Crime & Court
In South Africa, Police Committee Chair Proposes Eight Measures to Deal with Gender Violence
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr. Francois Beukman, has proposed eight measures to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to combat gender violence.
Mr. Beukman made the proposals in a speech today during the debate on the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign in the National Assembly.
Mr. Beukman proposed eight practical measures to deal with gender violence.
“MPs should visit the police stations in their allocated constituencies and engage with the station commander on compliance with the DVA and the assistance provided to victims”
- Compulsory consequence management for South African Police Service (SAPS) members at all levels who respond inadequately to complaints relating to violence against women and children.
- Ongoing training and capacity-building programmes for SAPS first responders to deal with victims of domestic and sexual violence.
- Allocation of more resources to the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units.
- The management of complaints of violence against women and children should be a key performance area for SAPS station commanders. Performance agreements and evaluation should be amended accordingly by Cluster commanders.
- Complainants who do not receive adequate service should immediately escalate complaints to shift, station, cluster commanders and provincial commanders and the National Commissioner, and also copy the Civilian Secretariat on the complaints.
- The Civilian Secretariat of Police, including the Provincial Police Secretariats, should intensify their station audit roll-out and cooperate with non-governmental organisations and other civil society organisations to highlight stations that do not adhere to minimum standards of assistance to gender violence victims.
- Increasing awareness campaigns countrywide to educate learners at schools, churches and local communities about FCS campaigns.
- Increase the detection rate of violent crimes committed against women and children and increase court-ready dockets to increase prosecutions.
The Chairperson further urged public representatives in the three spheres of government to play a proactive role in ensuring that SAPS stations live up to their duties in terms of the Domestic Violence Act (DVA) and other relevant legislation.
“MPs should visit the police stations in their allocated constituencies and engage with the station commander on compliance with the DVA and the assistance provided to victims of gender violence,” Mr Beukman emphasised.
Crime & Court
Human Rights Lawyer, Dele Farotimi, Granted ₦30m Bail
A Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has granted human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, bail to the tune of ₦30 million. The court also mandated Farotimi to provide three sureties with landed properties within its jurisdiction.
As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered Farotimi to refrain from granting media interviews and to submit his international passport to the authorities. The case has been adjourned to February 13, 2025, for further proceedings.
Farotimi, who had been remanded at a correctional center in Ado Ekiti, arrived at the court premises on Friday at approximately 9:45 a.m. He was conveyed in a prison van accompanied by a police escort. Upon arrival, the embattled lawyer raised his hands in appreciation of a cheering crowd that had gathered outside the court to show their solidarity.
The human rights advocate is facing prosecution for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola. His arrest has ignited widespread public outcry, with many Nigerians and civil society groups condemning the action and demanding his immediate release.
Farotimi’s detention and subsequent arraignment have fueled debates about the boundaries of free speech and defamation laws in Nigeria, with critics arguing that the case may stifle dissenting voices in the country.
Crime & Court
Anambra: Police Arrest Man with Gun Hidden in Rice Bag
Police operatives have apprehended a 25-year-old man, Enediong Bassey, in possession of a pump-action gun concealed in a bag of rice at Nkwelle-Ezunaka.
The suspect, a native of Ikono Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, was arrested on November 22, 2024, at 6:38 pm following credible intelligence.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
The statement revealed that officers attached to the 3-3 Divisional Headquarters, led by CSP Emeka Obi, acted swiftly to intercept Bassey.
During interrogation, he admitted to being a member of a local vigilante group but confessed to plans of absconding with the weapon to join a criminal gang involved in armed robbery and other illicit activities.
“Given the above and following other complaints and unprofessional conduct by some security outfits and vigilante members, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, in line with the principles of community policing, reiterates the calls for profiling of security operatives assisting the police and other security agencies on anti-crime operations to improve safety in the state,” the statement read.
In light of the situation, the Commissioner of Police has directed the immediate transfer of the suspect to the command’s anti-robbery squad for a thorough investigation.
The Anambra State Police Command reassured residents of its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property, urging vigilance and collaboration with law enforcement.
Crime & Court
Bloggers Denied Bail Over Alleged Blackmail of GTCO, CEO, Citing Repeat Offenses
Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered an accelerated trial of four bloggers accused of defaming and cyberstalking the management of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), including its Group CEO, Mr. Segun Agbaje.
The defendants—Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami—face a 10-count amended charge for allegedly publishing false and defamatory content about GTCO on various social media platforms.
During proceedings on November 13 and 14, Justice Faji dismissed their bail applications, citing the severity of the charges, which carry potential penalties of up to 14 years in prison.
The judge specifically noted that Precious Eze had previously been charged with a similar offense in another court and was on bail at the time of the alleged actions, demonstrating a likelihood of reoffending.
Justice Faji emphasized the destabilizing impact such actions could have on the banking sector, pointing to the cross-border nature of some of the allegations.
“The regulatory oversight of institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should not be undermined by false claims,” the judge remarked, referencing GTCO’s CBN-approved audited statements.
At the previous hearing, defense counsel Afolabi Adeniyi had urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, arguing that the defendants were ready to stand trial.
However, the prosecution counsel, Chief Aribisala, SAN, opposed the motion, raising concerns about the defendants potentially absconding and stressing the need for a swift trial.
In his ruling, Justice Faji rejected the defense’s plea, ordering an expedited trial to address the case’s significant implications for the financial industry.
The trial has been adjourned to December 10 and 12 for continuation.
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