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Mock Courts: AGF Malami Harps on Training of Specialist Prosecutors, Investigators on SGBV

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Mock Courts: AGF Malami Harps on Training of Specialist Prosecutors, Investigators on SGBV

Mock Courts: AGF Malami Harps on Training of Specialist Prosecutors, Investigators on SGBV

By: Michael Mike, Abuja

As part of the activities marking this year’s ’16 Days of Activism against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, has called for the training of investigators and prosecutors as specialists in the handling of SGBV cases in Nigeria.

Malami made this statement at the First Mock Court Trial organised by the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme of the British Council in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

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 According to the AGF, it is imperative to train these first responders in the access to justice spectrum on evidence collection and storage, intelligence gathering and reporting, evidence analysis and chain of custody preservation.

Mock Courts: AGF Malami Harps on Training of Specialist Prosecutors, Investigators on SGBV

Represented by the Director in the Public Prosecution Department, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Abdulrahim Shuaibu, he stressed the need for the establishment of more Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) in the country.

He said: “The absence of SARC is akin to retraining the survivors of SGBV, this is at the very core of my ministerial pursuit and I am seriously working on an Access to Justice based SARC which will evolve in due course,”

“This is a holistic vehicle that provides an all-inclusive integrated service amongst MDAs to the survivors of SGBV.”

It is, therefore, he noted, critical, fundamental and essential in-service delivery to Survivors,” he added.

According to the Minister, access to justice based SARC will include improved health care services that would address the medical, physical, mental and psychosocial consequences of SGBV to Survivors.

While noting that, there is also a need to train our Judges on the handling of SGBV cases especially about victim and witness protection and the management of evidence gathered due to the sensitive nature of these cases.

Malami commended all the Judges, lawyers and stakeholders who took out time to participate and I assure everyone present of my dedication in the fight against SGBV.”

In the same vein, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, Chairperson of SARCs, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, disclosed that since its establishment in 2013, SARC has continued to provide free immediate emergency medical treatment, counselling and follow up support to survivors of rape and sexual assault.

Ezeilo noted that in just eight years, the SARC Network has grown from a single SARC in Lagos to 32 SARCS across 19 states in Nigeria assisting over 22,000 survivors of sexual assault combined.

She stressed that there is a remarkable expansion spread of the SARC initiative in Nigeria and a stronger focus nationwide on comprehensive medical and counselling services for survivors.

In addition to supporting their engagement with the legal system, there is strong evidence that the number of SGBV cases reported to SARCs is still a poor representation of the scale of sexual assault in Nigeria and the number of cases that are prosecuted, are very few compared to the number of incidents.

Ezeilo stated that the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme would like to support the call and effort to establish specialised courts for SGBV by holding these mock specialised SGBV courts.

According to her, this will model what survivor centred SGBV court processes and proceedings would look like in the context of Nigeria’s legislative social policy environment.

Mock Courts: AGF Malami Harps on Training of Specialist Prosecutors, Investigators on SGBV

“It will provide the opportunity to model police investigation and prosecution scenarios that support or compromise justice for survivors,” she said.

She said that the lessons gathered from the mock trials will assist law enforcement, the judiciary and the criminal justice system to fast track the justice process on similar existing cases.

Ezeilo said it will also encourage justice service providers to employ the right attitudes and tools in their interactions with victims and perpetrators of SGBV. She also noted that they brought in innovations, which connotes gender offence is not just committed against a woman, with this you see the good, the bad and the ugly.

“If for example, our population is 100million, at least 30 million women and girls are victims of gender-based violence, it is really serious when we say one in every three women is going to be a victim in their lifetime is an underestimation, because in a daily basis you hear about this coupled with the cases handled in the SARC and other organisation”, she said.

On his part, former Minister of Justice, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN reiterated that many people go through this violence today from an immediate environment who are very close.

Kayode was of the view that these persons are sometimes those persons who feel they are higher in status and the victim cannot do anything to them.  

He said that ” rape of a minor is a serious issue, the bottom line is that it should not even get there, the rules of engagement must change”. 

According to the former Minister of Defence,  trauma for people who go through violence is unimaginable. We should be able to carve out the proof of evidence and the very important burden. There must be litigations that must be directed by the court. The laws are prospective, we make laws for the future. 

He said there is a need to vow to never raise your hand to your spouse, it might become necessary to use the law to reduce incidents of domestic violence.

“I am an advocate for special courts and I feel they should be a specialised court for different cases”, headed.

Mock Courts: AGF Malami Harps on Training of Specialist Prosecutors, Investigators on SGBV

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Sultan of Sokoto calls for proper understanding of jihad, says Islam abhors extremism

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Sultan of Sokoto calls for proper understanding of jihad, says Islam abhors extremism

By: Zagazola Makama

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has stressed the need for Nigerians to understand the true meaning of jihad, noting that it is not about violence but about striving for excellence in all spheres of life.

The Sultan stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the public presentation of “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,” a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.).

He cautioned against misinterpretations of Islamic concepts, saying extremists and uninformed commentators had for decades wrongly associated jihad with terrorism and violence against non-Muslims.

“Jihad simply means striving — striving to be a better Muslim, a better Christian, a better citizen, and a better human being. It is not about killing anyone. Islam abhors extremism, and no true Muslim can claim to follow the teachings of the Prophet while embracing violence,” the Sultan said.

