By Ogar Monday
Stakeholders from the Judiciary, Nigerian Police, and civil society have committed to work towards the full implementation of both the Cross River State Violence Against People Prohibition Law (VAPP) and the Disability Rights Law in Cross River State.
The stakeholders who said they will start the implementation of the law within their immediate jurisdiction made this commitment at a 2-day sensitization workshop for Law Enforcement and Judicial Officers on the Cross River State VAPP & Disability Laws 2021.
Speaking, the Chief Judge of Cross River, Justice Akon Ikpeme, represented by Blessing Egwu said the judiciary is always ready to implement laws that ensure society progresses, thanking the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, the wife, Dr. Linda Ayade, Project Alert and all the other stakeholders who had worked towards the passing of the law.
Justice Blessing Egwu, who was also representing, Hon. Justice Francesca Isoni added that: “The importance of these laws cannot be overemphasized in the face of the violence in our society today. Thank God we now have the laws, the judiciary pledges to ensure that if these cases are brought to court Justice will be done.”
Also speaking, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Aminu Usman, who was represented by DSP Igri Ewa, said as the prosecuting agency the laws now arm that to go full force against those perpetrating gender-based violence and discriminating against persons with disabilities.
The Commissioner of Police held that a symposium like this is important, in that it brings all those who have a role to play in the implementation of the law to one table and allows them to talk through areas of synergy and cooperation for proper implementation.
Earlier speaking, the Executive Director of Project Alert, Mrs. Josephine Efah-Chukwuma held that both laws are a result of painstaking research, a robust engagement of the State legislature, and the kind-heartedness of both the Governor and the wife.
“Everyone knows the issues around sexual and gender abuse because even babies in diapers are not left out. One of the beauties of the VAPP law is that it redefines rape in such a way that now includes the penetration of any orifice. This law also covers sodomy, because a lot of boys are being abused,” she said.
On the disability rights law, Mrs. Josephine said there is a need for everyone to open their eyes to how exclusive the society currently is to PWDs, and that the law should now guide everyone’s path towards an inclusive society.
She advised PWDs to use this electioneering period to set an agenda around their issues and pull their weight around candidates who are ready to build an inclusive society.
Agbor Ojua of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disability, JONAPWD, said that the group intends to use the law to its advantage, and thanked all the stakeholders for their commitment to seeing an inclusive society.
Other stakeholders at the event were Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, BRCI, Girl’s Power Initiative, GPI, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, National Human Rights Commission, and the media.
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