Pakistani court allows marriage of kidnapped Christian girl because she had first period

Photo: Reuters.

By Samuel Smith, CP Reporter

A court in Pakistan has ruled against the family of a kidnapped Christian girl who was forced into an Islamic marriage, saying in its decision that no law was broken if the girl had already had her first period. 

The Catholic Charity Aid to the Church in Need-Italy reports that the Sindh High Court in Karachi issued the Feb. 3 ruling in the case of 14-year-old Huma Younus, who was taken from her home on Oct. 10, 2019, and later married to a radical Muslim man.

According to the charity, which is supporting the family, judge Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Irshad Ali Shah ruled that the Catholic girl’s marriage to her alleged abductor, Abdul Jabbar, is valid under Sharia law because the child has already had her first menstrual cycle. 

“Once again justice has been defeated and once again has been proved that our state does not consider Christians to be Pakistani citizens,” mother Nagheena Younus told Aid to the Church in Need-Italy after the hearing. 

Younus’ parents said their daughter’s marriage violates the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act forbidding the marriage of girls age 18 and younger. Although the law was passed in 2014, it has not yet been applied.

“We hoped that the law could have been applied for the first time in this case,” lawyer Tabassum Yousaf was quoted as saying. “But evidently in Pakistan, these laws are formulated and approved only to improve the image of the country in front of the international community, [and to] ask for funds for development and trade Pakistani products on the European market for free.”

Muslim-majority Pakistan ranks as the fifth-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution on the Open Doors USA 2020 World Watch List.

As the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom reports, it’s estimated that as many as 1,000 women and girls are forcibly converted to Islam each year in Pakistan, many of whom are kidnapped, married and subject to rape. 

Last year, Pakistan lawmakers rejected a national bill that would have raised the child marriage age to 18 after it was opposed by Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadari and other officials. 

According to Aid to the Church in Need, Younus was due to appear in court during last Monday’s hearing, as was requested during a previous hearing held on Jan 16. However, Younus was not present for the hearing. 

The judges ordered a medical examination of the child to verify her age, a request made by the family’s lawyer. However, Yousaf does not trust a fair examination will take place. 

“It is clear that since [investigation officer Akhtar Hussain] is in charge, there is a high probability that the test results will be falsified,” the lawyer argued. “But we keep hoping that the girl’s minor age will be proven so that she could at least be entrusted to a center for women, and taken away from her rapist.”

The next court hearing in the matter is scheduled for March 4. But even if the girl’s age can be verified, the decision to validate the marriage because of menstruation reduces the chance that Jabbar will be held to account for his actions, the charity reports. 

Nagheena Younus vowed to take the case all the way to the Pakistan Supreme Court if need be. 

“This morning’s sentence casts shame on the Pakistani judicial system,” ACN-Italy Director Alessandro Monteduro said in a statement. “It is unimaginable that Sharia can prevail over the law of the state. We express all our outrage, but we won’t give up for Huma and the over a thousand girls that every year in Pakistan are kidnapped, raped, converted by force to Islam and forced to marry their kidnapper.”

“Even today we have learned that all of that is legitimate, because in Pakistan even an 8- or 9-year-old girl can legally be given as a wife if she has already had her period,” he added. 

According to AsiaNews, the court allowed the child to file an affidavit declaring that she got married on her own free will. However, Yousaf contends that such an affidavit can't be filed legally until the child is presented with an identity card number at the age of 18. 

News of the judges’ ruling drew much criticism on social media. 

“Underage #Catholic girl Huma Younus & other girls can be married as long as they have had their first menstrual cycle, the High Court in #Pakistan ruled. This is so wrong and disgusting!” former European Parliament member Marijana Petir tweeted. “I urge the @EU_Commission and the international community to stop all relationship with Pakistan.”

Popular Pakistani actor, writer and choreographer, Osman Khalid Butt, also voiced his dismay on Twitter. 

“I immediately Googled the Sindh Court ruling thinking there must be some mistake,” he wrote in a tweet. “How could they consider a marriage valid when it was done under duress, after an abduction & forced conversion? Boy, was I naive.”

For the past two years, Pakistan has been labeled by the United States State Department as a “country of particular concern” for tolerating or engaging in severe violations of religious freedom. 

In addition to the tolerance of forced abductions and marriages as well as societal persecution against religious minorities, Pakistan is the world’s leader when it comes to the number of people imprisoned for blasphemy. 

According to blasphemy law critic Shaan Taseer, a son of the late Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer, about 200 people or more are in jail in Pakistan on blasphemy charges with as many of 40 of them on death row. 

Source: https://www.christianpost.com/news/pakistani-court-allows-marriage-kidnapped-christian-girl-because-she-had-her-first-period.html?uid=*|UNIQID|*

School proprietor arrested, charged to court for alleged rape, as Delta Police Command parade crime suspects

CP Inuwa, with Microphone show to journalists ittems recovered from suspected
hoodlums.

Proprietor of Grace Life International School, Oghara-Efe, MjIchael Anigholor is in police net and charged to court for alleged rape of corps member posted to his school.

Commissioner of Police, Delta Police Command, CP Hafiz  Inuwa, mni, disclosed this to today, Tuesday, February 11, 2020 while briefing journalists on the efforts of men and officers of the Command to reduce the crime rate in the state.

CP Inuwa who extended greetings to all Deltans for their collaboration and prompt release of information to the police, such that the massive support to the Command within one month of his assuming duties as Commissioner of Police said the disposition has been overwhelming and has yielded tremendous result in the command’s arrest of criminals.

On the rape case, he said: “On 14/01/2020 at about 1100 hours, the complainant, a youth corps member posted to Grace Life International School, Oghara-Efe alleged that on 9^th January, 2020, she went to report at the school for her primary assignment. After her documentation, the suspect Michael Anigholor  ‘M’ who is the proprietor took her to his house in Sapele and had carnal knowledge of her without her consent, suspect has since been arrested and charged to court with charge No. MS/MUSC/02c/2020.”

The CP who took journalists round the parade of suspects arrested for various criminal offences said a total of 41 persons were arrested for alleged armed robbery; 16 suspected cultists; eight kidnap suspects; 16 suspected cultists, eight suspects arrested for internet fraud, five theft suspects, among numerous others, while 35 firearms including Ak 47 rifle and 266 live/expended cartridges were recovered. Also, 62 live ammunitions were recovered.

TRAVELOGUE - Their Dubai, My Nigeria...

Ijeoma Uba.

By  IJEOMA UBA.

She laughed with infectious excitement. "Eehn, let's go to Dubai so you can clear your head. When you return, you can continue with your TrendFM trouble."

I thought she was joking. I knew we weren't in the best financial state then. For someone who had just finished handling some big projects, extra expense was like a pipe dream, so I rolled my eyes in disbelief. 

Then she shot at me with finality, "Ijeoma, you can stay back, but me, I'm going to Dubai". That was when it dawned on me that she meant business.

On January 8, 2019, my Managing Director; Agatha Amata, a colleague at RaveTV; Amina Attahiru and I were airborne to Dubai United Arab Emirates, UAE. 

We flew on the wings of Emirates Airline. It was my first time using the airline. Nestled in Boeing 777-300ER, the first thing I noticed was so impressionable: the courteous airs of the flight crew from the time I stepped into the aircraft. They all wore what has formed their identity over the years. The interior of the plane was impeccable. 

I guess these are expected of an international brand. 

Some are afraid of flying. Here is the lady who holds the world title for flight phobia. I often announce my fright as soon as I step into any plane while I woo any neighbor close by, so they don’t freak out if I grab someone at takeoff and landing.

I get so quiet before boarding as if I am about to face judgment. Nothing has been able to assuage my anxieties.

This fear, however, has the good side –I tend to know so much about planes and flying. I take time to study and compare aircraft. I also try to study the movements of these big controlled birds.  My fear drives me to know the accident rates of major airlines and aircraft. Most times, I follow the map/information chart instead of seeing movies. 

On Emirates, I noticed that the takeoff was very smooth. The pilot was not in a haste to get the plane into the skies within minutes like I had experienced with one Airbus flown by a Nigerian airline on London flight.

While the 777 was rolling on the tarmac for departure in Lagos, I did not get the usual dizziness. I watched as the transworld airliner glided from a thousand feet plus to two thousand, then three thousand and so on until it perched on 15 thousand feet for some few minutes before it continued its seamless climb.

The landing of the Boeing was even more soothing. It almost lured me to sleep as the tyres serenaded the tarmac in soft kisses. It neither nosedived nor landed like it fell off a hangar. Apart from the pressure on my ears and the fact that I followed the flight, I would not have known when it made its final descent at Dubai Airport. 

Minutes after my feet touched Dubai soil –first time in my life –I could not believe my ears. "Oyah shake body, shake body" the music of Nigerian crooner, Skales greeted us at Dubai airport. I thought I was on Nnebisi road Asaba! Just that the strange beautiful land that regaled my wide eyes made it look like a confusing dream. I was so excited. Nigerian music is on a global arena, a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Nigerian youths. Even at Dubai Miracle Garden, it was Nigerian music that played. By the way there were more white tourists at the garden than blacks. 

In Dubai, the immigration officer, the currency exchange handler, the cab driver, the Hotel staff members were all very courteous attending to us at night.

I imagined how groggy my brothers and sisters here in Nigeria would have been at that late time no matter where they worked. You can even get to the reception of a hotel without meeting anyone. The ones on duty at the hospitals are also in this league of champions. 

Later that morning, we started our tour of Dubai: Museum, Mosque, Desert Safari Ride, Boat Cruise/Dinner,  Miracle Garden, City Tour, Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Lake Ride and Water Fountain, BurjKhalifa, Underwater Zoo/Aquarium, Village Market and more.

In all these tours, the drivers were all polite and friendly. None was exploitative or grovelling. We were entitled to buffet breakfast at our hotel and the staff lived up to expectation. They were amazingly efficient. 

Our guide gave us the necessary information for the village market so we would know how to bargain. It was at this market that I met one Pakistani I named John. Haughty yet lively, John believed his shop had the best quality goods while he tried to impress us with a few Yoruba words. 

Dubai thrives on trade and tourism and stops at nothing to protect these. According to our guide and what I observed too, the government recognises and makes painstaking efforts to preserve its major economic driver; Tourism. Tourists must be handled with utmost care. I call that setting its priorities right. 

I also noticed that there are no manufacturing companies. Maybe that explains why I didn't feel Chinese and Igbo presence. There was no Chung Xing or Uba & Sons. 

Dubai is a very neat city! The sign in buses: "No Eating. No Drinking. No Smoking" says it boldly –everything is so organized.

For a country without water, the city is next to heaven. By the way, petrol is cheaper than water in Dubai. There is steady power supply in the city so I did not rush to charge my devices like I was subconsciously doing when I went first travelled overseas seven years ago. This time I knew I was not in Nigeria. I also did not need to check if Sunny, my gateman, had switched on the water pumping machine. 

Although an Islamic state, the government is liberal to tourists. You dress freely within the confines of decency. This is not readily available in some other Arab/Islam dominated regions. 

Arabs of Dubai love life. The best things in life are in Dubai. Mansions everywhere;  breathtaking skycrapers kissing the clouds; exotic eye popping cars pimped with golden name plates; malls filled with the most beautiful vanities of life; and gleaming rosy  roads akin to the shining streets of heaven as described in the Bible. Arab males called Emiratis are handsome and rich – very rich, most of them. They do not work. Their luxuriant hairy hands do not touch most jobs; odd jobs like cab driving, hotel service, trading among others. Such menial jobs are for Indians and Pakistanis. The Emiratis are royals, Kings and princes. Born to be served .Their wealth is exclusively for them. They share with only their women. Not foreigners. Emiratis are discouraged from marrying non aborigine, even if you are Agbani Derego or Miss Universe. Not even Naomi Campbell can easily win an Emirati's hand in marriage. It is their belief. They love and marry their girls. That is their way of life, their fancy, their culture. Sorry Nigerian girls! 

Dubai has its challenges, however.

Dubai did not make provisions for almost simple eventualities like rain. While in Dubai it rained. No, not rain; one of Angel Michael's children rinsed a spoon and this small water messed up most parts of the city. Schools were closed, places shut down, roads became useless. Ordinary rinsing of spoon. You can imagine what would happen when small Uriel takes a shower on top of Dubai. 

The government is apparently oblivious of climate change. There are no drainages. Our tour to the Global Village had to be cancelled because the roads were blocked and many parts waterlogged. The areas housing tourists were cleared through concerted efforts. 

I guess it was the lack of preparation that made the government embark on cloud seeding when the forecast said it would rain. They had a shopping festival and did not want it ruined. Unfortunately, the clouds refused to budge. 

As I made videos of the roads, I wondered what our seven day rain would turn the almighty modern city to. Would it still be the same?  Could their wonderful roads stand our topography? The rains from April to October? When the rains form alliance with our kind of filled drainages and other garbages would there be a city left for us to call tourism destination? 

This got me thinking. How can these skyscrapers function without power supply? Can Dubai survive a collapse of the national grid? What if light goes off while people are in the elevator at the BurjKhalifa, perhaps at the 100th floor? How do people at the 163rd floor come down or go up at such times? Well, it's not my business. 

Duty calls and home is where Munachimso is. We had to come home. At Murtala Muhammed International Airport, I was welcomed by a strong smell of urine mixed sweat from underarms that abhor deodorants. The heat from the failed air-conditioning sets helped the porridge to thicken as we meandered our way through immigration. I took a deep breath, inhaled and exhaled my people's achievements with a smile. 

I kept smiling even when I was missing a suitcase and Customs officials were at their annoying worst. I liked it that I was back home. What is life without people shouting like you have been quarrelling since 1926? How do I know I'm back home when I don't get that identity urine or Izal smell at our international airport? How do I remember that I'm a Nigerian if my countrymen don't harass me a little for not buying something for them? I need to be reminded what the rule says. 

I saw Dubai; neat by nature. I see Nigeria; naughty by nature 

Let them have their Dubai. I stick to my Nigeria where we are used to God and His Angels taking baths without us running away. It is their Dubai and this is my Nigeria.

Ijeoma Felicity Uba.

General Manager TREND 100.9 FM 

writes from Asaba

Delta’s Senior Political Adviser urges concerted effort to protect democratic principles, institutions

Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, the Senior Political Adviser to governor of Delta
 state, left, with Prof. Joshua Akpode.

The Senior Political Adviser to the Governor of Delta state, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon has called for a concerted effort by Nigerians to protect democratic principles and institutions in the country from being further trampled upon.

Rt. Hon. Solomon made the call Monday, February 10, 2020 afternoon while receiving the Chancellor, Nigeria Institute for Political Leadership Administration and Control (NIFPLAC), Prof. Joshua Akpode, and members of the institute’s board in the conference hall of his office.

While commending the Chancellor for the institute’s passion to affect the political dynamism of the nation, the Senior Political Adviser urged the institute to evolve robust course contents with which to change the mindset of politicians so they can hold on dearly to operating democratic principles.

He decried the democratic setting in which those who by nature and training lack democratic culture are being celebrated for trampling on democratic tenets and institutions, he criticized President Muhammadu Buhari’s proclivity to violate the rule of law, and decide which court order to obey and disobey.

Making case for a collaborative effort to protect and sustain democratic principles and institutions, Rt. Hon. Solomon said: “You must be courageous enough to design courses that stress the need for Nigerians to respect democratic institutions and principles. You have more to do in evolving courses that touch on the political experience and reality of the nation for practical political administration,  but less of theories, more of practical. The bookishness of our people has shown deficiency in the theory, as there is a difference between the study of political science and doing the actual practice of politics.

“We need a concerted action to stand firm against wrong policies by a government that is trampling on democracy and its institutions. We need affirmative actions to push away the dark days and bring in light.”

Rt. Hon. Solomon thanked NIFPLAC for the commendation and award conferred on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, pointing out that the governor is a prepared leader. “He knows the cosmopolitan nature of Delta State, having acquired enough knowledge about the people of the state. As a result appropriate political behavior is being deployed in the service of the people,” he said, adding: “In Delta we are gradual in our approach, but firm.”

He informed the visitors that among the retinue of good works that Governor Okowa is doing in the state is the creation of a bureau of job creation through which hitherto unemployed lives have been transformed.

“Also, we believe in a strong grassroots; so we have appointed ward liaison officers to interpret to the people what government is doing. All policies are geared towards strengthening the grassroots,” the Senior Political Adviser said.

Earlier, Prof. Akpode, who is also the archbishop and president of pastoral and administrative head of the Builders Global Conglomerate (BGC) said NIFPLAC was born out of inspiration and set up to harness the political potentials and greatness of Nigeria through offering of various courses for the building of capacity for political elites.

Highlight of the courtesy visit was the presentation of an award of excellence to Governor Okowa by the chancellor, and received by the Senior Political Adviser.

Amotekun, Shege Ka Fasa represent vote of no confidence on Buhari-led APC govt, says PDP

The setting up of security outfits by sections of the Nigerian nation to protect their territories represents a vote of no confidence in the administration of the All Progressives Congress-led Buhari government, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said.

PDP in a statement signed by its national Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to “heed the call by Nigerians to take the exit door and allow more competent, patriotic and proactive hands to effectively tackle the situation at hand.”

Find below full text of the PDP statement.

February 7, 2020

Press Statement 

Insecurity: Stop Living In Denial, Self-Praise, PDP Cautions Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) admonishes President Muhammadu Buhari to stop living in denial, self-praise and making jokes out of the deteriorated security situation in our country under his administration.

The party berates President Buhari for attempting to award himself an unearned pass mark despite his abysmal failure to tackle acts of terrorism and violence, which have continued to worsen under his incompetent watch.

By resorting to self-praise, in the face of failure and escalated killings, President Buhari has exhibited a devastating betrayal of the fundamental responsibilities of his office and this further confirms that he is indeed not in touch with the reality on ground and as such has no solutions to offer.

