The Sokoto State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has tasked judicial officers in the state not to treat alleged perpetrators of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law with kid gloves.
The State Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Hajiya Kulu Sifawa, gave the charge on Wednesday in Sokoto at a forum jointly organised with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for judges, magistrates, prosecutors and other stakeholders.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that workshop on effective implementation of VAPP Law was supported by Global Affairs Canada.
A total of 65 participants drawn from the judiciary, state Ministry of Justice and Legal Aid Council were In attendance at the workshop.
Sifawa, represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Hajiya Kulu Nuhu, expressed happiness over how judicial officers in the state have ensured speedy dispensation of justice for victims and survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV).
The commissioner appealed to Judges in the state to passionately sustain the support to ensure that adequate punitive measures are imposed on perpetrators of GBV in the state.
In his key note address, Sokoto State Attorney General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Suleiman Usman (SAN), reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensure constant repeal of obsolete laws.
Usman said that the government had answered the call by not only reviewing its Penal Code law to provide stiffer punishments for some major crimes which included rape and Gender Based Violence (GBV), but also with compensations to survivors.
” Sokoto Government had repealed Penal Code laws with improved provisions of punishment to offences like rape to life imprisonment or sentences above 21 years which is higher than previous punishment of one to two years imprisonment stated in previous provisions.
” Rape in Sokoto now attracts life imprisonment since the inception of Gov Aminu Tambuwal’s administration along with other provisions that facilitated drastic reduction of cimprov
” Sokoto enacted VAPP law, made provisions for SGBV Response Team, referral services with improved medical and psychological care to survivors, allow compilation of exhibits and others materials to enable smoother implementations of law as best become better” he said.
Also, the State Director of Legal Aid Council, Mr Kilahyel Shetima also appealed to all legal practitioners to strive towards ensuring that the VAPP law was adhered to.
Shettima said that it was one thing to enact a law and a different to implement its contents with vigor, stressing that effective collaborations was desired among stakeholders.
In her remarks, UNFPA’s Programme Officer in Sokoto state, Gloria Enueze, described the law as timely and relevant and assured of more collaborations in strengthening of VAPP and other laws that would uplift the wellbeing of the people.
Enueze urged judges and other participants to ensure zero tolerance to GBV and collaborate toward ensuring maximum achievement of the desired impacts.
In her presentation on overview of VAPP prohibitions, the Director Public Prosecution in Sokoto state Ministry of Justice, Hajia A’ishatu Ahmad-Kaoje, spoke on the contents of VAPP Law which was subjected to discussions by the participants.(NAN)
