ADVERTISEMENT
The Sun Nigeria
  • Home
  • National
  • Columns
    • Broken Tongues
    • Capital Matters
    • Diabetes Corner
    • Duro Onabule
    • Femi Adesina
    • Frank Talk
    • Funke Egbemode
    • Insights
    • Kalu Leadership Series
    • Kunle Solaja
    • Offside Musings
    • PressClips
    • Public Sphere
    • Ralph Egbu
    • Shola Oshunkeye
    • Sideview
    • The Flipside – Eric Osagie
    • Tola Adeniyi
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • The Sun TV
  • Sporting Sun
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Columns
    • Broken Tongues
    • Capital Matters
    • Diabetes Corner
    • Duro Onabule
    • Femi Adesina
    • Frank Talk
    • Funke Egbemode
    • Insights
    • Kalu Leadership Series
    • Kunle Solaja
    • Offside Musings
    • PressClips
    • Public Sphere
    • Ralph Egbu
    • Shola Oshunkeye
    • Sideview
    • The Flipside – Eric Osagie
    • Tola Adeniyi
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • The Sun TV
  • Sporting Sun
No Result
View All Result
The Sun Nigeria
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home National

VAPP Act yet to take roots in North-Central – NAN Survey

29th November 2020
in National
0
VAPP Act yet to take roots in North-Central – NAN Survey
0
SHARES
94
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

(NAN)

Domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act has yet to fully take off in the North-Central, as many states in the zone have not effected the law.

A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) revealed that while Benue has domesticated the Act, some others were still in the process of doing so.

Are you a Man 40 yrs and above? Do not miss the Vital Information, it goes off in 2 days! CLICH HERE to READ .

The survey found that the Act was domesticated in Benue in 2019, according to the state’s Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Ngunan Addingi.

Addingi disclosed that the bill for the domestication of the Act was sponsored by her, when she was a member of the State House of Assembly between 2015 and 2019.

She said that the enactment of the law had helped in the prosecution of offenders that were not captured in the Penal Laws of the State.

A legal practitioner in the State, Mr Polycarp Aande, gave the background of the Act, saying that the document was signed into law on May 25, 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, and that the law was aimed at eliminating violence both in public and private spheres.

Aande said that the Act had commendably covered most of the prevalent forms of violence that could be categorised into physical violence, psychological violence, sexual violence, harmful traditional practices and socio-economic violence.

Premature Ejaculation & "Small Joystick" Resolved in 7Days... Click Here For Details .

The former Secretary-General, Makurdi branch, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said the Act had comprehensively dealt with one of the most vexed forms of sexual violence – rape.

”The existing penal laws protect only females and limited to vaginal penetration.

“The Act has expanded the scope to protect males and include anal and oral sex as well as protect the identity of rape victims.

“Prohibition of several offences not previously considered as crimes such as emotional abuse, abandonment, forced eviction amongst others.

“A minor can apply for a protection order without assistance of a parent, with a supporting affidavit and clear acknowledgement of International law section.38 (1),” he said.

He said the act further recognised the role of service providers and acknowledged that the government alone would not be able to provide all the services.

Aande said the Act also made provision for the appointment of a coordinator on domestic violence, who would ensure the information on implementation including statistical data.

Also, some lawyers and lawmakers in the State said the Act came into existence as soon as Gov. Samuel Ortom assented to the bill.

They, however, faulted the missing information link in the Act and said it was responsible for many citizens not taking advantage of the law to file charges against offenders.

Mr Mike Asoh, a former Chairman of the NBA, Makurdi branch, said that the non-awareness creation was the only missing link in the law.

Asoh regretted that few people knew that the law criminalised certain conducts and those who felt aggrieved by such acts considered offensive by the Act could actually resort to the law to seek judicial redress.

“Certain conducts such as Gender-Based Violence, Spouse Abuse, Rape and others could be complained against where they exist, but not many people know that a law exists which criminalises such acts, ” he said.

Another respondent, Mr Tertsea Gbiseh, member representing Kwande East in the Benue House of Assembly, also said the law did not receive adequate publicity.

Gbiseh, who is also the Chairman, House Standing Committee on Information, said the government needed to sensitise the people to the benefits of the law using the mass media instruments.

In Nasarawa State, however, the Act has not been domesticated, and this prompted a call by Hajiya Habiba Abdullahi-Sani, President (Amirah) of the state chapter of Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), for the domestication of the Act.

Abdullahi-Sani said the Act was a law that guaranteed protection of the rights of victims of all forms and sexual and gender-based violence in the country, which if domesticated, would drastically reduce cases of child abuse.

She noted that the Act was not only about women but also about males and females.

She decried the lack of awareness about the Act, particularly in the local communities, which according to her, had led to an increase in gender-based violence, especially incest.

“It is highly regrettable and disheartening that we are hearing cases of a father raping his own four-year-old daughter; or an uncle defiling his three-month-old niece; one begins to wonder what could lead a man to commit such crime.

