by admin | Apr 9, 2025 | crime, criminal cases, criminal justice, news, women
Ibiamina Igbiri, the 78-year-old mother of Deborah Erema—who is among the 15 individuals imprisoned since 2019 for allegedly stealing Mrs. Patience Jonathan’s jewelry—spoke with CHUKWUDI AKASIKE and TEMITOPO ADETUNJI regarding the suffering she has endured because of her daughter’s incarceration since 2019.
How
old are you?
My name is Ibiamina Igbiri. I am 78 years of age.
Where are you from?
I hail from Okirika in Rivers State.
What is your connection to Deborah Erema, who is presently incarcerated?
She is my daughter.
Do you recall when she was taken into custody and sent to jail?
My daughter got arrested in 2019.
What had you been informed was her crime?
It was claimed that she was one of those who took possession of Mrs Patience Jonathan’s belongings, the spouse of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Can you guarantee that your daughter is not a thief?
Certainly, I can. My daughter isn’t a thief. On the very day they claimed the jewelry was taken, she wasn’t present as she had gone on a mission.
What is the age of your daughter and how is she related to the former president’s spouse?
She is 57 years old. Previously, my daughter worked for Mrs Jonathan until she got arrested on accusations that she was involved in stealing jewelry from the ex-first lady. However, I firmly believe that my daughter would not take someone else’s possessions.
Don’t you believe she has had any chance to speak for herself?
In court, she stated that she had no knowledge of the jewelry theft, yet her claims were disregarded. Like I mentioned earlier, my daughter could not have participated in something like this. On the day the incident occurred, she was attending a church crusade in Mgbidi.
What reasons do you believe led them to disregard what she had to say?
I don’t know.
How was she arrested?
Prior to her return from the church crusade, several arrests had already occurred. Upon coming back from the church event, she traveled to Bayelsa State. There, in 2019, she was detained and transferred to Port Harcourt.
Was legal representation provided for your daughter through hiring an attorney to appear in court following her arrest and prosecution?
Yes.
Do you believe the proceedings were managed correctly in the courtroom?
The handling of the case did not proceed as it ought to have. From the start, whenever they brought my daughter and the others before the court, proceedings would be postponed repeatedly without resolution. There were just a couple of instances where those involved got an opportunity to address the court directly. Following these rare occasions when my daughter and the rest had their say, the court then proceeded with testimonies presented by witnesses aligned with Madam Patience’s faction. Eventually, after all this, my daughter along with the group was returned once more to incarceration.
What has your experience been like since Deborah went to jail in 2019?
Several individuals attempted to persuade Madam Patience, but she refused to heed their pleas. My granddaughter, Deborah’s eldest child, passed away while Deborah was incarcerated. This absence significantly impacted our family dynamics. Life has proven challenging for us all. Additionally, I almost met my end due to my daughter’s prolonged detention. For this reason, I relocated to my son’s home, hoping he would look after me.
Is your daughter married?
She isn’t legally wed.
In what ways has this influenced your well-being, feelings, and everyday life?
Ever since she was taken away, I haven’t felt like myself. I’ve had to beg for meals. Illness led me to be brought to my son’s home in Rivers State.
Have you managed to go see her in jail?
No, my son took care of that task for me once. I myself have never set foot there. Ever since my daughter was incarcerated in 2019 following her arrest, things have been extremely tough for me. Occasionally, I purchase some provisions and deliver them to her, or at times I transfer funds instead. Ensuring she gets enough to eat hasn’t been simple.
What steps has your family taken to secure Deborah’s freedom?
My son visited the King of Okrika and talked about it with him. The king agreed to summon several chiefs, and along with my son, they planned to travel to Abuja for an audience with ex-President Jonathan. The king provided my son and his relatives with a specific date to visit, which they adhered to. However, after this meeting, the king stopped paying attention to their concerns. He instructed them to inform my sister to hand over anything under her control; however, my son and others argued that my daughter didn’t possess anything and wasn’t content being incarcerated. They claimed she wouldn’t want to remain locked up if she held anything valuable.
