By Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta
JUSTICE Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) has given insight into reasons for the low conviction rate for rape cases in Nigeria despite the staggering statistics of rape offences being committed by people.
Mrs Ekundayo Olubunmi of the Legal Aid unit of JDPC, a non – governmental organisation arm of the Catholic Church, Ijebu diocese, said though many cases have been instituted in court against rape suspects, but lamented that securing conviction is not easy to come by.
Mrs Ekundayo disclosed this at Adeola Odutola (Private) College, Ijebu – Ode, Ogun State at the unveiling of a book titled ‘Broken Wings’ and public lecture on ‘The Inadequacy of Legal Provisions To Protect Rape Victims.’
The 325 – page book, ‘Broken Wings,’ an exposition of the misconceptions on rape and gender violence was authored by Ifeanyi Henry Emi.
Clarifying the issue further to The Nation, the civil rights and social justice lawyer noted that the laws in use today in the country are not only obsolete, but also demand from victims of rape, the evidence they could hardly provide to ensure nailing of suspects irrefutably.
According to her, rape incidents always take victims unaware and as a result, they are always incapacitated and unlikely to consider collecting and storing evidence required to successfully prosecute a rape case in court against a suspect.
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