Man Uses Hot Pressing Iron on Daughter’s Private Part for Bedwetting

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested one Amos Paul, a resident of Unaun, Upenme in Owo Local Government Area, for allegedly inflicting grievous bodily harm on his 10-year-old daughter. The suspect was arrested on Thursday, July 16, 2026, following a report filed with the police regarding the incident. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed that the suspect allegedly used a hot pressing iron to burn the private part of his daughter as punishment for bed-wetting. The victim sustained severe injuries and was immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, where she is currently receiving medical treatment. Jimoh stated that upon receipt of the information, detectives from ‘A’ Division, Owo swiftly mobilised to the scene, arrested the suspect without delay, and took him into custody. The case has been transferred to the Gender Unit for discreet investigation and further necessary action in line with established procedures.

The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, condemned the alleged act in the strongest terms, describing it as “cruel, inhumane and completely unacceptable”. He reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable members of society from all forms of abuse, violence and exploitation. The Commissioner urged members of the public to promptly report cases of child abuse, domestic violence and other related offences to the nearest police station, assuring that the command will continue to ensure that offenders are brought to justice.

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The Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ondo State was reportedly taking over the matter on behalf of the state government. This underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the rising cases of child abuse in the state. Nigeria’s Child Rights Act of 2003 prohibits corporal punishment and protects children from all forms of violence and degrading treatment. However, conflicting constitutional provisions and the partial adoption of the Child Rights Act by states applying Islamic law have impeded its full implementation. Under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, a parent who inflicts bodily harm on a child can be prosecuted, with conviction attracting up to 3 years imprisonment, a fine, or both. The Criminal Code also counts grievous bodily harm as an offence, irrespective of the offender’s relationship to the victim. Despite these legal protections, enforcement remains weak due to poor institutional capacity, limited awareness, and cultural acceptance of corporal punishment. The Nigerian government has pledged to end corporal punishment in schools as part of new global commitments to tackle violence against children.

Man Uses Hot Pressing Iron on Daughter’s Private Part for Bedwetting

I Spent N2.2m for Habila’s Strange Illness, Says Umahi

• Minister of Works breaks silence on nurse’s death, describes her as “like a daughter,” insists on autopsy to determine cause

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has publicly addressed the controversy surrounding the death of Mary Habila, the nurse who died at his official residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State, on June 27, 2026. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Umahi revealed that he personally spent over ₦2.2 million on her medical treatment and described the deceased as “like a daughter” to him. Umahi dismissed allegations linking him to the incident, describing attempts to politicise the young woman’s death as unfair and misleading. He maintained that he suspects no foul play in the circumstances surrounding her death.

According to the minister, Habila had lived with his family for about three years and worked as a nurse attached to the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State. He clarified that she was a nurse, contrary to reports that described her as a physiotherapist. “The lady in question was like a daughter to me. She had stayed with me for three years. She was a staff member of the Federal Medical University. She was a nurse and not a physiotherapist. And her family and my family are like one family,” Umahi said. The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) later confirmed that Habila did not appear on the database of registered physiotherapists in Nigeria, supporting Umahi’s clarification that she was a nurse.

Umahi disclosed that Habila had been battling health challenges and was receiving treatment at a Turkish Hospital in Abuja, with all her medical expenses paid by him. He said her last hospital visit was on April 5, 2026, during which he personally paid about ₦2.2 million for her treatment. “She has her medical records in Turkish Hospital, being paid by us. The last one was on the 5th of April, and it cost me N2.2 million. The records are there. I paid N2.2 million,” he stated.

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Providing details of the events leading to her death, Umahi said Habila had spoken with her boyfriend shortly before she died and complained of bleeding from her nose. “She spoke to her boyfriend at the hour of her death, complaining that she was bleeding from the nose. The boyfriend said, ‘No, you have to report it.’ She said it had stopped. The boyfriend then said, ‘Listen, I will not continue this conversation since you are bleeding. It will increase the bleeding,'” Umahi recounted. According to the minister, the boyfriend cut the call and called back about three minutes later, but she did not answer. The following morning, after repeated attempts to reach her failed, colleagues forced open her room and found her dead, with the bathroom tap still running. Umahi also recalled that during an earlier official trip to Lagos, Habila had suffered another episode of nosebleeding and informed her boyfriend, who advised her to seek immediate medical attention. She reportedly declined to report it to him because she did not want to cause him stress.

The minister stressed that the guest house where Habila died was separate from his personal residence and questioned why he should be held responsible simply because the facility belonged to the Ministry of Works. “The guest house where she stayed is nowhere near where I live. Does it mean that if someone dies in the Ministry of Works, the minister must automatically be held responsible?” he asked. The minister also defended another medical staff member mentioned in reports, explaining that he had worked with her since his days as governor before securing federal employment.

