AGF, Women Affairs Minister Task Nigerians on Eradication of Sexual, Gender-based Violence

* Mute creation of mobile court for prosecuting offenders

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and his counterpart in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy, have tasked Nigerians to come up with solution that will put an end to the increasing menace of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the country.

Besides the two ministers, others who spoke at an ongoing three-day conference on SGBV in Abuja, while calling for stringent measures against perpetrators, also raised concerns regarding the rehabilitation of victims.

The conference, which is being organised by the Office of the AGF in collaboration with EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, has as theme ‘Promotion of Rule of Law, Access to Justice and Enhancing the Criminal Justice Pathway to Addressing Violence against Women and Girls’. 

Fagbemi, in a keynote, disclosed that the Federal Government is ready to review the National Policy on Justice, 2017, so as to encapsulate SGBV matters. 

Represented by the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, the AGF noted that the move was aimed at providing a sustainable framework to address the problem.

“Though the task ahead appears enormous, I call on all various states, stakeholders, state actors and international development partners to commit to the effective implementation of all policies programmes and laws relating to SGBV,” he said.

Meanwhile, in a goodwill, the Minister of Women Affairs, Kennedy, has disclosed plans to create mobile courts accross the country for the prosecution of anyone caught in the act of female genital mutilation and other gender-based offences.

“It is high time we stopped all this administrative talks and go straight to address issues. We talk but no implementation and always base issues on sentiments.

“We must tell Nigerians the truth and cannot continue speaking grammar.

“Gender-based offences have become worrying and of grave concern. 

“I have applied to President Bola Tinubu, we have to create a mobile court to address the issue of female genital mutilation,” she said.

Kennedy stated that report showed that a total of 24,720 cases of gender-based violence have been laid, with only 306 cases prosecuted, while others have been probably forgotten or swept under the carpet.

Besides, the minister revealed that a total of 975 fatal rape cases abound, assuring the audience that her ministry will do everything humanly possible to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book while the victims get justice.

In his opening remarks, the Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mr Simon Ridley, said the interventions under the EU-UN Initiatives, which are rooted in a victim-centred modality, norms and international standards reflected its shared commitment to creating a safer and more equitable world.

Other stakeholders at the occasion, who shared their views and expectations, included the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP), Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi.