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Madagascar Passes Bill To Castrate Child Rapists

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Madagascar Passes Bill To Castrate Child Rapists

Amnesty International urged Antananarivo to drop the proposed law, saying it would not resolve the problem of paedophilia.

Madagascar’s justice minister defended a new bill Friday to castrate child rapists, with the measure deemed “cruel, inhuman and degrading” by Amnesty International.

The upper house Senate approved the measure permitting chemical and surgical castration Wednesday after it had been voted through by the National Assembly earlier this month.

Amnesty International urged Antananarivo to drop the proposed law, saying it would not resolve the problem of paedophilia.

But Justice Minister Landy Mbolatiana Randriamanantenasoa told AFP that the large Indian ocean island “is a sovereign country that has every right to amend its laws”.

Up till now the minimum sentence for child rape was five years’ imprisonment, the minister added.

The bill, seen by AFP, introduces a penalty of surgical castration for “perpetrators of rape committed on a child under the age of 10”.

It allows “chemical or surgical” castration for rapists of children aged between 10 and 13 and chemical castration for rapists of minors aged between 13 and 18.

The measure must still be validated by the High Constitutional Court before President Andry Rajoelina can sign it into law.

Amnesty’s regional director Tigere Chagutah said legal castration was “inconsistent with Malagasy constitutional provisions against torture and other ill-treatment, as well as regional and international human rights standards.”

But Jessica Lolonirina Nivoseheno, of the Women Break the Silence movement, said castration could be a “deterrent” to a “rape culture” on the island, where many cases “are settled amicably within the family”.

Amnesty said “rape cases remain under-reported, and perpetrators often go free due to the victims’ and their families’ fear of retaliation, stigmatisation, and a lack of trust in the judicial system.”
Its Madagascar adviser Nciko wa Nciko criticised the law for failing to “focus on the victims”.

“Castration causes serious and irreversible harm. And we can have cases where an individual is found guilty and the courts (then) go back on the verdict and clear his name”, he told AFP.

NERC Fines 11 DISCOs N10.5bn Over Overbilling Of Unmetered Customers

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NERC Fines 11 DISCOs N10.5bn Over Overbilling Of Unmetered Customers

PRESS RELEASE- 08 FEBRUARY, 2024

NERC Sanctions Eleven (11) DisCos Over Non-Compliance with Capping of Estimated Bills for Unmetered Customers

The public may recall that in 2020, the Commission issued the Order on Capping of Estimated Bills (Order No: NERC/197/2020) and subsequently issued monthly energy caps which aimed to align the estimated bils for unmetered customers with the measured consumption of metered customers on the same supply feeder. A review of the Electricity Distribution Companies (“DisCos”wink billing of unmetered customers for 2023 has revealed non-compliance with the monthly energy caps issued by the Commission.

In response to this and in a bid to safeguard unmetered customers from arbitrary billing by DisCos, the Commission, pursuant to Section 34(1)(d) of the Electricity Act 2023 (“EA 2023”wink, has issued the Order on Non-Compliance with Capping of Estimated Bills (Order No: NERC/2024/004-014) which stipulates the following:

i. Credit Adjustment to Customers: DisCos are to issue credit adjustments to all overbilled unmetered customers for the period January to September 2023 by the March 2024 billing cycle.

ii. Public Notice: DisCos have been directed to publish the list of credit adjustment beneficiaries in two national dailies and on their website no later than 31* March 2024.

iii. Regulatory Sanctions: The Commission shall deduct a sum of 10,505,286,072 from the annual allowed revenues of the eleven (11) DisCos during the next tariff review, to deter future non-compliance with the energy caps approved by the Commission.

The Commission reaffirms its commitment to regulatory compliance and consumer protection within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

Signed

Management

AFCON: Tinubu To Land In Abidjan For Nigeria V Cote D’ivoire

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AFCON: Tinubu To Land In Abidjan For Nigeria V Cote D’ivoire

The president of the Confederation of African Football Federations, CAF, Patrice Motsepe, has stated that Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, will be attending the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.

Nigeria and hosts Cote d’Ivoire will clash in the final of the competition at the Alassanne Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan, on Sunday.

During his press conference on Friday at the Palace de la Culture in Trechville, Abidjan, Motsepe was asked when Africa could host the World Cup again.

The South African business mogul replied: “Nigeria must put in a bid. The Nigerian president (Bola Tinubu) is coming to watch the final on Sunday. I will have a conversation with him about it.”

Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima was in attendance when the Super Eagles defeated South Africa 4-2 on penalties in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

The encounter will kick off at 9 pm Nigerian time.

SaharaReporters had on February 2 reported that Tinubu from his “resting place” in France put across a video call to the Super Eagles ahead of their match against Angola.

The video of the moment was shared by the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, who noted that the president called to motivate the team ahead of their quarter-final encounter in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.

The video was shared by the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu on his Instagram stories and captioned, “Mr President #officialasiwajubat encouraging the team ahead of the AFCON quarter-final match with Angola.”

In the video, Tinubu was seen having a video call with the Super Eagles players in Cote d’Ivoire ahead of their clash with the Palancas Negras of Angola on Friday.

SaharaReporters had on January 25 reported that Tinubu also urged the Super Eagles to improve their performance and do better in the final stages of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, saying he was not impressed with the group matches.

Tinubu’s message had been delivered through the Minister of Sports, John Enoh, who spoke to the players from Abuja via Zoom in Abidjan.

According to Enoh, the President said he was not too impressed with the showing of the team during the group stage.

Bandits Threatening To Attack Me – Gov Radda Cries Out

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Bandits Threatening To Attack Me – Gov Radda Cries Out

The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, disclosed on Friday that rampaging bandits terrorising some parts of the state are threatening to attack him.

The governor made this known during an expanded emergency security council meeting at the Government House.

He stated that the bandits’ threat was based on security reports.

Speaking in Hausa, Radda said: “Based on security reports that we are receiving, I am among those that the bandits are thinking of attacking, but that doesn’t muddle me because God is with us, and he will protect us.”

However, the governor explained that the threat by the hoodlums would not stop his government from adopting revolving security strategies to tackle banditry and other security challenges in the state.

The security meeting had in attendance the heads of security agencies in the state, traditional and religious leaders, top government officials and members of the business community and was still going at time of filing this report.

Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Announces Registration Notice for Data Controllers and Processors

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Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Announces Registration Notice for Data Controllers and Processors

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) hereby notifies all entities, including businesses, educational  institutions, healthcare providers, and other organizations that collect personal data of individuals, that registration is mandatory in accordance with Section 5(d) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.

If your operations involve the collection and processing of personal data such as students’ records, client information, patient details, customer data, or  any other personal information, whether for commercial or non-commercial  purposes, you are required to register as either a Data Controller or Data Processor.

Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Announces Registration Notice for Data Controllers and Processors

Registration can be completed through the official NDPC Registration Portal at www.service.ndpc.gov.ng. The registration period commences on January 30th, 2024, and concludes on June 30th, 2024. Entities that fail to register within this timeframe will be subject to penalties.

Under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, it is illegal to process personal data without proper registration. Failure to comply with registration requirements constitutes an offense punishable by law.
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Announces Registration Notice for Data Controllers and Processors
For further information and guidance on the registration process, please visit the NDPC website at www.ndpc.gov.ng or direct inquiries to registration@ndpc.gov.ng

Ensure compliance with the Nigeria Data  Protection Act, 2023, by registering your organization today.

Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Announces Registration Notice for Data Controllers and Processors

About Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC):

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is the regulatory authority responsible for enforcing data protection laws and ensuring compliance with data protection standards in Nigeria. NDPC aims to safeguard the privacy rights of individuals and promote responsible data management practices across various sectors.

Industrial Court voids retirement of Legal Aids Council Ass. Director

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Industrial Court voids retirement of Legal Aids Council Ass. Director

The Presiding Judge, Akure Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Kiyersohot Damulak has declared the purported compulsory retirement of Mr. Shina by the Legal Aids Council from public service via a letter dated 11th day of May 2021 as unlawful, null and void and of no effect.

The Court ordered the immediate reinstatement of Mr. Shina to his erstwhile position as an Assistant Director on grade level 15 with payment of his salaries, allowances, and all other entitlements from June 2021 until he attains 35 years of service or 60 years of age.

Justice Damulak stated that the Legal Aids Council punished Mr. Shina severally and continuously for a period of two and a half years for the same offence which the Council lacked the power to do.

From facts, the claimant- Mr. Shina had submitted that he received a query and after the disciplinary hearing, he received a transfer instruction on 10th December 2018 and was informed for the first time that he was found guilty of misconduct.

