Access to Justice Archives - Page 7 of 10 - HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONFLICTS RESOLUTION CENTRE ABAKALIKI

April 13, 2022October 19, 2022

IF A WOMAN BUYS A PROPERTY IN THE NAME OF HER HUSBAND, IT DOES NOT BELONG TO HIM.

IF A WOMAN BUYS A PROPERTY IN THE NAME OF HER HUSBAND, IT DOES NOT BELONG TO HIM.

Important to note in repressive cultures like ours here…

Where a woman buys a property in the name of her husband, it does not belong to him. Rather, the husband is holding the property in trust (as a guardian, to help her keep the property) for his wife. However, where a husband buys a property in the name of his wife, the property belongs to the wife, and it is seen as a gift from him to her.

This was what the Court said in JOLUGBO & ANOR v. AINA & ANOR (2016) LPELR – 40352 (CA) (Pp 27 – 29 Paras A – D) where Hon. Justice Amina Adamu Augue JCA (as she then was) said that: “The law also makes a distinction between the husband and the wife – when a wife buys a property, and conveys it in the name of her husband, there is no presumption of advancement in favour of her husband; he holds in trust for his wife.

However, if the husband purchases a property in his wife’s name, this is prima facie a gift to her – see Silver v. Silver (1958) 1 All E. R.523.” Thus, if a man does not desire to gift his wife a property, it should be bought in his name or in the joint names of himself and his wife. Please share widely among family, friends, colleagues and associates.

Thank you.

February 17, 2022November 9, 2022

Peace Dialogue and Conflict Early Warning Signs and Response

And so, the forum for Peace Dialogue and Conflict Early Warning Signs and Response for participants drawn from HRCRC branch members from select conflict prone communities and other security and social stakeholders held…

This is the first of a series of activities aimed at helping communities become aware of conflict Early Warning signs and ultimately take ownership of peace in their communities.

August 5, 2021August 8, 2022

Ebonyi State GBV Taskforce Training

So HRCRC, Abakaliki, a stakeholder in the Ebonyi State GBV Taskforce undertook to train members of the taskforce in Basic Skills in Conflict Resolution; with Special Emphasis on Negotiation Based Mediation. The session which was facilitated by HRCRC’s Director George Etamesor was informed by the striking cases of GBV that needed some form of Mediative intervention rather than legal action as another means of sensitization…

November 26, 2020August 3, 2022

16 Days Activism And Campaign Against SGBV

Orange the world SGBV 16 day activism to Maternal and Child Healthcare center Azuiyiokwu to discuss ways of managing and reporting cases of SGBV within the primary healthcare system.

The team used the opportunity to interact with patients, nursing mothers and health workers to establish a cordial working relationship for the elimination of SGBV.

Continuing the 16 days of activism, HRCRC, NHRC and team visited Iziogo community on an SGBV sensitization campaign. The very interactive engagement saw present youths, women and men leaders of the community.

October 1, 2020October 12, 2021

THE NIGERIA POLICE ACT AND WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW UNDER THAT NEW AMENDED LAW🇬🇦.

The Act comes with innovations every Nigerian should know. Spare a minute or two to go through them:No:18 concretely reemphasizes a provision affirmed by the accented and just domesticated ACJL…

1. The general objective of the Act is to provide an effective police service that complies with the principles of accountability and transparency, protect human rights and freedom. See Sec. 1.

2. The duty of the Police is to prevent and detect crimes, protect the rights and freedom of suspects and non-suspects in accordance with the Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and any other law. See Sec. 4 (a).

3. Just like in the movies, Nigeria can now have private detectives who are not employed by the government. The Nigeria Police Force is responsible for vetting and approving the registration of Private Detective Schools and Private Investigative Outfits. See Sec. 4(i).

4. The Police is mandated to report the findings of its investigation to the Attorney General of the Federation or State as the case may be. See Sec. 32(1).

5. The Act prohibits the Police from arresting anyone based on a civil wrong or breach of contract. See Sec. 32(2).

6. The Act equally prohibits the arrest of any person in place of a suspect. See Sec. 36.

7. The Act makes it mandatory on the police officer or any other person authorized to effect an arrest to inform the suspect his rights to:i. Remain silent or avoid answering any question until after consultation with a legal practitioner or any other person of his own choice. See Sec. 35(2)(a).ii. Consult a legal practitioner of his own choice before making, endorsing or writing any statement or answering any question put to him after the arrest. See Sec. 35(2)(b)iii. Free legal representation by the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria or other organizations where applicable. See Sec. 35(2)(c).

8. The Act also makes it mandatory on the Police to notify the next of kin or relative(s) of the suspect immediately after the arrest of the suspect. See Sec. 35(3).

9. A suspect shall be accorded humane treatment. And a suspect shall not be subjected to torture, cruelty, inhumane or degrading treatment. See Sec. 37.

10. The statement of a suspect can be taken only when he wishes to make a statement. See sec. 60(1).

11. The statement, where the suspect wishes to make one, MAY be taken in the presence of a legal practitioner or any other person or organization of his own choice. See sec. 60(2).

12. Where a suspect is arrested and detained for more than 24 hours, if the offense he was arrested for is not a capital offense, his lawyer or relatives can notify any court that has jurisdiction to try the matter about his arrest. See sec. 64(1).

13. The notification can be made in writing or orally. See sec. 64(3).

14. The court SHALL order the production of the suspect and inquire into the matter. Where it is convinced that the suspect should be released on bail, the court shall admit him to bail.

15. The Police are mandated to take the photographs and fingerprint impressions of all suspects who are in lawful custody. See sec. 68(1).

16. Where a suspect refuses to allow the Police to take his measurements, photograph and fingerprint impressions, the Police can the right to apply to court compel the suspect to submit himself. See sec. 68(2).

17. On the last working day of every month, an officer in charge of a police station must report to the nearest magistrates the cases of all arrests made without warrant in his jurisdiction, whether the suspect have been admitted to bail or not. See sec. 69(1).

18. By section 66(1) of the Police Act 2020, ONLY a Police Officer who is a LEGAL PRACTITIONER, can prosecute. Section 23 which hitherto gave non-Police lawyers prosecutorial powers no longer hold any potency in law, the entire old Police Act,cap P.19,LFN,2004, having been REPEALED by the Police Act, 2020 recently ASSENTED to by Mr. President.In effect, any prosecution by a non-Police lawyer is null and void, and of no effect whatsoever – by virtue of section 66(1) of the Act(supra). Thus, it’s a legal ground for objection to any prosecution being conducted by a Police Officer who is NOT a LEGAL PRACTITIONER.

That’s one of the high points of the new Police Act 2020.