Ministry sensitises women on domestic violence
The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has sensitised women in the state on how to deal with domestic bases violence and health-related issues.
The event, which was held at the premises of Ikeja Local Government Area was attend by cross sections of women across the 20 local government area and 15 Local council development area (LCDA) in the state.
In his welcome address the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Honourable Lola Akande, bemoaned the alarming rate of gender-based violence in the society, adding that continuous categorisation of women as inferior and second class citizens had aided the act.
Akande stressed that the Lagos State Government had prioritise issues affecting women through enactment of domestic violence law and establishment of transit home for women and children who are victim of domestic violence and human trafficking.
She said that “The state government has also established 10 family court for the prosecution of domestic violence cases,
the Office of the Public Defender also provide free legal services and representation in criminal and civil cases to the indigent, vulnerable and defendless citizens”.
In her lecture on Domestic violence the facilitator Mrs. Modupe Adedeji said women who were victims of domestic violence tend to act erratically, adding that it reduced work place activity.
Court adjourns Metuh’s trial on health ground
A Justice of the Federal High Court Abuja, Mr. Okon Abang, has adjourned the trial of Olisa Metuh, former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to May 30, after Onyechi Ikpeazu, his counsel, told the court that his client was on bed rest at the National Hospital, Abuja.
Earlier on Monday, the judge adjourned the case till Tuesday for the continuation of the testimony of the fifth defence witness, Richard Ihediwa.
However, Ikpeazu presented the judge with a medical report and sought an adjournment of the case since his client was not present in court.
He said since Metuh had not been granted bail, section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, where the court can proceed with a criminal trial if a defendant has been granted bail, does apply.
EFCC’s counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, did not oppose the application for adjournment. He, however, cited section 266(a) and (b) of the ACJ Act which compels a defendant to be present in court whenever his trial comes up.
The judge said the medical report was not helpful as it did not show how long Metuh will be in the hospital.
Abanh fixed ruling on an application by Metuh seeking the release of his passport to enable him travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment to Wednesday.
