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Tag: rape

  • Succour for rape victims

    Succour for rape victims

    In Nigeria like in some other parts of the world, rape and child abuses are on the rise. A recent survey by a NOI Polls, Nigeria revealed that three in 10 Nigerians admitted knowing a rape victim.  Many of victims are left with bruises and scars that they have to live with for life.

     

    As part of global efforts give the victims succor and help them come out of the traumatic situation, MediaCon, a Non Governmental Organisation with interest on women and children in Nigeria, has an initiative called the Crisis Respond Programme through which it provides emergency and crisis attention to rape victims and other child abuse cases.

     

    Established since 2005, MediacCon is comprised of highly trained professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that victims and families are attended promptly and adequately.

     

    Founder of the NGO, Princess Olufemi Kayode outlined a number of services the organisation offers in a bid to care for these victims.

     

    First of such services is the Victim Advocate – through this,  victims and families are linked up to access medical, legal and other psychosocial needs. “We provide support, care counseling for victims, families and friends and ensure victims / survivors get optimum care right from the moment of reporting and monitoring the case during litigation working in partnership with professionals in criminal justice system and other important stakeholders.

     

    ‘We stand by the victims and family through the process while providing necessary information and going all the way with them from the moment of reporting the case. The Victim Advocates have worked with over 350 victims and families since 2005 supporting them all the way, explaining each step and providing comfort and reducing re-traumatization of victims and families/guardians,” Kayode explained.

     

    The NGO also has a 24 hours and seven days a week confidential help lines where calls are made to report cases of child sexual abuse, rape and suspicion. “Confidential counseling is also provided on these lines and face-to-face. The lines work at national and international level. Referrals are also made available to calls of enquiries on prevention and other sexuality issues and SMS are attended to and receive response,” she added.

     

    With over 200,000 individuals attended to since inception, the founder says, “total number of sexual violence cases reported last year was 1,898 making it the highest ever recorded in a year. Calls came from different states within Nigeria and abroad. Reports of sexual violence were higher than other forms over 75 per cent. Helplines received request for prevention information. Others calls include health, riot, armed robbery, commendation, partnership request, inquiry if line is working, threat to life, widow victimization, abandonment, rent, financial support, conflict, assault and child custody related matters.”

     

    Another service provided by the NGO is the Trauma Management Counseling to help deal with the experience and avoid further stress and trauma to victims. According to Kayode,  so far over 250 survivors of rape have accessed this service through during one-on-one contact,   phone and social media like Facebook,  online (skype, whats app) and email.

    The NGO also provides Post Emergency Prophylaxis (PEP) within the first 72 hours of rape to prevent HIV, Access to adequate and timely medical services such as Emergency Contraceptives (EC) to prevent unwanted pregnancy within 72 hrs, other Vaccination against Hepatitis B, and treatment for other Sexually Transmitted Infections.

     

    Victims are also supported in the area of litigation.  “Referral for legal assistance – Since matter is criminal, we petition the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) on behalf of victims to prosecute matters. Currently, we are working on 22 matters with this department. We have also recorded three convictions. Overall over 50 cases,” the founder said.

     

    Psychosocial support for victims and their families include relocation of family and victim, accessing Emergency Protection Order for State Protective Custody, support for education – tuition fees and provision of school uniforms etc. The organisation also takes care of the feeding, clothing, skill acquisition, transportation to court and payment of medical bills of victims.

     

    A major aspect of the organisations’ quest to provide assistance, particularly to cases of child abuses is the Forensic interviewing, which is the first step in most child protective services (CPS) investigations. “This was newly introduced in 2011 at a pilot scale and working with the Police we were able to attend to about 20 victims and accused perpetrators. The comprehensive facility is to be concluded by August and another phase of the piloting will kick off and we are hopeful that this will assist traditional investigation of these cases,” Kayode stated.

    SUCCOUR FOR RAPE VICTIMS

     

    By Justice Ilevbare

    In Nigeria like in some other parts of the world, rape and child abuses are on the rise. A recent survey by a NOI Polls, Nigeria revealed that three in 10 Nigerians admitted knowing a rape victim.  Many of victims are left with bruises and scars that they have to live with for life.

     

    As part of global efforts give the victims succor and help them come out of the traumatic situation, MediaCon, a Non Governmental Organisation with interest on women and children in Nigeria, has an initiative called the Crisis Respond Programme through which it provides emergency and crisis attention to rape victims and other child abuse cases.

     

    Established since 2005, MediacCon is comprised of highly trained professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that victims and families are attended promptly and adequately.

     

    Founder of the NGO, Princess Olufemi Kayode outlined a number of services the organisation offers in a bid to care for these victims.

     

    First of such services is the Victim Advocate – through this,  victims and families are linked up to access medical, legal and other psychosocial needs. “We provide support, care counseling for victims, families and friends and ensure victims / survivors get optimum care right from the moment of reporting and monitoring the case during litigation working in partnership with professionals in criminal justice system and other important stakeholders.

     

    ‘We stand by the victims and family through the process while providing necessary information and going all the way with them from the moment of reporting the case. The Victim Advocates have worked with over 350 victims and families since 2005 supporting them all the way, explaining each step and providing comfort and reducing re-traumatization of victims and families/guardians,” Kayode explained.

     

    The NGO also has a 24 hours and seven days a week confidential help lines where calls are made to report cases of child sexual abuse, rape and suspicion. “Confidential counseling is also provided on these lines and face-to-face. The lines work at national and international level. Referrals are also made available to calls of enquiries on prevention and other sexuality issues and SMS are attended to and receive response,” she added.

     

    With over 200,000 individuals attended to since inception, the founder says, “total number of sexual violence cases reported last year was 1,898 making it the highest ever recorded in a year. Calls came from different states within Nigeria and abroad. Reports of sexual violence were higher than other forms over 75 per cent. Helplines received request for prevention information. Others calls include health, riot, armed robbery, commendation, partnership request, inquiry if line is working, threat to life, widow victimization, abandonment, rent, financial support, conflict, assault and child custody related matters.”

     

    Another service provided by the NGO is the Trauma Management Counseling to help deal with the experience and avoid further stress and trauma to victims. According to Kayode,  so far over 250 survivors of rape have accessed this service through during one-on-one contact,   phone and social media like Facebook,  online (skype, whats app) and email.

    The NGO also provides Post Emergency Prophylaxis (PEP) within the first 72 hours of rape to prevent HIV, Access to adequate and timely medical services such as Emergency Contraceptives (EC) to prevent unwanted pregnancy within 72 hrs, other Vaccination against Hepatitis B, and treatment for other Sexually Transmitted Infections.

     

    Victims are also supported in the area of litigation.  “Referral for legal assistance – Since matter is criminal, we petition the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) on behalf of victims to prosecute matters. Currently, we are working on 22 matters with this department. We have also recorded three convictions. Overall over 50 cases,” the founder said.

     

    Psychosocial support for victims and their families include relocation of family and victim, accessing Emergency Protection Order for State Protective Custody, support for education – tuition fees and provision of school uniforms etc. The organisation also takes care of the feeding, clothing, skill acquisition, transportation to court and payment of medical bills of victims.

     

    A major aspect of the organisations’ quest to provide assistance, particularly to cases of child abuses is the Forensic interviewing, which is the first step in most child protective services (CPS) investigations. “This was newly introduced in 2011 at a pilot scale and working with the Police we were able to attend to about 20 victims and accused perpetrators. The comprehensive facility is to be concluded by August and another phase of the piloting will kick off and we are hopeful that this will assist traditional investigation of these cases,” Kayode stated.

  • Two suspected rapists arrested for defiling minors

    Two suspected rapists, Jelili Yusuf (17) and Sherif Gbadamosi were on Monday arrested by men of the Oyo State Police Command. The suspects, it was learnt were arrested in different locations by the policemen. Yusus who resides at Gbodu Bode area in the state capital was arrested for allegedly having unlawful canal knowledge with 14-year-old Amos Bukola, while Gbadamosi of Ori Aje Ood-Oba allegedly defiled 4-year-old.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Olabisi Ilubanafor who confirmed the incidents in Ibadan on Monday, said one Modupe Amos of Gbodu Bode area had reported that Gbadamosi had entered the vicitm’s matrimonial room and had canal knowledge with her According to her, the suspect had sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent. She added that the victim raised alarm but nobody to assist her. Ilubanafor said that the 4-year-old victim who was staying with her grand mother, Mrs Sidikat Olasupo was taken to Adeoyo General Hospital for medical examination where it was discovered that she had been defiled by the suspect. She added that the suspects had been detained at the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.

  • Rape: Woman sues police for N750m

    A house-wife, Mrs. Esse Isaiah Ozegbe, who was reportedly raped inside a police cell at the Abraka Police Station in Delta State has sued the Nigerian Police for N750 million.

    Mrs. Esse was arrested on February 26 earlier this year over a quarrel she had with a neighbour and was detained in a cell among other men.

    Two men were said to have raped her while the policemen on duty did nothing.

    Mrs. Esse through her counsel, Barr. Efe Ejomafuvwe, instituted the suit at the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State.

    Hearing in the case has been fixed for June 13.

    The two alleged rapist are currently facing trial at an Abraka Magistrate Court while the cell guard on duty has been dismissed from the police.

    Police sources at office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, Benin said the cell guard was dismissed following an orderly room trial carried out on the orders of the AIG.

    The source said a Police Inspector, Mrs.Erebi Akporunor was demoted to the rank of Sergeant over the rape saga.

     

  • Pastor remanded for raping General Overseer daughter

    Pastor remanded for raping General Overseer daughter

    An Assistant Pastor of a Benin based Pentecostal church identified as Fidelis Ejoke has been remanded in prison custody for allegedly abducting and defiling a 13 year old daughter of the General Overseer of his church.

    Pastor Fidelis who pleaded not guilty to the two count charge of abduction and indecent assault was arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court sitting in Benin City on Tuesday.
    The offence according to the count charge contravenes Section 360, and 362 of the Criminal Code.
    The victim told the court that Pastor Fidelis started sleeping with her in November 2012 and also took her to Obiaruku in Delta State.
    She said Pastor Fidelis asked her to bring money from her mother’s safe which was later confirmed to be N145,000.
    Presiding Magistrate, Peter Edo-Asemota remanded the accused in prison custody and adjourned the case to June 23.
  • Court rules on Osun ruler’s rape case June 4

    Court rules on Osun ruler’s rape case June 4

    A High Court sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, has fixed June 4 for judgment on the case of the alleged rape of a female corps member by the Alowa of Ilowa, Oba Adebukola Alli.

    The monarch has been on trial for about three years for allegedly defiling a 23-year-old corps member, who served in his domain.

    The monarch allegedly committed the offence at his private home in Osogbo.

    Oba Alli denied the allegation.

    He claimed that the victim was his lover and that they had been having sexual relations since they met.

    At the resumed hearing yesterday, counsel to the accused, Mr. E. A. Gbadegesin, said he had filed his written address.

    He said the written address was confirmed by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    Leading lawyers from the Ministry of Justice, the DPP, Mr. Dapo Adeniji, said he had proofs that the monarch committed the offence and urged the court to expedite the judgment.

    Justice Oyejide Falola fixed June 4 for ruling.

  • Group to partner Ekiti to stem rape

    The Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) has promised to partner with the Ekiti State government in stamping out incidences of rape and the brutal violation of the dignity of innocent women in the society.

    The Chairperson of the group, Mrs. Funmi Falana, said members of the group have also resolved to support the state government in the prosecution of the five male students who allegedly raped their female colleague on campus.

    She said the group has volunteered to hold a watching brief during the trial of the suspected rapists.

    WELA said it was highly  disturbed to learn of the rape of a female student by five of her male colleagues at the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.

    “More appalling in this instant case was that it happened in the premises of a university community which is supposed to be a citadel of learning and hallmark of leadership training,” Falana said.

    She lamented that the growing incidence of rape and sexual abuse in the country which has assumed a dangerous proportion adding that this development calls for concerted efforts for it to be curtailed.

    The group commended the authorities of the institution for sanctioning the ‘wayward and misguided students’ and the state government for charging the rape suspects to court for conspiracy and rape.

    “No doubt, the sanctions meted out to the suspects will serve as a deterrent to others”, it said.

    WELA, however, urged the government to pursue the criminal prosecution to a logical conclusion in the interest of justice and fair play.

    “The victim of the abuse deserves justice and justice in this case means that the rusticated students are duly and diligently prosecuted,” she added.

  • Rape: Commission seeks probe of army officers

    Rape: Commission seeks probe of army officers

    The National Human Rights Commission has called on the Chief of Army Staff, Azubuike Ihejerika and the FCT Commissioner of Police, Adenrele Shinaba to investigate the alleged rape of some women in Abuja by men said to be in army uniform.

    The suspected rapist reportedly tagged the women “prostitute”, abducted them and later violated them.

    A statement issued in Abuja from the Public Affairs and Communication Department of the NHRC and signed by Fatimah Agwai Mohammad urged the FCT Commissioner of Police to update it with any action taken on the matter.

    This, the commission said will enable it take necessary action in line with its mandate.

    The statement said, “The NHRC monitored the report of the incident as aired by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, on January 14, 2013 in which it was reported that on the 20th, 21st and the 22nd of December last year, some women were allegedly abducted by men in army uniform in an unidentified black Hilux Van around Wuse 2, Abuja under the guise that they were prostitutes and taken to an unknown destination where they were beaten and raped.

    “Although the matter is said to be presently before the Federal Secretariat Police Station, the NHRC condemns in its entirety all forms of rights violation and it is ready to ensure that the rights of the victims are enforced.”

     

  • The colour of rape; Prevention; Rainy season Road works and 365 day FRSC Campaign

    The colour of rape; Prevention; Rainy season Road works and 365 day FRSC Campaign

    The colour of rape is the title of a short story in my book Nene And Other Stories published by Bookcraft. Rape is a beast attacking a less powerful being. Why is it that the poor in strength must die ‘to live’ and get justice? The Indian student called ‘India’s daughter’ dying 13 days after being raped and thrown out a moving bus is horrifying. All such boys’ or men’s evil plans and recordings for facebook coverage of such heinous acts says a lot about the social, family, institutional, medical, police and legal stigma, systems and structures in many countries involving black, white and yellow peoples i.e. worldwide. Naturally Nigeria is replete with similar episodes from the poor to the privileged, from disorganised to organised society and even police stations are involved in such violent abuse of uniform privilege. Kidnap by political thugs and ritualists for rape, ritual and other abuses in public transport are rife.

    The dangers to female petty traders and hawkers are well documented but still young girls and even educated female bank officials are sent unaccompanied to ‘the male meat market’ i.e. the rooms, houses and offices of customers and clients to deliver wears from bread to requesting bank deposits and to collect money owed or promised often at a high price- rape. Does the girl or woman ordinarily want sex in those circumstances? Remember that non-consensual sex, we-did-not-agree-but-I-had-to-or-he-would-have-become-violent-or-denied-me-my-goods sex, even when not resisted sex, is also rape. The female should she be expected to die in order to prove beyond a doubt that she was raped. Prevention is better than cure as you cannot cure a rape victim. The memory is never erased by love or money but justice is a good start. But as any rape victim knows, a lawyer’s probing questions are almost as humiliating as the rape but even more public.

    Prevention and successful prosecution includes proper, easily read and remembered numbering of taxis, okada, danfos and their drivers for easy identification, driver ID stuck to the back of driver’s seat so that back-seat passengers can identify the driver and vehicle ID which are all used to prevent sexual assault, robberies and other attacks in normal countries. What sexual excesses and crimes, lecturer-student, student-student, lecturer-lecturer, go unreported in our tertiary institutions? To quickly get a legal case from any rape that will stand up in court, the NMA, Nurses council and government police, health and legal ministries must ensure that the ‘International RAPE PROTOCOL’ is available and operational in clinics, hospitals, police stations and female and male prisons. Are medical students, nurses and police officers taught this protocol during undergraduate, tertiary, postgraduate and cadet training? Are sympathetic female police officers automatically chosen for investigation and interviews in rape cases?

    All women politicians, perhaps this will be a useful use of so-called first ladies, civil servants, corporate women, women’s groups in and out of government and women NGOS should set aside their political and ethnic and religious differences and take a real constructive visible and vocal STAND AGAINST RAPE’ in the media and on the roads, putting ‘RAPE’ on the agenda. Beyond powerful rallies, banners, posters and television and radio talks a lot of education and preventive information strategies must be done by and to the male sectors of the country as they are the perpetrators. Specifically this should target male market boys, area boys, thugs, secondary schools, tertiary institutions, religious leaders targeting religious youth organisations and the targeting of male dominated government organs like the civil service, the armed forces, the police, customs, Civil Defence, FRSC and NGOS like Boy Scouts, Man O War, the Red Cross etc to educate firstly themselves and then targeted segments of the community. The citizens can be easily engaged through the use of slogans and songs in Nollywood and Nollysongs and even careful use of comedy and MCs at public promotional functions using local languages on the air. A neglected educational avenue is the multibillion naira poster commercial market. Posters can declare messages like ‘RAPE IS NOT OK, IT SHOULD BE 21 YEAR JAILABLE CRIME.’ ‘REPORT OFFENDERS.’ ‘DATE – DO NOT RAPE’. ‘LET HER ‘NO’ MEAN ‘NO’ TO YOU’. ‘HER ‘NO’ MEANS ‘NO’. ‘WHEN YOU RAPE –THERE IS NO ESCAPE’ ‘FROM YOUR CONSCIENCE AND THE COURT’. Imagine the local and global impact if such a variety of messages are adopted by advert gurus for corporations who make billions of advert stickers and posters daily like Coca Cola, Pepsi, MTN, Glo, Etisalat, Star, Gulder, Guinness, Malta, Maggi, etc and immediately include them in their advert material for campaigns.

    The Nov/Dec 2012 repair the ‘holiday roads’ must be extended 12 months a year, as in normal countries. If Nigerian governments and contractors are too incompetent for rainy season work, they should quit and let another government come in or compress 12 months’ work into the dry season by double time work, day and night, with extra crews. Actually due to ‘incompetent mobilisation’ we only have three months a year to build Nigeria’s road network, so it will be 2080 that we get our East West Road and our second Niger Bridge, which governments have failed to deliver for over 30 years. I go don die!

    Similarly, if FRSC claims its EMBER campaign a success, government should direct FRSC to conduct EMBER level of activities year-round to keep sanity on the roads. Start with an FRSC ‘UARY’ CAMPAIGN.

  • Lessons from the Indian gang rape

    Lessons from the Indian gang rape

    SIR: The recent case of gang rape in India brings to the fore the cruelty, wickedness, violence against women as well as the failure of the state to protect its citizens from abuse and danger.

    This woman, though unnamed, has become a symbol of all that Indian women had suffered for so long with no respite. IT has energiSed them to demand greater protection for women from sexual violence with series of mass demonstrations, candle-lit vigils, street protests with placards, chants and road blocks.

    This assault has increased the call for speedy trial of the five men charged for the alleged murder as Indian rape cases could drag on in courts for years, with hearings repeatedly postponed, which rape survivors say prolong their ordeals.

    Just like the story of the Bandit Queen, Phoolan Devi, who was also publicly gang-raped and allegedly held captive for three weeks by higher-caste Hindus. To avenge the trauma, she became a bandit and was eventually able to exact some measure of revenge against her gang-rapists. At the end, Devi served 11 years in jail and was thereafter, elected into the Parliament from Utter Pradesh, the same region where the latest victim came from.

    Rape, a form of Gender Base Violence (GBV) against women, according to the Beijing Declaration, is defined as violence against women that results into or is likely to lead into physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.

    In 1995, and for the first time in history, the United Nations-convened Hague Tribunal attempted to prosecute rape as a war crime but could still not stop the rape atrocities in Iran, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Kosovo, Congo, Rwanda and Sudan.

    For now, India imposes death penalty only in the ‘rarest of rare cases’, although, it recently executed a man convicted in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

    Congress has already put forward plans for chemical castration and 30-year jail terms for all rapists, as a draft Bill has been put together and will soon be handed to India’s chief justice.

    All legitimate efforts should be deployed that the five men apprehended and charged for murder were given the deserved punishment, to serve as deterrents to others.

    Law enforcement agents should be above board and be up and doing to apprehend criminals whenever they infringe upon the rights of law-abiding citizens by embarking on regular patrols and intelligent gathering – to fish-out perpetrators of rape. The Indian police were blamed for not doing enough to apprehend the culprits.

    The assault has already forced the country’s higher education regulatory body, the Indian University Grants Commission, to review the safety of women in higher education institutions.

    In a letter to 568 university vice-chancellors and directors of higher learning institutions, the UGC said institutions should ensure women’s security on campus and recommended that all universities and institutions should set up a task force to ensure women’s security and keep it informed of actions taken.

    This is a welcome development. Our girls and women must always be cherished and protected!

    • Adewale Kupoluyi

    Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta,

     

  • We need concerted efforts against rape

    We need concerted efforts against rape

    SIR: What a sweeping generalization, that the evil winds of rape and its ferocious storms leave a sour taste in the mouth. It is now rampant and daily escalating and its menace is highly worrisome, saddening and embarrassing.

    The ugly monster, a thorn in the flesh, a disease in the blood, a societal defilement, a threat, is also a fear of every sane woman, young and old, including kids.

    But it is disheartening that events of the past have proved it without any iota of doubt, that this ugly monster, sucking the pride of our girls, continues unabated, because those who are supposed to end this notorious evil are not helping matters.

    As a matter of fact, the failure of government to create enabling environment for the security of lives and property, is the cogent factor that opens the evil door for the injurious activities of rapists as they continue to flourish. This reminds one of the words of Thomas Jefferson that”the care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction is the first and legitimate object of a good government.”

    And also, Article 3 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 6 of African Charter on People’s Rights, hold that everyone has the right to life and security. Honestly, we cannot rule out the essence of security, and we cannot say that the failure of government to provide security for the citizenry is not part of what exposes our ladies to falling victim of rape.

    Another crucial causal factor is the docility and unwillingness on the part of victim to expose the rapist(s) or to demand justice. Without any fear of contradiction, many ladies have experienced the bitterness of rape, and yet, keep it to their chest, as topmost secret, which they will carry to their grave, out of fear or shame. Therefore, they give rapists more audacity to further perpetrate the heinous acts. Many of them refuse to confess that they have been raped when they fall victim, and despite the fact that the perpetrators are known to them

    Another cause of the menace of rape today is the incompetence and unwillingness on the part of the enforcers and dispensers of law, by completely deviating from the legal maxim, “justitia nemini neganda est,”which means “justice is to be denied to no man.” Another maxim says “quiqlupoe ignoscit uni suadet pluribus,” which implies, “pardon one offence and you encourage the commission of many.” “Qui pacet innocentis innocentibus” is another, meaning, “pardon the guilty and you punish the innocent.”

    With due respect, our law enforcers and even the dispensers, seemingly lack the will for ex-debito justitae, the obligation to do substantive justice. Our police are seriously overlooking the case of rape brought to them out of flimsy excuses, thereby killing most rape or defilement cases, having forgotten the maxim, “suppressio veri,suggestio est falsi” (suppression of the truth is equivalent to expression of what is false).

    It seems our law dispensers do not aver their hearts to the cases of rape as crimes against humanities and instead of doing substantive justice; they too hide under the canopy of legal technicalities to foster injustice. The time is no more when disputes are dealt with rather on technicalities and not merit and this was buttressed by Aloysius Kastina Alu (JSC) as he then was, in the case of Amaechi v Omehia that “the court shall rise up to do substantial justice, without any regard to technicalities.”

    Our judges in particular, must always bear in mind the legal dictum, “ad officium justitiae rio rium spectat unicuigua corameis placitatanti justitiae exhibere,” which means “it is the duty of those who discharge judicial functions to render justice to everyone who comes before them in accordance to their oath of office.”

    To clip its evil wings of this monster, all hands must be on deck. The victim must be able to come out and report the perpetrators to the appropriate authorities; the law enforcers must ensure the prosecution of the perpetrators, and the dispensers of law must be willing and expedite action to dispense justice for all and sundry to see. The government should also create an enabling environment for the protection of lives and property and for quick dispensation of justice. It was the late legal icon and irrepressible human rights crusader, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, S.A.M, S.A.N, who once held that “a nation that is not interested in providing an enabling mechanism for dispensation of justice will be inviting chaos and instability.’’

    It is time every one of us put heads together and put an end to the scourge of the evil sucking the pride of womanhood.

    • BelloDestiny Paul

    Faculty of law, University of Ado-Ekiti.