Men of the Abia state police command have arrested one Mrs Rose Uwaga for allegedly strangling her 83-year-old husband, Alhaji Isa Uwaga, in Umuahia, the state capital.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the state police command, Geoffrey Ogbonnaya, said one of Uwaga’s children, Ibeabuchi, reported the matter to the police on July 2. Ibeachi told the police that he left home that morning with his parents quarrelling about an issue. He said he returned home later only to find his late father in a sitting position.

Investigations by the police indicates that the couple had a misunderstanding on that day and this degenerated into a fight in their residence at Ohobo-Afara in Umuahia. The deceased allegedly picked up a machete to scare his wife. The woman who has a huge stature, allegedly held him by the neck and strangled him.

The deceased was immediately buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

Police sources say the elderly woman went into hiding after the incident but was later arrested and is now in police custody.

A human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, Wednesday said the arrest and suspension of Magu was a moral disaster for the anti-corruption drive of Buhari.

Falana, while speaking on ‘Your View,’ a programme on TVC, said it was expected that the person prosecuting others for corruption should not be enmeshed in the same crime.

He said the president has the right to order the investigation in the wake of a petition against the anti-graft boss alleging corrupt infractions.

There is no doubt that this is a moral disaster for the anti-corruption crusade of the regime but we also have to appreciate the fact that the head of EFCC must be free from corruption.

“And I believe that Mr. Magu will be given the opportunity to address the allegations. If he is found culpable the law will take its course, if it is the other way, the law will take its turn,” he stated.

The human rights lawyer said all the chairmen of the EFCC had left office under controversial circumstances, noting that some were accused of corruption while some were removed on the basis of insubordination.

Falana, however, said that Magu’s case was different because he is being tried by the regime that appointed him into office.
He refused to comment on the substance of the allegations levelled against the EFCC boss, stating that it would be a breach of Magu’s right to a fair hearing because the case is under investigation.

Asked if he would defend Magu if approached, Falana said: “I have not been asked but I believe he is entitled to a lawyer.”

Dr. Muhammad Murtala Aminu, a Trademarks and Intellectual Property Expert cum Law Lecturer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, has been appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, as secretary to the Nigerian Law Reform Commission.

The Nigerian Law Reform Commission is an institution saddled with the responsibility to harmonise national legislation and also among the four parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Secretary of the Commission is to be the accounting officer while also supporting the chairman in ensuring that all the rules and regulations relating to the management of the human, material and financial resources of the Commission are adhered to in accordance with the objectives of the Federal Government.

Early this year, Dr Aminu was also appointed by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to serve as a panelist to assess entries for this year‘s maiden edition of the WIPO National Intellectual Property Essay Competition for students of all tertiary institutions.

He expressed gladness over his appointment and showed gratitude to Almighty Allah.

“I am very happy and grateful to Almighty Allah for this appointment given to me,” he said.

The new secretary, however, vowed to adhere to the rules of the Nigerian Constitution and the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act. He also pledged to work tirelessly in making sure that laws in the country are up to date and in accordance with international best practices.

He urged law students to be hardworking, devoted and focused to achieve their aims and objectives.

“ If you have any ambition of achieving greatness in your life, you should be hardworking, dedicated and concentrate on your target to achieve your aims and objectives,” he advised.

He said: “Yes I’m aware. I can confirm that, however he is in self isolation at home and is in a stable and clear condition. We are taking care of him.”

The Attorney General is a member of the State Task Force on COVID-19.

Details shortly…

Nasarawa Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Abdulkarim Kana, has tested positive for COVID-19.

Commissioner for health, Pharmacist Yahaya Ahmed, confirmed the incident to The Nation in a telephone interview in Lafia, the state capital.

He said: “Yes I’m aware. I can confirm that, however he is in self isolation at home and is in a stable and clear condition. We are taking care of him.”

The Attorney General is a member of the State Task Force on COVID-19.

LAWSAN believes that the Bill contains laudable provisions that will help in combating sexual harassment in institutions. 

The statement reads:

“The Law Students Association of Nigeria under the leadership of Sen. Emmanuel E Nwobodo through the Directorate of Students’ Rights wishes to commend strongly the Nigerian Senate for passing the Sexual Harassment Bill on Tuesday.

“The Bill, which contains laudable provisions and proactive measures will surely go a long way in combating the increasing menace of sexual harassment in our institutions. Instructive, is its provision nullifying consent as a basis/defence for sexual relations with a student by a staff.

“The Law Students Association of Nigeria, Directorate of Students’ Rights, is optimistic, that with this recent development from the Senate, the Bill becoming an Act is not far from reality, and strongly urges the House of Representatives to give its concurrence

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch, Mr. Bulus Y. Atsen has called upon the leadership of the State Security Service, otherwise known as DSS to respect the Rule of Law as demonstrated by the order for the release of Emperor Gabriel Ogbonna, Esq made by a Judge of the Federal High Court sitting at Umuahia, Abia State since the 29th June, 2020.

It will be recalled that Presiding Judge of the Federal High Court, Umuahia Division, the Hon. Justice D. E. Osiagor ordered that Emperor be released immediately or be charged to court by the SSS.

In a letter written by the NBA Abuja Branch, the Chairman noted that “It is rather disheartening to note that for over a week thereafter, the order of My Lord, is being disregarded by the Respondents with repulsive impunity”.

The Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) condemns the disregard and disobedience to Orders of Court by Agents of the State. In this case, leading to the continuous detention of Emperor Gabriel Ogbonna. As a democratic state, Nigeria is governed by the rule of law.

It is against this background that the NBA Abuja Branch calls for the immediate release of Emperor Gabriel Ogbonna, Esq. in compliance with the Court Order. The rule of law must be protected at all cost, as without it we cease to be a democratic state.

