The death of Ochanya from Benue state who was sexually abused by her guardians has continued to generate reactions in Nigeria, as a former Bauchi State Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Barrister Aniekan Mendie has urged judges and magistrates to ensure that anyone convicted for rape should be sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour in accordance with the stipulated criminal laws of the land.
The legal practitioner who stated this during an interview with DAILY POST in his office in Bauchi, noted that rape was one of the highest sexual offences and should not be condoled in the society.
Barrister Aniekan said although many trials for alleged rapists were never concluded logically, people should not lose faith in the judiciary as they will eventually get justice if they persevere.
” Cases of rape are increasing daily in the country and what should be done is that concerned institutions of government should step in by implementing basic laws against rape, child trafficking and child labour.
“We have existing legal framework in the penal code applicable to Northern and Southern part of the country. There are other existing laws like the Child Right Act, the Human Trafficking laws, but the level of implementation is becoming worrisome,” he said.
He urged the society not to cover up rape cases and child trafficking, but should be bold enough to report to the appropriate institutions of government for actions to be taken.
The former NBA Vice-Chairman urged state governments who are yet to domesticate the Child Right Act to hasten the implementation, pointing out that it will go a long way to minimise incidences of rape, child labour and trafficking in the society.
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