...Problems With The Law on Rape in Nigeria By Aloy Ojilere,* Introduction The law relating to rape in Nigeria is rarely discussed even though rape occurs very often and is considered as the most dehumanizing act that can be done on a woman or girl.1 The opinion has also been held that "Nigerian female victims of rape are rater punished by the laws that be and stigmatized by society instead of being rendered justice to and protected.2 This paper will examine the laws relating to rape and/or governing rape trials in Nigeria, to wit: the Penal Code and Criminal Code and the Evidence Act, to underscore the meaning, elements, defences and application of the offence of rape in Nigeria and determine their sufficiency and/or insufficiency with regards to victim protection. Accordingly, the paper will access and overhaul the statutory definition of rape, the common law presumption as to the age of a person who may commit the offence, the requirement for corroboration of evidence of a rape victim/survivor and the issue of consent as a defence to rape. The gender insensitive nature of the law on rape in Nigeria which constitutes a discrimination against men (by defining rape as an offence which can only be committed by a male) will also be highlighted. Suggestions will also be made for legislative review or upgrade of the law on rape in Nigeria in line with what obtains in some other jurisdictions. 1.0 Meaning of Rape Rape is a specific sexual...
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...families and two communities. It illustrates different types of marriages that exist in the African societies. | Agbogun, James. "Nigeria, People and Culture: Housa Marriage." Nigeria, People and Culture: Housa Marriage. N.p., 4 Feb. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.the-nigeria.com/2012/02/housa-marriage.html>. This article describes the Hausa tribe marriage in Nigeria. The Hausas live in northern Nigeria. They are also found in Ghana, Togo, and Benin. The Hausas generally attach great importance to premarital chastity. A Hausa husband who discovers that the girl he has married is not a virgin will proclaim her shame to the entire town by breaking a pot outside his house. Among most Fulani, and other sub tribes of the Hausa, custom forbids sexual intercourse between young people who are betrothed. Egbosiuba, Michael. "Yoruba Traditional Marriage." All Things Nigeria. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.allthingsnigeria.com/2012/yoruba-traditional-marriage>. The article describes the Yoruba marriage in Nigeria. Yoruba tribe is one of the three major tribes in Nigeria. Their wedding ceremony has always been colorful and very festive. Families and friends are dressed in their brightest and best attires. "Igbo Brides & Igbo Traditional Marriage Traditions & Customs - Igbo People of Nigeria." Igbo People of Nigeria. Ibopeople Support, 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2013....
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...In recent year’s women’s fashion choices in Nigeria has become a hot topic on what women should and should not wear. Women are being told not to wear clothes that make them feel good about themselves. This essay will show how the moral standing of the society has been affected by the way people dress in Nigeria, which there is also a strict policy on what women are allowed to wear. Young women’s fashion is seen as a provocation to male students and a distraction to male students. There has been sexual has been sexual harassment and violation and the only way to retain sexual harassment and violation is to impose very strict dress code among female students and women in the society. There has been a call to criminalize and ban women’s fashion, the banning and legalization received legislative support in January 2008 when chairperson Ufot Ekaette presented bill against public nudity which has not yet been passed to law (Nigeria 2007). Ufot Ekaette says that there is a relationship between sexuality and nudity, she also says that the way women dress has always been directed to men. And is an invitation to an erotic encounter with ramifications involved. She also says that women need to be disciplined on how to treat their bodies with respect and that the women need to be protected at all times ( Little 1973; Wilson 1985; Ivaska 2004). In the Public nudity bill Ufot Ekaette defined ‘indecent dressing’ as when women are dressed in a way which exposes their breasts, belly...
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...reproductive choice. In some cases, women were being denied rights by those who claimed to be acting in the name of 'Islamic' laws. some of which are incompatible with internationally recognized human rights. This article identifies selected sexual and reproductive health issues at the intersection ofreproductive rights and Shari 'a e.g. adultery (zina), inheritance, child marriages, polygny, and violence against women and considers how their shared concerns may prompt actions leading to the elimination of religious and cultural barriers imposed by Shari 'a which impede the implementation of international legal frameworks and consensus documents on reproductive rights. Nigeria is selected as a case study on the nature of implementation of Shari 'a law and reproductive rights. The article calls for more progressive interpretations of Islamic law to be codified in legislative reforms and/or seek to interpret Islamic law in harmony with international human rights standards and calls for the implementation of Shari 'a that would promote respect for human rights. J believe that if Islam is interpreted and applied correctly, we can have totally egalitarian laws for women and strike punishments such as stoning and cutting hands from out of law books.! * Senior Lecturer and Head, Department of Public and International Law, College of Law, Osun State University, Nigeria. S Ebadi of Iran, 'Arab Women Urged to Advocate for Rights Post-Revolution. ' interview with the Nobe l Peace Prize Laureate...
