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International NGO to Establish Platform to Track Digital Rights Violation

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Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF) France, on Monday, said it would develop a platform, through its e-rights project, where incidences of digital rights violation can be reported and tracked in order to have verifiable statistics in Nigeria.

Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, the Country Director, ASF France, also known as Lawyers Without Borders, France, stated this at the E-Rights Training for Judges and Lawyers on Digital Rights in Abuja.

‘In terms of statistics of cases of digital rights violation, the e-rights project is developing a platform called, ‘The Closing Civic Spaces Platform,’ where incidences of digital rights violation can be reported by citizens, activists, journalists, etc.

“This will create a  platform for us to track and be able to have a verifiable statistics of digital rights violations in Nigeria,” she said.

Uzoma-Iwuchukwu said the organisation would support the initiative by being proactive in responding with legal assistance for victims of digital rights violations in the country.

“The project is also going to be engaging in strategic litigations on digital rights issues as one of the strategies that we are employing to promote digital rights in the  country,” she said.

The country director, who said that 30 judges and lawyer would be trained in the first phase, also said that judges and lawyers in Kano State, Lagos State and Imo would also be trained as four key states for the pilot project.

She said the capacity session was to contribute to the respective digital rights in Nigeria, particularly by promoting digital rights in various aspects looking at  respect for the rights of Nigerians on digital platforms, freedom of expression, privacy rights, data protection of Nigerians on digital platforms, etc.

“We believe that human rights that are traditionally protected offline should also be protected and respected online so that’s the essence of the work we are doing on e-rights project,” she said.

The Chief Judge of FCT, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, represented by Justice Ngozika Ndukwe-Nwabulu, said technology had not only ushered in unprecedented opportunities but also exposed the world to new risks and attacks.

He said the training was critical given the increasing amount of personal data shared online and the potential for privacy violations.

“The training will also provide an insight into laws and regulations related to digital technologies, including data protection, intellectual property, cybercrime, and internet governance.

“Understanding these laws can help individuals and organisations avoid legal issues and ensure compliance.

“Digital rights training often includes cybersecurity awareness, which is crucial in protecting oneself and organisations from cyber threats, data breaches, and online harassment,” Baba-Yusuf said.

The President of Nigeria  Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, called on the judges and lawyers to rise to the challenge and stand as pillars of justice, defending the digital rights of all Nigerians.

Maikyau, represented by Chairman, NBA Abuja Branch,, Afam Okeke, also said that the training would provide the judges and lawyers with a deeper knowledge of digital rights, legislation which would focus on relevant national, regional and international digital rights legislation and standards.

Reports says that some.of the judges at the training include Justices Nkeonye Maha and Donatus Okorowo of Federal High Court, Abuja; Justice Mimi Katsina-Alu of FCT High Court, among others.(NAN)

JUDICIARY

Pastor Arraigned over Alleged Rape of Married Woman in Edo

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From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

A 38-year-old pastor, Simeon Okehielem of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry has been arraigned before an Edo State High Court for allegedly raping a married woman, Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.

The pastor, who was accused of engaging in sexual relationships with married women within his congregation, was docked before the court in Benin City, on Thursday last week.

The charges against Pastor Okehielem followed a year 2022 incident in Uholor Community of Benin City where the cleric allegedly drugged and raped the woman leading to the birth of a child.

Recent DNA results reportedly confirmed the pastor as the biological father of the child, which prompted the Nigerian Police to re-arrest and formally arraign him.

The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, granted an ex-parte order to remand the suspect at the Benin Correctional Custodial Centre for 14 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.

The State Prosecutor, P.O. Odion told the court that the alleged offence occurred in February 2022.

Okehielem was slammed with two-count charge on alleged rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.

The charge sheet, marked Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025, reads: “That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4, punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.

“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, administered a substance to stupefy one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.”

Speaking to journalists after the court session, the victim’s legal counsel, Clinton Ogbebor, applauded the Police for its diligence.

“We are in court today over the alleged rape of my client, Mrs Isoken Aigbedo, by one Pastor Simeon Okehielem,” he said.

Ogbebor confirmed that the case file would now be forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice, after which the trial will proceed accordingly.

The development has stirred debates across Benin City, with residents and religious leaders expressing shock and calling for justice.

The case has been adjourned pending further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.

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JUDICIARY

Court Bars Bello from Acting as Nasarawa APC Chairman

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A Senior District Court 3, Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Thursday restrained Mr Aliyu Bello, the embattled Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, from presenting himself as Chairman or a member of the party.This followed a motion filed by Suleiman Turaki, Counsel to Ibrahim Iliyasu, the Chairman of APC in Gayam Electoral Ward of Lafia Local Government Area of the state.

Report says that on July 1, Iliyasu, alongside 13 other officials of the party in the ward, suspended Bello from the party over alleged anti-party activities.
The order signed by Abdullahi Lanze, Senior District Judge of the court, stated that the prayer was granted after hearing the application presented by the applicant’s counsel.
The order specifically restrained Bello, his agents, privies, supporters or any person acting on his behalf, authority, or direction, from presenting himself as a member or Chairman of the party.The court also barred Bello from issuing statements, carrying out functions, or acting in any manner whatsoever, through the media or otherwise, as a member or Chairman of APC.This would be pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. (NAN).

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JUDICIARY

Unemployed Man Arraigned for Allegedly Impersonating Military Officer

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 A 30-year-old unemployed man, Sadiq Usman, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly parading himself as a military officer.

Usman is facing a two-count charge of impersonation.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 24 at about 3.

30 p.
m. at Alaba Rago Market area of Ojo, Lagos State.

Ikhayere said that the defendant, who was unemployed, unlawfully had in his possession a Nigerian military camouflage uniform, cap, belt, and boots.

“He paraded himself as a member of the Nigerian Army and had in his possession two Nigerian Navy identity cards,” she said.

According to her, the defendant was arrested when he failed to give a satisfactory account of the items.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 77(a)(b) and 79(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Section 77 stipulates a three-year jail term for anyone found guilty of impersonating a member of the armed forces or the police.

Section 79 stipulates two years imprisonment for unlawfully wearing the uniform of the armed forces.

The Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N150,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

He ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

Owolabi adjourned the case until July 1 for mention. (NAN)

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