He explained that Islam, properly understood, promotes peaceful coexistence and good governance, adding that Islamic teachings have over the years helped shape Nigeria’s democratic journey by emphasising justice, accountability, and leadership responsibility.

According to him, Islamic institutions such as mosques, scholars, and traditional councils continue to play a stabilising role in the country by mediating conflicts, guiding leaders, and educating citizens on tolerance and civic duties.

“Islam is not about seizing power; it is about ensuring good governance and accountability in society. Our democracy has benefitted from these values because justice and fairness are principles rooted both in the Qur’an and in democratic practice,” he said.

The Sultan also called for stronger interfaith dialogue, stressing that Nigeria’s unity depends on mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims.

“If I know who you are, and you know who I am, we can live in peace. Understanding one another is the foundation for national security and stability,” he added.

He commended Gen. Irabor for writing the book, describing it as a timely resource that not only documents the scars of insurgency but also provides insights for policy, governance, and national healing.

The launch attracted dignitaries including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, service chiefs, traditional rulers, senior military officers, and members of the diplomatic corps.

Sultan of Sokoto calls for proper understanding of jihad, says Islam abhors extremism

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Jonathan says Boko Haram insurgency too complex, calls for holistic solutions

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Jonathan says Boko Haram insurgency too complex, calls for holistic solutions

By Hamza Suleiman

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the Boko Haram insurgency remains one of the most complex and enduring security challenges in Nigeria’s history, warning that military action alone cannot end the crisis.

Jonathan stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the public presentation of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd).

He said that unlike previous crises in Nigeria such as the Niger Delta militancy and ethno-religious violence, the Boko Haram insurgency carried deeper scars because of its external connections, extremist ideology, and advanced weaponry.

“Boko Haram is more complex than what many people imagine. At some point, their fighters had more ammunition than our soldiers, which clearly showed that external groups were deeply involved,” Jonathan said.

The former President noted that the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014 remained one of the most painful scars of his administration, stressing that no form of cosmetic remedy could erase it from the nation’s collective memory.

He recalled his personal engagement with Niger Delta militants as Vice President, saying that his decision to personally visit their camps without armed escorts was borne out of the conviction that dialogue must complement military action.

“In the Niger Delta, I met the militants in their camps. We succeeded in restoring peace not only because of military action but because we engaged them, listened to them, and created opportunities for their communities. That approach worked,” he said.

Jonathan, however, emphasised that Boko Haram presented a different challenge. According to him, the insurgency must be tackled through a holistic strategy that combines security operations with good governance, poverty reduction, youth empowerment, and social justice.

He said: “We cannot treat Boko Haram simply as a law-and-order problem. It is rooted in poverty, exclusion, and broken dreams. Only a comprehensive approach will deliver lasting peace.”

According to him, Nigeria must adopt a similar approach to Boko Haram by tackling poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion in communities vulnerable to extremist recruitment.

He commended Gen. Irabor for documenting his reflections, saying the book would enrich national understanding of insurgency and guide future leaders in shaping policy responses.

“Those who were directly involved must tell their stories. This book will help the nation understand what really happened, what lessons we must learn, and how we can do better in the future,” he added.

The event attracted dignitaries including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former National Security Adviser Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), service chiefs, ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, and traditional rulers.

Jonathan says Boko Haram insurgency too complex, calls for holistic solutions

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Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA

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Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday said that the Federal Government’s programmes and policies under President Bola Tinubu-led administration were improving the welfare of Nigerians.

Mrs Adaline Patari, the State Director of NOA, Gombe State office, stated this shortly after a road show to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary in Gombe.

Patari said that programmes and policies of Tinubu-led administration had supported many Nigerians from the student’s loan to conditional cash transfer to support to small businesses amongst others.

She stated that the initiatives by the present administration had restored hope and put the country amongst serious countries pursuing better reforms to improve their economy while revamping infrastructure.

According to her, many undergraduates benefitting from the student’s loan scheme which has removed all financial hindrances impeding access to tertiary education now feel a sense of belonging.

She said that the programmes and policies of the Federal Government have benefitted many households and improved their welfare in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

“The reforms of the Federal Government are working and many persons are proud to be Nigerians and more persons are now trying to do the right things as Nigerians.

“People are beginning to see themselves as proud Nigerians and that confidence of being a Nigerian is being restored.

“Today, many Nigerians are benefitting from the programmes of the current administration, this means that the country is now working for them,” she said.

While acknowledging that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed, Patari said, at 65, we have made tremendous progress especially working together in peace and unity.

She urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu administration’s programmes towards building a better country that works for all Nigerians.

The state director said that with the necessary reforms being carried out and already yielding results in the economic, agriculture, security and other sectors, more Nigerians would be prouder to be Nigerians in the future.

“Today, the country is progressing and we are united; we are now prouder to be Nigerians and I can tell you that the labour of our heroes past, indeed is never in vain,” she added.

Commending the contributions of youths to national development, Patari urged them to have a positive mind-set towards Nigeria and to always express optimism of a better Nigeria for everyone.

Patari also lauded the renewed strength with which NOA under the Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu was being driven.

She said that government’s policies and programmes were getting more supports from Nigerians because of the constant engagements of Nigerians by the NOA nationwide.

The event also featured sensitisation of residents on Federal Government’s policies, programmes and the need for the people to support the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda

Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA

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