The National Human Rights Commission’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Tony Ojukwu, on Monday, March 2nd, 2020 said that the Special Investigating Panel on Sexual and Gender Based Violence created by the NHRC got one hundred and thirteen (113) complaints and memorandums from the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Lots of the complaints were made in the South-East – thirty five (35) and that placed the zone on the number 1 spot. North-Central came second with nineteen (19) complaints, followed by the North-West with seventeen (17) complaints.

The South-South (26) came third, followed by the South-West (12) in the fourth place.

The North-East has the lowest number (four) of complaints.

Ojukwu spoke at the South-South zone public sitting of the panel in Benin City on Monday, March 2nd.

He said the panel had rounded up sittings in Kano, Lagos, Abuja and Owerri.

The NHRC chief said,

This panel and the commission will adhere to the principles of fair hearing in discharging their functions and will not stand idle and watch while the fundamental human rights of citizens are being trampled upon and violated by the law enforcement agencies, entities or individuals.

Meanwhile, at the sittings, the stakeholders regretted that, in spite of the painful experiences victims pass through, getting them to speak out had been the biggest challenge to the fight against sexual violence.

Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers, Edo State chapter, Mrs. Iryn Omorogiuwa, described sexual violence as a “terrible scourge”, saying that there was need to encourage victims to speak out about their ordeals.

Edo Commander, National Agency for Prohibition and Trafficking in Persons, Mrs. Ijeoma Udual, said that numerous victims were abused more, because of their refusal to complain to relevant authorities.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.