He maintained that the Legal Aids Council does not have the power to find him guilty of misconduct bordering on criminal allegations, and having retained him in service from 20th April 2018 to 25th May 2021, the Legal Aids Council is deemed to have waived and cannot rely on the unfounded allegation as a ground for his subsequent compulsory retirement.

In defense, the defendant- Legal Aids Council contended that the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the suit on the ground that Mr Shina failed to exhaust all remedies provided for in the public service Rules before rushing to court.

The Council averred that though the disciplinary process did not occasion a miscarriage of justice against Mr. Shina and the process is not statute-barred, urged the court to dismiss the case in its entirety.

In opposition, A.O. Owolabi with T.O. Ojo, learned counsel to Mr. Shina submitted that by the public service Rules, the power to discipline an officer on grade level 15 like Mr. Shina is vested in the Federal Civil Service Commission and their client cannot be punished severally for the same offence, and urged the Court to grant the reliefs sought in the interest of justice.

Delivering the judgment, the presiding Judge, Justice Kiyersohot Damulak dismissed the Legal Aids Council’s objection for lacking merit and held that the Legal Aids Council has not shown that Mr. Shina, after 7th June 2019, committed another offence of misconduct to warrant any further punishment as stated in letter of transfer.

The Court affirmed that the transfer of Mr. Shina to Akure in December 2018 was a punishment, and the warning letter issued to him on 7th June 2019 was a second punishment, and the letter dated September 2019 ordering refund, replacement and missing the next promotion was a third punishment and the compulsory retirement dated May 2021 was a fourth punishment.

Justice Damulak stated that the content of the warning letter issued to Mr. Shina leaves no doubt that it concludes the issue of punishment on Mr. Shina, and questions how many times the Legal Aids Council is entitled to punish the claimant for one and the same offence.

The Court stated that Mr. Shina was a Grade Level 15 officer and was outside the disciplinary powers of the Legal Aids Council.

 

Visit the judgment portal www.nicnadr.gov.ng/judgement for full details

Notify Customers Before Debt Recovery Moves, CBN Tells Banks

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Notify Customers Before Debt Recovery Moves, CBN Tells Banks

The Central Bank of Nigeria has instructed regulated entities to provide customers with notices of outstanding obligations before beginning debt collection.

This is to ensure that the debt recovery process is transparent, courteous, and fair.

CBN stated this in a document released on Thursday on its website titled “Revised Consumer Protection Regulations.”

It noted that the essence of the document is to ensure financial institutions follow consumer protection principles.

The regulations outline consumer rights and aim for better outcomes and access to financial services.

The document states that foreclosures should only be initiated as a last resort after other recovery options have failed.

Foreclosure is the legal process in which the ownership shifts to the bank or lender if the debtor fails to pay the loan.

“Customers should be given the option of a private sale before foreclosure, which must be exercised within 30 days unless the customer has waived this right,” the document stated.

The apex bank further mandated that financial service providers must apply the net proceeds from foreclosures to the loan account and inform customers of the remaining balance.

The CBN added that banks must give customers a report on the collateral sale, stating process, expenses, and net proceeds noting that banks are responsible for the actions of debt collection agents.

The document outlines restrictions for loan providers in terms of contacting individuals related to a customer.

It stated, “Providers are not allowed to contact friends, employers, relatives, or neighbors for any information other than employment status, telephone numbers, or address. The only exception is if the person has guaranteed the loan or has given consent to be contacted.”

Additionally, banks must safeguard customers’ assets and are responsible for losses due to control breaches; test products with consumers and modify to reduce fraud/errors and implement measures and authentication for transactions.

FSPs are also mandated to install automated transaction monitoring, alert functions, and behavioural monitoring to detect and prevent fraud; customers must also be educated on fraud threats or scams.

The document added that the providers must communicate procedures for reporting suspicious, unauthorised, fraudulent, lost, or stolen payment instruments and/or authentication information to consumers periodically.

The apex bank requires financial institutions to offer secure and user-friendly interfaces for digital financial services to prevent errors and double transactions.

The CBN added that banks must protect consumer data privacy and confidentiality from unauthorised access and be responsible for any acts or omissions in this regard.

The providers are required to incorporate personal data protection into their product or system designs; they must obtain written consent from consumers to collect and process their personal data for specific purposes, and allow them to withdraw their consent at any time and are prohibited from sharing consumers’ personal data with third parties without their express consent, and must provide clear and simple “Opt-in” and “Opt-Out” options for data sharing.

