National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters, NAPTIP, has said that it would arrest and prosecute anyone involved in practice of using minors as house help which it says is a form of human trafficking.

The head of press and public relations of the agency, ArinzeOrakwe, in an interview with our reporter said that it is a crime to have any child living outside of his/her immediate family environment as a house help according to the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003, as amended in 2005.

According to him, available report shows that many Nigeria women and children are still trafficked internally and to various part of the world.

“One of the greatest tragedies of our time is that parents traffic their own children for personal benefits,” he lamented.

He condemned the way parents consented to human trafficking, adding that ignorance and poverty are the causes that needed to be addressed.

Section 50 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003 of Nigeria defines trafficking as including: “…all acts and attempted acts involved in the recruitment, transportation within or across Nigerian borders, purchase, sale, transfer, receipt or harbouring of a person involving the use of deception, coercion or debt bondage for the purpose of placing or holding the person whether for or not involving servitude (domestic, sexual or reproductive) in force or bonded labour, or in slavery-like conditions.”

Orakwe noted that the law also made it a criminal offence to keep a child in a brothel.

He threatened that any brothel that habours under aged girls will be closed down and the property confiscated by the governmentwhilethe proceeds will be used as compensation for the abused children.

READ ALSO:

• FG Investigates Rivers State Police Commissioner
• Police Rescue two Chinese From Kidnappers In Lagos
• Adamawa, Borno, Yobe Get N1 Billion Food Relief
• Eight Opposition Governors Pay Solidarity Visit To Amaechi
• NJC Finds Justice Gunmi Guilty Of Corruption

He recalled that a brothel at No. 1, Anjorin Odoguyan StreetIkorodu, Lagos State was sealed up and confiscated about two years ago when children were discovered there.

“In a situation where brothel is sealed, NAPTIP will seek an approval of the court after the conviction of the culprit for the property to be sold and pay the victim as a compensation for the trauma they passed through,” he stated.

A recent report of the International Labour Organisation, ILO, shows that not less than 52 million people across the world work asdomesticservants,and only 10 per cent of them are actually protected by existing labour laws.

The report also states that in 2012, 72 per cent of the population of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa engaged in vulnerable employment, which includes domestic service, mostly undertaken by minors and women.

In major Nigerian cities, the demand for domestic servants such as house maids and cooks is quite high because of the long hours of work and traffic which keep most couples out late.

Orakwe noted that aside from using minors as house help, football is now also a veritable means by which Nigerian boys are trafficked. Finnish President, Sauli Niinistö, confirms this trend and asked authorities here to look into the manner by which Nigerian boys leave the country on false contracts.

The NAPTIP spokesman lamented the attitude of many states in Nigeria towards adoption of the Child Right Act which protects the rights of children, adding that Nigerians are playing politics with the lives of the children if states refuse the adoption.

“These states are inadvertently promoting exacerbating conditions that promote traffic in persons because that is what the law is supposed to do, but we are not doing it. We are playing politics with the lives of the children,” he lamented.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child enjoins that “Member States shall undertake to disseminate the Conventions principles and take all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures for the implementation of the Rights recognized in the present Convention.”

Against this background, a draft Child’s Rights Bill aimed principally at enacting into law in Nigeria the principles enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Union Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was prepared in the early 90’s. But it is only after about ten years with several heads of government and heated debates by the parliamentarians that the Bill was eventually passed into law by the National Assembly in July 2003.

President Olusegun Obasanjo signed it into law in September 2003 and it was promulgated as the Child’s Rights Act 2003.

About 16 out of 36 states have adopted the Child Rights Act. Although the law was passed at the federal level, it can only be effective if the state assemblies enact it as most cases occur in the states.

Quoting Nelson Mandela who said that there is no other window to the soul of a nation than by how it treats its children, Orakwe implored other states to adopt the Act in order to deal with the issues hindering the protection rights of children such as children living on the streets, children affected by communal conflict, drug abuse, human trafficking, child labour and the weaknesses of the juvenile justice system amongst others.

Organizations including the United Nations’ Children Fund, UNICEF and the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC among others had earlier called on states to adopt the Child Rights Act in order to adequately protect the rights of children.

Orakwe blamed Nigeria’s downgrade in the performance of the global trafficking compliance rating by the US State department from 1st tier to 2nd tier on poor funding of the agency and non-articulation of programmes that seek to develop and protect children.

A Federal High Court has ordered the Clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives to disclose the salaries, allowances and constituency allowances of two members to Patrick Eholor, the founder and president of One Love Foundation, in compliance with the Freedom of Information, FoI Act.

The members are Ehigie Uzamere, senator representing Edo South Senatorial District and Nosakhare Osahon, the House member representing Ovia Federal Constituency.

