Crime
UNODC and Partners Support Workshops to Prosecute War Crimes and Sexual Violence in Conflict
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
Bandits kill 12 in Kwara community attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected bandits on Sunday attacked Hybrid Force camp in Oke Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara, killing 12 people.
Zagazola learnt that the attack occurred at about 8:50 a.m. when the gunmen stormed the community.
Troops from a patrol base in Babanla were immediately mobilised to the scene, but the attackers fled before their arrival.
A search of the area by the troops led to the discovery of 12 lifeless bodies comprising nine vigilantes and three civilians killed during the attack.
The corpses of the deceased were evacuated to Oke Ode Police Station while troops restored calm in the area.
The source said the general security situation in the area remained calm but unpredictable.
Bandits kill 12 in Kwara community attack
Again suspected Boko Haram insurgents return to Kirawa with damnation
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Boko Haram Insurgents have again attacked Kirawa a border community in Borno state killing a civilian joint task force (CJTF) member and wounding several others in the process.
The Boko Haram insurgents ambushed the commuters driving into Kirawa a community in Bama council area and killed the CJTF in the process.
To punish some of the commuters further for fleeing away from the scene of the ambush, the insurgents burned down some of their vehicles before returning into the bush unchallenged.
After the attack died down, some motorists and passengers who sustained different degrees of injuries were treated in nearby clinics.
Sources revealed that trouble started when six vehicles loaded with food items and other luggages were ambushed and set ablaze by the insurgents along the Pulka-Kirawa road on Friday last week.
Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ndume reacting to the incident called on the military authorities to deploy more troops to safeguard the entire communities around Gwoza council area and Cameroun.
There is only one forward military base (FOB) in Kirawa and it is dominated by the Multi national joint task force MNJTF of mostly Camerounian troops mandated to pin down kirawa on both sides of the divides of the two countries.
A lot of the Intel policing of the community is done by CJTF even as families are still awaiting the rescue of a schoolgirl, Aisha Muhammad that was kidnapped by the insurgents a month ago when this very base was overrun leaving sorrow tears and blood in the community.
Again suspected Boko Haram insurgents return to Kirawa with damnation
Police investigate killing of pastor in Delta
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Delta has commenced investigation into the gruesome murder of Pastor Oputeh Monday, aged 59, who was killed by unknown assailants in Umuebu community, Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said that the case was reported by the deceased’s son, Oputeh Joshua, aged 26, who told police that his father had left home early for his farm along Amai/Umuebu farm road and instructed them to meet him later with a motorcycle.
“On their way, they heard gunshots and rushed into the bush where they discovered the lifeless body of their father lying on the ground with his head chopped off.
“Detectives from Obiaruku Division visited the scene of the crime and evacuated the corpse to Medisar Mortuary, Obiaruku, for preservation and autopsy,” the sources said.
The sources that preliminary investigation had commenced, while confidence-building patrols were ongoing in the affected area.
Police investigate killing of pastor in Delta
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