Judiciary

Sexual Abuse: We need parents, caregivers’ support – Oyo AG

By Web News 892

For justice to be served for survivors of child sexual abuse and rape there is the need for strong synergy among caregivers, medical practitioners, law enforcement agencies and civil society organizations.

This formed part of resolutions at a stakeholders’ roundtable dialogue on response to child sexual abuse in Ibadan.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo said cases of child sexual abuse against perpetrators hit major setbacks when family members frustrate legal processes by refusing to cooperate with relevant agencies.

Represented by the coordinator, Oyo State Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Team, Mrs Dupe Awosemusi, the Attorney General also highlighted lack or improper medical report of the victim, withdrawal of interest from victims and pressure from the community as another bane of justice delivery.

Professor Oyewo who disclosed that eighty per cent of perpetrators of child sexual abuse are family members urged parents to be vigilant and protect their children, especially during the Yuletide when people are likely to visit.

In his contribution, a chief consultant, Forensic Pathology, University Teaching Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Dr Uwom Eze said the improper ways of collecting forensic evidence from survivor of child sexual abuse by some medical practitioners have stalled justice for victims.

Dr Eze Advised any child who is sexually abused to immediately visit the one-stop-shop centre where all necessary assistances are available for such cases.

Also speaking, a research scientist from Tai Sholarin University, Ogun State, Professor Samuel Oladipo while presenting recent findings on survivors of sexual abuse in Nigeria, said many were victims of circumstances from broken homes.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Convener, Executive Director, Hope for Second Chance Foundation, Mrs Ibukunoluwa Otesile said the stakeholders’ dialogue was borne out of the increasing cases of child sexual abuse despite the fight against the menace over the years.

Present at the stakeholders’ dialogue were community leaders, police, representatives of the Ministry of Education, National Human Rights Commission and CSOs.

Mosope Kehinde

Judiciary

Court Orders Establishment Of Directorate Of Medical Laboratory Science In LAUTECH

By Web News 4298

The Presiding Judge, National Industrial Court, Ibadan, Justice J. D Peters has ordered the management of Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, to immediately grant autonomy to Medical Laboratory Scientists in the hospital and separate it from other professionals.

The court’s order sequel to a suit filed by the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso Chapter, against the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Commissioner for Health, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Management Board, Chief Medical Director, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital and four others seeking for the establishment of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science in the hospital.

Declaring the judgment, Justice Peters noted that it was not appropriate to put various professional together and expect them to perform optimally.

The judge said members of the Association of Medical Laboratories Scientists were professionals and qualified to operate as directorate without any outside intervention.

He therefore ordered that the service of Laboratory Science should be recognized as Directorate and be separated from other departments in the area of duties and administration.

The court also declared that the claimant should not be victimized for the suit.

Sunday Ogunyemi