The Police Command in Yobe on Tuesday said it had arrested one Mohammed Faruk for allegedly raping a 90-year-old woman (name withheld) in Gadaka town in Fika Local Government Area of the state.
The Command’s Spokesman, ASP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this in a statement in Damaturu.
He said that the incident occurred at about 2 p.m., on Monday, Feb. 8, when Faruk intruded into the nonagenarian’s room in a compound and forced himself into her.
Abdulkarim said medical examination at the General Hospital, Fika, revealed some drops of semen on the woman’s private part and confirmed that the suspect allegedly raped the nonagenarian.
He said during interrogation, Faruk, 35, also confessed to committing the crime.
The spokesman said that the case would soon be transferred to the state CID for discreet investigation and subsequent prosecution.
Abdulkarim appealed to the general public to always assist the police with vital information to fight crime, saying the command was combat ready to protect lives and property of the citizens.
A Lagos State Sexual Offences Court, Ikeja on Thursday, sentenced one Nura Asumoge to 25 years imprisonment for the defilement of a 13-year-old in Lagos.
The defendant was earlier arraigned by the Lagos State Government on a one-count charge in 2018.
Nura Asumoge, who pleaded guilty to the charge, was said to have sent the unsuspecting underaged victim on an errand on 3rd April 2018, on her return, the defendant forcefully had sexual intercourse with the victim and threatened her not to inform anyone.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Mrs Arinola Momoh-Ayonkanmbi, of the State’s Ministry of Justice, had urged the court to sentence the defendant accordingly having proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the offence for which he was charged.
She noted that several pieces of evidence brought before the Court by the Prosecution had proved the allegation of the crime levied against the defendant.
The trial judge, Hon. Justice Abiola Soladoye in her sentencing stated that the evidence provided by the prosecutors were credible, compelling and provided enough grounds for the conviction of the defendant.
Justice Soladoye found the defendant guilty of the charge, punishable under section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015) and sentenced him accordingly.
“You are hereby sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for the offence of defilement of a 13-year-old girl”, Justice Soladoye ruled.
She also ordered that the Convict, Nura Asumoge’s name be entered into the Sexual Offenders Register in Lagos State.
It will be recalled, that the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the advocacy WALK against domestic violence organised by DSVRT, had emphasised the commitment of the State Government to ensure the safety and well-being of the Girl- Child and women in Lagos State.
Better days are ahead for women globally as the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a vaginal ring; which can prevent the contracting of HIV, to be added as a prevention choice for women who are substantially at risk of the virus.
This was disclosed Thursday, at the HIVR4P virtual conference by Michelle Rodolph of the WHO, while addressing the 2021 HIVR4P media Fellows. The ring, Ms. Rodolph said would be offered as a choice preventive like other contraceptives.
The WHO guideline is a critical step for having HIV prevention choices for women and this is considered a win by Ms. Chilufya Kasanda, Programmes Officer, Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign (TALC) Lusaka, Zambia. “Many women in Africa for a long time have lacked options which they can control. Thus, the ring empowers women to make better choices as they continue to be affected by HIV,” she said.
Global statistics indicates that the global burden of HIV falls on women in sub-Sahara Africa as no fewer than 60 percent of all new adult infections are among women. “This is why they urgently need and deserve more choices for HIV prevention,” says International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM); inventors of the ring, in one of the firm’s videos about the product.
Vaginal ring
DAPIVIRINE VAGINAL RING
Made of silicon, the ring, when set near the cervix in the vagina, releases an antiretroviral called dapivirine at the sight of potential infections and blocks the virus. A ring is to be set in the vagina; near the cervix every month and wouldn’t need to be removed during menstruation or sexual intercourse, as it cannot be felt. The IPM says the long-acting vaginal ring for HIV prevention reduces HIV risk by 50 percent and should be used with either male or female condoms.
The ring would last for 28 days in the vagina before a replacement is needed. Reproductive and Sexual Health experts say it would save on time, cost and give a sense of security. “Because if raped, a woman wearing the ring is protected from contracting HIV. It is better having a ring inside of me than nothing else for protection,” the HIV prevention advocate; Ms. Chilufya said.
Ms. Chilufya explained that the ring is a long-acting choice many women in Africa have longed for and is very discreet, so, can be used without a partner’s permission.
Many times, women don’t have a choice when it comes to HIV prevention because most options require reaching a compromise with their partners except for PrEp (pre-exposure prophylaxis) – an oral option. With the ring, this is different as there is a privacy that goes with the ring because no one will be able to tell when inserted in the vagina unlike the oral PrEp which doesn’t provide such privacy.
Ms. Chilufya emphasized that the ring is a great solution for women who are presently experiencing Gender Based Violence (GBV) due to the COVID-19. Studies so far reveal that though quarantine is a necessary and major way to reduce the COVID-19 spread, it has birthed serious psychological and socially disruptive consequences including a surge in the cases of gender violence within many families and homes.
