents’ home.
She told the court that he once beat her until she fainted.
Patricia stated that in 2015, Richard started working for APG Milling in Mansa but still failed to provide for the family because he only sent home K50 or K100 per month.
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She further said that Richard joined her in June 2016 when his contract was terminated but she never saw the benefits he was given.
He explained that when he came from Mansa, his wife started sleeping in leggings to prevent him from making love to her.
The magistrate, Mumba stated that there was violence in their marriage and since Patricia wanted divorce, the court had no power to continue to live with Richard.
He granted the couple divorce, ordering Richard to compensate Patricia with K6,000 with initial payment of K1,000 followed by monthly installment of K400.
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Property acquired together was ordered to be shared equally.
A housewife, LadidiI Abass, has dragged her husband, Shehu Abass, to a Sharia Court sitting in Magajin Garki, Kaduna, Kaduna State, seeking divorce over alleged battery.
Abass who reside at Rigasa, Kaduna, said her husband usually beat her any time they had a misunderstanding.
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Accordng to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the last time he did, he was hospitalised for 13 days.
“He usually beats me in front of our children.
“The last time he beat me, I was hospitalized for 13 days,” Ladidi said.
A housewife, Hassana Adamu, has urged a Upper Area Court, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to dissolve her 10-year-old marriage to her husband, Danjuma Ali, on the grounds of lack of love and interest.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Hassan told the court that her marriage with Danjuma is blessed with three kids.
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“I have lost interest in our marriage and no longer love my husband.
“My husband has abandoned me. He does not enter my room again, and he is no longer interested in me.