Mr Mohammed Umar, the Director of Operations, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been picked to oversee the affairs of the agency in the absence of Magu.

A top official of the commission disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

The source, who asked not to be named, said Umar was chosen by the “EFCC’s hierarchy” following the reported suspension of Magu.

The official, however, said that the commission had not received any official communication on the reported suspension.

Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Dele Oyewale, declined comments when contacted by NAN to confirm the latest development.

The embattled acting chairman is being interrogated by a presidential panel set up to probe allegations of gross misconduct against him.

Magu appeared before the Ayo Salami-led panel on Monday before he was reportedly taken into police custody.

Meanwhile, the EFCC official has defended Magu against the allegations, saying they were not true.

However, the source said his travails also emanated from complaints by staff of the commission over poor welfare and delay in promotion.

“I can tell you that all the allegations against Magu are untrue. I see the whole situation as a power play.

“Preparations for the 2023 elections are another reason they want Magu out because he knows too much.

“Another thing is the problem of staff welfare, imagine somebody like me for close to 10 years, I have not gained any promotion.

“We are not happy about the news of his suspension, but I know that members of staff are not happy with him,” the official said.

The Chairman FCT Enforcement Team on COVID-19, Ikharo Attah who disclosed this during a monitoring exercise, lamented that the lives of customers were being endangered at those branches of the Bank.

Attah said: “this particular bank (GTB in Area three) is not observing Covid-19 safety protocol at all. There is only one thermometer for this large crowd. I have been to this particular branch more than four times and this bank enjoys a large crowd, not organizing for its customers to sit and wait.

“There was no social distancing and most of them are not even wearing face masks. The bank should provide canopy, chairs, and handwashing points.

“We are giving them 24 hours to get all these things in place or risk been sealed. It will not cost up to N100,000, because they should take the lives of their customers very seriously. Their customers should be treated with the utmost dignity. I give them 24 hours”.

Some of the customers who were visibly angry over what they described as poor management practices by the bank, told reporters that some of the bank staff were preferential treatment to some individuals that were not in the queue.

Others who decried spending up to four hours without getting cash called on the GTbank to open up more branches to avoid large crowds.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Tuesday threatened to seal up some branches of the Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank) in Abuja for operating without compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

FCTA, therefore, issued a one-day ultimatum to the three affected branches of GTbank in Area 3, 11, and Central Business District within which to put the necessary COVID-19 safety measures in place for their customers or face closure or N100,000 fine.

The Chairman FCT Enforcement Team on COVID-19, Ikharo Attah who disclosed this during a monitoring exercise, lamented that the lives of customers were being endangered at those branches of the Bank.

Attah said: “this particular bank (GTB in Area three) is not observing Covid-19 safety protocol at all. There is only one thermometer for this large crowd. I have been to this particular branch more than four times and this bank enjoys a large crowd, not organizing for its customers to sit and wait.

“There was no social distancing and most of them are not even wearing face masks. The bank should provide canopy, chairs, and handwashing points.

“We are giving them 24 hours to get all these things in place or risk been sealed. It will not cost up to N100,000, because they should take the lives of their customers very seriously. Their customers should be treated with the utmost dignity. I give them 24 hours”.

Some of the customers who were visibly angry over what they described as poor management practices by the bank, told reporters that some of the bank staff were preferential treatment to some individuals that were not in the queue.

Others who decried spending up to four hours without getting cash called on the GTbank to open up more branches to avoid large crowds.

A mother of two, Hauwa Sani, has been stabbed to death by her husband of eight years, Abdul Hassan in Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa State. 

Confirming the incident to newsmen, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Abdul Jinjiri, said Hassan stabbed Hauwa eight times with a knife which led to her death on July 3.  According to Jinjiri, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect acted based on the influence of drugs as he has been addicted to substance abuse for a long time.

Jinjiri said Hassan fled the scene after committing the crime but was later arrested and will be arraigned in court soon.

A two-year-old girl was allegedly raped while in a Coronavirus isolation ward at a hospital in South Africa. 

The alleged incident happened at the Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Pretoria. 

The toddler’s aunt, who chose to remain anonymous to protect the identity of the child, said that the girl was sexually abused while admitted at the hospital 

She said the hospital told to the child’s mother that her daughter needed to be placed on an isolation ward after she developed symptoms of Covid-19. After the mother went home, she was contacted later that evening and told the child was crying and appeared to be in serious pain. 

The aunt said that after the child had been picked up from the hospital, she appeared to be struggling to walk.

After the mother closely inspected her child she discovered that there had been ‘penetration’, according to the aunt. 

Narrating the ordeal, the aunt told News24: ‘The mother and child were referred to the George Mukhari Hospital by the KT Motubatse clinic in Soshanguve on June 15,’ told News24. 

‘The nurses at the clinic said since the child was struggling to breathe, she should be taken to George Mukhari Hospital to be tested for coronavirus.

‘The hospital called in the evening and told the mother that the child was crying and in pain. They later called around 11pm and said the child was now sleeping. The hospital staff called again in the morning and told my sister to come and pick up her child because she had been discharged. The hospital said the child had tested negative for Covid-19.’ 

‘I saw that there was something wrong with the child. As the mother was changing the nappy, she discovered some white fluid on her private parts. 

‘She initially thought it was medication as the child had been in hospital. But the following day, that same whitish fluid was still coming out,’ the aunt told local media. 

The girl was taken back to the hospital where a nurse reportedly confirmed that there was an indication that the child had been raped at the isolation ward.

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters told News24 that a rape case has been opened, with the hospital also conducting its own investigation into the incident.