They informed the king that she was not guilty of the accusations made against her. Additionally, my son and several other family members advised the king that she had attended a church mission in Mgbidi and was unaware of the incident.
What could have prompted the king to alter his decision regarding talks with the ex-president, leading to the release of your daughter?
I’m unsure. So far, my son along with the others haven’t managed to get an audience with the king to discuss their request for my daughter’s release. When my son talked to the king’s assistant seeking guidance, the assistant asked for some time to consult the king regarding this issue.
Subsequently, an assistant of the king contacted my son and instructed him to provide the names of our family members, mentioning that the king would reach out to them for a meeting. My son complied with this request. However, until now, none of us have been contacted by the king. This remains the current state of affairs.
At what point did you encounter the king to seek assistance?
It was approximately two years back.
Have you contacted any human rights organizations or government officials regarding the ongoing detention of your daughter in prison?
No.
Is it because you lack the ability to contact them?
I am unable to handle this situation myself. My son encountered one of his younger siblings, who happens to be a legal professional. During their conversation, the sibling committed to reaching out to another attorney based in Bayelsa. This was intended to facilitate moving the case to Port Harcourt for potential appeals. However, the lawyer failed to follow through on this commitment, possibly due to being occupied with other responsibilities.
Is there additional proof to demonstrate that the accusation against your daughter was unfounded, aside from her statement that she undertook a mission on the date of the alleged event?
Every time my daughter planned to travel, she first sought approval from Mrs. Jonathan. Only after receiving this consent could she proceed with her journey. Occasionally, Mrs. Jonathan instructed her to leave the key with Mama F. Upon returning, she always went to Mama F to retrieve the key again. This routine was consistently followed.
I recall that occasionally Mrs. Jonathan would entrust some money to my daughter, yet she would never dare to use it. My daughter was so cautious about handling this money that she wouldn’t even leave it in her possession. Instead, she would promptly contact Mrs. Jonathan to inform her to come and retrieve her funds.
Mrs. Jonathan would subsequently ask someone else to collect the money from my daughter. If my child had been dishonest, she might have kept that money. However, my daughter has always refrained from taking her PIN. Therefore, I felt distressed when such an accusation was made against her.
Was Mama F one of those detained in 2019?
Number 1: No arrest took place. She is friends with Mrs. Jonathan (Madam).
Given what has transpired since the incident occurred, have you managed to contact ex-President Jonathan for his intervention in this issue?
In reality, this hasn’t been accomplished yet. We are unaware of the procedure required to contact him.
What scares you most if your daughter stays in prison for an extended period beyond what she has already endured?
I’m most afraid that if she remains incarcerated, it will cause me greater pain. This situation is also having an ongoing impact on all of us at home. When she first went to jail, her younger daughter was still very young. Just think about how much time has passed; the child has grown up and finished secondary school without her mother being present. They haven’t seen each other since she was removed from their lives.
What is the age of the daughter?
She is 16 years of age.
How many children does she have?
She has four kids, and she was the sole individual providing for them until her arrest.
What do you want to tell the government regarding this issue?
The authorities should assist the family in getting my daughter freed from jail. We genuinely require support.
What are your thoughts on the repeated postponements of the case since 2019?
In my view, Mrs. Patience Jonathan seems to be exerting her influence over them, which is why the courts aren’t functioning properly. Every time my daughter and the others attempt to attend court hearings, their cases get postponed.
Do you have anything else to add regarding this issue?
Her actions amount to an act of injustice. It is crucial for justice to prevail in this situation. The court is aware of what the appropriate course of action is, and thus, it ought to take the necessary steps.
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by admin | Apr 3, 2025 | crime, crimes, criminal justice, news, nigeria
On Thursday, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, commonly referred to as Amotekun, announced that approximately 61 alleged criminals were apprehended by the Ondo State joint security team. This group includes 28 suspects believed to be part of a kidnapping ring along with another 33 individuals involved in different unlawful acts within the region.
Chief Adetunji Adeleye, the State Commander of Amotekun, revealed this information at a parade for the criminals held in Akure, which serves as the state’s capital. According to him, these individuals were arrested within the past fortnight due to their involvement in suspected acts such as kidnap, attempted homicide, armed burglary, and fraud related to visas.
Adeleye disclosed that 28 of the suspects were part of a gang detained for allegedly abducting and swindling 72 Ghanaians and Nigericans who were trying to migrate overseas for improved prospects.
As he stated, the syndicate, headed by someone from Ghana, enticed many of its targets within Ghana with promises of obtaining safe visas to go to the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Australia.
The head of Amotekun stated: “As you know, the government of Ondo State, led competently by Dr. Seun Akeredolu, established a committee along with a task force to address the increasing security concerns in Ondo State over the past few days.”
The University of Calabar will be hosting an international conference focused on indigenous knowledge systems. According to UNICEF, more than 556,000 children in Bauchi haven’t been vaccinated. Additionally, INEC addresses why they dismissed the recall petition against Senator Natasha.
This led to our code-named mission: Operation Daadaa. Security personnel from various units across Ondo State, such as the Amotekun Corps, the Police, the Army, and the Civil Defence, conducted intensive operations in the Alagada, Ago Ademekun, and Ago Oyinbo Forests. These efforts also covered regions within the Ose and Owo local government areas, along with both Akure North and South local government areas in Ondo State.
Today, we are marching with 61 suspected individuals. These suspects were apprehended for different offenses throughout the state. Regarding the kidnapping incidents, we’ve presented both the victims and those arrested as perpetrators; these individuals confirmed each other’s identities during their encounters.
We also took down a group of 28 individuals involved in kidnapping, human trafficking, and cattle theft.
They lure innocent members of the public with promises of assisting them obtain U.S. visas. There are currently 28 Ghanaians who were enticed to go to Akure; upon their arrival, the criminal group demanded payments ranging from $2,000 to $1,500 before abducting and holding them captive in Oda.
The sole condition for their release was capturing another individual as a hostage. The keen-eyed operatives from the Intelligence Division of the Amotekun Corps managed to locate these individuals, resulting in 28 of them being apprehended today. Additionally, several victims have been saved by the corps along with their respective family members.
My counsel to young men: make sure you interact with trustworthy individuals as you pursue better prospects overseas.
In the Owo Local Government Area, we successfully rescued two families—five people in one instance and four in another—from kidnappers without paying any ransom. Both families are safe here, and no money changed hands.
The sole amount of money obtained from the Idanre group during the kidnapping was 210,000 naira, discovered when they were trying to negotiate for ten million naira. Nevertheless, due to intelligence tips, we conducted an operation in the forest where they were concealed, successfully rescuing the hostages unharmed.
We have apprehended multiple people for stealing livestock and breaking the anti-grazing regulations. Notably, we caught Sylvester—a person of interest in kidnapping cases—who was detained at Old Garage in Akure.
We also detained Olaoluwa Akinmuyi and Anthony for comparable crimes. In Araromi, Akure, Blessing Imafidon was taken into custody for attempting murder. Furthermore, our forces seized weapons from cult members such as Abdullahi Suberu and Abiodun Edward in both Owo and Ikare.
Describing his experience, victim Jeremiah Amoah recounted that he was approached by the leader of the criminal group, a man from Ghana, who promised to assist him in obtaining an Australian visa through Nigeria.
Amoah mentioned that he went to Nigeria and was instructed to travel from Lagos to Akure, which is the capital of Ondo State. Nevertheless, when he arrived, a motorcycle taxi driver guided him to a spot in the Oda section of the town.
