The Federal government says its currently working to develop standard operating procedures to create a legal pathway for the prosecution of school-related Gender-based violence.
The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba
gave the assurance at a three-day capacity building workshop in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Workshop for Investigators and Prosecutors on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence was organised by the ministry of justice with the support of the British Council Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme(RoLAC).
Jedy-Agba noted that President Mohammed Buhari’s administration has provided all enabling support structures, legal, and the financial requirement to eliminate the social ill of sexual violence against women.
She reassured development partners of the unwavering commitment of the government to eliminate SGBV.
On its part, the Nigeria police, Usman Baba said all cases of SGBV would henceforth be handled to its conclusion.
He gave a note of warning to perpetrators of sexual bases violence that there would be a different and effective approach to treatment of sexual bases violence.
Baba was represented by Rita Oki, Deputy commissioner of police, in charge of the Gender unit.
“There would no longer be instances of any cases of police refusal to release relevant data for prosecution of violators of SGBV.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, regretted that in spite of government’s efforts to combat SGBV not much is done in the area prosecution.
She noted that from the available statistics from the national situation room and dashboard, not much has been achieved.
“As of November 2022, the total number of cases reported was 11,053, fatal cases were 401, close cases 592, while open case pending stood at 3, 507 while only 33 have been convicted. “Tallen said.
She added that there are directives by the Inspector-General of Police to deal with all perpetrators in furtherance of the declaration of zero tolerance to rape and other Gender -Based Violence as well as constant engagement with the Police on the need to promptly address issues of Gender Based-Violence.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Right Commission, NHRC, Tony Ojukwu encouraged victims of SGBV to always speak up to discourage violators from from getting away with their crime. (NAN)
