Justin Bieber has reacted to the sexual assault allegation made against him by a Twitter user identified simply as “Danielle”.
The lady who tweeted from an anonymous account on Saturday night (June 20) which was taken down after Bieber publicly commented on allegation, claimed the incident took place at a hotel in Austin, Texas on March 9, 2014. She said she met Bieber while attending an event in Texas and claimed that she and her friends were invited back to the pop star’s hotel where she was “sexually assaulted without consent.” She however failed to give out the names of her friends.
Justin Bieber who denied the allegation by sharing news articles, social media photos, screenshots of emails and lodging receipts from the time in question, said he decided to gather facts to counter the allegation out of respect to so many victims who deal with sexual assault issues.
He also disclosed that he did not stay at the Four Seasons (location of the alleged incident) but spent the night of March 9, 2014 at an Airbnb and March 10, 2014, at the Westin. Bieber further revealed that he attended the show with his then girlfriend, Selena Gomez. He added that he will be working with Twitter and authorities to take legal action against his accuser.
He tweeted;
“Rumors are rumors but sexual abuse is something I don’t take lightly. wanted to speak out right away but out of respect to so many victims who deal with these issues daily I wanted to make sure I gathered the facts before I made any statement.
“In the past 24 hours a new Twitter appeared that told a story of myself involved with sexual abuse on March 9, 2014 in Austin Texas at the Four seasons hotel. I want to be clear. There is no truth to this story. In fact as I will soon show I was never present at that location.
“As her story told I did surprise a crowd in Austin at Sxsw where I appeared on stage with my then assistant side stage and sang a few songs. What this person did not know was that I attended that show with my then gf Selena Gomez.
“Every claim of sexual abuse should be taken very seriously and this is why my response was needed. However this story is factually impossible and that is why I will be working with twitter and authorities to take legal action.”
The police in Katsina state have arrested a 20-year-old housewife, Murja Ibrahim, pictured above, for allegedly poisoning her eight-year-old stepson.
A statement released by the spokesperson of the state police command, Gambo Isah, says on June 19, one Ibrahim Sani of Jidadi village in Dandume LGA of the state, reported at Dandume Police Division, that his second wife, Murja, poisoned his son Habibu Ibrahim who was aged 8yrs.
Isah said a team of detectives visited the scene and moved the body of the little boy to General Hospital, Funtua where he was confirmed dead by the attending physician.
The spokesperson added that the suspect has been arrested and is assisting the police in their investigation.
Three women were paraded after 818 rounds of live ammunition were found concealed in a bag of rice.
The suspects are Eleana Yowei, 25, Favour Bello, 21, and Priye Jimi, 30.
Lance Corporal Yowei, the husband of Eleana Yowei, is also currently detained by the Nigerian military.
Speaking to newsmen while being paraded alongside other suspects, 25-year-old Eleana Yowei (pictured above) said the bag of rice was brought home by her husband, Lance Corporal Yowei from Zamfara.
Eleana, who lives in Kano, said her husband of 7 years called her on the phone on May 28, to say Favour Bello, 21, who stays with her, will be travelling to Bayelsa and instructed her to give her the bag of rice when she’s travelling. He added that Favour has been instructed to hand the bag of rice over to her mother Priye Jimi, 30, when she gets to Bayelsa.
The next day, her husband called to tell her Favour has been detained at the car park by louts. He sent soldiers from the barracks who went there and were also detained. That evening, officers came to her home and arrested her.
She was taken to SARS office in Bompai, Kano, and detained for one week before she was transferred to Abuja.
In tears, Eleana told newsmen that she didn’t check the content of the bag of rice because of the trust she had for her husband of seven years. She said she is a victim and advised people to always check the content of whatever package they receive.
“For seven years which I married my husband this has never happened. Right now, I’m a victim and my only regret is that, because if trust, I did not check the content of it. I only just, on instruction, gave out the rice. Had it been I checked the content of it…”
Favour Bello, narrating what happened, said her mum called her on May 27, instructing her to come to Bayelsa “based on the lockdown”. Bello, who is a student of FCE Kano, said she lives with Eleana Yowei in the North since it’s close to her school.
She added that Eleana’s husband also informed her on the same day that his wife will give her half bag of rice to take to her mother and he sent her 19,000 Naira as her transport fare.
However, Favour was arrested at the park after transport workers noticed that the bag of rice was too heavy and opened it to check its content.
Favour said while being paraded that she had no idea what was in the bag until it was opened at the park.
Priye Jimi, Flavour’s mother, who police say is 30 years old, also said she had no idea what was in the bag.
While being paraded, Priye Jimi explained that she received a call from her daughter, Favour, complaining that she was having issues with Eleana Yowei, so she adviced her daughter to come home since there was a lockdown in place and schools were closed. She added that she got a message from Eleana’s husband telling her that he will send half bag of rice to her through her daughter but she had no idea what was in the bag of rice.
Nigerian Police force PRO, DCP Frank Mba, said during a press conference that the ammunition concealed in a bag of rice was intercepted in a car park in Kano by officers monitoring activities at various motor parks.
He said: “We have a total of 39 suspects, including 3 females all linked with offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, and gun running.
He added: “3 women aged 30, 25, and 21 years respectively were arrested for a failed attempt to move a total of 818 rounds of live ammunition all the way from Kano to Bayelsa state.”
He said Eleana’s husband has been arrested and “is currently detained by the Nigerian military.”
He adviced Nigerians against the need to get rich quick by going into crime.
The federal government has banned what it described as non-critical and administrative capital spending, including the purchase of vehicles.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a document tagged, “What you need to know about the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan” made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja, listed eight key interventions contained in the sustainability report.
The plan was developed by the Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and set up by President Muhammadu Buhari earlier in March.
The document was designed to support the economy in the face of the disruptions and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adesina listed the eight key interventions to include mass agricultural programme, infrastructure, informal sector support, business support for MSMEs, technology, expansion of National Social Investment Programmes, cut in non-essential spending and support for state governments.
As part of ways to cut non-essential spending, Adesina said only ambulances, fire-fighting vehicles and other essentials were exempted from the ban on the purchase of vehicles.
He said: “The president has approved the implementation of the report on the rationalisation of government agencies. “The NESP will also target a reduction in average production costs of crude oil.
“Also, the Integrated Personnel and Payment Information System (IPPIS) will be expanded to cover all federal government’s MDAs. “Non-critical and administrative capital spending will be eliminated, including purchase of vehicles (except for ambulances, fire-fighting vehicles and other essentials).”
The presidential spokesman stated that the Economic Sustainability Committee would monitor the implementation of the plan with the vice president regularly briefing the president on the issue.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday, confirmed that one of his daughters tested positive for Coronavirus.
The governor added that he and his wife, Edith, are now self-isolating for the next 14 days.
He disclosed this on his official Twitter with the caption; ”Earlier today, Edith and I received the news that one of our daughters has tested positive for #COVID19. ”
Hence, in-line with the laid out procedures, we are both going into isolation for the next 14-days. We will continue to keep you all updated.” he wrote
There are several legal regimes that define and provide punishments for rape. Some are federal laws while others are state laws. The location of rape (venue of crime) determines the definition of rape to be followed and its consequent punishment. There is no single national legislation on rape in Nigeria.
1.) THE CRIMINAL CODE OF 1916. In the southern part of Nigeria, rape and other criminal offences are created and regulated by the Criminal Code. The Criminal Code has been in operation since 1st June 1916.
By the Criminal Code, rape is unlawful sexual intercourse between a man and a a woman or girl without the consent of the woman/girl or with her consent obtained by force or fraud. The highest punishment for rape is life imprisonments with or without caning. Attempted rape is punishable with 14 years imprisonment, with or without imprisonment. Rape is complete when there is slightest penetration of vagina with penis.
Anything short of slightest penetration is not rape, rather may be an indecent assault. And, sexual intercourse between a husband and wife is not rape. This law also made it impossible for women and girls to be charged with rape, so men and boys were ignored as victims of rape. These are part of the gaps in the criminal code and there was obvious need for new laws to emerge, especially on sexual abuse.
