TheCable

A humanitarian group known as Clans Club International (CCI) has called on the national assembly to enact stricter laws against rape.

The group suggested execution or life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of a rape charge.

A total number of 717 rape cases have been recorded within five months, according to Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP).

On Thursday, Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), said plans are underway to establish special courts for rape cases.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Friday, Abundance Effiong, CCI spokesman, said many rape victims do not speak up about their ordeal for fear of stigmatisation.

Effiong expressed dismay over the non-domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) in many states of the federation.

“Many are not being able to come out to speak because when the victims come out to speak, they are stigmatized, they are blamed. We have seen all kinds of drama going on in the press, you press men are aware of this. We have the VAPP that has not been domesticated by the governors, we are very much aware that it is only one state that has domesticated this law,” the CCI spokesman said.

“We are calling on the national assembly, we are calling on the federal government, we are calling on the judiciary – they should take this issue of rape so seriously. Imagine your sister being raped, imagine your mother being raped. We even see people raping little children but what are doing about it.

“As a man of fact, there is nothing wrong in giving people life sentences, there is not wrong in executing rapists. These are pressing matters.”