Connect with us

National News

Mock Courts: AGF Malami Harps on Training of Specialist Prosecutors, Investigators on SGBV

Published

on

Mock Courts: AGF Malami Harps on Training of Specialist Prosecutors, Investigators on SGBV

Mock Courts: AGF Malami Harps on Training of Specialist Prosecutors, Investigators on SGBV

By: Michael Mike, Abuja

As part of the activities marking this year’s ’16 Days of Activism against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, has called for the training of investigators and prosecutors as specialists in the handling of SGBV cases in Nigeria.

Malami made this statement at the First Mock Court Trial organised by the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme of the British Council in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Also Read: Zamfara: Shuts down All Churches Or We will Attack –…

 According to the AGF, it is imperative to train these first responders in the access to justice spectrum on evidence collection and storage, intelligence gathering and reporting, evidence analysis and chain of custody preservation.

Mock Courts: AGF Malami Harps on Training of Specialist Prosecutors, Investigators on SGBV

Represented by the Director in the Public Prosecution Department, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Abdulrahim Shuaibu, he stressed the need for the establishment of more Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) in the country.

He said: “The absence of SARC is akin to retraining the survivors of SGBV, this is at the very core of my ministerial pursuit and I am seriously working on an Access to Justice based SARC which will evolve in due course,”

“This is a holistic vehicle that provides an all-inclusive integrated service amongst MDAs to the survivors of SGBV.”

It is, therefore, he noted, critical, fundamental and essential in-service delivery to Survivors,” he added.

According to the Minister, access to justice based SARC will include improved health care services that would address the medical, physical, mental and psychosocial consequences of SGBV to Survivors.

While noting that, there is also a need to train our Judges on the handling of SGBV cases especially about victim and witness protection and the management of evidence gathered due to the sensitive nature of these cases.

Malami commended all the Judges, lawyers and stakeholders who took out time to participate and I assure everyone present of my dedication in the fight against SGBV.”

In the same vein, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, Chairperson of SARCs, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, disclosed that since its establishment in 2013, SARC has continued to provide free immediate emergency medical treatment, counselling and follow up support to survivors of rape and sexual assault.

Ezeilo noted that in just eight years, the SARC Network has grown from a single SARC in Lagos to 32 SARCS across 19 states in Nigeria assisting over 22,000 survivors of sexual assault combined.

She stressed that there is a remarkable expansion spread of the SARC initiative in Nigeria and a stronger focus nationwide on comprehensive medical and counselling services for survivors.

In addition to supporting their engagement with the legal system, there is strong evidence that the number of SGBV cases reported to SARCs is still a poor representation of the scale of sexual assault in Nigeria and the number of cases that are prosecuted, are very few compared to the number of incidents.

Ezeilo stated that the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme would like to support the call and effort to establish specialised courts for SGBV by holding these mock specialised SGBV courts.

According to her, this will model what survivor centred SGBV court processes and proceedings would look like in the context of Nigeria’s legislative social policy environment.

Mock Courts: AGF Malami Harps on Training of Specialist Prosecutors, Investigators on SGBV

“It will provide the opportunity to model police investigation and prosecution scenarios that support or compromise justice for survivors,” she said.

She said that the lessons gathered from the mock trials will assist law enforcement, the judiciary and the criminal justice system to fast track the justice process on similar existing cases.

Ezeilo said it will also encourage justice service providers to employ the right attitudes and tools in their interactions with victims and perpetrators of SGBV. She also noted that they brought in innovations, which connotes gender offence is not just committed against a woman, with this you see the good, the bad and the ugly.

“If for example, our population is 100million, at least 30 million women and girls are victims of gender-based violence, it is really serious when we say one in every three women is going to be a victim in their lifetime is an underestimation, because in a daily basis you hear about this coupled with the cases handled in the SARC and other organisation”, she said.

On his part, former Minister of Justice, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN reiterated that many people go through this violence today from an immediate environment who are very close.

Kayode was of the view that these persons are sometimes those persons who feel they are higher in status and the victim cannot do anything to them.  

He said that ” rape of a minor is a serious issue, the bottom line is that it should not even get there, the rules of engagement must change”. 

According to the former Minister of Defence,  trauma for people who go through violence is unimaginable. We should be able to carve out the proof of evidence and the very important burden. There must be litigations that must be directed by the court. The laws are prospective, we make laws for the future. 

He said there is a need to vow to never raise your hand to your spouse, it might become necessary to use the law to reduce incidents of domestic violence.

“I am an advocate for special courts and I feel they should be a specialised court for different cases”, headed.

Mock Courts: AGF Malami Harps on Training of Specialist Prosecutors, Investigators on SGBV

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National News

FG Declares Public Holiday on June 12 to Mark Democracy Day

Published

on

FG Declares Public Holiday on June 12 to Mark Democracy Day

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, 12th June, 2025 as Public Holiday to commemorate this year’s democracy day celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, congratulated Nigerians on this occasion of 26 years of an uninterrupted civil rule.

He said: “June 12 represents our historic journey to building a nation where truth and justice reign and peace is sustained and our future assured.

“The last 26 years tells the story of our resilience, strength and courage and a hope Renewed than ever.”

The Minister while noting that Democracy is sustained with open doors for further improvement, reiterated the commitment of the Renewed Hope government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) to the universal value of democracy that is based on freely-expressed will of the people in determining Nigeria’s political, economic, social and cultural systems.

FG Declares Public Holiday on June 12 to Mark Democracy Day

Continue Reading

National News

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

Published

on

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

A renewed chieftaincy tussle in Muye village, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, has sparked violent confrontations between rival supporters, prompting swift intervention by security operatives.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the crisis began around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday when the deposed village head, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir Maigari II, forcefully returned to Muye and broke into the palace.

The incident provoked tension among residents, especially after supporters of the current Dakachi confronted the deposed monarch. The situation was immediately brought under control by a team of security personnel from Lapai.

However, Zagazola learnt that the situation escalated on Friday morning when supporters of both camps clashed again, leading to a free-for-all fight that disrupted public peace in the community.

Security sources were swiftly deployed to Muye to restore normalcy.

“The combined security teams have brought the situation under control. Monitoring and surveillance operations are ongoing to prevent further breakdown of law and order,” the source said.

No casualties or arrests have been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

Continue Reading

National News

Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

Published

on

Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

By: Michael Mike

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress.

The advice was given by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in his message on Eid-el-Kabir.

The Institute, while extending warm greetings to Nigerians, wished them a joyous and peaceful celebration, marked by love, compassion, and unity.

The Institute while noting that Sallah is a significant occasion in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and community, emphasized that the spirit of Sallah should guide Nigerians in their interactions with one another, fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding.

The IPCR urged Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress, while
encouraging individuals to embrace the values of Sallah, including forgiveness, empathy, and kindness, in their daily lives.

According to IPCR, peace is critical to promoting national stability and cohesion.

The Institute also urged Nigerians to use this period of Sallah celebration to address conflicts and promote dialogue, which could help to build trust and understanding among Nigerians and also contribute to a more peaceful society.

It recognized that the country’s many ethnic and religious groups can work together to build a more harmonious society, celebrating their differences and promoting a culture of tolerance.
End

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights