…..Says response team is high
Gbolahan Salman Sokoto
The Sokoto State Director of Public Prosecution, (DPP) Barrister Aishatu Ahmad Kaoje, has described the state Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law as not just the best in the country but also very unique.
The DPP also applauded the efforts of the State Gender Based Response Team, saying they have truly lived up to expectations.
Kaoje, who spoke while giving overview of the State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law at the ongoing 2 day training on guide to operate sexual offenders register.
Highlighting some of the major interesting features of the VAPP law, the DPP said, it has 28 offences with each being unique.
She said some of the notable sides are the inclusion of Sexual Offenders Register, and compensation to victims of GBV.
Sampling out rape as one of the critical offenses captured as well, the DPP said rape according to the Sokoto VAPP law entails any act, expressed or latent intentions involving the use of object or any body part to violate the dignity of others.
While categorizing punitive measures captured by the rape to include, life imprisonment for any perpetrators of below the age of 18, the DPP said, for others it ranges from 21 years with compensation and 25 years without option of fine for gang rape.
Kaoje who further appealed to lawyers in Sokoto to use the State VAPP law rather than the Penal Code in prosecuting rape perpetrators, gave her reasons to include, all encompassing.
The 2 day training was organized by the Sokoto State ministry of Women and Children Affairs, with support from E-U UN Spotlight Initiative for 40 government officials and relevant stakeholders on how to operate the sexual offenders register on issues relating to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in the state.
Speaking earlier in her opening remarks, the state commissioner of Women and Children Affairs, Hon Kulu Sifawa represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Barrister Aisha Mohammed Dantosho decried the high case of GBV in the state as alarming and disturbing.
She reflect on the needs for continuous collaboration by all stakeholders to overcome the trend.