As per Amoah, upon entering the premises, the group gathered $2,000 USD from him right away. It was only afterward that he understood he had been deceived when they told him to bring another individual from Ghana, intending to replace him as part of his liberation from the site.
He stated, “A acquaintance phoned me from Ghana and instructed me to go to Nigeria for my travel formalities to Australia. Upon reaching Lagos, he informed me to hail a taxi to Akure.”
Upon reaching Cathedral Junction, I was instructed to await an agent who would collect me. Once this agent showed up, they escorted me to a hotel before taking approximately $2,000 from me.
“After collecting my money, they took me to another location and instructed me to lure another person to Nigeria before I would be released.
I managed to flee at midnight when everybody was sleeping. I climbed over the wall. Amotekun truly assisted us; they made sure that all those involved were detained and more than 70 victims were released.
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by admin | Apr 1, 2025 | crime, criminal justice, criminal prosecution, hungary, politics and law
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is ignoring an arrest warrant during his trip to Budapest. The International Criminal Court has few ways to react.
As one of the 125 member states of the International Criminal Court, Hungary has a legal responsibility to detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he arrives in Budapest and immediately send him to The Hague as per the ICC’s assertion that he is accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict in Gaza.
Instead, what’s occurring is that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is welcoming the Israeli leader with open arms through a grandiose four-day visit filled with opulent displays of unity.
In November 2024, when arrest warrants were issued for Netanyahu and Israel’s ex-defense minister, Yoav Gallant, Orban described the ICC as “audacious, manipulative, and utterly unacceptable.” He vowed that should Netanyahu ever visit Hungary, he would ensure both his liberty and security.
ICC’s limited response
In contrast to national courts, which utilize their domestic law enforcement agencies for enforcing arrest warrants, international courts depend on the judicial systems of their member states to apprehend and hand over suspects; the ICC lacks its own police force.
If a nation does not apprehend an accused individual, the ICC judges may start what is known as a non-compliance procedure. This process could lead to a referral to either the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties (ASP) or the United Nations Security Council.
Despite referral instances, the ASP has limited ability to enforce significant penalties against nations that fail to meet their commitments.
“There are not significant real-world repercussions for failing to comply,” said Mathias Holvoet, who lectures in international criminal law at the University of Amsterdam, speaking to SANGGRALOKA.
He anticipates that the ICC will initiate this process, though his expectations of its potential outcomes remain modest.
The ICC is often depicted as a giant lacking limbs—it genuinely struggles to enforce those arrest warrants. The impetus for action rests with the state’s political determination.
The Israeli leader is additionally encouraged by his support at the White House, with U.S. President Donald Trump being an ally.
issued an executive order
In February, sanctions were imposed on the ICC and its Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, specifically in reaction to their involvement with the Netanyahu case.
‘Illiberal ideological allies’
According to certain analysts, the reception offered by Hungary is exactly what Netanyahu aims to use in order to reduce the court’s reliability.
“He aims to visit numerous countries to demonstrate that the ICC is merely a paper tiger and incapable of enforcing the arrest warrant against him,” explains Holvoet from the University of Amsterdam.
Some think this journey also advances Netanyahu’s domestic political objectives.
Daniel Hegedus, an expert on Hungary and regional director for the German Marshall Fund, stated, “He has shown that the arrest isn’t as crucial as several figures within his internal opposition suggest.” He added, “This trip highlights his connections, sway, and capacity for political action.”
Hegebus noted that Orban is providing a platform for his longstanding illiberal ideological partner, which aligns closely with the fresh policy stance coming out of Washington.
Jurisdiction friction
The ICC is a UN-backed court established as the last resort for prosecuting the world’s worst crimes, including genocide. Notably, China, Russia, and the United States are also members.
Israel is not part of the ICC and insists that the court does not have the authority to charge any of its citizens.
In 2015, the Palestinian territories became members of the court, which led ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan to believe he had the authority to seek this action.
Netanyahu warrant
in May 2024.
The evidence presented by the ICC against Netanyahu relates to his supposed role in employing hunger as a tactic of combat, committing murders, engaging in persecution, and carrying out other cruel actions during the conflict in Gaza.
A number of country heads have asserted diplomatic immunity during their travels even though they had outstanding arrest warrants from global tribunals.
In January,
Poland
stated that it would allow Netanyahu to tour Holocaust memorials even with the ICC warrant in place, and in March, Germany’s chancellor candidate
Friedrich Merz
extend an invitation to their Israeli peer to tour Berlin.
Legal scholars still argue about whether head-of-state immunity holds more weight than charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Netanyahu’s visit carries some potential dangers.
Specialists think Netanyahu is still risking his liberty by traveling to a nation that is part of the ICC.
As Holvoet pointed out, ‘One can’t predict how a particular judge in a specific city might act.’
NGOs often submit petitions to Hungarian courts with the aim of pressuring for his arrest. As Holvoet pointed out, “While the danger might not be substantial, it does persist.”
Israeli authorities have acknowledged that during Netanyahu’s travel to the United States in February, his aircraft had to follow a more extended path over American military installations to avoid landing in a nation that honors ICC arrest warrants.
Daniel Hegedus, however, thinks that the likelihood of Netanyahu being detained in Hungary is virtually nonexistent.
Hungary is not considered a fully democratic nation, and it’s clear that the rule of law has been significantly influenced,” he stated. “I strongly question whether any law enforcement agencies in Hungary would adhere to judicial decisions rather than following directives from the government.”
Edited by: Rob Mudge
Author: Jack Parrock (located in Brussels)
by admin | Mar 31, 2025 | crime, crimes, criminal justice, criminal law, criminal prosecution
A Nigerian man believed to be a runaway, Ehis Akhimie, was handed over from the UK to the US to confront accusations associated with organized criminal activities. This includes participating in an international scam specifically aimed at defrauding senior citizens within the country.
The U.S. Department of Justice verified his extradition in an emailed statement to our correspondent on Friday.
The document indicated that the suspect’s extradition was achieved through comprehensive collaboration and coordination between the Department of Justice and various law enforcement entities spanning several nations.
The report indicates that the collaborative initiative included participation from law enforcement organizations based in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain, and the UK.
Due to this partnership, the Nigerian scammer was handed over by authorities in the UK along with multiple other individuals facing charges such as homicide, pediatric sexual abuse, running the MS-13 gang, human trafficking, narcotics distribution linked to Colombia, digital crimes tied to Russia, and visa application fraud.
“The relentless efforts of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs alongside their international counterparts led to the successful extradition of fugitives accused of serious offenses in the U.S.,” stated Matthew R. Galeotti, who heads the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
“The Justice Department will actively target and prosecute transnational criminals within the United States, ensuring they face accountability for the deaths and acts of violence they have perpetrated both domestically and overseas,” stated Galeotti.
The suspected 41-year-old Nigerian fraudster was extradited from the UK to the Southern District of Florida, where he faced charges for allegedly participating in a transnational criminal organisation that ran an inheritance fraud scheme targeting elderly consumers in the U.S.
Part of the report stated, “The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs offered considerable support in facilitating the arrest and extradition of the defendants, working alongside the U.S. Marshals Service.”
The Justice Department expresses gratitude and recognizes the crucial contribution of its law enforcement collaborators in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom in facilitating these extraditions.
According to PUNCH Metro, Nigerian siblings Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, who orchestrated a sextortion scheme against a 17-year-old, received prison terms of 17 years and six months each in the United States back in September.
The brothers from Lagos who were found guilty reportedly tricked Jordan DeMay into sending explicit photos by posing as a female of his age, before extorting him.
The alleged victim apparently took his own life within six hours of beginning communication with them on Instagram.