Eholor, who is also a chieftain of the Labour Party, filed a case with suit at the court aftcot attempts to get the information from the National Assembly failed to yield the result.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Daniel Ogbegie, said his client was willing to pay any fee required for such information to be made available to him, adding that the issue of salaries and remuneration has been shrouded in so much secrecy over time.

“The Freedom of Information Act is to deepen democracy so that information can be available to the people all the time and for proper accountability to the people they want to serve,” he noted.

He said a letter was initially sent to the National Assembly requesting for the information and on the 22nd of April 2013 they got a reply requesting an extension to supply the information.

Ogbegie, however, noted that whereas the Freedom of Information Act of 2011, stipulates that such information must be supplied within seven days of the receipt of the request, reply from the Assembly did not come until after 19 days.

“When we saw that the information was not forth coming, we now approached the court to seek a judicial review by way of mandamus to enforce that provision of the Freedom of Information Act and this was granted us on 10th, July 2013,” he added.

In a similar case, in June, an Abuja Federal High Court ordered the National Assembly to release, within 14 days, details of the salary, emoluments, and allowances received by its members between 2007 and 2011 in line with the FoI ACT, to the Legal Defense and Assistance Project, LEDAP, a non-governmental organisation.

LEDAP had written to the Assembly on July 6, 2011, requesting for the information but in a manner characteristic of government agencies, the letter was simply ignored.

Nigerian lawmakers are considered the highest paid lawmakers in the world with each Senator believed to be getting a quarterly sum of Up to N60million and each member of the lower house getting N45million  in salaries and allowances.

Telecommunication services which were shut down two months ago have been restored in Yobe State.

Telecom services  withdrawn in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states after President Goodluck Jonathan declared emergency rule in the three states following unrelenting siege by Boko Haram insurgents.

All mobile telephone networks suddenly started to work by evening on Wednesday although MTN subscribers experienced rather epileptic service.

The restoration of telecom services might be in response to passionate pleas by the Yobe State governor, Ibrahim Geidam whiargued that the security situation had worsened by the absence of telecommunication facilities.

The governor reasoned that people who are willing to provide intelligence and information to the military have not been able to do so because there was no way of making phone calls.

Also, members of the House of Representatives made a passionate plea to President Jonathan to order a restoration of telephone services to help the security situation in the state.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Military Joint Task Force inYobe State commended residents for their patience during the period when telecom services were not available in the state.

The statement signed by the JTF spokesman, Eli Lazarus, appealed for the continuing support of the people in the efforts to restore peace and security in the state. .

The JTF asked residents to feel free “to provide credible and timely information that will assist the JTF to protect lives and property”.

It also provided GSM numbers through which the public can reach it. The numbers are 07065066662,07065085459, 07065088065, 07065085988,07065065333.”

The restoration of telephone services in Yobe State came a week after they were returned to Adamawa State s leaving out BornoState.

The military Joint Task Force, JTF, in Borno State has discovered a large quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp in a  Celestial Church of Christ in Maiduguri, the state capital.

The discovery was announced just as the 9.00 pm to 6.00 am curfew imposed months ago was relaxed. Residents now have until 11.00 pm to turn in for the day.

The JTF said a total of 124 bags of Indian Hemp were seized from the premises of the said church at about 9.30 am on July 10.

A statement by the task force signed by it’s spokesman, SagirMusa, said that the Celestial Church of Christ at House of Assembly Quarters in Pompomari area of Maiduguri Was raided by soldiers after a tip off by some residents.

“The raid led to the discovery and seizure of 124 bags of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp parked in 3 rooms at the premises of the church. The suspect who is a pastor of the church, one MosesEdon admitted knowledge of the content of the bags and confessed that the Indian Hemp was brought to his church from Ondo State for safe keeping by a member of the church, one Mr Segun Oni.”

Investigations have revealed that the church has not held any service or other religious activity for a while and had only served as a warehouse from which the banned weed was distributed to buyers in Maiduguri and its environs.

Musa drew a link between drug use and crimes in the state and appealed to residents to help reduce crime by reporting such illicit trade to security agencies.

The JTF also stated that the curfew was relaxed upon an improvement in the security situation in the state and in the spirit of Ramadam.

Muss, however, admonished residents to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to security agencies.

The attorney representing the Ombatse group in the ongoing judicial commission of inquiry, Zachary Zamani Alumaga, has faulted the panel for delving into constitutional matters that are outside its jurisdiction.
Alumaga who made this observation at the inaugural public sitting of the commission at the Chief Magistrate Court 2, Lafia said the commission does not have any right under the law to use Law Number 4 of Nasarawa State Penal Code and the Penal law of Northern Nigeria.

The lawyer said that the commission can only use the Judicial Commission law in it’s proceedings.

