News

Lockdown: Group Wants Courts exempted To Address Rising Abuses

Published

5 years ago

April 7, 2020

A civil society organisation, Citizens’ Gavel, Tuesday, April 4, said courts should be exempted in the 14-day lockdown by the Federal Government to attend to rising cases of human rights abuses and other sensitive cases.

Communication Associate, Citizens’ Gavel,
Taiwo Makanjuola, in a release said the Federal Government should review the lockdown and allow the justice system to go on to guard against a ‘pandemic of human rights’ abuses.’

The organisation said in the alternative, the Chief Judges of states could also designate some courts for arraignment of such cases, noting that the “closure of the criminal justice system in Nigeria has brought the wheel of justice to a halt.”

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PUNCH quoted the group saying, “The outbreak of COVID-19 and the ensuing lockdown have drastically affected our way of life and system. One of such systems affected is the criminal justice system of Nigeria. The shutdown of the judicial process has raised several issues; how do the police and other law enforcement agencies arraign defendants during this pandemic to prevent violation of the constitutionally guaranteed rights in Section 35 of the constitution?

“Two, how are suspects arrested for various crimes prosecuted? Are they left to languish in the police cells thereby exposing them and other inmates to the risk of infections?

“With a potential increase in domestic violence, child defilement and other sexual and gender-based violence issues, how do victims of abuse get recompense during this trying time? The law enforcement and court will obviously need to urgently redesign the way they carry out their statutory activities. We propose a periodic sitting of courts or in the alternative the Chief Judge of respective states designate courts for arraignment.

“We propose that Magistrates pursuant to Section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act should help checkmate inordinate detention of citizens.

(PUNCH)

(PHOTO: File)

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.