Reps To Dress In Black During Next Plenary For Sexual Violence Victims, Others

… Want IGP Adamu To Investigate Such Indecencies.

Nigerian House of Representatives has resolved to dress in black at the next plenary sitting, in solidarity with the women and girls who have been victims of sexual violence, and all other forms of violence against humanity worldwide.

The House raised concern over the high rate of rape of women and girls in Nigeria, stating that the acts show decay and decline in societal morals.

The parliamentarians also called on the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to launch a detailed investigation into the increase in such indecencies.

The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Rep. Rotimi Agunsoye ( APC, Lagos ) Calling For Justice For Uwa Omozuwa, Tina Ezekwe, and Other Victims of Sexual Violence and Extra-Judicial Killings in the country during Thursday plenary at the floor of the Green Chamber, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Rep. Rotimi who lamented the recent extrajudicial killing of a young lady by trigger-happy policemen recalled that”on Wednesday 27th May 2020, Miss Uwa Omozuwa, aged 22, a “100 level student of University of Benin, who went to study in her Church hall, was found in a pool of her blood after being raped and harmed. She died soon afterward;

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“On the 23rd May 2020, Miss, Tina Ezekwe, aged 17, was shot and killed by two trigger-happy officers of the Nigerian Police Force in a most unprofessional manner, in Oworonshoki, Lagos;

“The Police in Jigawa State, on the 30th May 2020, arrested 11 men (including a 57-year-old man), who lured and raped a 12-year-old minor”.

He strongly condemned the wickedly act and called on members of the House to dress in black at the next plenary sitting, in solidarity with the women and girls who have been victims of sexual violence, and all other forms of violence against humanity worldwide.

Speaking on the motion, the Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila described the rise in these cases as sick, despicable, and ungodly acts that cut across all genders.

Contributing during the debate at the floor, Ogun State Federal Legislator, Rep. Lanre Edun called for the urgent correction of the social vices and mentality that makes rape thrive. He urged the House for a definite resolution to make rape a punishable offense.

In her contribution, Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Chief Whip of the House, expressed worry; and wondered why the security agencies who have been mandated by the House of Representatives to fish out trigger-happy personnel have failed to do so, leading to the continuation of extrajudicial killings.

She called for the speedy conclusion and outcome of all these investigations to be made known to concerned parties, the in-conclusion of such cases she stated gives impunity to such criminal minds.

Rep. Shehu Koko also spoke on the matter, called for the implementation of spelled-out laws for crimes committed as a deterrent to those involved in such acts.

Rep. Koko called on all interests in the case from the investigating police, the victims, members of the society, and health service providers to be highly responsive to such cases.

Rep. Henry Archibong made his contributions, he called for seriousness in implementing the relevant laws. Rep. Archibong also bemoaned the decay of societal institutions which should ensure the emergence of responsible members of society.

These institutional failures he attributed to negligence, economic constraints, and economic challenges.

On his part, Rep. Kabir Ibrahim called for the reorientation of members of society as a means of tackling societal decay.

He called on the education of both male and female children to respect the rights of their same and opposite sexes. He further called for the strengthening of prohibitive laws and stiffer penalties for those caught as rapists.

Rep. Abubakar Suleiman stood up to condemn the way and manner victims of rape are stigmatized by the society. He called on the passing of a legislature that will protect rape victims.

He also advocated for the establishment of a name-and-shame mechanism to identify convicted rapists and make their identities known so that it can act as a punishment for the culprits, a deterrent to others who would want to do the same, closure for the victims as well as a triumph for the system.

Making her contribution, Rep. Lynda Ikpeazu condemned the high decay of morality in the society in recent times. She called for an immediate stop to violence against women and girls.

The Speaker of the House, Rep. Gbajabiamila charged the House committees on Women Affairs, Justice and Human Rights to do a thorough work to ensure that the clear terms of rape are outlined so that the laws and consequences can be explicit.

The Lawmakers observed a minute silence in honor of the death of Uwa Omozuwa, Tina Ezekwe, and other girls and women who had died as a result of rape or Police brutality.

The motion was unanimously voted on, adopted as amended, and referred to the House Committees on Justice, Human Rights, and Women Affairs to work on the amendments and Report back to the House within four weeks for Legislative actions.