BHI Hails Edo Judiciary Over Conviction Of 55-Year-Old SGBV Violator in Akoko-Edo

-

By Isaac Eranga

Ms Priscilla Usiobaifo, ED- BHI

Akoko-Edo: BraveHeart Initiative for Youth and Women (BHI) has commended the Edo judiciary over the conviction of a 55-year-old man - Frederick Agbozuadu who deceitfully lured and severally violated an 8-year-old girl at Egbigere community in Akoko-Edo LGA of Edo State, Nigeria.

This commendation was contains in a press statement signed by the Executive Director of BHI- Ms Priscilla Usiobaifo. According to the statement, "the verdict was given on 9th February 2023 by Nosa Musoe - Chief Magistrate (Special Grade) of the Magistrate Court, Igarra, Akoko-Edo LGA, Edo State. After been found guilty on a single count charge of defilement as applicable in the Criminal Code Law of Edo State, Frederick was sentenced to five years imprisonment without an option of fine.

"This is a well-deserved victory for the girl-child in Akoko-Edo LGA especially considering the intrigues of this particular case. The incident was investigated by the Edo State Police Command during the onset of COVID and the prosecution timeline was significantly elongated as a result of the COVID crisis. The child’s parents became distressed by the prosecutorial logistics but remained resolute in their quest for justice. The court verdict is a succinct message of the Zero-Tolerance stance by the current government of Edo State against sexual violations of children. It is hoped that this judgement checkmates the impunity of sexual predators and child molesters in Edo State, Nigeria. 

"BHI began intervention in the case on December 10, 2019, facilitated case transfer to SCIID on December 13, 2019 and also facilitated Case Arraignment on December 19th 2019. State vs Frederick Agbozuadu Case with Charge No MIG/32c/2019 was prosecuted by Inspector Obeze Samuel of the Igarra Police Division. A total of thirty (30) court sittings were held at the Magistrate Court, Igarra – one sitting (1) in year 2019; six (6) in year 2020; twelve (12) in year 2021; nine (9) in year 2022; and two (2) in year 2023. 

With funding support from OSIWA-OSF, the BraveHeart Initiative’s team provided comprehensive services including paralegal aid (Investigation, Prosecution, Court appearances), psychological support (Counselling, Follow up visits), medicals (Investigations, Examinations, Preventive Services and Treatment). BHI also rendered economic assistance to the survivor and her family as well as COVID – Relief fund. We acknowledge the sacrificial and resilient efforts of the caseworkers assigned to this case. The team led by the Executive Director – Ms Priscilla Usiobaifo are the unsung heroes of SGBV intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The designated caseworkers had to provide essential services to SGBV survivors and family whist navigating the uncertainties and health risks associated with the COVID pandemic.

"Profound gratitude to the Open Society Foundation (OSIWA-OSF) who provided the funds that BHI expended for investigation and prosecution and the MacArthur Foundation for funds expended on case completion and judgement day activities. Special acknowledgement of Dayo Olaide for his huge technical assistance and moral support all through the case duration especially during the mentally draining era of COVID". 

BraveHeart Initiative for Youth & Women (BHI) is a youth-led, feminist non-governmental organization promoting young people's sexual reproductive health and advancing women's rights in Nigeria. BHI is one of Nigeria’s leading non-profits dedicated to responding to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and advocating for SGBV reforms. As of February 2023, BHI has facilitated court conviction of Twenty-Eight (28) Sex Offenders in Twenty-Five (25) sexual assault cases. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Canada Fitness Hunt Carnival and Competition commences in Benin

-
Image
By Our Correspondent Cross-section of Coaches in an extraordinary meeting in Benin All is now set for the commencement of the Canada World Fitness Hunt Carnival and Competition (CWFHCC) bid to hold from February 23 to December, 2024 in Benin City, the Edo State capital. The competition which will feature different sports such as Football, Performing Musicians, Board Games, and lots more, is meant to promote fitness and wellness of communities across Nigeria.  According to the CEO of Canada World Hotels- Chief Dr. Omogiade J. O. Edokpolo, the competition which is in partnership with Edo State Sports Commission, Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) Edo State chapter, Hotman Stinburge Etobicoke Canada, EBENCO Global Link Limited, Global Travels Ontario Canada, Folton Sports Equipments- St. Catrines Ontario Canada, Edo Progressive Indigenous Association (EPIA), and thers, will also feature celebrity guests and judges, music, comedy, games, fitness parade, and lots more. He sa
Read more

Edo Man O' War hold 2024 Commanders' Retreat

-
Image
... Unveiled political culture of non-violence public sensitization campaign for Edo 2024 Gubernatorial Election The 2024 State Commanders Retreat and Workshop of Man O' Nigeria, Edo State Command has been held in Benin. The retreat whose theme was "Optimizing the Potentials of Volunteers towards enhancing Nationl Security", featured presentations by several resource persons. The retreat also featured the unavailing of political culture of non-violence public sensitization campaign for Edo 2024 Governorship Election by the State Commandant- Amb. Odunze C. Eberechukwu. While delivering a presentation, the Deputy State Commandant Training, Operations and Rescue- DMC Onoha Uchena Kelly highlighted the importance of Commanders and members training in the discharge of their duties. According to him, one cannot embark on a journey he or she don't know about, hence the need for training and retraining. "Training can be both technical and vocational. The technical traini
Read more

The Man Godwin Obaseki: Getting the Job Done - Chris Osa Nehikhare

-
Image
There is no iota of doubt, irrespective of political differences, that Governor Godwin Obaseki has significantly improved State Competence, relative to his predecessors and across the States in the Country.  To achieve this, he had to rescue the State from private capture by ruthless non-State actors; this freed up public resources for public purposes.  He has held himself to a very high ethical and work-ethics standards, scrupulously focusing on the interests of the real people whilst staying on the Constitutional tracks in line with his oath of office. As a result, it was difficult to derail or defeat him despite uncountable battles in the judiciary and in other political machinations, orchestrated from high quarters.  Edo State is not yet on the mountain top, it still needs concerted push to avoid a free relapse or rollback.  The quality, intensity, ruggedness, doggedness and character of the next Governor is therefore so crucial that those lining up for the job should critically as
Read more