News
Sexual Harassment Attracts 7 Years Imprisonment, ICPC Warns

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC), says sexual harassment is a corrupt practice that attracts an imprisonment term of not less than seven years.
The Secretary to the Commission, Mr Clifford Oparaodu, gave the warning in Abuja at a “One Day Sensitization Workshop on Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions.”
Oparaodu said that the ICPC regarded sexual harassment as a corrupt practice; hence, there was a need for victims to know their rights and how to seek justice.
He expressed concern that sexual gratification had become a form of “illegal tender” in many institutions.
“Sexual harassment is a form of corruption.
He said that it is a deviation from the norm for an official to use his/her office or position to demand, receive, obtain, or attempt to obtain any form of sexual gratification for him to perform his duties.
“Ideally, official duties ought to be carried out with integrity, good conscience, and diligence without the expectation of any unlawful benefit,” he said.
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According to him, Section 2(f) of the ICPC Act states that gratification includes any service or favour of any description …” Section 8 of the ICPC Act says:
“Any person who corruptly asks for, receives, or obtains any property or benefit of any kind for himself or any other person; is guilty of an offence of official corruption and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.
“It is pertinent to note that unlawful benefits are not always pecuniary, and it is disheartening that sexual gratification has become a form of “illegal tender” in many institutions.
“Staff members have been found to use their office to demand and receive sexual benefits from other staff and students in exchange for good grades or other favours,” he said.
Oparaodu said that it was unfortunate that, due to the fear of stigmatisation or further victimisation, many targets of such demands find themselves forced to succumb.
“This is in order to avoid dire consequences and denial of benefits to which they may ordinarily even be entitled.
“The culture of silence has allowed sexual harassment to thrive, but the ICPC is working relentlessly to ensure that, with sensitization and appropriate policy implementation, this culture will gradually change,” he said.
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He said that the ICPC is determined to put a stop to this and has initiated the Sexual Harassment Unit with a focus on the prevention of sexual harassment in tertiary and secondary institutions.
Oparaodu said that this was to address the issue of sexual gratification and abuse of office and power by officials.
He explained that the purpose of the workshop was to educate students about how to easily contact the ICPC, report incidents of sexual harassment, and gather evidence in a way that will support the commission’s investigations.
In a paper he presented on “Sexual harassment, an offence against the individual/a crime against society, Mr Adenekan Shogunle, Deputy Director, Proceed of Crime Department, ICPC, urged participants to regard the fight as a collective one.
Shogunle said that youths should not accept sexual harassment, saying that the menace needed to be stopped to ensure the safety of educational institutions for learning.
“What is essentially a social disorder has become normal in many tertiary institutions.
“Absence of effective grievance remedial mechanisms and a prevalent culture of silence, social tolerance has left many female students at the mercy of rabid predators.
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“In a bid for justice, survivors are taking matters into their own hands, naming perpetrators and sharing experiences on social media,’’ he said.
Mrs Peace Aroch, Assistant Director, Legal Unit, ICPC, said in a paper that sexual harassment had psychological implications, which had to do with the mental or emotional state of the survivor.
Aroch said people sexually harassed commonly experienced stress, anxiety, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
She said that sexual harassment was still being underreported in spite of its social media posts.
The director said that sexual harassment was still being underreported because of issues of trust, security, fear, and poor financial standing of survivors.
Aroch called on the private and public sectors to establish their workplace sexual harassment policies.
She said that they could make recourse to the ICPC’s sexual harassment policy to prepare their own.
Policy Lead Gender, Mobile Initiative, Sarah Egbo, in a paper urged institution leaders to demonstrate a strong commitment to addressing sexual harassment.
Egbo also called for the involvement of the entire institution in policy development and implementation and to ensure transparency in reporting, investigation, and decision-making.
She encouraged collaboration with local organisations, law enforcement, and other stakeholders for a coordinated response.
(NAN)
News
Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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.
READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack
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

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.
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.”
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
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.
Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
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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.”
News
Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.
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According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.
“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”
Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration
He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.
“I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”
In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.
The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.
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