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UNODC and Partners Support Workshops to Prosecute War Crimes and Sexual Violence in Conflict

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UNODC and Partners Support Workshops to Prosecute War Crimes and Sexual Violence in Conflict

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Wayamo Foundation and the United Nations Team of Experts of the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict, conducted two capacity building workshops for Nigerian investigators and prosecutors on the investigation and prosecution of international crimes, with a special focus on conflict-related sexual violence.

The two workshops were conducted under the framework of the recently established project, “Strengthening Nigerian Capacity in the Investigation and Prosecution of International Crimes, with a Special Focus on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence” a joint initiative of the three entities. 

The project, which aims to increase accountability for acts of sexual violence allegedly committed by all parties to the conflict in Northeast Nigeria, seeks to build the capacity of prosecutors from the Federal Ministry of Justice’s Complex Case Group (CCG) and Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Prosecution Hub, as well as investigating and prosecuting officers from the Nigerian Armed Forces. 

Although conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is not yet specifically recognized as a distinct offence under Nigerian law, the project aims to broaden the collective understanding of acts that amount to CRSV, such as sexual slavery, forced marriage, forced pregnancy, that fall outside more commonly acknowledged forms of sexual violence in Nigeria, such as rape and sexual harassment, captured by the Criminal Code, Penal Code and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act. 

The project also seeks to emphasize the gravity and distinctiveness of CRSV, as a form of sexual violence not committed in isolation, but in the context of widespread armed violence, including by terrorist groups. 

The absence of national legislation on CRSV poses a challenge for Nigeria in meeting its international legal obligations to investigate and prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity. In response to this lacuna, the workshop highlighted the importance of legal innovation, both in terms of how the existing law is interpreted and by leveraging some of the new technological tools that have become available. 

Participants explored new ways to utilize the existing offences enshrined in the TPPA to charge acts of CRSV.  While in the technological context, the Digital Programme Team at Wayamo briefed the participants on the new digital evidence management tool that Wayamo, in collaboration with UNODC, has introduced to the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) in Maiduguri and the CCG in Abuja. 

READ ALSO: https://dailypost.ng/2022/10/12/19-iswap-terrorists-killed-as-troops-repel-boko-haram-attack-in-gamboru/

The workshop also provided an opportunity for participants to discuss ways to strengthen inter-agency collaboration between CCG prosecutors and JIC investigators to ensure a joint and cohesive approach to screening, interviewing, evidence recovery, case file preparation, and charging offences. 

Underscoring inter-agency collaboration in the period leading up to the UN’s annual 16 Days of Activism on Gender Based Violence which run from 25th November to 10th December is particularly timely and aligns with this year’s global theme: “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”. 

Sexual violence in conflict has historically been under reported and under prosecuted, Nigeria must be congratulated in taking important steps to ensure that the individuals responsible for this most insidious terrorist tactic are held to account.

This activity supports the implementation of UNODC’s Strategic Vision for Nigeria in particular as concerns protecting women and children from sexual and gender based violence and exploitation. 

UNODC and Partners Support Workshops to Prosecute War Crimes and Sexual Violence in Conflict

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Troops repel coordinated attacks on three Plateau communities

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Troops repel coordinated attacks on three Plateau communities

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) along with other security forces, successfully repelled coordinated attacks on three communities in Riyom Local Government Area by gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias.

Zagazola Makama report that the affected communities Rim, Angwan Wereng, and Cum came under attack between 10:50 p.m. and 11:40 p.m. on Thursday night.

The troops responded promptly to distress calls and engaged the attackers, forcing them to flee the area.

“On receipt of the information, army troops and other sister security agencies moved swiftly to the scenes and repelled the attackers,”said the sources.

No official casualties were confirmed as of the time of this report, but the situation is said to be under control while normalcy has returned to the affected areas.

Troops repel coordinated attacks on three Plateau communities

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Yobe man kills neighbour over alleged affair with wife

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Yobe man kills neighbour over alleged affair with wife

By: Zagazola Makama

A 40-year-old man, Yau Ari Dawa of Fulameri Village in Yobe State, has allegedly stabbed his neighbour to death following a violent altercation over a suspected extramarital affair with his wife.

Zagazola Makama gathered from sources that the incident occurred late Wednesday night at about 11:30 p.m., when Dawa reportedly confronted Mallam Faji Gana, 35, accusing him of having an affair with his 25-year-old wife, Noja Yau.

The sources said that the confrontation quickly turned violent, and Dawa allegedly used a knife to stab Gana in the stomach during the scuffle.

A neighbour, raised an alarm and reported the incident to authorities in the early hours of Thursday.

Gana was rushed to the Specialist Hospital in Geidam, but was confirmed dead on arrival by medical personnel.

The suspect, Yau Ari Dawa, has since been arrested by operatives of the Yobe State Police Command.

According to police sources, the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and possible prosecution.

Yobe man kills neighbour over alleged affair with wife

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Gunmen abduct village head in Bauchi community

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Gunmen abduct village head in Bauchi community

By: Zagazola Makama

A 56-year-old village head, Abdullah Ibrahim, has been abducted by unknown gunmen in Kanaka hamlet, Ganjuwa Local Government Area in Bauchi, sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday at about 1:15 a.m. when the assailants stormed the remote hamlet and abducted the community leader, taking him to an unknown destination.

Security forces and local hunters were deployed to the area on a rescue mission.

Efforts are being intensified to rescue the victim unharmed and to apprehend those behind the abduction. The case is currently under police investigation.

Gunmen abduct village head in Bauchi community

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