The governor of Jigawa State, Muhammad Badaru, has signed the Violence Against Person Prohibition VAPP, Bill, into law to eliminate gender-based violence in the state.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the law states that anyone found guilty of committing a rape offence shall be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
The Public Relations Officer of the state Ministry of Justice, Zainab Baba-Santali, in a statement on Thursday, said the law will also provide effective remedies for rape victims, punishment for offenders and other related matters.
The statement also quoted the governor while signing the document as commending the State Assembly Committee on Justice and Judiciary; Attorney-General, Musa Adamu-Aliyu; state Council of Ulama and all stakeholders for their commitments towards ensuring the passage of the bill.
The governor added that the law was assented after due consultation with the religious and traditional rulers to ensure its conformity with the Islamic teachings and does not contradict the beautiful culture of the state.
According to him, the law will address the emerging crimes of gender-related violence.
The statement also quoted the state Attorney-General as saying that “the Law will go a long way in tackling sexual assault cases.”
He said: “Part of the provisions of the law has addressed offence for rape which states that anyone who is found guilty of committing rape offence shall be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
“In the case where the victim is infected with HIV/AIDs the suspect shall be sentenced to death, and the victim shall be Compensated with not less than five hundred thousand (#500, 00) for damages.”
“The perpetrator shall also be deduced to public shaming on all forms of communication channels to serve as a deterrent to others.
“The law has also criminalized the deliberate abandonment of family members which exposes them to hunger, ill-health and danger,” he added.
He enjoined the people of the state to be law-abiding, saying that the Law proffers punishment to any act that will cause harm, fear and loss to the people of the state.