“Safeguarding the interests and ensuring greater protection of consumers in the evolving financial services landscape necessitated the review of the 2019 Consumer Protection Regulations,” it added.

PH Refinery To Begin Operations As Shell Supplies 475,000 Barrels Of Oil

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PH Refinery To Begin Operations As Shell Supplies 475,000 Barrels Of Oil

THE Port Harcourt Refinery is set to start operations following the supply of 475,000 barrels of crude oil by Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited.

The crude oil supply is the first to be made in the past few years, due mainly to the poor state of the plant, which called for the recent rehabilitation and testing to ensure readiness for sustainable operations.

Confirming the oil supply, Shell said: “This significant milestone was made possible through intensive preparations, collaboration and the dedication of the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal, BOGT and Port Harcourt Refinery Company, PHRC teams.”

It stated that some activities, including pressure and leak testing to assure pipeline integrity by relevant subsidiaries of the NNPC Limited and integrity and maintenance activities on the Oil and Gas Terminal, BOT Refinery export pumps and associated instrumentations were carried out at the terminal through diligent efforts of the BOT operations and maintenance teams.

“The recommencement of crude oil supply from the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal to Port Harcourt Refinery is a significant achievement and a game-changer for the industry and the country. The intensive preparations, collaboration and dedication of both teams involved were instrumental in overcoming challenges and ensuring a safe and efficient supply operation.

“This milestone will support the government’s aspiration of steady supply of petroleum products to the downstream market and other associated benefits to the economy of the nation,” Shell stated.

Already, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd said it has fulfilled its pledge of achieving the mechanical completion of rehabilitation work on Area 5 Plant of the PHRC.

It stated that rehabilitation work has been ongoing at the Refinery for over two years and the NNPC Ltd. had pledged to complete Phase One of the project (mechanical completion and flare start-up) of Old Port Harcourt Refinery (Area 5) by 31st December 2023. Speaking during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation project, which also coincided with the 15th Refineries’ Rehabilitation Steering Committee Meeting, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, had said as of December 15th, 2023, 84.4% of Area 5 Plant, a key component of the Refinery, and 77.4% of the entire rehabilitation project has been completed.

AFCON 2023: Super Eagles squad to get $7m if they win the tournament

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AFCON 2023: Super Eagles squad to get $7m if they win the tournament

The Super Eagles of Nigeria squad will receive $7m (N8.9bn) if they win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Nigeria qualified for the final of the 34th edition of the AFCON after defeating South Africa at the Stade de la Paix, Bouke, on penalties after 120 minutes of football ended 1-1.

For qualifying for the final tournament, the Eagles have already secured $4m.

Earlier, Dr Patrice Motsepe, Confederation of Africa Football president, had announced a 40 percent increment in prize monies before the start of the tournament.

According to the statement published on the website of the football governing body on January 4, the winners of the tournament will receive $7m, $2m more than the reward doled out at the last edition in Cameroon.

The runners-up of the African showpiece event will now get $4m (N5bn), while each of the losing semi-finalists South Africa and DR Congo will receive $2.5m, with each of the four quarter-finalists taking home $1.3m.

“CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the prize money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions,” Motsepe said.

“We have increased the prize money of the AFCON winner to USD 7 000 000 which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON prize money.

“I am confident that a portion of the prize money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our Member Associations with their administrations,” he added.

Blue Cards In Football Is Being Considered

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Blue Cards In Football Is Being Considered

Blue cards will be used as part of a sin-bin trial to send players off the field for 10 minutes for committing cynical fouls – infractions that prevent a promising attack – or dissent, the report says.

Explained: What are blue cards in football that are being considered?

IFAB, football’s law-making body, is set to announce blue cards as a way of sending players into sin bins for dissent and cynical fouls

Football’s law-making body International Football Association Board (IFAB) are set to trial sin-binning players and issuing blue cards. It will be a unique warning method different from the yellow and red cards that were used for the first time at the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.

Sin-bins have been used at grassroot levels of football for dissent but their reach could be expanded to higher levels to combat cynical fouls — like when a player takes down an opponent to stop a counterattack

The brief statement further said, “Any such trials, if implemented, should be limited to testing in a responsible manner at lower levels, a position that FIFA intends to reiterate when this agenda item is discussed at the IFAB AGM on 2 March.”

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