CRIME
UNICEF, KNSG Train Stakeholders on Police Standard Procedures

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) with support from the European Union (EU) and Kano State Ministry of Justice has organised a workshop on the Nigerian Police Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for children who come in contact with the Law.
Speaking at the event on Friday in Kano, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammad Gumel, said the development of the SOPs demonstrate the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure child friendly policing in the country.
He said that SOPs would offer strategic framework and clear guidelines on procedures for providing services for children and also facilitate timely access to justice.
The police commissioner added that the workshop would build capacity of police officers to enable them to appreciate issues involving children.
Gumel said that the workshop would also go a long way in enlightening security agencies, human rights activists, civil society organisations, Human Right Commission and the judiciary on the issues involving children in a professional manner.
Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Gender), Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation, Abuja, Oki Emesim Rita, commended the efforts of the trio organisers in promoting child rights.
She explained that the aim was to ensure child-friendly procedures that were sensitive and responsive to the specific needs and circumstances of children.
Oki-Emesim stressed the need to step down the SOPs to police officers in states and desk officers in the 36 states of the federation to ease cases involving children who come in contact with the law.
According to her, the workshop will educate Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) on how to handle children cases and those involving gender based violence
Mrs Fatima Adamu, the Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF, Kano, explained that the SOPs was developed with support from UNICEF and the European Union to standardise the response of the Nigeria Police Force to cases involving children who come in contact with the law.
She said the significance of the SOPs was also to guide and enlighten policymakers, security agencies, judiciary and other stakeholders on child friendly procedures.
Adamu noted that the exercise was in partnership with the Kano state government with support from UNICEF under the Justice for Children in Kano.
She said that the actors and partners include, Child Protection Network, Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Police, judiciary and ministry of women affairs.
According to her, the workshop was organised to disseminate the SOPs so as to help the Nigerian Police to discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.
The Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General, Hajiya Amina Yargaya, said that the workshop would help in educating all stakeholders including those in the judiciary on the issues involving children in a professional manner.
Yargaya, who urged the participants to take the training seriously to make an impact with knowledge gained, thanked the EU and UNICEF for the laudable initiative.
Some of the participants who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) commended the state ministry of ministry, EU and UNICEF for organising the workshop.
They also promised to share the knowledge with orders.(NAN)
CRIME
Woman, 31, Docked Over Alleged Theft of iPhone Worth N500,000

A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.
30 p. m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.30 p.m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.
According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Prostitute Docked for Allegedly Stabbing Her Colleague

A 40 – year old prostitute, Adeosun Adepeju was on Tuesday arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stabbing her colleague in the stomach during work period.
Adepeju of undisclosed address was standing trial on a count charge bordering on assault.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Cpl.
Helen Ojo told the court that Adepeju on May 21, at about 12:30 a.m., at Ring road area, Ibadan, stabbed her colleague, Stella Mago with scissors in her stomach.Ojo said that the stabbing caused the complainant bodily harm.
She added that the offence contravened Section 335 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs M. M. Olagbenro admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Olagbenro adjourned the matter until May 30, for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Man, 56, Bags Life Jail Term for Defiling His Stepdaughter

A High Court sitting in Ado-EKiti on Monday sentenced one Jayeoba Oluwafemi, 56, to life imprison for defiling his 14 year old stepdaughter.
The 56 year old convict was arraigned before Justice Adekunle Adeleye on Dec. 4, 2020 on one count charge of defilement.
The charge reads that the defendant on Oct.
26, 2020 at Ado Ekiti defiled a fourteen year old girl (names withheld), which is contrary to Section 31 (2) of the Child’s Right Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.The victim’s testimony before the Court said, “my mother got married to the defendant, we were not living together but he used to sleep in our house especially when my mother was not at home or travelled.“ On Oct. 26, 2020, my mother travelled to Lagos and the defendant slept in our house, at midnight he forcefully had sex with me and thereafter, blood was gushing out of my virgina. I called my mother the following morning to inform her but the defendant denied.“ He continued this act anytime my mother was not around, I used to tell my mother on her arrival but she did nothing about it.When he noticed that I was telling my mother about his continuous sexual activity with me, he started threatening me.
“ One day, he wanted to beat me and I ran out of the house, I met one woman on the road, I told her what happened and she directed me to the governor’s office to lodge official complain which led to his arrest,” she concluded.
To prove his case, the Prosecutor, Julius Ajibare called six witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement and medical report as exhibits.
The defendant was also represented by his defense counsel, Oladele Adedeji who called one witness.
In his judgment, Justice Adekunle Adeleye said, “ I am of the humble view that the sexual intercourse sessions were on several occasions, it was not a one off affair.
“ And upon careful analysis of the entire circumstance of this case, the change in story or outright denial by the defendant is an afterthought.
“ The prosecution has established the offence of defilement against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt. He is accordingly found guilty as charged and hereby sentenced to life imprison as provided for under the provisions of Section 31 (2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Law of Ekiti State, 2012. (NAN)