The Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led Lagos State Government have on
Thursday, inaugurated four special courts solely for the prosecution of
sexual offences and corruption cases.
Th two courts will adjudicate on special offences (economic and
financial crimes), while the two others will try sexual offences.
The Sexual Offences Court is the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial
Crime Commission (EFCC) was among dignitaries who attended the
inauguration.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, while inaugurating the courts, lauded
the Chief Justice of Nigeria for initiating it at the federal level.
He noted that the establishment of the courts would facilitate
expeditious hearing and trial of sexual and financial related crimes.
Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Oluranti
Adebule, said Lagos was collaborating with the British Council under the
Rule of Law Anti-Corruption Programme to provide technical support for
the anti-corruption fight.
“The state collaborates with such agencies charged with the
investigation and prosecution of corruption offences by providing an
enabling environment in terms of responding to inquiries and providing
information to anti-graft agencies.
“I am particularly glad about the designation of two courts to
handle sexual related offences as it complements our fight against
sexual abuse.
“These sexual offences courts will have trained and experienced
prosecutors to interact with survivors, provide support and ensure
timely prosecution of the cases,” he said.
Ambode, who reeled out statistics of the sexual crimes handled by
the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) and Mirabel
Centre in Lagos, announced that the state government had awarded a
contract for the expansion of the DNA and Forensic Centre.
“Between 2015 and now, the DSVRT and Mirabel Centre have
handled over 400 cases of sexual offences while 376 cases are being
prosecuted in the various courts.
“With a dedicated court now in place to handle these cases, l am sure that these cases will get the attention they deserve. We have awarded the contract for the expansion of the operations of the DNA and Forensic Centre and Chemistry Section.
“This will automatically place Lagos as one of the leading centres for forensics in Africa,” Ambode said.
The wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Oludolapo Osinbajo, in her
speech, commended the Lagos State Government for establishing the Sexual
Offences Court.
She said: “The statistics quoted by the Chief Justice of Lagos
is very frightening, it only speaks of half of the true picture. Behind
the figures are the faces of the affected women and girls as well as the
men and boys.”
Giving examples of real life scenarios of sexual violence, Osinbajo said the victims of such offences should never be ignored.
“We should not ignore the trauma and nightmare that sexual
offences bring, let us not forget the girls not only in Nigeria but all
over the world.”