By Amaka Amaka, Enugu
The Nigerian Police have been encouraged to intensify efforts towards prosecuting perpetrators of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) through the use of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law.
The project Coordinator, Agbani Farms, a cluster member of Sexual and Gender Based Violence Justice Network (SJN), Miss Margaret Obiegue stated this during a courtesy visit to the Enugu state Police Command.
Obiegue stated that the resolve of her cluster members on issue of non implementation of VAPP Law had helped in preventing perpetrators of such crimes to go scot free.
According to her, “the Agro Based business organisation is poised to assist and support victims and survivors of SGBV through skills acquisition and empowerment.
Obiegue said” if you are victimised and frustrated, Agbani Farms will welcome you to learn Aqua culture, Fishery among other skills as a means of rehabilitation. It is observed that poverty had been a major factor that contribite to being involved in such atrocity because when someone is financially independent, he or she will not be perpetrating such crimes and or may not be abused. ”
She continued ” our anchor cluster, Lawyers Alert seeks to know how we can work with other stakeholders like the police to achieve the aim of implementing VAPP and SCJ Laws in Nigeria. ”
The Chairperson Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ Enugu State, Comrade Ngozi Ngene decried non implementation of VAPP law in some parts of the country, though gazzeted in Enugu state.
She also lamented prompt withdrawal of SGBV cases by victims family members as the case may be.
According to her, “NAWOJ has zero tolerance to SGBV and is limited sometimes when victims and family members who want to avoid humiliation disgrace opt for reconciliation behind prosecutors and champions of justices like the Women Professional body in Nigeria (NAWOJ) ”
She noted ” I want the police not to relent in its efforts towards ensuring justice for victims and survivors of this crime of inhuman nature. Injury to one is an injury to all. Some people especially the men folk feel women are weak vessels that could be subjected to silence even when tbeir rights are trampled upon. ”
Responding, the commissioner of Police Enugu State, Ahmmed Ammani attributed some lapses identified to the nature and tradition of different communities.
The Enugu CP said: “most people uphold their tradition more than the law, that is why parents sometimes choose to discontinue in the fight for justice in respect to SGBV Cases especially battering, rape and child defilement.”
He further said ” when you talk about police, you will not say that we had been silent, some family members of such victims deliberately for reasons best known to them, refuse to take such victims to hospitals for medical reports which would collaborate to experts reports for effective result. ”
Ammani continued ” the doctor’s report collaborates with what other experts have submitted. However, we are trying but want victims to report to appropriate quaters immediately after such incident. ”
The CP also called on the delegation to step up sensitization workshops for the prospective partners involved in this fight. He added” infact, some parents and caregivers who still send their children and wards out for hawking need to be reached out to. With your support, we can achieve more ”
Other members of the delegation include Bar. Mrs Nnenna Anozie, state Chairperson Nigeria League of Women Voters and the representative of Child Protection Network.
The discussion also featured contributions from AC Administration and the Gender Desk officer of the state Police Command.
