News
Court Grants Bail To Man Who Fed Daughter With Excreta In Rivers
A Rivers State Senior Magistrates’ Court sitting in Port Harcourt, yesterday, granted bail to a 27-year-old man, Francis Silas, who was remanded in a correctional facility for allegedly feeding his four-year-old daughter with her own excreta after battering her.
The accused, who was dragged to court by the International Federation of Women Lawyers in Rivers State, is facing three counts bordering on child abuse and battery.
Prosecutor in the suit, Kenneth Ossisi, had earlier told the court that the offence of the accused was punishable under section 351, 241(2) and 249 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 37 Vol. II, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
Ossisi added that the offence was committed at the residence of the accused at Railway Close, Diobu Line, Port Harcourt in December, 2019.
The charge reads, “That you, Francis Silas, on December 30, 2019, at No. 3, Railway Close, D/Line, Port Harcourt Magisterial District, did unlawfully march the stomach of a baby below the age of five and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 351 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol II Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
“That you, Francis Silas, on the same date and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did administered poison on one Happiness (female) who was below the age of five by forcing her to eat her faeces and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 241(2) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 37, Vol II, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
“That you, Francis Silas, on the same date and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did conducted yourself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by feed one Happiness with her faeces and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 249 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 37, Vol. II Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.”
The presiding Senior Magistrate, John Enyindah, following an application filed by the counsel for the defendant, E. Essien, admitted bail to the accused with a surety and the like sum of N100,000, who must be a property owner within the magisterial district of the court.
Enyindah added that the surety must depose to an affidavit, which must be submitted to the court alongside recent passport photographs.
He, however, adjourning the matter till February 3, 2020, for hearing.
News
198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class
News
Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers
News
RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE
The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.
The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee
highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.
“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.
Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.
The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.
