Rape Cases Will No Longer Be Bailable Soon ― FCTA

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, on Wednesday, disclosed that laws are underway to ensure that established cases of rape are no longer bailable in Nigeria with a view to serving as a deterrent to culprits.

Dr Aliyu, according to a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Austine Elemue, and made available to newsman in Abuja, made this known during the official presentation of a compendium titled “My COVID-19 Story: Voice Of Hope and Resilience,” which chronicled different experiences of young girls during the deadly COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Represented by the Deputy Director, Administration in the office of FCT Minister of State, Mrs Maria Ogbonnaya-Ngwu, the minister said the FCT Administration has established a centre to address cases of girls who are abused or suppressed.

According to her: “It is also gratifying to know that our dear President, Muhammadu Buhari, in him lies a man that believes in the worth of the girl child. We have been able to present to him various cases of gender-based violence in the Federal Executive Council.

“Let me assure you that laws will soon be rolled out, to serve as deterrent to culprits that are guilty or people found culpable of abuses of the girl child. Unlike before, the rape case becomes ‘bailable’ now we are working towards that it would no longer be a bailable offence.

“In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), we have been able to give succour to the Girl-child, we have been able to encourage the Girl-child, we have been able to make them believe in themselves. The Girl-child is not subordinate to any other child. The administration will continue to boost this, and continue to preach this experience and embark on advocacy.” She added.

Earier, the founder and President of Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, noted that the unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has re-defined global health and lifestyle, stressing that governments across the world have had to adopt concrete measures to stop the spread of the virus and reduce the negative impact on the socio-economic life of their citizens.

She, however, assured that the foundation would continue to champion the rights of the girl-child despite challenges posed by the outbreak of the virus.