CSO demands removal of INEC REC in Lagos

international community should consider revoking visas of such political leaders and deny them entry to the civilized world,” she said.

Ford added that INEC should let Nigeria and Nigerians know what would be the fate of Nigerian students who did not have the time to collect their PVCs before the deadline.

“It is great injustice to disenfranchise a large number of our youth population,” she said.

Responding, Agbaje told NAN that he had not made any disturbing statement that should warrant his removal, “there is no statement I made that I cannot defend.”

The REC said that he would not be derailed in the mandate to be neutral and transparent in the conduct of the forthcoming elections.

On voter enlightenment over the re-distribution of voters from some congested polling units in the state, Agbaje said that INEC teams had begun sensitisation of voters in the affected units.

“We are doing it. In fact, we have our vehicles going round local government by local government, covering two local government areas each day, and we have pasted the register of voters in various affected polling units.

“We are also engaging the community development associations’ members to help us talk to their people in various places.

“All these are going on, and if they (NVW) have not seen us in the area, it is because they are not within the area we have touched,” he said. On safety and security, Agbaje said that INEC had maintained that it did not support attacks on any person by political thugs.

According to him, INEC’s job is to conduct the election while other agencies are to secure the environment for INEC to do its job. NAN

NABDA, stakeholders develop standardised legal framework for forensic practices

Aforensic technical working group facilitated by National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), on Wednesday in Abuja brainstormed on how to develop a standardised legal framework for forensic practices in Nigeria.

The group comprised costakeholders from the Judiciary, STI Ministry, the Police, NDLEA, NEMA, NAPTIP, other law enforcement agencies, Medical and Dental Council, foreign experts and representatives of various organisations.

The crew is also responsible for developing a framework for national Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) database that iss comprehensive and cost effective to address gaps Nigeria faces in areas of security and medico-legal issues among others.

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General of NABDA, underscored the importance and urgency of developing a robust standard forensic database that would regulate and enable institutions of government to perform at optimal level.

The D-G, who was represented by Dr Bartholomew Ibeh, Director, Medical Biotechnology Department, emphasised on the importance of a standardised forensic science practice in Nigeria.

Mustapha said:“It is very important in terms of security issues, serial offenders, rape cases and sexual molestations, cases relating to accident victims, missing persons, immigration as well as tracking of terrorists among others.’’

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria at the close of the workshop, Mustapha expressed optimism that Nigerians would begin to see the standardization of forensic science in the country.

He said: ”Nigerians would also witness how the DNA databank and other forensic data banks are built, the standards and patterns to be followed in administering forensic evidence in court.”

Mustapha assured that this would help to empower government institutions that had the mandate of discharging their responsibilities in areas relating to forensic science especially DNA.

He listed institutions such as the Police, Immigration, NDLEA, and the judiciary, among others, as where most of these issues ended up.

Mustapha said the agency was not only a facilitator, but it provided the expertise that was driving the process for Nigeria.

He said the agency had a forensic DNA laboratory which would enable scientists in the field to practice and lead to the country having a standardised forensic reference laboratory for investigations.

Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor, Chairman of the Forensic Technical Working Committee, told NAN that forensic science was a variegated and diffused field which found applicability in various sectors of national life.

The Chairman said various institutions of government were working with DNA to solve numerous issues relating to health, investigations of crimes and deaths, among others.

He, however, added that the activities of forensic institutions in the country needed proper coordination, regulation and a standard procedure for optimal performance.

Agbonlahor said consequent upon the constitution of a National Forensic Working Group (NFWG), the maiden edition of the workshop was held in 2019, but COVID-19 only gave room for virtual meetings.

“The workshop help to push the idea of ensuring that a bill would eventually emanate for the control, coordination and regulation of forensic activities across the nation.

“The only way to do that is to have a working committee to midwife the process and that is essentially why we are here.

“We are looking at a neutral body to regulate and coordinate the activities of these various institutions, departments and others whose activities have to do with forensic science,’’ Agbonlahor said.

He said the standard approach should be in tandem with international best practices and that Nigeria needed these standardised forensic procedures.

Dr Patrick Oyong, a Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice said though the field of forensics was not as old as other fields and resource persons were few, but that it was forensics significant.

He said there was need for a forensic bill to be transmitted into law through the National Assembly, adding: “We have started working on it and we will continue to engage other stakeholders on it.

“ We have also gone further by setting up relevant committees that would work towards that and we do not need to fold our hands because we know government is quite appreciative of this.

“It is our responsibility individually and collectively to put all hands on deck to ensure that our intention of this development becomes a reality.”

Dr Tijjani Mandaka of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria(MDCN), stated that forensic science would play a strategic role for Doctors and medical personnel especially in rape cases.

“With forensic science, criminals will not be set free, criminals are set free due to lack of evidences,’’ Mandaka said.(NAN)

Benue Govt approves 243m for re-turfing of Aper Aku Stadium

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Worried by the security risk involved in players of Lobi Stars travelling to Jos for their league matches, Benue State has approved the re-turfing of the Aper Aku Stadium to meet international standard.

The State government took the decision at an emergency executive council meeting held on Thursday at Government House, Makurdi.

The State Commissioner for Information Michael Inalegwu disclosed to newsmen that the sum of 243 million has been earmarked for renovation of playing turf at the stadium.

He said ,”We also agreed to give a face lift to other facilities and structures at the Aper Aku stadium. So, we had two way contractual obligations; one to Momimichelle

Sporting Facitly Construction LTD which laid the astro turf and so was chosen because of their expertise. For the other renovation on the Stadium which will be done by direct labor, the sum of 65 million was approved to the Ministry of Youths/Sports. This is to cut cost. For complete renovation of the MarCarthy Stadium to make provision for offices of the club officials, accommodation for players, council approved 73 million. We are giving the contractors not less than two and half months to finish work on the playing turf. So, whatever is the case between now and April, the whole work should have been completed’, he said.