News
Uproar In Court As Rape Case File Disappears
Family members and human rights activists pursuing the prosecution of a child defilement suspect expressed disenchantment in court in Yola yesterday, after they learnt that the file on the case could not be presented before the judge.
The case, which became a court issue last year, September 2018, has been about a 25-year-old man, Aliyu Mohammed, who is being tried for allegedly defiling a five-year-old neighbour in Yola Town, Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
After many court proceedings over the past 16 months, judgement on the case was fixed for Tuesday, but it had to be adjoined to January 14, 2020, after the judge, Hon Umar Isa of Upper Area Court 3, was told that the file was not available.
The Women/Human Rights Desk Officer of an NGO, Centre for Women & Adolescent Empowerment, Ms Nuwama Markus, who has been following the case, described the development as most unfortunate.
She said: “This case was due for judgement two weeks ago, but it was adjourned to today because lawyers were marking their Bar week. It is so very sad that it has to be adjoined once more.”
The sudden disappearance of the file came to light Tuesday afternoon, when the Police Prosecutor, Srgt Ibrahim Aliyu, reminded the judge about the case after the judge had already treated a number of other cases.
When the judge asked for the file on the case, his clerk told him it was unavailable. He asked that the registrar be made to bring it, but was told the registrar was away.
The judge then rescheduled the judgement for January 14 and ordered that the file be produced by then.
The case had started in September 2018 when the suspect was dragged before the law after he was accused of sexually abusing the minor who lived with her parents in the same compound with him in Yola Town.
The five-year-old had told her mother that bloodstain which was noticed on her pant resulted from an act of the suspect.
The suspect had denied the charge and has since been reporting to court from a new place of aboard he moved to after he was released from detention on bail.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
