LAGOS DEPUTY GOV ADVOCATES STIFFER PENALTY FOR RAPE OFFENDERS

The Lagos State Deputy Gov., Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire has advocated for the stringent sentence of life imprisonment, without an option of fine, for rape offenders - the deputy governor said this at a news conference to commemorate this year’s International Day of the African Child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the day was celebrated yearly since 1991, to honour over 700 black high school girls massacred in Soweto, South Africa, in 1976.

Orelope-Adefulire said that the sentence would bring about a maximum reduction in rape cases.

“Despite various instruments and laws enacted to protect the rights of the child, we have continued to witness rape cases and other forms of abuse, including sexual harassment, forced marriages, domestic violence, among others,’’ she said.

The deputy governor noted that with the increase in rape cases and sexual harassment, there was need to make psychiatric tests compulsory for some men, especially perpetrators, as part of routine checks.

“A situation where a father impregnates his own daughter or a blood brother impregnates his sister or an uncle impregnating his cousin, cannot be explained and calls for concern. I notice psychopathic tendencies in some men; so we require full support of the law enforcement agencies and the courts to ensure justice and successful prosecution of such offenders,” she said. 

The deputy governor also urged Nigerians to break the culture of keeping silent on rape cases and violence. According to her, parents should not hesitate to report such cases to the police, in order to expose and prosecute the offenders, to serve as a deterrent to others, “The problem we are having is that people, especially victims, do not speak out and report; even when they report to the police, the perpetrators lure them to drop the case,” Orelope-Adefulire said.

She also urged parents to be jointly responsible for the upbringing, welfare, safety and security of their children, “Parenting is not meant only for the mothers, our fathers too should take full responsibility of providing leadership and direction in the family. Mothers too, should be able to balance their careers with their duties at home,” she said.

Orelope-Adefulire also reiterated the clarion call for the rescue of the abducted Chibok girls, urging the Federal Government to ensure that the girls were brought back alive. She said that there was need to start counselling and motivating the children to allay their fears that their rights, safety and security would be guaranteed, “The incidence in Chibok, no doubt, has created a lot of trauma in some children, even outside Borno State and all over the country, hence the need for us to reassure them that all is well,” the deputy governor added.

Source: (NAN)

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