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by admin | Mar 30, 2025 | criminal justice, drugs, healthcare and medicine, medicine and healthcare, public health and safety
The alert has been triggered at Britain’s inaugural drug consumption facility.
A man in his thirties has experienced an overdose in the “use area” — a section of the Glasgow center where nurses oversee injections at eight stations.
He had just gotten to The Thistle a few minutes before, excitedly talking about being checked by the police on Gallowgate.
The staff hurry over to assist, guiding him from his chair down to a safety cushion on the ground.
The filming team is asked to leave the location as an ambulance is summoned and personnel strive to resuscitate him.
Eddie Kearney, who works in harm reduction, informs us that the individual had consumed drugs on three occasions earlier that day.
“He’s using a ‘snowball,’ which means he’s taking both heroin and cocaine together,” he clarifies.
It has only been two minutes since he went inside, yet here he is lying on the floor.
We have been permitted to film in the center for two days, exclusively gaining entry into the innovative yet contentious consumption facility.
Within less than sixty minutes, the alert rings out once more, this time signaling another individual in their thirties.
He was guided to the reception area by staff members from a charitable organization before making his way to the booths to inject heroin.
Lynn MacDonald, who serves as the service manager, informs us that this is yet another medical emergency.
In the initial four weeks, there were no medical emergencies; however, this week we have experienced five.
The issue might stem from a particular batch of drugs. Users have observed changes in the heroin when preparing it, mentioning a distinct green hue to it.
She mentions that additional paramedics are en route.
Both individuals recover after receiving the overdose-reversing medication Naloxone, prior to being attended to by paramedics. The second person is then transported to the hospital.
Lynn MacDonald subsequently informed us: “I am completely certain that without our presence during the overdoses at the Thistle, individuals would not have made it through.”
Over the past 12 weeks since The Thistle began operations in the eastern part of Glasgow, there have been 16 instances of drug overdoses.
A total of 180 individuals have visited the facility, with over 1,200 monitored injections of heroin and cocaine purchased from the streets.
In total, 27 individuals have been directed to various external services such as housing assistance by the staff members.
This service, akin to programs operating in 18 other nations, aims to decrease drug-related harm among injection drug users within one of Glasgow’s most economically disadvantaged areas.
The aim is to create a safer environment for healthcare workers, which could help in preventing overdoses, cutting down on bloodborne viruses, and cleaning up the neighborhood where discarded needles and drug remnants have been significant problems in the past.
David Clark has been abusing substances for 26 years and has frequently lived on the streets during this time.
He let SANGGRALOKAScotland track his journey over a three-month span as he tried to transition from a city center homeless shelter and cease using heroin and cocaine.
The 47-year-old disclosed to Disclosure that he utilized The Thistle service for injecting cocaine in February.
Thereafter, the staff directed him towards new supported housing. During his interview, he had maintained abstinence for a fortnight.
He stated, “Upon going [to the consumption room], it didn’t meet my expectations.”
I expected you to go in, carry out your task, and leave. However, it doesn’t work that way.
The employees in that place assisted me and played a key role in helping me reach my current position.”
I’ve benefited greatly from it. It has improved how I feel about myself.
When we visited in early March, we encountered someone named James—a pseudonym—someone who had been using injectable drugs for many years. In his mid-20s, he was one of the initial attendees at The Thistle.
He describes the facility as “excellent.”
It’s much safer. I used to go to parking lots, alongside railroad tracks, forests — wherever I could find a place where I felt secure enough to do it without being detected.
He acknowledged that using drugs publicly was risky. “This is particularly true when I’m alone too. I’ve had multiple overdoses before.”
The center continues to be contentious in the local Calton neighborhood.
Before the project received approval during the preliminary consultation sessions, residents voiced worries that the location might turn into a zone with lenient attitudes toward drugs and could potentially lead to more street-level drug trafficking.
