Effort by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons
(NAPTIP) and other implementing partners to curtail incidences of gender based
violence and other forms of abuses has received a great boost as the Federal
Capital Judiciary has designated four judges to handle all Sexual and Gender –
Based Violence (SGBV) cases within the Federal Capital Territory.
Director General of NAPTIP, Dr. Fatima Waziri – Azi, disclosed this in Abuja at the
High – Level Multi Agency Team (HiMAT) Consultative Meeting of Stakeholders
for Implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.
The pleasant development which is to enhance accelerated hearing of all SGBV
cases, protect the integrity of victims, ensure diligent prosecution and secure
commensurable punishment for victims came just as the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC),
National Human Right Commission and other sister Law Enforcement Agencies,
have resolved to join hands to tackle issues of Sexual and Gender Based Violence
in the Country.
According to the Director General, “The VAPP Act which is implemented by
NAPTIP in FCT is designed to tackle all forms of violence against persons in private
and public life and provide maximum protection and effective remedies for
victims and punishment of offenders. These offences include inter-alia Rape,
Female Genital Mutilation, inflicting injuiries, stalking, political violence, domestic
violence amongst others.
“The National Sexual Offenders Register (NSOD) which was launched in 2019 to
actively name and shame offenders of VAPP in Nigeria has been fully operational
with (number of states) having unbundled and linked up and so many others on
the pipeline to do same. NAPTIP has been maintaining and giving technical
support to states who have such database. From the launch of the NSOD till date,
the database has recorded – 655 number of cases, 104 convictions, 329 pending
in court while 181 are still under investigation”, the NAPTIP Director General Said.
She commended the Judiciary and other partners most importantly the Rule of
Law and Anti-Corruption (Rolac) being implemented by the British Council for
their sustained support for the Agency in the implementation of the VAPP Act.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa represented by the Director,
Operations, Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkul, said “The World and Nigeria in particular is
awash with many horrifying stories on violence against persons in many forms,
from domestic violence to trafficking, from sexual violence in conflict or Child
marriage, genital mutilation etc.
“The launch of the online Sexual Offenders Register is a laudable achievement by
NAPTIP as it would help curb the menace of sexual offences in our society. The
EFCC is proud to have been part of the development and design as well. The
Commission is playing a vital role by providing technical expertise in Polygraph
examinations and forensic services in the areas of investigation and prosecution
of cases in relation to the violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, 2015.
“The Commission is also willing to assist in conducting investigation in the
finances derived from illegal activities especially in cases of money laundered
from the proceeds of human trafficking and other related offences”, the anti-graft
Agency boss assured.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Right Commission,
Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN) who hosted the meeting assured that the Commission
will continue to partner with NAPTIP and other relevant MDAs to address issues
of SGBV in the Country.
The meeting was attended by representative of the Inspector General of Police,
Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal
Ministry of Women Affairs, National Identity Management Commission and the
Statistician General of the Federation, Mr. Simon Harry.
Adekoye Vincent
Press and Public Relations Unit
NAPTIP
22 nd March 2022
