A human rights lawyer, Evans Ufeli, has said that despite an
overwhelming reported cases of sexual assaults, Nigeria has recorded only 18
rape convictions in its legal history, Premium Times reports.
overwhelming reported cases of sexual assaults, Nigeria has recorded only 18
rape convictions in its legal history, Premium Times reports.
Mr. Ufeli spoke, Sunday, at the 5th edition of ‘The
Conversation,’ a quarterly public dialogue that focuses on child abuses and
parenting in Lagos.
Conversation,’ a quarterly public dialogue that focuses on child abuses and
parenting in Lagos.
“The Nigerian criminal code recommends life imprisonment for
rape convicts and 14 years for attempt rape, but only 18 people have ever been
convicted in Nigeria,” said Mr. Ufeli, who had been handling sexual assault
cases for over a decade.
rape convicts and 14 years for attempt rape, but only 18 people have ever been
convicted in Nigeria,” said Mr. Ufeli, who had been handling sexual assault
cases for over a decade.
The lawyer said that sexual abuse matters in law courts are
sometimes frustrated by the government, which usually acts as the prosecution.
sometimes frustrated by the government, which usually acts as the prosecution.
“Government agents who are saddled with checking sexual
assaults, especially the police and public prosecutors, compromise their profession,”
Mr. Ufeli said.
assaults, especially the police and public prosecutors, compromise their profession,”
Mr. Ufeli said.
Several child rights advocates who spoke at the gathering
urged parents and guardians to allow their children, while they are still in
their formative years, to be vocal about sexual matters as a solution to the
rising cases of child abuse.
urged parents and guardians to allow their children, while they are still in
their formative years, to be vocal about sexual matters as a solution to the
rising cases of child abuse.
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