The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of
Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, has affirmed the support of the Ministry toward
the establishment of special courts to prosecute Sexual and Gender-based
Violence cases in the country.
Malami made this affirmation during the 7th Network Conference
on Sexual Assault Referral Centres jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of
Justice, FCT High Court, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in
Persons and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme.
The theme for 2021 is the Imperative for Special Sexual and
Gender-based Violence courts as part of events lined up for the 16 days of
activism against gender-based violence in commemoration of International Day
for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The AGF was represented by Ag. Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Barr. (Mrs) Victoria Fila Ojogbane.
“It is my firm belief that the creation of special courts to
handle cases of sexual and gender-based violence will improve the effectiveness
of courts services, ensure support for the victims, improve victim
participation in the prosecution of their cases and promote efficiency and
better information sharing,” he stated.
“In the pursuit of this essential need, I approve the
constitution of a Federal Special Prosecution Team comprising of investigators
and prosecutors from the Ministry, NAPTIP, Nigerian Police Force and other
Agencies for training and other incidentals tailored towards achieving the
ultimate goal of improving access to justice by survivors of SGBV,” he further
stated.
The AGF used the opportunity to appreciate and thank
development partners particularly the European Union, United Nations Agencies,
ROLAC, UNICEF, UNODC as well as Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of
Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development among others
especially in relation to building capacity of critical justice actors and in
supporting the Ministry’s efforts at galvanizing synergy among justice and law
enforcement actors.
In her opening remarks, the Honourable Minister of Women
Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen OFR lamented the huge number of pending sexual
related cases in courts. She assured that her office was taking all necessary
steps in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, Office of Chief
Justice of Nigeria, National Assembly and development partners to expedite
action on the pending cases and get justice for the victims.
“Women and children
that are being violated are too huge. The number is too huge to be ignored and
these are future mothers. And it is not only the girl-child, even the boys. The
number of boys that are violated and being abused is also huge. We can’t sit
and do nothing. They are our future mothers and future leaders,” she declared.
While delivering his keynote address, the Chief Justice of
Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, represented by a Justice of the
Supreme Court, Justice Amina Augie, advocated for synergy between security
agents, the public and the media in tackling the prevalent problem of
gender-based violence.
“Courts do not go looking for cases but courts entertain
cases brought to it by the public,” the CJN stated.
He, therefore, urged the Media to step up reportage on
violence against women and girl child adding that cases of violence against
women were being under reported.
The CJN further pledged the commitment of the courts to
working with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Women Affairs
in speedy prosecution of the offenders.
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