Judiciary

Ondo Trains Judicial Officers on VAPP Law

By Web News 532

By Olufisoye Adenitan

Ondo state government says it will continue to empower judicial workers and prosecutors with training and retraining towards adequate usage of the VAPP Law to prosecute sexual and gender-based violence offenders and get justice for survivors.

The Executive Secretary, Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence, OSSAGBV, Mrs Bolanle Afolabi made this known at a Stakeholders engagement with Ondo Magistrates and Prosecutors facilitated by the state government and Westminster Foundation for Democracy in Akure.

Mrs. Afolabi admonished the Judicial Officers to be open-minded in refraining from doing things that would deny Gender-based violence victims of Quick Justice.

Speaking on the roles of prosecutors in Gender Based Violence cases, Assistant Director, Ministry of Justice, Oyo state, Mrs Deborah Collins emphasized the need for prosecutors to serve as Investigators to get in-depth knowledge of Issues.

Mrs. Collins charged the Judicial Officers to exonerate themselves from biases encountered in the criminal justice system to give the sector more credibility.

In her submission, Professor of Gender Studies, Adekunle Ajasin University, Bukola Osunyikanmi, emphasized that GBV was a global pandemic that needed the support of the judiciary sector for a quick justice system for victims.

She called on mothers to make discipline more statutory for children considering the gravity of offenses perpetrated by teenagers in recent times. 

The Director of Legal Services, Ondo State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Stella Adegoke explained that the VAPP Law has adequate provisions to address  GBV cases and punish offenders.

In her goodwill messages, a member, Ondo State House of Assembly from Ilaje Constituency II, Mrs. Olawumi Fayemi reaffirmed the resolve of the legislative arm of government to continue to pass gender-friendly bills that would stop gender-based violence cases in the State.

Earlier, Country Director, Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Mr Adebowale Olorunmola stressed that WFD was committed to improved Advocacy and engagement of stakeholders for adequate usage of the VAPP Law to get justice for victims and survivors.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Feature

Ondo Govt Takes Gender-Based Violence to Grassroot

By Web News 574

Ondo state government says it will not tolerate any form of gender-based Violence against children or any person in the state. 

The wife of the governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu made this known at the community Sensitization on the VAPP law and Draft protection and safeguarding policy at Akure north local government.

Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu represented by the Senior Special Adviser to the office of the wife of the governor on Gender matters, Mrs Temitope Daniyan said the Advocacy was supported by Westminster Foundation For Democracy, WFD, in collaboration with OSSAGBV to take Advocacy to the grassroots to reduce increasing cases of Gender-based Violence recorded in the rural areas.

In her presentation on the VAPP law and Draft Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, the Guest speaker, Mrs Oluwatoba Olaifa emphasized that there are laws that protect children and place penalties on abusers of women and children in the state hence the need for people at the grassroots to stay clear of breaking the laws.

Mrs Olaifa also mentioned that harmful traditional practices were against the law cautioning lawbreakers against harmful practices against children.

Also, the Executive Director Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence, Mrs Bolanle Afolabi said the agency would continue to implement policies to protect the rights of women and children and safeguard children against all forms of abuse in the state.

She frowned at families shielding perpetrators of gender-based Violence saying such persons would be prosecuted for conspiracy against the law.

Earlier the country Director WFD, Mr Adebowale Olorunmola said that Advocacy was taken to the grassroots to pass  the message to the people and make them aware of the penalties of breaking the law. 

He said that the Organisation would continue to strengthen ties with the Ondo state government to ensure children’s rights and safety are protected towards a safe society for all.

In his remarks, the chairman of Akure north local government, Mr Adejumo Adewale appreciated Government for bringing such Advocacy and enlightenment to the grassroot areas of the state.

The highpoint of the community Sensitization was the distribution of IEC materials by OSSAGBV to the people to further Sensitize people in their locality.

Adefisoye Akinola

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

News

Oyetola Presents VAPP Law To People In Osun

By Web News 649

The Wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola wants the people of the state to put the Violence Against Person Prohibition Law, VAPP, into use by actively avoiding every form of offences captured and reporting same to law enforcement officers.

Mrs. Oyetola made the call at the Press Conference for the Public Presentation of the VAPP law at the Government House Banquet Hall, Osogbo

While commending members of the House of Assembly for the passage of the VAPP Bill, Mrs. Oyetola noted that the law provides comprehensive window of rights to victims of violence.

Mrs. Oyetola urged Journalists to collaborate in ensuring that the law reign supreme for the elimination of every form of violence against persons in the State.

Mrs. Oyetola who is also the Chairman, Southern Governor Wives Forum advised individuals to report any form of violence that constitute offences as captured by the VAPP law, to the law officers.

It will be recalled that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola had signed the bill into law on October 11, 2021.

Funmi Adekoya