One of the most outspoken residents, Linda Watson, mentioned that the center was already drawing more individuals to the neighborhood for drug use.
She led Disclosure around Calton’s established hangouts and mentioned spotting signs of recently tossed drug syringes.
Linda likewise showed her frustration due to the insufficient funding in the region.
Initially, when we attended the meetings, the drug workers said: ‘We are offering a service to your community, which will improve conditions within your neighborhood.’
This isn’t intended for members of our community; instead, it targets those who enter our community solely to purchase drugs, use them, and then discard the remnants carelessly.
Why aren’t they assisting us so this wouldn’t have occurred initially? Why must we simply accept that this is how things will always be here?
Aren’t we entitled to something better?
Dr. Saket Priyardarshi, who serves as the associate medical director of drug services for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, stated that the purpose of the drug consumption room extends beyond catering to the health requirements of those utilizing the facility.
He added that this would enhance the social atmosphere for communities, residents, businesses, and visitors in these regions.
The Thistle aims to decrease drug-induced mortality rates among the community it serves. However, this demographic constitutes only a minor portion of Scotland’s overall populace.
The impact of this on the country’s overall drug-related fatality statistics will not be notably substantial. We must acknowledge that reality.
Dr. Priyadarshi mentioned that a significant portion of the frustration coming from the community was due to inadequate resources for various other services in the region.
“I sometimes fear that emphasizing residential rehabilitation programs or drug consumption rooms, along with the constant debates surrounding these topics, might distract us from addressing the broader issue at hand,” he noted.
What are the main factors at play? The primary factor is that communities facing significant deprivation and inequality are also the ones suffering from the highest rates of drug-related deaths and harms.
In 2017, the concept of a consumption room was introduced in reaction to an HIV outbreak among Glasgow’s intravenous drug users, which marked the most significant such incident in the UK over three decades.
Health officials were hoping that providing a clean space for individuals to inject drugs would decrease the transmission of bloodborne viruses.
Nevertheless, the plan’s detractors argued that additional funds ought to be allocated to other recuperation services.
The then Lord Advocate, James Wolfe, dismissed the suggestions, which were likewise refused by the UK Home Office.
The proposal was revived in 2021 following an announcement by the Scottish government about their national effort aimed at decreasing the nation’s high numbers of drug-related deaths.
Following adjustments to the prosecution guidelines, which enabled individuals to transport narcotics to the facility without the risk of facing charges, the center received approval in September 2023.
It will cost £2.3m per year to run, with funds being provided by the Scottish government over a three-year pilot period.
The authorities claim this is one of several steps being taken to address drug-related fatalities in Scotland, a country with the most documented death rate in Europe.
A final report on the overall impact of the unit is due after the end of the pilot period in 2028.
-
Additional contributions by Kevin Anderson and Katie McEvinney
-
Cocaine is the most consumed drug in Glasgow’s consumption room.
-
UK’s first drug consumption room given go-ahead
by admin | Mar 30, 2025 | crime, criminal justice, international relations, politics, politics and law
Should Malaysia genuinely aspire to enhance its international legal standing and demonstrate a steadfast dedication to justice, it should seize this opportunity to rejoin the Rome Statute.
When ex-Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte was
arrested in Manila
He was then moved to The Hague to face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for allegations of crimes against humanity. His replacement, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., described this transfer as adherence to the nation’s obligations to Interpol.
The international law enforcement agency had actually asked for assistance in carrying out the ICC’s arrest warrant. However, it was noteworthy that Manila based its reasoning on the country’s duty to Interpol instead of the ICC.
Under Duterte,
the Philippines withdrew
From the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, the court maintains jurisdiction over offenses committed in the Philippines during the time when the country was a part of the Rome Statute.
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As a result, the nation’s Department of Justice has found itself
entangled in legal gymnastics
As Philippine domestic politics grapple with efforts to achieve justice, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla bewilderingly justified the arrest under the banner of “international humanitarian law,” a phrase typically associated with the regulations governing warfare.