2.) CHILD’S RIGHT ACT OF 2003 AND THE STATES’ EQUIVALENTS. In 2003, the federal government enacted the Child’s Right Act. Among other offences, rape was further created by the Child’s Right Act to cover where a child is raped. It defined rape to be unlawful sexual intercourse and it sets a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.
However, the Child’s Right Act, unlike the Criminal Code did not give detailed definition of rape and what really constitutes rape. It is silent on the issue of level of penetration need for rape. It also does not have a minimum punishment for rape.
The Child’s Right Act being a federal law on an issue that is not in the exclusive powers of the National Assembly, meant that state legislators must make laws to domesticate/adopt the Child’s Right Act in their respective states. Without this, arguably, the Child’s Right Act cannot operate in the states. So far, many states in southern part of Nigeria, have enacted their own Child’s Right Law. The Child’s Right Laws also provide for rape but without a minimum punishment.
3.) VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS (PROHIBITION) ACT OF 2015 AND THE STATES’ EQUIVALENTS. This federal law defines rape to include penetration into any opening in a human body by any person. Being silent on the status of husbands and wives and also using the cover word (any person), this means that there can be rape between couples and that boys and men can be victims of rape unlike in the Criminal Code. It also made the minimum punishment for rape to be 12 years imprisonment without fine and maximum to be life imprisonment.
However, where an offender is less than 14 years old his maximum punishment is 14 years imprisonments and where there is group/gang rape, the offenders are jointly liable to a minimum of 20 years imprisonment. Also, names of sexual offenders are to be kept in a register and made public. Victims are entitled to compensation as the court deems fit. This means that pedophiles or any person that marries any person below 18 years old and has sexual intercourse with her/him has committed rape.
This law operates only in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. So, some states in southern part of Nigeria, have adopted and enacted similar laws, including Anambra State, Ebonyi State and Oyo State while more states are being urged to genuinely join this fight against rape.
4.) ANTI-TORTURE ACT OF 2017 Torture is the intentional infliction of mental or physical pain/suffering on a person in order to obtain information/confession, or punish, intimidate and force him or a third party.
Under the Anti Torture Act 2017, rape is a form of torture and torture is punishable with imprisonments for 25 years without an option of fine. This is the maximum punishment and there is no minimum punishment.
5.) THE CONSTITUTION OF NIGERIA: The greatest of all laws in Nigeria, is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. The constitution overrides all other laws and even international conventions and religious books/rules made by international bodies, federal government, state government, local governments or any religious/communal organization. Any law, rule, custom or practise that attempts to contradict the constitution of Nigeria is on itself invalid, nullified and dead on arrival.
Among the inalienable rights of person (including children) in Nigeria, that are enshrined (contained) in the constitution, is Right to Dignity of Human Person. Rape is on its own torture, inhuman and a degrading treatment to any victim. It is a breach of fundamental human rights (right to dignity of human person and right to personal liberty) of victim and as such monetary compensation of victim is allowed although not as an alternative to imprisonment of offender but as an addition.
The constitution is operational in all parts of Nigeria, so the argument that Child’s Right Act and the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act do not operate in some states, does not apply to the constitution.
CONCLUSION: States in southern part of Nigeria, have different laws governing rape, outside their common legislation (the Criminal Code of 1916). The state where the offence of rape is committed is what determines the minimum and maximum punishment an offender can get. That also, affects how victims of rape will be protected and treated.
Judgments of courts have shown that where there is no minimum punishment for an offence, the courts is at discretion to offer very little punishment. This may be so little and far from the maximum punishment to the extent that it becomes a mockery. Victims of rape and other crimes generally, will keep losing faith in our legal system, if offenders keep receiving little or no punishments.
There is need for very harsh minimum punishment, like as provided in the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015 which makes minimum punishment for rape to be 12 years imprisonment. For this and more, all states are encouraged to enact state equivalents of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and to also spend resources on promoting awareness on such laws.
Man is naturally selfish and people will not stop rape, child marriage or crime generally, because they care but will stop crimes for fear of law. Laws will not be known and obeyed after being enacted no matter how harsh the punishment therein may be, unless there is measurable constant awareness. So there is more to be done above and beyond enacting and amending laws. Legal Awareness must be prioritized having in mind the education gap in Nigeria. Law awareness is the vision behind the free daily law tips (#DailyLawTips) and the free law platform/website (LearnNigerianLaws.com) of Sabi Law Foundation.
