The Sokoto State House of Assembly has passed a Bill for a law to supplement the provisions of the Penal code law, 2019 and provide punishment for offences relating to Gender Based Violence (GBV).
This followed a motion moved by the All Progressive Congress (APC) leader of the Assembly, Bello Ambarura, after the consideration of the House Committee on Judiciary, Justice and Human Rights report.
According to a Bill presented by the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Justice and Human Rights report, Maidawa Kajiji, whoever commits rape shall be punished with imprisonment for life or for a term of not less than 21 years.
It also stated that where the offender is 14 years of age, such would be liable to imprisonment for a term, not more than 14 years, while below shall be less than 12 years.
“However, in the case of rape by group of persons, the offenders are jointly liable to a term of imprisonment of not less than 25 years imprisonment without an option of fine, while any person who rapes a child shall be liable to life imprisonment,” Kajiji said.
He said, the Committee recommended an interpretation section be created in the Bill on all phrases relating to Violence against person, that includes Abandonment of women, children, circumcision of girls or women, domestic relationship violence among others.
“That a provision for compensation of victims be created in which for all offences in the law, the court shall in addition to penalties provided for the offences, award appropriate compensation to the victim as it may deem fit in the circumstance.
He added that a register for convicted sexual offenders shall be maintained in the Bill and made accessible to the public.
“Moreover a person who performs female circumcision or mutilation commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding four years or fine not less than N200,000 or both.
“Also a person who abandons a wife or husband, children or other dependents without any means of sustenance shall serve imprisonment term not exceeding three years or fine not exceeding N500,000 or both and pay compensation in addition,” he said.
According to him, a provision for the establishment of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) offences response team in each of the three Senatorial District will be provided in the Bill.
“This is to include representative of the ministries of justice, women and children affairs, social welfare, and health as well as Nigeria Police, Civil Defense Corps and CSOs.
“The team shall be responsible for monitoring of the SGBV cases, to provide legal, medical, emergency assistance, counseling and psychological and psycho-social support to survivors,” he added.
The Committee Chairman, Maidawa Kajiji said the committee consulted all stakeholders to ensure proper recommendations on the Bill.
The members unanimously accepted the committee’s 34 number recommendations on the Bill in a voice vote presided over by the Deputy Speaker Abubakar Magaji.
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