FG moves to set up special courts for rape, gender-based violence cases

By Ovasa Ogaga,

Federal Government of Nigeria has begun a move to set up a special court to try rape cases in order to give it accelerated hearing following the recent rise in incidents of rape and the public outcry urging government at all levels to take urgent steps to arrest the growing monster.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), said on Thursday that his office had commenced talks over plan to establish special courts for rape and other sexual and gender-based violence cases.

According to Malami, who was represented by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Dayo Apata (SAN), said this at a press conference jointly held with the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu.

He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Justice had started a review of relevant laws aimed at proposing relevant legislative changes to enhance preventive, investigative and counter-measures.

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Malami said the talks over the establishment of the special courts to hear cases relating to the offences were being held with heads of various courts.

He said the proposed court would help to ensure expeditious trial of all pending and future rape and gender-based violence cases.

He said, “To tackle this hydra-headed menace headlong, my office (the Federal Ministry of Justice) is currently engaging with the respective Heads of Courts, for the establishment of specialised courts for the speedy and seamless trial of rape/gender-based violence offences in Nigeria.

“The aforestated specialised court when established will necessarily create a timely/speedy trial of all pending and incoming rape and other related gender-based cases and facilitate their conclusion within record time.

 

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