“The making of a law like this has procedure. You have to set up a district judge or justice of the people to look into the problems of the people, agree and make recommendation. It is on the basis of that, that the governor can make this law,” he explained.

He submitted further: “The penal code that this commission has been asked to use, in the law itself the executor is the district judge or magistrate. If this commission uses that law i want to ask with what power, if not the powers of the district judge. Or is it by mere fact that you are a commission that you now assume other powers?”

Responding to the argument, another lawyer at the sitting, MusaAloko, said Alumaga was jumping the gun and acting faster than the proceedings of the commission.

He advised the Ombatse counsel to allow the proceeding to progress and as he could present his objections later.

Earlier, the chairman of the commission retired Justice Joseph FolaGbadeyan, while declaring the session open, said that members of the commission will do their best in carrying out the task before them in  the spirit of fairness equity and openness.

He called on all and sundry to give them the maximum support needed while also appealing to the media to report proceedings accurately and refrain from sensationalism in the course of the hearing.

The sitting was adjourned till Monday, July 22, to enable the commission create a time-table for the receiving of memoranda from members of the public.

An early morning fire today gutted a warehouse belonging to theCoscharis Group in Apapa, Lagos, destroying petroleum products and other goods worth millions of Naira.

The director, Lagos State Fire Service, Rasaq Fadipe, said that the fire started at about 5:00a.m. and raged for  hours.

“We got a call about the fire at about 5:00a.m. and moved into action. It was a serious fire because the goods stored in the warehouse were mainly lubricants and other petroleum products,”Fadipe said.

READ ALSO:

• Keep A House Help, Go To Jail – NAPTIP
• Court Orders NASS To Disclose Earnings Of Members
• GSM services restored in Yobe
• JTF Discovers Indian Hemp Warehouse In Maiduguri Church
• Alakio Killings: Ombatse Counsel Faults Gov Al-Makura Probe

He said officers were immediately equipped and deployed to the scene of the fire and that with the support of volunteers around the situation was put under control.

Fadipe said the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained but warned  residents against keeping inflammable materials in their homes.

He also urged individuals and organisations to have fire fighting equipment for prompt response to fire outbreaks.

The Archbishop of Jos Province of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Emmanuel Kana Mani has advised former head of state, retired General Muhammadu Buhari to quit politics.

The clergyman also asked the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in the 2011 general elections to stop making inflammatory statement that could set the nation on fire.

Archbishop Mani accused Buhari of being an harbinger of violence, adding that statements credited to him had has contributed to heating up the polity.

He admonished the retired General: “Let General Muhammadu Buhariretire from active politics and join the highly revered league of former Nigerian leaders, such as General Yakubu Gowon, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Chief ErnestShonekan, General Olusegun Obasanjo and General AbdulsalamiAbubakar. These are highly respected by Nigerians.

These former leaders, the Archbishop said,  are a beacon of hope as they always work for peace and harmony in the country and preach non violence and peaceful coexistence, adding Buhari should join them.

He stated that the former head of state was not indispensable as Nigeria is blessed with people who can equally serve the country at the highest levels of government.

“Let those who had the opportunity of leading this country either as President or Governors or any other political office at any level remember that Nigeria is blessed with capable men and women across the six geo-political zones who can even do better if given the opportunity as no Nigerian is indispensable.”

“It should be the sacred duty of the former leaders to raise, mentor and nurture younger leaders. Nigeria is not in shortage of manpower, or talented charismatic young men and women who can deliver dividends of democracy very efficiently and effectively,” he said further.

Archbishop Mani observed that the CPC presidential candidate had contradicted himself by first saying after the 2011 election that he was no longer interested in the presidency only to declare later that the decision was his party’s.

“I recall that, before the last presidential election, publicly, GeneralMuhammadu Buhari (rtd.) told all Nigerians that after the 2011 elections, he would not vie for any election again. I also heard General Buhari when responding to a question, whether or not he would contest the 2015 general election. He said that, the decision is not his, but that of his own party. This is a contradiction!.”

An Abuja High Court will today decide whether or not to suspend indefinitely a case brought against two Leadership Newspapers journalists by the federal government.

Tony Amokeodo and Chibuzor Ukaibe are standing trial for alleged forgery and felony.

Defence counsel, Femi Falana had with the consent of the court requested the presence of President Goodluck Jonathan to appear as witness in the case.

“I have a subpoena on the president of the republic and the court has graciously signed the subpoena,” he declared.

Falana further argued: “No process of any court requiring or compelling the attendance in court of a government official covered by the immunity clause can proceed until such official ceases to enjoy immunity,” according to section 308 of the 1999 constitution.

He said that since the president could not be compelled to appear in court during his time in office, the case should be suspended indefinitely.

