Lokoja – The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has signed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill into law.
The signing of the bill was disclosed on Monday in Lokoja by the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade Arike.
Speaking on the signing of the bill, Abu Michael, Chairman of the VAPP steering committee for the signing of the bill, described the signing as a gift that the Governor has bequeathed to the people of Kogi State.
Mr. Abu described the bill as good for the people of Kogi State, expressed appreciation that the state has joined other states in the signing of the bill.
He maintained that the bill has all it takes to protect citizens against violence of any kind, described the law as one that matters and very important to the State.
Mr. Abu expressed appreciation to Savannah Centre For Development and Democracy for the support which led to the signing the into law.
Mr. Abu commended Eunice Abimbola Agbogun, Executive Director, Challenged Parenthood Initiatives (CPI), for sponsoring the bill, praised her painstaking efforts to seeing that it was signed by the State Assembly.
He further thanked members of the state steering committee for their efforts in advocating for the signing into law the VAPP bill.
Summary of VAPP Bill.
Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill is a Bill for a law to provide for the Elimination of Violence in Private and Public Life, Prohibition of All Forms of violence Against Persons, protection of victims and punishment of offenders in Kogi State and other matters connected therewith.
The bill was passed by the Kogi State House of Assembly and has been assented to by the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The law in summary seeks to protect women and children and other person’s under the perpetrators care, destitute and without any means of subsistence.
The law looks at the circumcision of the girl child or women, civil proceedings, damage to properly, use of dangerous weapons, domestic relationship and economic abuse.
Similarly, the law looks at emotional, verbal and psychological abuse, forced isolation from family and friends.
The law equally looks at sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and sexual intimidation.
The VAPP Bill also seeks to protect against violence in public sphare which includes wrongful arrest and detention, use of force without lawful authority, unlawful entry into premises or demolition of property without due processes.
The law seeks to protect against rape and defines rape as intentional penetration, without consent and when consent is obtained by force.
The law provides punishment for offenders, has already been signed into law by 32 States of the federation. With the signing of the bill by Kogi State Governor, only three states are left with the signing of the bill.
