Federal Government to establish special courts to try rape cases

The Ministry of Justice in Nigeria said that Specialized Courts will be created to ensure speedy trial of all pending and incoming rape and other related gender based cases in Nigeria.

Attorney General of the Federation AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami disclosed this when the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC submits a document on rising cases of Sexually and Gender Based Violence in the country.

According to the Minister, his office has commenced the review of all existing laws and policy instruments relating to offences of rape, child defilement and gender based violence in the country for necessary action.

The AGF also said that his ministry is engaging with the Heads of Courts to ensure that the idea comes to fruition in no distant time.

’’The Special Courts when established will create a timely and speedy trial of all pending and incoming rape and other related gender based cases and facilitate their conclusion within record time’’ he said.

Mr. Abubakar Malami added that efforts are being put in place to introduce a Sexual Offenders Registrar in various Police formations and other security agencies in the country as part of efforts to fast track the fight against rape and other gender based violence in the country.

’’Further to this, this office has therefore constituted an Inter-Ministerial Management Committee on the eradication of gender based violence’’ he echoed.

The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC in Nigeria, Mr. Tony Ojukwu at the event said that his agency will not allow any case of rape and other gender based violence in the country to be swept under the carpet.