…Justice ministry mulls specialized court for the rapist
“Stop the Rape! Stop the Rape!! Stop the Rape!!!, were slogans that rents air in the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday, as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), led by its Executive Secretary, Mr Tony Ojukwu, organised a no hold a bare public rally as parts of the Commission’s nationwide public protest to nip the unending Rape and Gender-Based Violence in the bud, with the theme: “Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence”.
Stormed the judiciary with the entire leadership and staffs at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)’s Headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Secretary, Mr Tony Ojukwu, said the protest has become imperative to unravel the rising scourge of Rape and SGBV related crimes in Nigeria.
The crusade which began at the Eagle Square in Abuja covers part of the stretch of Ahmadu Bello Way.
Received by the entire judge of the Federal High Court, led by the Chief Judge, Hon Justice John Terhemba Tsoho; The Human Rights Commission’s chief demands a ‘no mercy’ judgements against anyone found culpable of sexual assault against women and other gender-based offences.
Ojukwu, who is a renown lawyer though expressed his regrets over constraints and limitations faced by judges under the extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Gender-Based Violence and issues on Rape offences. He, therefore, launched an appeal before the judges, to exacerbate stringent approach not to allow criminals against sexual violence escape unpunished.
He maintained that enough is enough of a lackadaisical approach to issues on gender-based violence by those in authority, who he accused of paying lip services to SGBV related crimes, particularly the increasing rape cases.
Ojukwu speaks:
“We are the National Human Rights Commission, with the mandate for the protection and freedom of Human Rights.”
“We are here to bring to your attention the fact that there is raping scourge in the society, which has always been there but exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“Rape, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence has reached an alarming rate in our society, and there is a call for action of all organs of government, which involves the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court on issues of Gender-Based offences.”
“But we know that to be represented by the judiciary, are reasons we are here today to solicit for your cooperation.”
“We are here to extend our arms of fellowship. We are here to say all hands must be on deck. Everybody must join hands to say this is an epidemic for us, which has reached a very alarming stage.”
“We want to thank you for making out time despite your busy schedule to come out en-masse as the hope of the common man, to join stakeholders to curb this menace”
“We want to thank you, my lords, as we submit this written Call for Action to you, as a request to join hands and condemn Sexual Based Violence, and to take appropriate action in order to make sure this scourge is exterminated from our society” The ES declares.
While receiving the letter by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, he welcomes NHRC.
Tsoho described the menace of sexual-based violence and the likes as issues of general concern. He pledged the Federal High Court’s determination to study the letter presented before it for further actions in collaboration with the clarion calls for actions against rape and other SGBV.
Furtherance to his campaign strategy in demonstration of no business as usual against rapists in the country, Ojukwu led his crowed to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The Minister of Justice and the Attorney General for the Federation, Abubakar Mallami (SAN), represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Dayo Apata (SAN), noted at the joint press briefing organized at the instance of the National Human Rights Commission, that the bedrock of every successful State dependent on the national response to the enforcement of the dignity of a human person, irrespective of the individual’s social status.
While expatiates actions so far taken by the Buhari administration against SGBV, the Minister of Justice commends what he described as the proactive and pragmatic leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, for pledging the commitment of the Federal Government to protect children from sexual violence, domestic abuse and exploitation at the celebration of the 2020 African Child, held recently.
Mallami extols the federal government for its timely intervention in condemning acts of rapes and the increasing gender-based violence in Nigeria, consequence upon which he directed the Nigerian Police to apprehend every of such culprits.
The Minister noted that the president’s action has further demonstrated the present administration’s zero tolerance to rape and other forms of sexual and physical violence on the girl-child. He added that the President has directed all the relevant government agencies to scale up support for victims of sexual and gender-based violence and to ensure that those who engaged in the condemnable conducts face the full weight of the law.
