Nigerian Government Panel on Sexual Offences begins in Cross River State

The Nigerian Government’s special investigation panel on sexual offences and gender-based violence has commenced sitting in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, south-south Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu inaugurated the panel, which held its first round of public sitting in Enugu, Lagos and Ebonyi States.

Ojukwu said that Nigeria, like other countries, has recorded cases of gender-based violence, which incidentally increased during the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Describing the public sitting as unique, Ojukwu stated that parties involved in the cases before the panel would have ample opportunity to present their matters.

“In recent times a number of incidences sparked public outrage and condemnation of the brazing and gruesome dimensions of Sexual Gender-Based Violence, SGBV, in Nigeria.

“The sitting affords the panellists, the parties and the members of the general public the opportunity to address SGBV issues induced by the pandemic along with other cases from a holistic perspective,“ he said.

He noted that the panel was constituted of carefully selected persons to represent diverse interests and has been given eight terms of reference as a guide.

The terms of references include identifying individuals directly responsible for any violations; identify victims of violation; and ensure adequate remedy.

The Executive Secretary commended the government for recognizing the mandate of the commission in setting up the panel.

Also speaking, Justice Akon Ikpeme, the State Chief Judge, said the public sitting is practical and pledged her support.

Ending Silence

Rita Agim, the Cross River Commissioner for Women Affairs expressed the hope that the public sitting would contribute to ending the culture of silence, which she noted hinders effective prosecution.

Agim, who spoke through a senior official from the ministry, Asi Archibong, said, “Mostly families of the survivors tend to cover up sexual offences and violence. So, I am encouraging the families of the survivors, the survivors themselves to speak out and let their stories be heard. It is time to take the bull by the horn and let us put an end to SGBV.”

The investigative panel on Sexual Offences and Gender-Based Violence is supported by the United Nations Spotlight Initiative through the implementation of the UNDP and established in response to the request of the Vice President of the National Human Rights Commission to mitigate the rising spate of SGBV in Nigeria.

The second round of public hearing will cover Cross River, Adamawa, Rivers, Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory.

PIAK