Senator Asuquo Proposes Amendment to Victims of Gunshot Act Following Greatness Olorunfemi’s Death

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, on Thursday, moved a motion in the Senate on the persistent denial of treatment and care to victims of gunshot wounds and other emergencies, emphasising the urgent need to ensure compliance with the provisions of the compulsory treatment and care under the Victims of Gunshots Act, 2017.

The senator was incensed due to the tragic death of Ms Greatness Olorunfemi, a community developer and member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network, on account of the alleged refusal of Maitama District Hospital, Abuja to accept and treat her after she was attacked and pushed out of a fast-moving vehicle by armed robbers on Tuesday, 26th September 2023.

Moving to forestall future occurrences of the situation, Senator Ekpenyong sponsored a motion that emphasized the enactment of the National Health Act, 2014, and particularly the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, which gives victims of gunshots and other emergencies the right to treatment.

He quoted the law, stating that “any person or authority, including any police officer or other security agents or hospital, who stands by or omits to do their bit which results in the unnecessary death of any person with bullet wounds commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of N50,000 or both. He said, “Under the 10th Senate, this provision will be reviewed to provide for stiffer penalties.”

According to him, there is a need to uphold the provisions of sections 14(2) (b], 33, and 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Altered) and to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017 to stop further unnecessary loss of precious lives due to the persistent refusal of hospitals to admit, treat, and care for victims of pensions and other emergencies.

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who later briefed the Senate Press Corp on the resolutions of the Senate, disclosed that a minute of silence for the repose of the soul of Ms Greatness Olorunfemi and several other Nigerians who lost their lives in similar circumstances nationwide was observed.

He explained that the Senate had passed a resolution summoning the Inspector-General of Police and the Honourable Minister of Health to appear before the Joint Committee on Health and Police Affairs to brief the Committee on the non-compliance with the provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, while also mandating the Committees on Health, Police Affairs, and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance with the Law.