“I am sure if the Act is fully implemented by states it will address some if this ungodly acts, because perpetrators of the dastardly acts know there is penalty for anyone who tries it,” the president said.

The president added that although the State had yet to domesticate the act, a strong advocacy was going on to ensure its domestication.

100% Natural Herbs to Finally End Premature Ejaculation, Weak Erection and Small Manhood. >>>Click Here for Details<<< .

Similarly, the Act has yet to be domesticated in Plateau, and as such, the State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), has been calling for its urgent domestication.

The Chairperson of the chapter, Mrs Mary Izam, who made the call, expressed the need for the State House of Assembly to pass the bill toward its subsequent domestication.

“This should be done without any further delay as the Act, if domesticated, will take care of the gap in the penal code concerning rape and gender-based violence.

“The legislators said that they were working on many bills and would get to the one of VAPP Act, very soon; so, we are still waiting,” Izam said.

On her part, Mrs Olawunmi Okupe, Media Advocacy Officer, Women Voice in Leadership in Nigeria, disclosed that the bill for the Act had passed the public hearing stage at the house toward its domestication in the State.

“Presently, the bill is left with the legislature to hasten the process to domesticate the Act as it is long overdue,” Okupe said.

In Kogi, the Chairman of the State House of Assembly’s Joint Committee on Women Affairs and Judiciary, Mr Cosmas Atabor, said the bill for the Act had passed the first and second reading, adding that its public hearing had been conducted and “By God’s grace, the bill will be passed soon.”

Atabor (APC-Igalamela/Odolu), explained that legislation on the bill suffered a setback as a result of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent #EndSARS protests which culminating into violence.

According to him, the bill came in the earlier part of the year with the COVID-19 issues springing up about the same time, resulting in the inability of the House to sit for some time.

“When eventually the pandemic eased and we sat, the bill was committed to my committee and we were just lucky to have done the public hearing on Oct. 10, before the #EndSARS problem came.

“So many memoranda were presented during the public hearing and so, it took the technical committee a while to put everything together to amend the bill and to get to the point we are now.

“By next week, the report will be laid and it will be given the third and final reading for eventual passage, by God’s grace and hopefully, it will be assented to by the Governor,” he said.

Ms Eunice Agbogun, Executive Director, Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), also said that the report on the public hearing was ready for presentation.

“We have held the public hearing and the bills is now at the stage of third reading. Once passed, a clean copy of it will be sent to the governor for his assent and for eventual domestication.

On the hiccups that delayed the passage of the bill, Agbogun said her organisation, CPI, with support from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) had been following up on the document till the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic affected the speed at which we were going. The public hearing which was earlier scheduled for March could not hold as a result of the pandemic,” she said.

Mr Idris Miliki, an activist and Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Lokoja, called for speedy passage of the bill by the House.

“Now the bill is still at the legislative assembly. So, as it is now, we can only call for its speedy passage because many other states have passed it.”

Mr Friday Ogungbemi, a publisher and rights activist presented a memorandum during the public hearing.

Ogungbemi described the general principle and intent of the Act as “beautiful and excellent’’, but noted that its applicability would be an uphill task to accomplish.

He, however, observed that the bill was an interesting one and was capable of addressing major challenging issues, especially violence against vulnerable persons and vices against the female gender in society.

The situation is the same in Taraba where a lawyer, Mr Tanko Ayuba of Ayuba Chambers called on the State Government to domesticate the Act in the State.

Ayuba said that the implementation of the Act would go along way in addressing all violent crimes against persons.

According to him, the Act that was enacted since 2015, had yet to be domesticated in the State.

He also said that the law, if domesticated, would address crimes such as rape and injuries on persons.

Similarly, Mrs Helen Aboki, Executive Director, Advocacy for Women and Child Rights, urged the State government to domesticate the Act.

Aboki said that her organisation would not rest until the State Government domesticate the Act.

Tags: Actschild abuseVAPPviolence against persons prohibition
David

David

Sun News Online team

Related Posts

Abandoned project: Delta communities shut flow station in protest
National

Abandoned project: Delta communities shut flow station in protest

16th May 2022
Fast-food company seeks compensation from Akwa Ibom govt over demolition of its complex
National

Fast food company seeks compensation from Akwa Ibom govt over demolition of its complex

16th May 2022
Selfish enemies of Ndigbo who don't want Kanu freed behind Anambra arson - COSEYL
National

Selfish enemies of Ndigbo who don’t want Kanu freed behind Anambra arson – COSEYL

16th May 2022
Next Post
Republican Cindy McCain reportedly favourite to be Biden’s ambassador to Britain

Republican Cindy McCain reportedly favourite to be Biden’s ambassador to Britain

Explosion rocks Wike's father's church in Rivers

Explosion rocks Wike's father's church in Rivers

FG, Jigawa to set up industrial hub in Gagarawa

FG, Jigawa to set up industrial hub in Gagarawa

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

ADVERTISEMENT

Highlights

NEITI, CAC, EFCC, others to unveil register of assets in extractive industry

Beni Lar donates N12.5 million for scholarship of indigents constituents at cultural festival

Amadi replaces late DIG Egbunike, Magu promoted to AIG

PDP may lose 2023 in election if… – Bode George

13 rescued as petrol tanker explodes in Delta

JTF avert danger at Imo monarch’s palace, kill 6 IPOB suspects

Trending

Abandoned project: Delta communities shut flow station in protest
National

Abandoned project: Delta communities shut flow station in protest

16th May 2022
0

From Paul Osuyi, Asaba Aggrieved indigenes of Ovwevwe and Opherin communities in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government...

Fast-food company seeks compensation from Akwa Ibom govt over demolition of its complex

Fast food company seeks compensation from Akwa Ibom govt over demolition of its complex

16th May 2022
Selfish enemies of Ndigbo who don't want Kanu freed behind Anambra arson - COSEYL

Selfish enemies of Ndigbo who don’t want Kanu freed behind Anambra arson – COSEYL

16th May 2022
NEITI, CAC, EFCC, others to unveil register of assets in extractive industry

NEITI, CAC, EFCC, others to unveil register of assets in extractive industry

16th May 2022
Beni Lar donates N12.5 million for scholarship of indigents constituents at cultural festival

Beni Lar donates N12.5 million for scholarship of indigents constituents at cultural festival

16th May 2022

Follow us on social media:

Latest News

  • Abandoned project: Delta communities shut flow station in protest
  • Fast food company seeks compensation from Akwa Ibom govt over demolition of its complex
  • Selfish enemies of Ndigbo who don’t want Kanu freed behind Anambra arson – COSEYL
  • NEITI, CAC, EFCC, others to unveil register of assets in extractive industry
  • Beni Lar donates N12.5 million for scholarship of indigents constituents at cultural festival
  • Amadi replaces late DIG Egbunike, Magu promoted to AIG
  • PDP may lose 2023 in election if… – Bode George
  • 13 rescued as petrol tanker explodes in Delta
  • JTF avert danger at Imo monarch’s palace, kill 6 IPOB suspects
  • Navy inaugurates apprentice school
  • Anambra monarch demands immediate release of abducted lawmaker
  • LPGC, Mobil, MTN, others emerge top taxpayers
  • Gani Adams tasks traditional rulers on campaign against ritual killing, blames social media
  • Prosperity Cup 2022: Foreign scouts set to storm Yenagoa
  • Reps aspirant tasks PDP on fair, free and transparent primaries
  • Smugglers machete Customs officer, ambush patrol team in Ogun
  • Sit-at-home: Police gun down 2 enforcers in Anambra, restore people’s confidence
  • Electoral Act: Supreme Court to commence hearing on Buhari, Malami suit May 19
  • TUC re-elects Ekundayo, Aladetan as Chairman, Secretary
  • Anambra: TRCN inducts 1, 297 teachers in NOCEN

Categories

  • Abuja Metro
  • Anambra Watch
  • Arts
  • Broken Tongues
  • Business
  • Business Week
  • Cartoons
  • Citizen Joe
  • Columns
  • Cover
  • Culture
  • Duro Onabule
  • Editorial
  • Education Review
  • Effect
  • Elections
  • Entertainment
  • Events
  • Features
  • Femi Adesina
  • Food & Drinks
  • Frank Talk
  • Funke Egbemode
  • Gallery
  • Global Square by Kenneth Okonkwo
  • Health
  • Insights
  • Kalu Leadership Series
  • Kunle Solaja
  • Kunle Solaja
  • Letters
  • Lifeline
  • Lifestyle
  • Literary Review
  • Marketing Matters
  • Muiz Banire
  • National
  • News
  • Offside Musings
  • Opinion
  • oriental news
  • Politics
  • Press Release
  • PressClips
  • Public Sphere
  • Ralph Egbu
  • Shola Oshunkeye
  • Sideview
  • South-west Magazine
  • Sponsored Post
  • Sporting Sun
  • Sports
  • Sun Girl
  • Tea Time
  • The Flipside – Eric Osagie
  • The Sun Awards Live
  • The Sun TV
  • Thoughts & Talks
  • Time Out
  • Today's cover
  • Tola Adeniyi
  • Travel
  • Travel & Tourism
  • Trending
  • TSWeekend
  • Turf Game
  • Uncategorized
  • Updates
  • Views from Abroad
  • Voices
  • World
  • World News
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Paper Ad Rate
  • Online Ad Rate
  • The Team
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2019 The Sun Nigeria - Managed by Netsera.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Columns
    • Broken Tongues
    • Capital Matters
    • Diabetes Corner
    • Duro Onabule
    • Femi Adesina
    • Frank Talk
    • Funke Egbemode
    • Insights
    • Kalu Leadership Series
    • Kunle Solaja
    • Offside Musings
    • PressClips
    • Public Sphere
    • Ralph Egbu
    • Shola Oshunkeye
    • Sideview
    • The Flipside – Eric Osagie
    • Tola Adeniyi
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • The Sun TV
  • Sporting Sun

© 2019 The Sun Nigeria - Managed by Netsera.

Posting....