Reps urge FG to set up sex offenders, gender violation special court

The House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously moved in favour of a motion urging the federal government to immediately set up Special Courts for the offence of Rape, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
The House has also Urged the Federal Government through its relevant regulatory agencies to set up accelerated Court hearing mechanism and prosecution for rape, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases in court.
This followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Unyime Idem from Akwa Ibom (PDP)
The House Condemned in strong terms the act of rape and all other gender-based violence over the past months in the Country.
The House has mandated “the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Federal Judiciary and Human Rights to liaise with relevant government’s regulatory agencies and ensure compliance with the appropriate resolution of the house and report to the House within two weeks report back to the House  


“Aware that few months ago, the country was ravaged by the deadly corona Virus and in the midst of waging the war, we are presently being confronted with another pandemic -the pandemic of rape and gender violation and the whole country suddenly started witnessing an unprecedented increase in number of rapes and violation cases in the country”
“Confirmed that the Nigerian Police Force has reported a surging record between January 2020 and May 2020 of over 717 rape cases formally reported. That is an average of 143 cases per month and around five cases per day. And these are only reported cases, your guess of the unreported ones is as good as mine. “Definitely, there are also thousands of unreported cases. Rape is a gross violation of human rights – right to dignity, right to life and right to sexuality”

Rep. Unyime Idem (Akwa Ibom, PDP)


Rep. Idem noted the public outrage on account of rape and other violent crimes against women and girls leading to the death of some of the victims which had reached a horrifying and scary proportion in recent times”
He said this pervasive crime in the society is alarming”
“Worrisome that the spate of reported societal menace of rape cases in the country if not addressed, the society is heading for a doom and the disturbing cases should be condemned by all and sundry. 
“A look in the direction of stiffer legislation that would help reduce rape should be considered. The victims of rape should not be stigmatized by the society but rather encouraged to speak up and out when they fall victims of the act.”
Cognizant that the Federal Government should without delay launch a national campaign against rape and gender-based violence, the campaign which should include advocacy, public sensitization and social mobilization.
“Also the campaign is necessary not only to raise the level of awareness about rape and gender-based violence but to ensure that Nigerians own the fight against the abhorrent and repulsive criminal acts.”
Condemned in strong terms the act of rape and all other gender-based violence, describing them as barbaric, inhuman and despotic; sustaining the fight against the menace, as well as ensure offenders who indulge in such heinous crimes should be served stricter sanctions legally and be dealt with accordingly.
Cognizant that there is need for accelerated hearing and prosecution for Rape, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases in court. The acceleration of such cases will mean faster conclusion and convictions of those alleged to have committed these offences. And the Country will be safer because of the implementation and enforcement. Whilst the culprits are kept in correctional facilities after conviction, those harboring the intention to commit the atrocities will be discouraged.
Also if these cases are concluded within months or even weeks with strong evidence to back up the conviction, it will have a massive effect on those who are nursing the intention to commit similar crimes. 
“They will fear and understand that the risks involved far outweighs the crime. If the system works fast and well, our society will not be the same again”
“Also special courts could be set up to fully harness the law and ensure accelerated hearings, so that Nigerians would know that the laws would be applied quickly and fully. 
He said the delay in the trial has serious psychological impact on the victims and mostly the minors.”
“Also a uniform legal framework to ensure stringent punishments against rape menace in the society be put in place he said”

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