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...S.C. § 1350 : US Code - Section 1350: Alien's action for tort - The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of any civil action by an alien for a tort only, committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States. Analysis: The case of Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Shell Petroleum Company a.k.a. Shell was brought up by a group of 12 Nigerians claiming that they or their relatives were tortured, unlawfully arrested, executed, and other crimes against humanity. They alleged Shell supplied ammunition to the Nigerian police, transported soldiers in the corporate helicopters to carry out the crimes, Shell was involved in Corporate Bullying, aided and abetted in the rape of Nigerian women, and violation of human rights (Legal Information Institute, 2015). Kiobel could not sue Shell in Nigeria because the Nigerian Government was corrupt. The Nigerian group’s attempt to file a suit was dismissed by the UK and the Netherlands Company because those countries would not take jurisdiction. The group had taken political asylum because of the crimes in Nigeria and after becoming US citizens. The 12 Nigerians sued in the US under the 1789 Alien Tort Statue (ATS). This statue grants jurisdiction to federal courts to hear tort claims by aliens alleging violations of “the law of nations” (Forbes, 2013). Conclusion: In October 2011 the District Court’s ruling was that corporations could not be sued under the ATS. The case was appealed and went to the Supreme Court. April...
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...JORIND 10 (2), June, 2012. ISSN 1596 - 8308. www.transcampus.org./journals, www.ajol.info/journals/jorind NOLLYWOOD MOVIES ANDNIGERIAN YOUTHS-AN EVALUATION J. O.Nnabuko Department of Marketing. University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus,Nigeria and Tina C. Anatsui Department of Mass Communication. Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria E-mail: chinyere_06@yahoo.com+234-805-2422-918 Abstract This paper is an advocacys on the impacts of Nollywood movies as the two-edge sword for the national development. It contends that its establishment has helped greatly in developing talents, and serves as a medium of entertainment and communication. It also highlights various critics that praised the ability of Nollywood industry in the past, and expresses concern on the reverse focus on the negative themes and its negative impact on youth behaviour and the image of Nigeria. The qualitative and quantitative data analysis based on the empirical secondary and primary data were employed. The data collected on both were presented in tabular form and analyzed using simple percentages. Purposive random sampling technique and questionnaire as an instrument were used during the class-meeting. Keywords: Nollywood, behavior, youths, movies Introduction Film was introduced into Nigeria in the 1900’s by the British colonialist who used it for propaganda purposes, while the church used it to spread the Gospel.The Colonial Administration and the Church saw film not only as a medium of entertainment but as...
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...10 (2), June, 2012. ISSN 1596 - 8308. www.transcampus.org./journals, www.ajol.info/journals/jorind NOLLYWOOD MOVIES ANDNIGERIAN YOUTHS-AN EVALUATION J. O.Nnabuko Department of Marketing. University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus,Nigeria and Tina C. Anatsui Department of Mass Communication. Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria E-mail: chinyere_06@yahoo.com+234-805-2422-918 Abstract This paper is an advocacys on the impacts of Nollywood movies as the two-edge sword for the national development. It contends that its establishment has helped greatly in developing talents, and serves as a medium of entertainment and communication. It also highlights various critics that praised the ability of Nollywood industry in the past, and expresses concern on the reverse focus on the negative themes and its negative impact on youth behaviour and the image of Nigeria. The qualitative and quantitative data analysis based on the empirical secondary and primary data were employed. The data collected on both were presented in tabular form and analyzed using simple percentages. Purposive random sampling technique and questionnaire as an instrument were used during the class-meeting. Keywords: Nollywood, behavior, youths, movies Introduction Film was introduced into Nigeria in the 1900’s by the British colonialist who used it for propaganda purposes, while the church used it to spread the Gospel.The Colonial Administration and the Church saw film not only as a medium of entertainment...
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...rates, political and religious uprising, corruption and other social vices. The situation is further worsened by the level youth unemployment in the country. Looking closely at the scenario, it is obvious that the ‘youths’ are the ones mostly involved. This group (youths), is supposed to be looked upon as the engine room of development in any country. Japan, China, India, USA, Great Britain and other advanced countries in the world made technological breakthrough because of the involvement of the youths. However, the Nigerian youths are yet to be recognized and their impact is yet to be felt. It is in view of this that this paper is structured to explain the need for reintegrating the youth as a panacea for the security challenges in Nigeria. Operational Definition of Terms In order to make this article explicit, the following definitions of terms are given as used in the text. Youths – These are part of the population who are active and their ages fall range between 18 – 45 years. Reintegration – A process of educating, rehabilitating, accepting and engaging the youths to be productive and useful in a society. Panacea – Solution to problem to socio-economic challenges. National Security – Absence of threat to life, property, and socio-economic well being of the people. Security Challenges – These are threats to the national security. Conceptual Framework In all academic circles, no definition is ever all embracing and perfect. Until the recent past, security was...
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...ICTR's Akayesu Verdict SYNOPSIS The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) heard Jean-Paul Akayesu accused of vicious gang rapes and genocide that took the lives of 2,000 Tutsis. The trial court chamber of three judges, two men and one woman, had an unprecedented opportunity to clarify whether rape during internal armed conflict constitutes genocide as well as a crime against humanity. Nongovernmental organizations worked to "engender" the Tribunal while holding accountable the Hutu leaders who orchestrated genocide. The critical 1998 verdict influenced states negotiating improved standards for the prosecution of sexual violence and the creation of a permanent International Criminal Court. "Rape and Genocide in Rwanda" addresses current issues of international law, human rights, women in politics, African Studies, judicial procedure, legal and moral reasoning. RAPE and Genocide IN RWANDA: The ICTR’s Akayesu Verdict CASE OUTLINE I. An Unprecedented Opportunity Glossary and Map II. Prior Responses to Sexual Violence in War A. From “Time Immemorial” to 1948 B. From the 1949 Geneva Conventions to an International Criminal Court III. Genocide In Rwanda A. A Colonial Legacy of Ethnic Division B. Mass Killing, Rape and the 1994 U.N. Withdrawal IV. The U.N. Creates a Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda V. The Trial of Jean-Paul Akayesu Trial Chronology and Key Individuals VI. Issues for Judgment ...
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...caregivers and teachers on the negative effects of perpetuating domestic violence. It is therefore, recommended that, Government should establish and fund counselling centres at the community, and Local Government levels and employ professional counsellors to help victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. CHAPTER ONE BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 1.1 Background of the Study Domestic violence is assuming national and international attention (Amnesty International 1995). It is a type of violence that is prevalent in many homes, and the World over. It is a form of violence that occurs in the form of defilement, assault, sexual harassment, and rape or battering, child abuse, for example denial of right, necessities and opportunities, threatening patterns of communication such as insults, harassment, neglectful lack of action. Traditionally, in Nigeria, as in many other African countries, the beating of wives and children is widely sanctioned as a form of discipline (UNICEF, 2001). Therefore, in beating their-children parents believe they are instilling discipline in them, much the same way as...
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...caregivers and teachers on the negative effects of perpetuating domestic violence. It is therefore, recommended that, Government should establish and fund counselling centres at the community, and Local Government levels and employ professional counsellors to help victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. CHAPTER ONE BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 1.1 Background of the Study Domestic violence is assuming national and international attention (Amnesty International 1995). It is a type of violence that is prevalent in many homes, and the World over. It is a form of violence that occurs in the form of defilement, assault, sexual harassment, and rape or battering, child abuse, for example denial of right, necessities and opportunities, threatening patterns of communication such as insults, harassment, neglectful lack of action. Traditionally, in Nigeria, as in many other African countries, the beating of wives and children is widely sanctioned as a form of discipline (UNICEF, 2001). Therefore, in beating their-children parents believe they are instilling discipline in them, much the same way as...
