From Ene Asuquo,Calabar

The Inspector General of Police IGP has arrained a 33-year old man Mr. Obi Amba, before a Calabar magistrate Court for allegedly destroying police handcuffs after escaping from custody.The police who dragged Obi to court accused him of breaking free from their grasp at Adijinkpor junction/army checkpoint in Ikom local government area in Cross River state, allegedly damaging the handcuffs in the process.

The court granted Obi Amba-Ojong bail in the sum of N500,000 and adjourned the matter to June 11, 2025, for hearing. The defendant faces two counts which include, escaping from lawful custody and wilfully damaging police property.The case between the Inspector General of Police ( complainant) vs Mr. Obi Amba -Ojong, (defendant) was brought before the Calabar magisterial district yesterday. The police alleged that the offense is punishable under section 135(a)&(b) of the criminal code law, cap C16Vol.111 laws of Cross River state 2004.In a two count charge read by the court, the presiding magistrate, magistrate Mercy Toney, in charge No.:MC/215c/2025, the court insisted that the offense is punishable.At court 1, Moore Road Calabar, on May 27, 2025, the case highlights the seriousness with which the authorities view crimes involving escape from custody and destruction of public property. Our correspondent gathered that the defendant If convicted, could face penalties as outlined in the relevant sections of the Criminal Code Law.”Count one, “That you Obi Amba -Ojong, on May 9, 2025, at Adijinkpor junction/army check point Ikom, within the Calabar magisterial district, did, being in lawful custody for a felonious offence, escape from such custody.”With handcuffs thereby committed offence that is punishable under section 135(a)&(b) of the criminal code law, cap C16 Vol.111 laws of Cross River state 2004.”Count two, that you Obi Amba -Ojong, on the aforesaid date and place within the jurisdiction of this honorable court , did , willfully and unlawfully destroyed and damaged one handcuffs which you escaped with.”Property of the Nigeria police force (NPF), and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 451of the criminal code of law, cap 16, Vol. 111 laws of Cross River state 2024.”. Magistrate Mercy stated.In charge No: MC/215c/2025, signed by prosecuting counsel, legal/ prosecution department Nigeria police force zone 6, Calabar, Solomon Awerikure, dated May 27, 2025, the court asked defense counsel Sunny Mgbe Esq. to ensure that suspect is brought to court on June 11, 2025 for hearing of the case.The case has sparked interest in the community, with many awaiting the outcome of the June 11 hearing. The prosecution will need to present evidence to support the charges, while the defense will argue their case to demonstrate innocence or mitigate the charges.

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

Community leaders in Plateau state have attributed the reduction in gender based violence in their respective communities to the series of engagement held with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria.

The Secretary of Jos South Traditional Council, Mr.

Jonathan Dagyang said cases of gender based violence in his Gyel community has become a thing of the past as about 120 men were since appointed as community watchdogs to report every cases of gender based violence and several cases were tackled by the palace setting a new normal in the communities.

He however disclosed another emerging trend of crime where community members prefer to go and perpetrates such crimes at mining site to avoid being caught off by the community by-laws and called on government to ensure that companies who have been must registered their presence at the traditional Council palace to checkmate those going into the bush for mining.

The Adagwom Nyam Daniel Ajiji one of the Village head in Fobur District of Jos East local government area of the state equally noted that through the stepping down of the series of engagement by FIDA, he was able to address issues that has to do with inheritance, rape cases, as well as the implementation of the community by-laws among his community.

“When the community by-law was read at the Palace of our District Head, traditional rulers now said at least they now have an instrument to work with and has help us to address cases of rape, and issue of inheritance.

“Initially, we have a long standing issue of having a women leader, lingering for over 15 years but was settled through the community by-laws and we now have a women leader. She reports every activities that concerns women in the Village areas to the palace for appropriate actions.” He shared with joy

The stakeholders stated this during the FIDA annual state experiential learning and sharing forum on violence against women and girls prevention with the support of Ford Foundation held at Fox Hotel in Jos the Plateau State capital.

The Country Vice Chairman/National President of FIDA Nigeria, Mrs Eliana Martins represented by the Chairperson FIDA Nigeria Plateau State Chapter, Barr. Naankus Fyaktu said the engagement will enabled them gain key insights on local realities on GBV Prevention, while incorporating learnings into future Gender-Based Violence (GBV) programs within the project timeline.

“This experiential learning forum aims to assess achievements, lessons learned, and challenges faced by these beneficiaries while working with local community and religious leaders on GBV Prevention. This activity will evaluate short term project’s results with progress report disseminated to the beneficiaries.

“Through this activity, we will gain key insights on local realities on GBV Prevention, while incorporating   learnings into future Gender-Based Violence (GBV) programs within the project timeline.

“Additionally, project sustainability will be analysed, successful outcomes and share impactful stories will be amplified towards ensuring that progress in safeguarding women and girls from violence and discrimination in local communities are maintained,” she stat

The Assistant Manager Program and Partnership FIDA Nigeria, Rita Abah Lasody earlier maintained that the engagement was to look at how various communities had used the instrument of community by-law to address the challenges of gender based violence in their respective communities.

The Director of Budget and Data officer of the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs Mr. Sunday Dombin noted that for the first time the state government has jacked up the ministry’s budget up to N1 billion naira, a development that has help the ministry in carried out various programmes that creates the needed awareness and sensitization across the 17 LGAs on gender based violence and the menace of human trafficking.

The Assistant Gender Officer Plateau State Police Command ASP Joy Anyagba noted that Gender Desk of the Police Command has trained Gender officers across the various Divisions and metropolitan city on new ways of handling gender based violence.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, dismissed widespread reports of a suicide bombing in Abuja.He also warned any individuals or group trying to blackmail the FCT Administration through misinformation that their tactics will not deter ongoing reforms.

Wike, stated this while fielding questions from newsmen on the alleged suicide bomber, said the recent security reports linking an explosion to terrorism as “deliberate misinformation” aimed at causing panic. “No security agency has confirmed it was a suicide bomber. People must stop creating unnecessary fear in the minds of residents,” the minister said.“What happened was that someone took an explosive used for blasting rocks at a quarry site and put it in his pocket. It exploded. That is not terrorism, and we must stop misleading the public.”He emphasized that the FCT Administration is doing everything possible to strengthen security across the territory and called for responsible journalism and public cooperation.Wike used the opportunity to showcase key projects nearing completion, including the N5 Road at Life Camp, the Guzape Interchange, and the renovated International Conference Centre.He praised contractors for meeting standards and timelines, expressing satisfaction that Abuja residents can now “feel and touch” the impact of President Tinubu’s infrastructural agenda.“This is what the President promised: development through road infrastructure, and we are delivering,” Wike stated.