My authorities are:
1. Sections 34 and 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. 2. Sections 1, 47 and 48 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and other similar laws in states of the federation. 3. Sections 2, 3, 8 and 13 of the Anti Torture Act, 2017. 4. Sections 31, 32, 277 and 278 of the Child’s Right Act, 2003 and other similar laws in states of the federation. 5. Sections 1, 2, 5 of Criminal Code Act, 1916 and sections 6, 353, 357, 358, 359, 360, and 363 of the Schedule to their Criminal Code Act, 1916. 6. The Supreme Court’s judgment in the case (on how to prove rape) of NDEWENU POSU & ANOR v. THE STATE (2011) LPELR-1969(SC). 7. Cyprian Okonkwo, Okonkwo and Naish: Criminal Law In Nigeria (1st ed, Sweet and Maxwell 1980) 271-278.
Daily Law Tips (Tip 597) by Onyekachi Umah, Esq., LLM. ACIArb(UK)
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Mr. Aliyu Imuekemhe popularly known as “Mc. Person” has shared another comic video titled “Legal Betrayal”.
The video is a hypothetical Court session where a Lawyer raised an objection to an adjournment sought by his colleague before the Court.
Meanwhile, prior to the proceedings, an agreement had been reached by both of them where he deceived the other counsel that he was not equally ready to proceed with the case.
It was discovered that he had sought for many adjournments totaling ten and forty-five stand-downs.
The Court later dismissed the application and the case itself.
Says Beware Of ‘Political Maneuvering’ * Not To Entertain Matters Outside Jurisdiction
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC) Justice John Tsoho has “strongly advised” all the court’s judges to desist from granting ex parte orders in political matters.
Justice Tsoho further advised the justices not to entertain matters whose substance arose from outside their judicial divisions.
There are 36 divisions of the court, manned by 79 judges, according to court’s official website.
The CJ gave the admonition in a June 24 circular titled “Grant of Ex Parte orders” and Hearing of cases from outside immediate territorial jurisdiction”.
The letter referred the judges to another circular of August 6, 2018 issued by his predecessor, Justice Abdul Kafarati, “which still applies”.
Tsoho warned the justices to beware of “political maneuvering” which was on the rise as a prelude to party conventions, primaries and elections in some states.
“It is of common knowledge that elections will be held in some states in Nigeria in the nearest future. The normal Party Conventions and Primaries with attendant political maneuvering have already commenced amongst various political parties, which very often culminate in the institution of cases in the Courts.
“In this regard, Your Lordships are strongly advised not to grant an Ex-parte injunctive order in any political matter brought before Your Lordships.
“Furthermore, Your Lordships are equally advised not te entertain matters of which the course of action has arisen from outside your Judicial Divisions,” the Chief Judge said.
The Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has says its orientation camps will reopen when it is very safe, in view of the formidable danger posed by COVID-19 pandemic.
Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, Director, Press and Public Relations of the scheme, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
The attention of management of the scheme has been drawn to an online publication stating that the ”NYSC is set to reopen orientation camps, lists guidelines,” alluding that the scheme will soon resume orientation programme,” Adeyemi said.
She said the scheme placed very high premium on the lives of corps members, camp officials and other stakeholders .
”Which was the key reason it suspended 2020 Batch “A” Stream 1 orientation programme in March and shall never act in anyway that will compromise their safety.
“To reinforce the foregoing, it is apt to add that even when it has been sufficiently established it is safe to proceed to the camps for the resumption of normal activities, the corps shall only do so when it has received the nod of the Federal Government,” she said.
Adeyemi added that corps members and prospective corps members are advised to glean information concerning the scheme only from NYSC official sources – both the social and mainstream media.
According to her, the Director-General, NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, admonished corps members and prospective ones to continue strict observance of COVID-19 safety protocols, predicated on social and physical distancing.
Others, he said, are wearing of face masks, proper washing of the hands for at least twenty seconds, and the use of hand sanitiser. (NAN)
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