crime

Women in Australia’s defence forces sue over abuse

Published

1 year ago

October 24, 2025

Women in Australia’s defence forces file class action over sexual violence, harassment and discrimination spanning more than two decades

Women in Australia’s defence forces have launched a powerful class action lawsuit against the government, alleging decades of sexual violence, harassment and discrimination within the military ranks.

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Filed in the Federal Court in Sydney on Friday, the landmark case represents women who served between November 2003 and May 2025, marking one of the most significant legal challenges to institutional misconduct in Australian military history.

Lawyer Josh Aylward of JGA Saddler, the firm leading the case, said the reality for many women serving their country was grim.

“The threat of war often isn’t the biggest safety fear for female ADF personnel; it is the threat of sexual violence in their workplace,” he said.

He added that the public would be shocked by the extent of brutal assaults and reprisals against women who dared to speak out.

The case, lodged on an opt-out basis, includes all women who served in the period unless they specifically declare they were not affected.

Thousands are expected to participate, reflecting widespread outrage and a long-standing demand for justice.

Australia’s Department of Defence confirmed it was aware of the lawsuit, stating that all personnel “deserve to have a positive workplace experience” and reaffirming that there is “no place for sexual violence or misconduct in Defence.”

One lead applicant described waking up after an on-base party naked and injured, later learning she had left with four servicemen.

Despite filing a complaint, she was allegedly punished — restricted in her movements, denied shared facilities and eventually transferred to another base — while the accused men remained free.

The class action argues that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is vicariously liable for failing to protect women from abuse and for repeatedly neglecting to implement meaningful cultural reforms, despite years of internal reviews.

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“This legal case is a demand for action, for accountability and for real change,” said Aylward, calling the moment a turning point for women in uniform and a test of the nation’s commitment to equality and safety in its defence institutions.

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crime

Police Arrest Convicted Drug Dealer, Rescue 14-Year-Old Boy in Bauchi

Published

17 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi drug dealer arrest leads to the rescue of a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a drug courier and the recovery of suspected illicit substances

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly being used to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

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The command said operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit intercepted the teenager during a routine patrol and recovered a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Habib, the operatives, led by the unit’s officer-in-charge, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver the suspected drug, also known as Ice, to a customer.

The statement said the teenager told investigators that he had been sent by Samuel Ogochukwu, a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” Habib said.

Following the information, detectives traced Ogochukwu to his location and arrested him.

A search of the suspect’s shop and residence reportedly led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

The police also recovered 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib said the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The police spokesman added that the 14-year-old had been handled in accordance with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their work and urged the public to remain alert to criminal activity.

According to Habib, the commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days demonstrated the command’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking.