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Edo First Lady Talks Tough On Sexual, Gender-based Violence

Published

4 years ago

April 6, 2022

The first lady of Edo State, Betsy Obaseki, on Wednesday warned those involved in sexual and gender-based violence to discontinue from such acts.

The first lady who happens to be chairman of the Edo State Gender Based Violence (Edo-GBV) management committee, added that there cannot be hiding place for any perpetrator as the law would treat everyone found guilty accordingly.

Her warning is coming in the wake of a judgement which was recently obtained in a case against a 57-year-old man who was convicted for 14 years for raping a 7-year-old girl.

Obaseki, who made the warning while briefing journalists in Benin said anyone caught would be treated in the same way the 57-old man was treated, no matter their influence in the society.

The first lady, who restated the state government’s commitment to the fight against sexual and gender-based violence, said that it will not accept out-of-court settlement from persons accused of violence-based crimes.

She warned that the state government will not tolerate plea bargains and will ensure enablers of sexual predators are prosecuted so as to reduce gender-based violence in the state.

She noted that Edo State has the most robust mechanism to fight gender-based violence because “We have made our law to include that whoever comes to plead for an accused will join in the case with the accused.

“If you come to me to beg because I am the chairman of the committee, I will call for the chief security officer to arrest or grab you no matter how highly placed the person is. Convictions should be the end of our work. When we get these convictions, we are energised and happy because we are getting results to achieve zero incidence of GBV.

“We are here to see that this problem is reduced and possibly eradicated. It is a crime against the state and that is the reason why there is no option of out-of-court settlement; it used to happen before now.

“Out-of-court settlement channel is not an option. As much as they are crimes against person, they are also crimes against the state. There are certain crimes that are crimes against the state and when such crimes are committed whether the victims like it or not, the state will seek prosecution because the onus falls on the state to protect its citizens.

“If they could catch and prosecute armed robbers, why would they not catch and prosecute sexual predators who make life unsafe for citizens. When people attack and rape victims, it is as bad as an armed robber coming into your house to shoot you and go away with your goods. Such gender-based violence behaviour to disturb the peace and security of the environment are crimes against the state,” Obaseki said.

Wole Iyamu, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, on his part, said the ministry has a lot of cases in the pipeline to pursue, and “we are not just going after those who commits the crimes but we are going after their enablers; those who come to plead with us.

“We live under a completely new legal regime. Anybody who comes to me or attempts to settle a case of this nature will be guilty of what we call compounding felony. We have decided that we shall treat such people compounding felonies exactly the way the law requires them to be treated,” Iyamu said.

He warned that “anybody who might be nursing the idea of rape, defilement or violence against vulnerable persons that the law will come for you. We will not negotiate, enter into plea bargains, we will not withdraw cases if they are in that category. The law will take its course to the full and anybody who engages in such act will pay the price.”

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

20 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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