NAN-H-84
Rape
By Wandoo Sombo
Abuja, April 4, 2017 (NAN) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has decried the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl by a traditional ruler in Katsina State.
The commission also described as worrisome the reported defilement of a seven-month-old baby by her 55-year-old stepfather in Musawa Local Government Area of the state.
The acting Executive Secretary of the commission, Mrs Oti Ovrawah, made the assertion in a statement signed by the commission’s Chief Press Officer, Fatimah Mohammad, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ovrawah called on the Katsina State Government to ensure that the traditional ruler and the step-father were investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law to serve as deterrent to other Nigerians.
She called on the Police, judiciary and other stakeholders to be more diligent in ensuring that all reported cases of rape were thoroughly investigated.
Ovrawah said that the cases should not only be investigated, but those found culpable must be duly prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.
According to her, cases of rape or defilement should be taken seriously by the law enforcement agencies.
The commission acting executive secretary said that both the 1999 Constitution and Child’s Rights Act protected children against physical, mental or emotional injury, abuse, torture and attack on their honour or reputation. (NAN)
WS/GOK
Edited by Olagoke Olatoye