Dr. Martha Emmanuel, the wife of Akwa Ibom State governor, and other stakeholders have called for the establishment of special courts that would handle cases bothering on issues of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV, in the state.
Dr. Emmanuel, who spoke at Ibom hall Uyo, the state capital, during the flag-off of the ongoing 16 days of activism with the theme ‘Orange the world’ called for a legislative amendment that would accommodate the court.
The governor’s wife, who admitted that the specialized court would not eradicate incidents of SGBV, noted that the establishment of the court would help to facilitate and hasten judgment regretting that cases were being unduly prolonged in normal court despite the selfless efforts of judges.
According to her, “we are trying how we can have a special court, it’s not going to be a total remedy but it will go a long way to facilitate and fast-track judgment for the victims.”
While encouraging the victims to speak out and ensure they report cases of SGBV, the Governor’s wife urged traditional rulers not to settle rape cases out of court irrespective of the person involved.
“I’m here to plead with our traditional fathers never to settle rape cases out of court. Giving a fine of goat or drink to a man that commits the crime of rape should not be encouraged. Matters of rape should go to the appropriate place, that is court, no one should be spared, we will ensure that person is convicted, no matter how highly placed he is, he will be brought down unless the case is not reported.
“The culture of silence must stop, most of the victims are from poor families and that is why the perpetrators are emboldened because they feel no one can speak for them, I’m here to speak for you,” she reassured.
The first lady also cautioned wives who always batter their house helps.
Speaking earlier, the keynote speaker, Dr. Idorenyin Eyo noted that the special court would ensure seamless and speedy adjudication of cases that bother on sexual and gender-based violence adding that such courts would be manned by fearless judges, lawyers, staff specially trained on SGBV matters.
She said the special court would have comprehensive court rules devoid of unnecessary technicalities, ambiguities, and procedures that take place in the regular court.
She regretted, “unfortunately in Nigeria, litigation drags for so many years despite the selfless services of our judges, some eventually dismissed the offenders who later walk around freely and collecting chieftaincy.”
Dr. Eyo also noted that the special court, when established, would have well-equipped forensic laboratories and other investigative facilities attached so that there will not be ‘meddlesome interloper playing with forensic evidence as seen in the regular court.’
She also called for the interpretation of the verdict of the court in all languages through public outreaches.