NIGERIANS WELCOME PRODUCT WITH MIXED REACTIONS
The ring which is yet to arrive sub-Sahara Africa already has several challenges awaiting its arrival in Nigeria. In an online survey which this reporter started conducting via various social media outlets immediately after the media brief ended, cultural and religious beliefs and practices topped the list of major barriers awaiting the ring’s arrival in Nigeria.
Apostle Chibuzor Ofoegbu, a clergy with the Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim in Lagos, South-West Nigeria said he will discourage his wife from using the vaginal ring and would be mad at her if he discovers she is using it without first telling him. He said he doesn’t like a vaginal ring.
Dr. Ezinne Ezepue, a lecturer at the Theatre and Film Studies Department of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said she would not use the vaginal ring because she doesn’t feel threatened and so has no need to protect herself. She however added: “I know someone who would very much love to use the product but she doesn’t use a smart phone and so cannot respond (to the reporter’s survey). I would like to gift her one just for her to protect herself.”
Mr. Joseph Okoghenun a Public Relations professional in Lagos, said “It is her body. Whatever she does with it that doesn’t affect my and her health and socio-economic wellbeing negatively, is welcome by me. But I hope feminists won’t raise eyebrows when masculinity advocates start criticizing this secrecy.”
Ms. Rita Akpojaroh an educationist and entrepreneur said she will not use the vaginal ring because it is unnecessary for her to. “I am 100 percent sure I am my husband’s only sexual partner and he is mine, as well.”
But Ms. Justina Auta, a journalist in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, said she will use the vaginal ring not because she doesn’t trust her partner but to further protect herself from contracting HIV in view of the increasing cases of sexual violence in the Nigerian society. “Women and girls are being raped by known and unknown persons,” she emphasized.
Ms. Temple Ajilola, an aAbuja-based journalist said she would not use the vaginal ring except she gets more information about it with full details about the side effects.
Samuel Okolo, a spoken-word poet says he wouldn’t encourage his partner to use the ring and will frown at her using it without informing him before commencing. “I wouldn’t encourage her on religious and spiritual ground of upholding celibacy,” he explained.
Mr. Ireho Aito, a Lagos-based radio journalist says he will encourage his partner to use the vaginal ring and would have no hard feelings towards her should she commence usage without informing him.
A relationship coach who chooses to be anonymous pleaded that the vaginal ring should be made available in Nigeria immediately. “Anything that will save lives is welcome by me. If this will prevent infection, then there is hope,” he said.
Mr. Ben Pemii, a Port-Harcourt based independent journalist and author in South-South Nigeria said “Given the superabundance of conspiracy theories, the use of this ring needs to be further subjected to detailed examination to ensure there are no side effects. I would use it if I were a female.
“But if I’m sure that I’m negative, then there is no need to encourage my partner to use it. I’ll encourage a partner to use it in a situation where the male partner is sexually reckless. My finding out that my partner uses the ring without my knowledge won’t carry any serious reaction though I would be surprised,”
Cultural beliefs and practices have been identified as major challenges ahead of the acceptance of the ring in Africa because women in many African communities like in some parts of Nigeria, are not allowed to put anything in their vagina especially in communities with high stakes for feminine virginity.
SOLUTIONS
Ms. Chilufya recommends breaking down the science of and around the ring to local languages. She enjoins all HIV prevention advocates and the media to work together to ensure a seamless and better awareness creation about the vaginal ring so that more women particularly in Africa will make better choices and live healthier lives.
Addressing the fears of possible side effects, Ms. Rodolph explained that the product stops working three hours after removing the ring from the vagina. “So, if a woman feels she is having side effects, she can remove it.”
Ms. Rodolph said the ring will cost about seven or eight dollars but as production increases, the price too will reduce. She hinted that donors are looking at getting onboard so it will get to women for free.
Mr. Okehielem Onyema, a petitioner at the Edo State judicial panel narrated on Tuesday how he was brutalized by police officers.
The petitioner said he was brutalized for refusing to accept a sum of ₦200,000 from a man who allegedly raped his six-year-old daughter.
Mr. Onyema said he was assaulted by officers at the Testament Police Station and State CID in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
According to him, the alleged rapist was caught alongside a native doctor who had fetish objects and drugs he claimed was used on his daughter.
Onyema said he went to the Testament Police Station to make a report and was attended to by one Inspector Juliana Anyanwu. The inspector he said told him to accept the sum from the suspect, after which he was assaulted for refusing the offer.
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He told the panel that afterward, he took the case to the state police command where another Inspector Justina Idiata attended to him.
The inspector also urged him to accept the money which he turned down again. Onyema said he was beaten for refusing the sum again.
The petitioner prayed the panel for compensation of N25 million and said the case is before a competent court.
He petitioned the panel as a result of the assault and brutality the police made him go through in the presence of the suspect.
The case was adjourned for further hearing on Wednesday.
Nollywood actress, Etinosa, has slammed singer Queency Benna, accusing her of falsely claiming that a man identified as Alaska Obi, raped her.
Etinosa noted that the man only failed to pay Benna the full amount they agreed on before a private romantic rendezvous between them
The outspoken actress said that Obi did wrong by failing to fulfill his part of the bargain, insisting that “false accusation of rape ” is “unacceptable to revenge a man’s bad gesture.”
