YOLA — Adamawa state has reiterated its determination to ensure violence free, peaceful, and prosperous society so that development will thrive.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Barr Afraimu K. Jingi stated this during the launching of the Sexual Offender Database (SOD) held in Yola, explained that the database will ensure quick dispensation of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases in the state.
The event was organized by the State Ministry of Justice and supported by the European Union Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC).
“I’m pleased to announce that full implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law which was signed by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri on August 30, 2021has started culminating in the launch of the sexual offenders database today.
“The sexual offender database was designed and created with support from the European Union Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme.
“Among the objectives of SOD is to have in place a register of convicted sex offenders which will serve in the meantime as an essential tool that will enable the public and the government agencies to have informed information about persons whose names are in the database.
“The database will also give information about the number of times sexual offenders commit the crime and with the database in place, there will be no hiding place for offenders as it is linked to the national register and can be accessed by all Nigerians so that offenders can be named and shamed,” Jingi said.
He thanked EU RoLAC and all the stakeholders for their commitment which culminated in the launching of the SOD.
Hapsat Abdullahi, Adamawa State coordinator of RoLAC in her remark, commended the ministry of justice for its doggedness in ensuring that the VAPP law comes to fruition in the state.
“The launching of SOD will provide succour to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and will also serve as a springboard upon which perpetrators will be brought to book.
“With the launch of the database, Adamawa State has set a record of being among the few states in which the database is in operation, the feat indicated that the state is not only ready to prosecute cases of sexual and gender-based violence but effectively monitor incidences of sexual and gender-based violence,” she said.
She appreciated the commissioner for justice for his passion in providing access to justice for women in particular noting that such informed his commitment to ensuring the signing of the VAPP law in the state.
Abdullahi also thanked the chief judge of the state for the creation of four special courts that would adjudicate SGBV cases only, noted that such will ensure efficient and effective dispensation of SGVB cases in the state.
Abdullahi lauded the stakeholders for the robust synergy, especially between the service providers and the justice actors.
Also commenting, Adamawa State Chief Judge, Justice Nathan Musa lauded RoLAC for the launch, added that Adamawa state has become a trailblazer in the Northeast.
Represented by Justice Hafsat Abdurrahman said the launching of the database will provide succour to the survivors of SGBV and urged investigation institutions to ensure diligent investigation for easy and speedy dispensation of justice for all sundry.
Also speaking, the Solicitor General of Adamawa State and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Samuel Yaomande said the launch of SOD becomes imperative in view of the preponderance of SGBV in the state.
He said the register will provide employers and all stakeholders with records of offenders so as to make informed decisions while employing staff adding that it will also avail the citizens with the identities of offenders so as to name and shame them.
He commended Adamawa State for being the first in the northeast to launch the SOD.
Various stakeholders including representatives of traditional institutions, CSOs, security agents, MDAs, MCN commended the ministry of justice and RoLAC for the launch of the SOD.
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