It is indeed inexcusable that instead of accepting failure, Mr. President, who recently confessed his surprise over the level of insecurity in our nation under his watch, is now resorting to self-praise spurred by his handlers to divert attention from the consensus by Nigerians and members of the international community that he had failed as Commander-in-Chief. 

The PDP described as scandalous and self indicting that President Buhari is claiming that his so-called “successes” have restored the pride and honour of our nation, at the same time our country is becoming a pariah nation; listed as number three in world terrorism index while facing immigration bans and travel advisories from other nations of the world.

It is awkward that President Buhari made his unsupported claims at the time both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as other credible organizations in Nigeria are also in unanimity in indicting his Presidency for failing to take steps to check acts of terrorism, banditry and violence in the country.

Furthermore, while Mr. President and his All Progressives Congress (APC) are busy with their failed publicity stunt on false performance claims, various sections of our nation are passing a vote of no confidence in their administration, by setting up various security outfits such as Amotekun in the South West and Shege Ka Fasa in the north, to protect their territories.

The fact is that by resorting to self-praise in the face of failure, the Buhari Presidency has laid down its armour. No one is now left in doubt that the Buhari administration has reached the end of its capacity and should heed the call by Nigerians to take the exit door and allow more competent, patriotic and proactive hands to effectively tackle the situation at hand.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan

National Publicity Secretary

Expert on what women with mutilated genitals undergo during sex

Women with mutilated genitals cannot enjoy sex – Expert

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

Dr Esther Somefun, a Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst, on Sunday, says that women who have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) find it difficult to enjoy sex.

Somefun, work with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it was difficult for circumcised women to enjoy sexual pleasure due to the complications of FGM.

She described FGM also known as female circumcision, as the partial or total removal of female external genitalia due to non-medical reasons.

“Due to the complications of FGM, women find it difficult to enjoy sex because the external female organ, the clitoris which ensure lubrication during sex has been cut off.

“These women can also experience painful sex, infertility, pelvic inflammatory infections, menstrual pains and keloids.

“FGM can also cause obstructed labour due to the narrowing of the external genitalia. Women with type two and three FGM are most at risk during child birth.

“Lubricants can be used but it will not total resolve the pain experienced during sex.

“Depending on the type of FGM, corrective surgery can be done to open the external genitalia to allow for easy passage of the male external genitalia, “she said.

Somefun said there were huge benefits when a woman did not undergo FGM both for short term and long term.

“There is no risk of gynecological problems including, painful mensuration, no repeated pelvic infections or problems if infertility and urinary tract infections.

“Sexual intercourse will not be painful and there is no risk of obstructed labour.”

Somefun urged women experiencing some of these complications of FGM to see a gynecologist for check and assessment.

She, however, advised parents and girls to join forces together to push against FGM through advocacy in the communities and media campaign.

Somefun said that the UNFPA had been supporting the Federal Government to revise the National Policy and plan of action on FGM in the country. (NAN)

Okowa greets Fayemi at 55

Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State Governor.

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Olukayode Fayemi, as his turns 55 years on Feb. 9.

Fayemi, an All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain, was first elected Governor of Ekiti State in 2010 and lost re-election bid in 2014.

He was Minister of Solid Minerals Development from 2015 to 2018 when he was re-elected Governor of Ekiti State.

In May, 2019, he was elected Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, extolled Fayemi for his tremendous contributions and outstanding accomplishments in the service of his state and country.

According to him, the sterling contributions of Fayemi to the promotion of democratic development, peace-building and human security in Nigeria are legendary and worthy of commendation.

Okowa noted that the former minister contributed significantly to the growth of revenue from exports in the Mining sector by 592 per cent from 2016 to 2017 contributing seven per cent to Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

"Your impressive political and developmental achievements in office have placed your name on the sands of time as a leader worthy of commendation.

"The people of Ekiti State can attest to your doggedness, commitment and steadfastness in state craftsmanship as exemplified in the modest achievements through the implementation of your well-articulated social-welfarist blueprint known as the Eight-Point Agenda. 

"In the contemporary politics of Nigeria, Kayode Fayemi has become a household name as an emerging nationalist and Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum," he said.

"On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate a gentleman of honour and an outstanding personality, a leading light of this generation, a consummate politician of our time and a courageous democrat, Dr. John Olukayode Fayemi, on his 55th birth anniversary.

"On this auspicious occasion of your 55th birth anniversary, I join your family, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for your life which has been marked by outstanding accomplishments and enduring fulfillment," Okowa added.