Sokoto State Attorney-General, Suleiman Usman, SAN presenting keynote address during the 2 day workshop organized for Judges, Magistrates and law officers in the State. PHOTOS BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Sokoto State Ministry for Women and Children Affairs in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund ((UNFPA) with funding from Global Affairs Canada organised a two day workshop for 65 Judges, Magistrates as well as other law officers on effective implementation of Violence Against Person’s Prohibition (VAPP) law as passed in the State.
In her goodwill message, Commssioner for Women and Children Affairs, Hajiya Kulu Abubakar Sifawa said she is happy that judges in the state are ensuring quality and speedy dispensation of justice for survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV)
The Women Affairs Commissioner who was represented by the acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hajiya Kulu Nuhu, further appealed to women judges in the state to be passionate in ensuring that adequate punitive measures are deployed against perpetrators of GBV in the State.
On his part, the Sokoto State Coordinator of Legal Aid Council, Barrister Kilahyel Shetima appealed to all practitioners of the legal profession to strive towards ensuring that the VAPP law is adhered.
He noted that “it’s one thing to have the law and another thing to implement its contents with vigor”.
Delivering his key note address, titled, ” Making The Best Better,” Sokoto State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Suleiman Usman, SAN assured that the state has answered the clarion call by not only reviewing its Penal Code to provide stiffer punishments for some major crimes for which rape is involved but equally presents adequate compensation for survivors.
While re-echoing that rape in Sokoto now attracts life imprisonment since the inception of Tambuwal’s administration, the number one law officer of the state, said the VAPP as passed in Sokoto has other unique clauses that are missing in the national VAPP.
Amongst these inclusions, Suleiman (SAN) listed them to include provision for compensation to survivors of GBV as well as referal pathway for survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV)
“Sokoto VAPP law also made provision for SGBV Response Team to enable them make the best become better” The AG said.