The uneasy intersection of domestic politics and international justice in the Philippines echoes situations from
Malaysia’s own short-lived dalliance
Six years ago, through the ICC, on March 4, 2019, Putrajaya ratified the Rome Statute and submitted it to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the same day. However, on April 5 of that year, the administration reversed its decision. By the close of the month, Malaysia was formally removed from the agreement as confirmed by the United Nations.
Malaysia’s dedication to the ICC, tracing back to 1998 when the original treaty for setting up the court was agreed upon diplomatically, eventually crumbled due to divisive internal political dynamics. The administration failed to anticipate strong public opposition regarding this issue, leading to confusion caused by inaccurate information about the extent and authority of the court, thereby ensnaring Malaysia’s “three Rs” —
race
,
religion
and
royalty
.
The former Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Mahathir Mohamad, who held office at that time, expressed frustration with those attempting to create “confusion among the public by claiming that this law undermines the rights of the Malay community and the rulers.” He emphasized that these claims were baseless.
It is now time for Malaysia to reconsider joining and enacting the Rome Statute, especially considering the government’s increased involvement in supporting Palestine via international legal channels. The nation promptly took action.
offer political support
For South Africa’s 2023 case against Israel at the International Court of Justice based on the Genocide Convention, Putrajaya cited Malaysia’s adherence to the treaty and urged “Israel to comply with international law and cease its acts of violence against Palestinians” immediately.
In January 2024, when the ICJ delivered its provisional measures directive requiring Israel to
desist contravening its obligations
Following the Genocide Convention, the Malaysian foreign ministry issued a statement supporting the international legal guidelines the subsequent day.
When Malaysia aligned itself with various other nations regarding the matter of Palestine through what became known as the Hague Group, their initial declaration made in January included numerous allusions to international law, the ICJ, the ICC, and United Nations resolutions, along with emphasizing the ideals of fairness.
These diplomatic efforts have been
buttressed by legal action
When the UN General Assembly decided to ask for the ICJ’s advisory opinion on the legal implications of Israel’s control over Palestinian territories, Malaysia’s foreign minister went to The Hague in February 2024 to deliver an oral statement during the court’s public hearings.
In reality, Malaysia had jointly sponsored the United Nations General Assembly resolution seeking an advisory opinion. Half a year prior, it had presented a detailed written submission asserting that “the entirety of Israel’s occupation along with its policies and actions within the occupied territories infringes upon the right to self-determination under international law.”
There is a larger, modern context surrounding these actions that highlights why legal accountability remains crucial.
extend to leaders
, similar to how it operates within the ICC, instead of involving only states like the ICJ does. Amidst the turmoil shaking the global order due to violations of international norms, treaties being torn apart, and alliances disintegrating, governments face further pressure from their citizens regarding unaddressed issues related to both domestic and international justice.
Israel’s conflict in Gaza has demonstrated that occasionally it is the public’s ethical guidelines that set apart a country from its leadership. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s
defiance on Palestine
In light of Western leaders’ disregard for international law—and possibly their push for the most egregious breaches—it should serve as a starting point for a more sophisticated public discussion in Malaysia about whether the nation should reassess its decision to join the ICC.
The home front discussion in Malaysia will face similar challenges this time due to the enduring polarization within the nation.
most taboo topics
However, if Malaysia genuinely wishes to enhance its reputation internationally and uphold the values of justice, its leadership ought to capitalize on this outside support to restart the nation’s membership with the Rome Statute.
Political will often hinders substantial progress toward accountability. Previously, the absence of Malaysia’s journey toward joining the ICC wasn’t due to a lack of support from Putrajaya’s political will. Instead, it was the insufficient backing from key sections of society that eventually influenced the royal institution via a political lens.
These previous lessons ought to provide Malaysia with a more cautious and deliberate strategy for the near term.
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