BY Ebunoluwa Olafusi
Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, says the justice system of the state will no longer grant bail to rapists.
El-Rufai disclosed this when a group of women, advocating for justice for rape victims, staged a peaceful rally at the government house in Kaduna, on Monday.
The governor, who noted that the state already has strong legislation against rape, added that his government is already considering an amendment to the law to include the castration of persons convicted of the crime.
“I am happy that our chief judge has decided to take that very seriously,” el-Rufai said.
“We are also working on that and we know that this epidemic of rape and issues related to rape will be a thing of the past.
“It is 21 years for rape of an adult and life imprisonment for the rape (defilement) of a child.
“In addition to life imprisonment or 21 years’ imprisonment, anyone convicted of rape will have his organ surgically removed so that even after he finishes his term, he will not be able to rape anyone again.
“So long as the tool exists, there is the likelihood that he may go back to do it again.
“Most of the perpetrators are young people, so even after 21 years, they can come back and continue.”
He added that a member of the state house of assembly had already drafted a bill proposing the castration, and promised that the government would look into it.
“This measure is necessary as most cases of rape fail to get convicted because the witnesses disappear or their parents and the communities cover up due to the stigma surrounding rape,” he said.
“We have made it clear that we will protect the faces and identities of the victims and survivors of rape.
“So, there is no problem testifying in court. You will testify behind the screen, so nobody will know who you are or your face.”
The governor called on parents to instill morals in their children and give women the rights and the respect they deserve, NAN reported.
Saratu Abdulaziz, spokesperson of the group, said they were at the government house to seek the governor’s support on ending the incessant cases of rape in the state.
Abdulaziz expressed sadness over the rise in rape cases, saying it posed a serious danger to society.
“People cover up rape cases, which is not good for us. We are, therefore, calling on all victims to always voice out so that they can get the justice they deserve,” she said.
Members of the house of representatives, in June, rejected castration as punishment for persons convicted of rape.
They, however, called for stiffer penalties against persons found guilty of the crime.
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