metro
Shock as 54-year-old man marries 4-year-old toddler in Bayelsa
Shock as 54-year-old man marries 4-year-old toddler In Bayelsa
In Bayelsa reports emerged of a traditional marriage ceremony between a four-year-old girl and a 54-year-old man in the Akeddei community, Sagbama Local Government Area, on Boxing Day.
Numerous child rights advocacy groups in Bayelsa, such as the Do Foundation, strongly condemned this event, labeling it as both illegal and criminal.
They emphasized that child marriage stands in direct violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the Child Rights Act.
Reported by Sahara Reporters, the union between the young girl and the 54-year-old man, identified as Elder Akpos, was arranged by the girl’s parents. They justified this union by asserting that the man was her husband in her past lives.
According to sources within the community, the girl claimed a spiritual connection to the man, asserting that he was her deceased husband from a past life. Allegedly, she had been born multiple times into different families, seeking to reunite with her former spouse.
One of the sources said, “The little bride said if she was not allowed to marry her husband, she would have no other business in Akeddei community, and that she was going to die peacefully and go her way.
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“In order to avoid losing the girl to death, the people of Akeddei decided to organize a glamorous wedding ceremony to mark the union of the two previous life lovers.”
However, Do Foundation, in a statement signed by Elvis Mannie Esq., its Chairperson in Bayelsa State, confirmed the development. He said the foundation had launched an investigation into the development to save the child.
In the statement, the foundation “described the said child marriage as horrendous and despicable, and also a criminal activity, capable of retarding the giant strides made by the government and people of Bayelsa State in the area of protection of child rights.”
It noted that the Child Rights Law was domesticated in 2016 and is still in force in Bayelsa State.
“This law criminalizes child marriages and child betrothals on pain of imprisonment and heavy fines,” it said.
The organisation called on the Government of Bayelsa State, the Gender Response Initiative Team and all stakeholders in the Gender Response system, including security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the incident, to protect the child from sexual exploitation, and arrest and prosecute all “persons found culpable in this despicable event”.
Shock as 54-year-old man marries 4-year-old toddler In Bayelsa
metro
Terrorists release video of kidnapped palace servant in Zamfara
Terrorists release video of kidnapped palace servant in Zamfara
In a video, a servant of the Emir of Zamfara named Alhaji Buhari (Shamaki) has pleaded to the monarch to intercede in their release.
Last week, bandits raided the palace of Zurmi’s Emir, Alhaji Bello Muhammad Bunu, killing three persons and abducting some local inhabitants.
According to locals, the bandits raided the town at 10 p.m. on Wednesday and targeted the mansion of Nasarawa State’s former Military Administrator, Colonel Bala Muhammad Mande (rtd).
The Emir was, however, whisked away by the security agents to Gusau.
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In the video, the abducted men were seen with eyes blocked with pieces of cloths while being surrounded by armed bandits, while one of them (Shamaki) urged the Emir to show compassion and aid in their release.
Invoking the name of Allah for mercy and support, he said they are over 600 individuals in dire need for assistance to go back and continue providing food for their families.
He said: “We are calling on the Emir of Zamfara to have sympathy for us, in the name of Allah, and help our release. In the name of Allah, the Emir should have sympathy for us.
“We are just looking for what to eat and feed their families. Even if one has nothing, waking up with something to eat and feed his family is enough. I am your Shamaki, Alhaji Buhari. Please and please, Your Highness, help us your people who are in extreme need for your help. We are over 600 in the bush.”
Terrorists release video of kidnapped palace servant in Zamfara
(DailyTrust)
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Appeal court takes over NURTW case as NIC withdraws
Appeal court takes over NURTW case as NIC withdraws
The National Industrial Court has withdrawn from a case involving Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, Board of Trustees chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa’s ambition to return as president of the union over lack of jurisdiction.
The industrial court’s decision was made to avoid conflict with the Court of Appeal, where the matter is already being heard.
Before the NIC announced its decision to hands-off the case, the defendants’ counsel, Mr. O.I. Olorundare SAN, had informed the court that the matter is currently before the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, and that the industrial court could not continue to adjudicate on the same matter.
The counsel cited authorities to support his claim, adding that the National Industrial Court does not have concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of Appeal.
The presiding judge, O.O. Oyewunmi, struck out the case, stating that the Appeal Court had taken over the matter and that the Industrial Court must respect the hierarchy of courts.
Alhaji Yasin and six others took the case to the Appeal Court, challenging the decision of the industrial court recognising a delegates’ conference held on May 24, 2023, where Baruwa was proclaimed as President of the union for a second term in office.
With the latest NIC judgement, both parties will now proceed to defend their positions at the Court of Appeal and await the final judgement.
metro
Inspector arrested with snatched car
Inspector arrested with snatched car
A Police Inspector, Nkwa Nnamdi, attached to 23 Police Mobile Force, Keffi, Lagos State, has been arrested and detained for being in possession of a car snatched at gunpoint.
This was after an unregistered Toyota Camry saloon car snatched at gunpoint was found in his possession.
Incidentally, the car was reported stolen by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, M. Alamutu, attached to 2 PMF, Keffi, Lagos State.
The car belonged to Alamutu’s younger brother, Daniel Ayomide, and was snatched at gunpoint on April 22.
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When Inspector Nnamdi was questioned on how he got the car, he claimed that the vehicle was handed over to him by a man he simply identified as Evans at Eternal Filling Station, Iju Road, Lagos State for him to drive the vehicle to Benin in Edo State.
A Situation Report stated: “On 23rd of April at about 4pm, an information was received from ASP Alamutu attached to 2PMF Keffi Lagos, that his younger brother namely, Daniel Ayomide unregistered Toyota Camry s/car white colour was stolen on gun point on the 22rd of April 2024 at about 8:30pm, was sighted along Iju road.”
Inspector arrested with snatched car
Terrorists release video of kidnapped palace servant in Zamfara
Man who has lived in America for over 13 years says he’s tired, wants to return home
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