In a post she shared on Instagram, the controversial role interpreter added that the allegations might have been Benna’s only way of getting back at Obi.
She, however, stated that no matter what, making a “mockery of millions of real victims of rape fighting to be heard, believed and served justice,” wasn’t right.
Etinosa wrote in the caption that “rape is not a joke.”
The Italian Court of Appeal in Milan has sentenced former Real Madrid forward Robinho to nine years in prison for participating in the gang rape of a young woman at a nightclub in the northern Italian city in 2013.
Robinho and his friend, Ricardo Falco, have been accused of raping an Albanian girl who was celebrating her 23rd birthday in a well-known Milan venue.
“This sentence is an example for the protection of women and shows that the system works, when necessary,” the girl’s lawyer, Jacopo Gnocchi, told Italian media.
Santos, who had announced the return of the 36-year-old Brazilian striker in early October, terminated his contract shortly thereafter following pressure arising from the sexual violence conviction he received in Italy.
In their statement, the Brazilian club explained that they did so to let Robinho “concentrate exclusively on his defense in the process that takes place in Italy.”
Robinho denied the accusations in 2014 when the news broke that he was being investigated for rape.
In 2009, while playing for Manchester City, Robinho was investigated by the police for an alleged rape at a nightclub in Leeds. After being questioned, he was released on bail and denied those accusations too.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, on Wednesday in Abuja, said that plans are underway to make rape non–bailable offence.
Aliyu made this known during the presentation of a compendium titled, “My COVID-19 Story; Voice of Hope and Resilience”, which chronicled different experiences of young girls during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
The book was compiled and published by the Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Abuja, under the leadership of Dr Jumai Ahmadu, who is also the founder.
Represented by Mrs Maria Ogbonnaya-Ngwu, Deputy Director Administration in the office of the Minister of State, Aliyu stressed the need to protect the dignity of the girl-child.
“It is also gratifying to know that in our dear President Muhammadu Buhari, lies a man that believes in the worth of the girl-child.
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“We have been able to present to him various cases of gender-based violence in the Federal Executive Council.
“Let me assure you that laws will soon be rolled out, to serve as a deterrent to culprits that are guilty or people found culpable of abuses of the girl child.
“Unlike before, the rape case becomes bailable, but now we are working towards that it would no longer be a bailable offence.
“In the Federal Capital Territory, we have been able to give succour to the Girl-child, and able to encourage the Girl-child to believe in themselves.
“The Girl-child is not subordinate to any other child. The administration will continue to boost this, and continue to preach this experience and embark on advocacy”.
The minister commended Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Abuja for taking the initiative in bringing young girls together to pen down their own experiences during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic.
In her remarks, founder and President of foundation, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, noted that the unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has re-defined global health and lifestyle.
She said that governments across the world have had to adopt concrete measures to stop the spread of the virus and reduce the negative impact on the socio-economic life of their citizens.
Ahmadu, further noted that the virus had demystified technologies of the advanced countries including developing nations, noting that if there is anything the virus had thought humans, it was the supremacy of God.
She, however, assured that Helpline Foundation for the Needy would continue to champion the rights of the girl-child in spite of the challenges posed by the outbreak of the virus.
Adamawa State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Lami Ahmed, has averred that the state recorded over 350 cases of rape and sexual assault between May and October 2020.
The commissioner made this known on Monday in Yola at the launch of SMARTRR, a technological-driven solution that allows users of mobile phones to report and refer cases of rape and other gender-based violence in their community.
Ahmed noted that the culture of silence over rape cases and other sexual violence was responsible for the recent surge in the number of rape cases in the state.
She revealed that already, about 150 cases of rape in the state had been reported, using the SMARTRR and added that follow-ups had been made by concerned service providers.
She expressed delight that a youth in the state, Samuel Dirug, came up with the innovation, which allowed for the confidential reporting and referral of nearly half of the over 350 recorded cases of rape between May and October in the state.
She said, “With over 350 cases, one is only left to wonder what measures are to be taken to address this issue before it makes an animal kingdom out of our society; that is if it has not created one already.”
Earlier, Dirug noted that 180 active cases of sexual abuse had been reported using the app, with 27 out of the cases successfully closed with the assistance of partners in Adamawa since May.
A 20-year-old bartender, Joshua Toryile, on Tuesday appeared in an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court, for allegedly raping a 22-year-old unconscious woman (name withheld).
The police charged Toryile with two counts of conspiracy and rape.
The lead state prosecutor, Mr Peter Owolabani, alleged that Toryile committed the offence alongside an accomplice, who is at large, at 2 a.m on Oct. 2, 2019, at No. 1, Professor Olagoke Olabisi St., Lekki, Lagos.
He alleged that the complainant, who is also the victim, who works as a housekeeper, attended a party and had become very drunk.
“She was taken to her brother’s home to regain consciousness . The defendant and his accomplice took advantage of the situation and raped her,” Owolabani said.
The prosecution said the complainant’s brother caught the defendant and the accomplice in the act.
The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 260 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Justice Abiola Soladoye adjourned the case until Nov. 12 for trial.