Umahi disclosed that investigators had been unable to conduct an autopsy because the deceased’s family had objected on cultural grounds. He, however, insisted that determining the exact cause of death through a post-mortem examination was essential. “We have been begging the parents to allow an autopsy to happen. They said it is against their culture. But we insisted through our lawyer that an autopsy should happen. I have directed that the corpse cannot be removed until an autopsy,” he stated. The Ebonyi State Police Command has similarly insisted on an autopsy, describing it as necessary given the sensitive nature of the case and the imperative of establishing the true cause of death.

Habila’s father, Tanko Habila, has formally rejected the autopsy request in an affidavit filed before the High Court of Justice, Ebonyi State. The family said it does not suspect foul play and wants the body released for burial without further medical procedures. “We don’t keep the body of a young child for this long. All I want is the corpse of my daughter so that we can bury her,” Tanko Habila said. The family’s lawyer, Kaile Yusuf, said the family had fulfilled all police requirements for the release of Habila’s remains but had yet to receive the body nearly three weeks after her death.

Umahi said he had requested the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation to Abuja to ensure a thorough inquiry and facilitate discussions with the deceased’s family. He also urged investigators to obtain and analyse the call records of the deceased and her boyfriend. The minister described the loss as deeply painful, saying Habila was one of his most dedicated staff members and would be difficult to replace. He urged Nigerians to refrain from spreading misinformation and allow the police investigation to run its course.

I Spent N2.2m for Habila’s Strange Illness, Says Umahi

Falana threatens to sue FG over judges’ luxury housing scheme in Abuja

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has threatened to institute legal proceedings against the Federal Government over the allocation of newly completed luxury houses to judges in Katampe, Abuja, describing the initiative as discriminatory, unconstitutional and inconsistent with the principle of equality before the law.

Falana made his position known shortly after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) handed over another batch of judges’ quarters built under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. While acknowledging that judicial officers deserve decent welfare and secure accommodation, he argued that it is unlawful for the government to extend such exclusive benefits to judges while neglecting other categories of public servants.

Speaking in a video circulated by News Central Television, Falana said he was deeply concerned after watching the official handover ceremony, questioning the legal basis for providing houses solely to judges.

“We have got to a stage in the country where we need to challenge the special privileges given to the rich and top public officers. I watched the Federal Government handing over the keys of houses to judges and asked myself under what law we are operating because it is discriminatory and illegal. You must treat us equally in our country,” he said.

According to Falana, the issue is not whether judges deserve quality accommodation, but whether the government can lawfully favour one category of public officials while denying similar opportunities to others who also play vital roles in national development.

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He stressed that judicial officers require secure housing to protect the independence of the judiciary and enable them to discharge their constitutional responsibilities effectively. However, he maintained that professors, doctors, civil servants, researchers and other public employees also deserve adequate welfare and housing support.

Falana disclosed that he would soon approach the courts to seek a judicial interpretation of the government’s decision, insisting that the principle of equality before the law should apply to every Nigerian regardless of profession or public office.

“If you don’t do it, you can be challenged, and that is going to happen very soon because what is good for the goose is good for the gander,” he stated.

The senior advocate cited the condition of university lecturers as an example, noting that many professors who have devoted decades to teaching and research are poorly remunerated and often live in rented accommodation because of inadequate staff housing.

He also criticised the welfare structure for career civil servants, arguing that many retire after more than three decades of service without access to decent housing, while some political office holders continue to enjoy multiple government-funded residences and generous allowances after leaving executive office.

Falana further questioned the continued benefits enjoyed by several former governors now serving in the National Assembly, alleging that many receive legislative salaries and allowances while retaining official residences in both their home states and Abuja.

The controversy follows the recent commissioning of additional residential units for judges under the FCT Administration’s Judicial Housing Programme, part of a broader initiative to construct 40 housing units for judicial officers in the Federal Capital Territory.

At the commissioning ceremony, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), defended the housing initiative, describing it as an investment in judicial independence, the rule of law and the efficient administration of justice rather than a personal privilege for judges.

Similarly, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike explained that the houses would be allocated on an owner-occupier basis, subject to presidential approval. He added that the project forms part of ongoing efforts by the administration to improve the welfare, security and working conditions of judicial officers across the Federal Capital Territory.

Legal analysts say the planned lawsuit could trigger a significant constitutional debate over the extent of executive powers in providing welfare packages to members of one arm of government and whether such benefits violate the constitutional principle of equal treatment.

The case may also test the balance between improving judicial welfare and ensuring fairness in the distribution of public resources among different categories of public servants.

As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, and the National Judicial Council (NJC) had not officially responded to Falana’s threat to institute legal proceedings.

Falana threatens to sue FG over judges’ luxury housing scheme in Abuja