The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response team in a media session on Wednesday condemned certain provisions of the Sexual Offences Bill of 2014 passed by the 7th National Assembly.
While addressing journalists in Lagos, the State Solicitor General and Chairman, Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Mr Lawal Pedro, berated certain sections of the bill which sought to give statutory defences to a child on the grounds of having being misled by the child and they causing the accused to presume that the child is above 18 when the sexual abuse was being committed.
Though, the bill is yet to get the assent of the Presidency, Mr Pedro warned that the response team was ready to go to court should it be assented to.
He added that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was totally in support of their cause and was ready to key into the protection of the girl-child. He noted that the provisions of Section 7 (5), 8 and 10 of the bill are inconsistent with the provisions of Section 1 of the Child Rights Act which provided that "in every action concerning a child, the best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration.’’
Mr Pedro was also averred to Section 9 of the bill which provided for joint prosecution of offenders in cases relating to gang rape. This he described as being complicated because it might be difficult to prove that each individual was privy to the act.
He said, “The highlighted unacceptable provisions of the bill, if not expunged or amended, will encourage impunity in sexual offences.
"It will also undermine efforts of DSRTV and Civil Society Organisations involved in the fight against child abuse in Nigeria.’’