The defence counsel said granting of the application would place the defendants in a proper standing to defend the case, according to section 36, subsection 6 of the constitution.

“Having regards to Section 36 sub-section 6 of the constitution, an accused person shall be entitled to adequate time and resources for the preparation of his defence,” he stated.

However, prosecution counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, opposed Falana’s application on the ground that the motion was not ripe for consideration.

“I was served with the application yesterday at 4.30 p.m. and I am opposing it because it is not yet ripe for hearing,” he countered.

Awomolo said further that the case in hand is a criminal trial between the federal republic of Nigeria and the accused persons and that the president is not a complainant in the matter.

He maintained that in a criminal matter, the accused cannot be on the same pedestal with the prosecution, adding that the defence counsel proposing the president as a defence witness would not affect prosecution of the case.

“The tenure of the application is that the president is required as a proposed witness of the accused persons; his presence is not required for prosecution of the case,” Awomolo argued, adding: “When it is time for them to open defence, they can make this kind of application, but for now the prosecution has a duty to proceed with trial.”

The presiding judge, Justice U. Musale said the matter required adequate care before ruling could be given and adjourned the case till July 17.

The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has accused PresidentGoodluck Jonathan of being privy to the attack on the four governors who paid a visit to governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

The governors are Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Sule Lamido ofJigawa State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State and MurtalaNyako of Adamawa State.

ACN’s national publicity secretary, Lai Mohammed, said in a statement on Wednesday that as the country’s chief security officer, he has his ears and eyes all over the country in the persons of security agents.

“We will not accept the usual sophistry that President Jonathan is not in any way involved in the Rivers crisis…If the argument is that he did not know of the attack, then he is not on top of his game,” the party scribe said.

The ACN said further that the situation which played out on Tuesday where a group of “paid hoodlums” invaded a secure environment like the airport and pelted the convoy bearing the governors with all sorts of objects, is nothing short of organized political rascality and a ploy to thwart elections in 2015.

“The politics of 2015 cannot be removed from what is happening in Rivers. We have had cause to warn Nigerians to be vigilant against those who will foment trouble where there is none, just to put in abeyance the 2015 elections, especially where the emerging signals point to the fact that they will be rejected by voters,” the party said.

The party raised a few questions suggesting that the incident was all part of scheming against Amaechi.

“Would the police have allowed tramps to attack the governors if they were visiting the President? Would the police in Rivers have allowed vagrants to act freely if those visiting Port Harcourt had come in solidarity with the five renegade members of the State House of Assembly?

The statement said that the visiting governors were right to have expressed solidarity with their Rivers’ counterpart, in the face of the siege on him.

“We salute the governors as true patriots and the real sustainers of our Constitution, and we demand appropriate sanctions for those whose dereliction of duty put the governors’ lives in danger,” it said.

Meanwhile, the four governors have called on the Inspector General of Police to immediately redeploy and discipline the Rivers State police commissioner, Joseph Mbu.

“His actions smirk of unprofessionalism and political partisanship which is unbecoming of his office…the call for state police as a constitutional provision has become a necessity”, the governors said.

Leaders of Nasarawa and Benue states have come to an agreement to bring lasting solution to the crises involving farmers and Fulaniherdsmen in the two border states.

The Fulani- farmers crises in the two states has over the past years led to the death of scores of people in the two states.

The meeting which had in attendance governor Gabriel Suswam ofBenue State and his Nasarawa counterpart, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, reached a consensus on how to bring to a halt the lingering crises between Fulani nomads and farmers and also improve aerial surveillance to stem the tide of criminalities in both states.

Speaking before the closed door meeting at the Government House,Lafia, governor Al-Makura said the meeting would help to fashion out modalities on ways to tackle the lingering crises rocking the two states that have lived peacefully for over a long period of time.

He also said that there would be a clampdown on the actors perpetrating this heinous act, adding that the route they use would also be blocked.

Al-Makura called on all and sundry to make available any useful information that would help in tracking down the perpetrators.

Also speaking, governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State pointed out that indigenes of Nasarawa state have continued to allow theFulani Herdsmen to use their communities as route to carry out their ungodly activities.

He painted a scenario where over 600 Fulani herdsmen will pass through communities in Nasarawa state and queried the indigenes who claim not to have an idea about their mission.

In a communiqué jointly signed by governors of the two states after the closed door meeting, the two governments agreed to set up a committee of traditional rulers and selected stake holders to properly articulate ways and means of achieving peace within their  borders.

The communiqué also indicated that the two states have agreed to increase support to security agencies so as to enable them perform their constitutional roles of maintaining law and order.

They also called on the indigenes of both states to embrace peace stressing that without it no meaningful development can be achieved.

Also in attendance at the meeting were the speakers of both states houses of assembly, traditional rulers and security chiefs from the two states.