For those who fight sex-trafficking, dark rituals compound the problem Nigerians forced into prostitution abroad need practical and spiritual help S. D’I. AND ERASMUS

Nigerians forced into prostitution abroad need practical and spiritual helpPEOPLE who campaign against the ghastly phenomenon of human trafficking and sex slavery soon become aware that they are contending not only with flesh-and-blood wrongdoers but also with invisible forces which, if nothing else, are very much alive inside people’s heads.One of the most notorious North-South …

Letter from Africa: Why is no-one talking about the Zamfara conflict?

AFPZamfara has been suffering from bad governance for decadesIn our series of letters from African journalists, Kadaria Ahmed looks at the brewing crisis in Nigeria's Zamfara State, which analysts say has the potential to become as deadly as the Boko Haram conflict.Growing up nearly 50 years ago in Nigeria's north-western Zamfara State, I could never …

No more sip tests? ID card pilot to help jump the court queue by Law Gazette

Barristers and solicitors will be given electronic ID cards to allow them to bypass onerous security measures in place at courts around the country.Both the Law Society and Bar Council have confirmed a pilot scheme is ‘very likely’ to take place next month at a select group of courts. If successful it could be rolled …

Letter from Africa: Turning Nigerian herders into ranchers by Mannir Dan Ali

Cows are Fulani's prized possession, they walk for hundreds of miles to find pasture for themIn our series of letters from African journalists, the editor-in-chief of Nigeria's Daily Trust newspaper, Mannir Dan Ali, considers whether ranches could solve the deadly conflicts between herders and farmers.No issue is generating more heat in Nigeria at the moment …

Lawyer blames visitor visa refusals on ‘deep underlying racism’ by Amelia Hill

Home Office accused of regularly refusing visitor visas for trivial reasons, and deploying scare tactics when complaints are raisedVisitor visas refused: Nigerian family blocked from attending weddingThe Home Office has been accused of regularly refusing visitor visas to those wishing to come to the UK for a short period for trivial and inaccurate reasons, with …