By Patrick Obia
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The Cross River State Ministry of Justice has created the Citizens’ Rights Department to entertain complaints bordering on sexual and gender-based violence, rape, wife battery, forced marriage, and denial of parental responsibility amongst others.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Barr. Tanko Ashang disclosed this while playing host to an entourage of the National Human Rights Commission in Calabar sued for collaboration with the Commission to ensure the rights of Cross Riverians and Nigerians are adequately respected and enforced at all times.
Speaking earlier, the State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Remi Ajuga thanked their host and highlighted the need for an increased cordial relationship with the Ministry given the importance of mainstreaming human rights in all activities of the Government and the governed.
Remi further pointed to the need for greater access to justice for awaiting trial inmates, and the vulnerable members of the society as partly uncovered during the last audit exercise of some custodial centers and detention facilities in the State and numerous cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
On her part, the Head and Director of the Citizens’ Rights Department, Barr F. N. Agbiji said the department would be at the forefront to give voice to the voiceless, envisaging the collaboration with the Commission will foster quicker response and results in handling of human rights complaints.
The visit featured an exchange of gifts and group photographs.
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