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PEOPLES DAILY, thursday, DECEMBER 7, 2017
News
Bauchi court sentences 2 men to life imprisonment for rape
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Bauchi High Court on Wednesday sentenced two middle aged men to life in prison for raping a 40-year-old woman and plucking her eyes. In her judgment in Bauchi, Justice Rabi Umar, said that the convicts, Mohammed Sani Alias Bambi, 30, and Sabo Rabo alias bullet, 40, of Dass and Toro local government areas, conspired and raped the woman at Yelwan Dawani in Toro town on March 1, 2014. Mr. Umar, also the Chief Judge of Bauchi State, recalled that the two men were brought before her on March 4, 2015 charged with conspiracy, rape, causing grievous hurt and attempt to commit culpable homicide. She said that the convicts and two others currently at large, also removed the right eye of their victim, a crippled and damaged her left eye. The judge added that one of the defendants, Bitrus Yakubu alias Japan, died at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi while on remand, while Usman Sambo alias Galambi, 35, also implicated in the matter, was, however, discharged and acquitted for lack of evidence. She noted that “prosecution had proved his case beyond reasonable doubt, therefore, the court has no option than to sentence the two convicts to life in prison without an option of fine. “I have heard the plea for leniency but I will be quick to say that the first and second defendants deserve no sympathy because their action reveals how callous and barbaric they are. “I, therefore, could best describe you as devils in human skins who must be taken away from the streets.” The State Counsel, Asabe Yusuf, had earlier told the court that the victim was attacked and raped along a footpath in the bush in Dass Local Government of the state while returning from a ceremony on March 1, 2014. Yusuf said that the defendants, after raping the victim, used a knife and removed her right eye, damaged the left eye and left her unconscious. She said that the offences were contrary to sections 96, 282, 229 and 253 of the Penal Code of Bauchi State. The prosecution had during the trial, called four witnesses who testified in favour of the victim and tendered the knife used by the defendants in plucking the eye as exhibit. The defence counsel, Mr Jonathan Adams, had during the trial, called three witnesses in defence of the convicts. The convicts, who had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge through their lawyer, pleaded for leniency after the judgment was read to them, but the judge turned down their requests, noting that their acts were heinous and must be punished accordingly.(NAN)
Ag News Editor, Ese Awhotu
Buhari signs three bills into law
By Lawrence Olaoye
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resident Muhammadu Buhari has assented to three bills passed by the National Assembly into law. According g to a statement made available to newsmen yesterday by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the bills were Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy (Establishment) Bill, 2017; Air Force Institute of Technology of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2017 and National Intelligence Agency Pensions (Establishment) Bill, 2017. Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Sen. Eta Enang, who briefed newsmen on
the development explained that the National Intelligence Agency Pension Act “effectively excises the service from the contributory pension scheme under Pension Reform Act charging pension matters for the officers and personnel at the agency. The Airforce Institute, he said was ‘create a technological research and development institute of a world class standard in all facets of engineering and technological endeavors including but not limited to aerospace and aeronautical engineering, mechanical, electrical, automobile and automotive engineering, marine engineering amongst others. “Meet a higher level maintenance capability locally for
aviation aerospace and allied specialities at the Nigeria Air Force , other service of the Nigerian Armed Forces, government , agencies and related Organisations, Nigerians and other African countries and people of other nationalities. “Expand the horizon for indigenous research and development efforts through the provision of conducive atmosphere and infrastructure that will promote cooperation and collaboration with similar institutions within and outside Nigeria. “Prepare Nigerian Air Force personnel, those of the other sister services of the Nigerian Armed Firces, Nigerians and military personnel from other African countries for brighter post-
service employment as a means of enhancing their integration to civil society and broadening the technical manpower of the aviation industry. Attract international researchers and stakeholders in the aerospace, aeronautic, aviation and allied industries.” The Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy formally established by law the existing Colege of Dental Technology in Enugu, he said. The College, he added, has powers to award egress, diplomas and certificates in Dental Technology and Therapy. It has a Governing Board with a Provost as the Chief Executive.
R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Jigawa State Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, during the President two days official Visit, yesterday in Kano
Continued medical detentions ‘degrading and abusive’- Chatham House Paper By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
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new Chatham House paper has described as ‘degrading and abusive’, situation where hospitals detain patients’ who could not afford medical bills. It said such practices were common practice across much of subSaharan Africa, as well as parts of India and Indonesia. The report tagged; ‘Hospital Detentions for Non-payment of
Fees: A Denial of Rights and Dignity’ is co-authored by Robert Yates, Project Director of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Policy Forum at Chatham House’s Centre on Global Health Security, Tom Brookes, Programme Officer at The Elders and Eloise Whitaker. It added that many reported detentions result from emergency care, often following road accidents or complications in childbirth, with mothers being sepa-
rated from their newborns. “Hospital Detentions for Nonpayment of Fees: A Denial of Rights and Dignity assesses the prevalence of medical detentions globally, the health and human rights impacts, and policy options to reduce and eradicate the practice. Co-author Robert Yates, said “There is no justification – at any income level or in any country – for health facilities to detain people and, in effect, take them
hostage until someone can cover their bill. “The practice is psychologically and economically crippling – and also disastrous for health outcomes. Fears of debt and detention are scaring people out of seeking life-saving and preventative treatments.” He added: “There is a clear and practical solution to this problem: eliminate healthcare user fees and provide universal free healthcare.”