Author: Iduozee Efe Paul

The Executive Director of Justice Development Peace and Caritas Initiatives in Uromi Diocese, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Fidelis Arhedo, has posited that, the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws (ACJL), serves as a critical framework aimed at reforming the criminal justice system in Edo State and Nigeria at large, ensuring that the right of citizens are respected and that the process of justice is fair and efficient. Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Fidelis Arhedo, made the statements in an engagement meeting and learning session on the implementation of the administration of criminal justice law, in Benin City with the theme, “Enhancing fairness, and efficiency…

The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Paulinus Okwelle, has asserted that proper education of student teachers in human trafficking can help curb the menace, saying they will surely become the frontline of defense, shaping the minds of schoolboys and schoolgirls to understand their rights and recognize the signs of trafficking. Prof. Okwelle, who was represented by the Director Education Services and International Partnerships NCCE, Mr. Razak Badmus, stated this at a three-day Workshop on Training of Teacher Trainers (TOT) in Colleges of Education on School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP) in Benin City, Edo…

Nigeria’s Women Premier League champions Edo Queens, Saturday evening produced an incredible performance as they came from behind to beat African champions Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in the final Group B game of the ongoing CAF Women Champions League to qualify for the Semifinals of the tournament in Casablanca, Morocco. Nigeria’s representatives, Edo Queens having qualified as Group B leader will be facing TP Mazembe of DR Congo in the semifinals clash on Tuesday It looked like the Edo Girls were on their way back to Nigeria when the South Africans were still leading by a lone goal at 93 minutes…

Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has advised alumni bodies to support traditional institutions in curbing social vices in society. The Royal father gave the advice when members of Immaculate Conception College Old Boys Association (ICCOBA) paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Benin City. Oba Ewuare II charged ICCOBA to keep their integrity intact as torch bearers of society in the development of their alma mater. The Oba, who gave a rare insight into his experience in Catholicism, which he stressed formed the bedrock of his religious knowledge and the Bible, also reflected on Nigeria’s Civil war. “It’s…

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has directed the Commissioner of Police to halt violent cult clashes in the State. The Governor has also banned Drivers Welfare Association and Network Empowerment in the State. He asked the Commissioner of Police to instruct his officers and men to immediately swing into action and halt the unnecessary bloodbath. The Governor had also ordered for the immediate and indefinite suspension of collection of all revenues in Edo, especially in motor parks and others, until further notice, saying he would review the issues surrounding the collections soon and decide on the way forward. “As…

The Executive Director of the Justice Development Peace Commission Initiative (JDPCI), Uromi Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Fidelis Arhedo, has said that the high number of people awaiting trial in Nigeria’s correctional centres was unacceptable. Very Rev. Fr. Arhedo, who stated this at a roundtable with journalists in Benin City, said available data showed that in Edo State alone, over 75 percent of inmates in correctional centres were awaiting trial, for minor offences that could have been handled through non-custodial measures. The roundtable was on the effective reporting of the implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Edo…

A Benin High Court, Edo State presided over by Justice Geraldine Imadegbelo has sentenced two women to 49 years in prison for trafficking in human beings. Sandra Obasuyi, 29, charged by the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) was found guilty on seven count charges and accordingly sentenced to 49 years and nine years, while the second accused Evelyn Edoleyi, 28 bagged three years for each of the three count charges for a total of nine years imprisonment. The two convicts who were first arraigned on March 29, 2016 were accused of trafficking two teenagers aged 15…

The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has empowered 30 women, whose environment has been impacted by activities of multinational corporations. The Interim Administrator, ERA/FoEN, Rita Uwaka, said at a one-day workshop for the women that the empowerment was aimed at supporting the women from impacted communities. Uwaka said the support would come through a structured learning and healing programme that would equip them with information on environmental issues, their rights, and their struggles with support for alternative livelihood options. The one-day workshop with theme: ‘Promoting Solidarity Economy. Building Resilience,’ attracted women from than 15 communities spread…

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed a renowned drummer identified as HC Ikhamateh Akhumhele in the Osholo community, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State. The spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Benin City, said Akhumhele was killed between Iviukwe and Akioli on Saturday, October 26, 2024. He said, “We are meeting with community leaders on this unfortunate incident while tactical teams have been deployed to comb the crime scene and its surroundings for possible arrest of the suspect. “The DPOs sharing boundaries with that area have also…

The Network of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria, NOCSON, has raised concern over the high rate of cult killings in Edo State and has called for the return of Edo State Security Network, ESSN, to check the trend. In a statement signed and made available to journalists in Benin, the President of NOCSON, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi, said recent killings in the state called for serious concern and that proactive and urgent steps need to be taken to stop it before it snowballed into a bigger crisis. “NOCSON had recently frowned on the killings in Edo State in which an estimated…