By Kelvin Ololo
The judiciary and legislature in Cross River State, have been charged to respond promptly in the administration of justice on cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), using their jurisdictions.
Experts in the state’s judiciary, legislature and as well as the police, gave the charge in a one-day summit aimed to synergize directly with legal actors and critical stakeholders in the state.
The event organized by Gender and Development Action (GADA), with the theme ‘Advancing Access to Justice for Gender-Based Violence Survivors through the Customary Court system’ was held in Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, on Thursday June 18, 2025.
Speaking at the Summit, the Chief Judge of Cross River State, Hon. Justice Akon Bassey Ikpeme commended GADA for the initiative geared toward protecting women and girls against GBV and called on the grassroot court to explicitly respond to issues of such.
“When violence against women and children comes to their court they should treat it expeditiously so as to address the injustice against women in particular.”
The keynote Speaker Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu emphasized that though there are instances that men are also abused but predominantly is against women and children. He said the judiciary plays an important role in the discharge of justice as pertaining to GBV in the state.
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He acknowledged the place and the role of family, social policies, faith, education and the rule of law in the fight against GBV.
“There is no access to justice without exit of justice and if there must be access to justice, the judges of Customary Courts must respond rapidly and promptly to issues of GBV and must be active and not passive.”
Similarly, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayemba hinted that the Assembly is currently deliberating on a bill to create a more responsive legal framework to protect the rights of women and vulnerable groups in the state.
“The reform, if enacted into law, will enable victims of abuse to seek redress without unnecessary obstacles.”
The State Attorney General and Commission of Justice, Hon. Ededem Ani, called for collective support and collaboration from the government, law enforcement agencies, civil society, media, traditional institutions and survivors in the fight against GBV, noting that “the fight can not be successful by a single institution.”
The State Commissioner of Police CP Olusegun Omosanyin who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, DCP Sylvester Uzoefuna Jnr, reiterated that the Command and the CP have zero tolerance for indiscipline, and the police in the state is set to work with other law enforcement agencies and organizations to provide supports and ensure that survivors do not undergo intimidation.
On her part, the organizer and Founder of GADA, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, appreciated the constant support received from the Ford Foundation, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Women on the Bench, the State Ministry of Justice and Citizen Rights Unit in the progressive effort of combating GBV in the state.
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The former Federal Lawmaker, Amb. Nkoyo, said the summit was put together to proffer solutions to questions bothering access to justice in the court system and to create a sustainable system for restorative justice in the state.
There were also critical discussions and interactive sections with traumatic case studies on survivors of GBV.
Participants at the summit included presidents and members of the Customary Court across the 18 local Government Areas, retired and practicing Legal practitioners, the Nigeria Police and key stakeholders.
Highpoints of the summit were goodwill messages and a group photograph.
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