In an effort to provide justice for victims of rape in Yobe state, the House of Assembly has passed the long awaited bill for a law to prohibit all forms of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP).
The bill when assented to will bridged the gaps that often retard victims of rape and their families as well as other survivors of violence from accessing justice.
The deputy speaker of the House, Alhaji Mohammed Isa Bello, who presided over the sitting when the bill was passed commended members, civil society groups and non-governmental organisations for their various contributions towards the success of the bill.
The European Union, Managing Conflicts in the Northeast Nigeria had earlier launched a protocol that would guide sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) investigations and prosecutions in the state which were distributed across the bodies responsible for the administration of criminal justice in the state.
Abdulkadir Sambo who is the Team Leader for British Council MCN Programme, supporting partners of the bill said the house and the organisation have been working closely for long towards ensuring that the bill sees the light of the day.
Looking at the rampant cases of rape in the state, there seems to be no end, but with the VAPP law in place, it is anticipated the case would be reduced to its barest minimum.