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...History South Africa’s and Nigeria’s histories have been dominated by the integration and conflict of several diverse ethnic groups. Looking at each nation’s history there was colonization by the Europeans, suffering of their people, assassinations of leaders and corruption in their governments. Today both nations are attempting overcome past wrong doings and improve the standard of life for their people. The earliest inhabitants of South Africa were the San and Khoekhoe peoples, known individually as the Bushmen and Hottentots or Khoikhoi; collectively called the Khoisan. Both were resident in the southern tip of the continent for thousands of years before the arrival of the European immigrants (Southafrica.info). In 1652, Jan van Riebeeck and ninety men landed at the Cape of Good Hope, under orders by the Dutch East India Company to erect a fort and build a vegetable garden for the benefit of ships on the Eastern trade route. The white colonists in South Africa, the Khoisan, and slaves from elsewhere in Africa and the East, formed the basis of the mixed-race group now known as coloured. The slaves from the East brought a powerful new element to South Africa's racial and cultural mix, especially with their religion of Islam. By the end of the 18th century the colonies population reached about 15,000. Known as Boers or Afrikaners, and speaking a Dutch dialect known as Afrikaans, the settlers as early as 1795 tried to establish an independent republic. South Africa...
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...cause. In the introduction of the text it states “On June 15, 2011, more than 150,000 fans assembled on the streets of Vancouver to watch game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins. Within minutes of the Canucks loss, a riot began. One aspect that made this event unique was that it was documented on Twitter” this would clearly indicate that there was a relationship between the fans knowledge of the current affair which was the hockey game and the Literary review-RQ- 1. Is there a relationship between social media use and KNOWLEDGE of current affairs? 2. What is the relationship between social media use and knowledge of stand your ground law? 3. What is the relationship between social media use and attitude toward stand your ground law? Methodology- In the text it is stated that Twitter is a fairly new medium within the sport communication scenery; a growing body of literature has examined its utilization among various user groups such as athletes. Sport-specific research regarding Twitter has largely focused on general usage trends, however, this particular event summarized a crisis event situation, where the framing and perception of the event and larger cultural frameworks could be examined on a digital medium. Variables were modified from Billings and Angelini’s...
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...people and societies go about everyday activities and life. Thus, the ever-growing corporations such as Royal Dutch Shell and BP, who supply these products, are subject to immense public scrutiny to the quality of these products and more recently the ways in which they are manufactured. The focus of this argument involves the ethical aspect of Shell’s management with regards to the issue of human rights in the regions they operate in, as well as their engagement with their employees and other stakeholders. According to their website the Niger-Delta region, which Royal Dutch Shell produces a quantity of their oil, the company provides funds to the government and commissions. Under law of the Niger Delta Development Commission and operations through the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), Shell contributed up to $82 million in 2008 ($56.8m and $25.2m, respectively). The contributions through the SPDC “promote and support small businesses, agriculture, skills training, education, healthcare, micro lending and capacity building.” They also have contributed through royalty payments amounting to “$36 billion in taxes and royalties from 2005-2008.” Although the government will ultimately decide how to allocate the funds, Shell firmly believes that through their contributions “these funds can be used to promote development, reduce poverty and support economic growth.” If utilized in this manner and with reference to economic principles, with lower levels of poverty...
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...TABLE OF CONTENTS Regional Conflicts in Africa • Introduction……………………………………………………………………….2 • Regional Conflict…………………………………………………………………...2 • Angola: • Angolan War for independence…….…………………………………………...3 • Angolan Civil War………………………………………………………………...5 • Sudan: • Darfur Conflict…………………………………………………………………....5 • Burundi: • Burundian Conflict………………………………………………………………7 • Nigeria: • Nigerian civil war………………………………………………………………..9 • Rwanda: • Civil War of Rwanda……………………………………………………………..11 • Liberia: • Sierra Leon vs. Liberia………………………………………………………….12 • Democratic Republic of Congo…………………………………………………….13 • South Africa……………………………………………………………………….14 REGIONAL CONFLICTS IN AFRICA Since gaining independence many West African nations have undergone political instability. There have been many wars in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire. Since the end of colonialism, West African states have often been affected by instability, corruption, violence, and authoritarianism. The region has seen the most brutal and serious conflicts that have ever taken place, such as the Angolan Civil War, First Liberian Civil War, Second Liberian Civil War, Guinea-Bissau Civil War, Ivorian Civil War, and the Sierra Leone Civil War. In this paper we’ll try to analyze the causes, costs and impacts of these regional conflicts and war, while giving a brief history of it. REGIONAL CONFLICT: According to Rightspeak Glossary, “Regional conflict is a war requiring...
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