Stand Up For Someone’s Right Initiative, a Human and socio-economic rights Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has urged the Attorney General of the Federation to take over all rape cases in Nigeria.

This is contained in a letter dated 17th day of July, 2020 signed by Hameed Ajibola Jimoh Esq., the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, which was made available to TheNigeriaLawyer.

The letter noted that considering the scourge in the number of rape cases in Nigeria, “that the administration of justice on rape cases would be better effectively and efficiently carried out and that justice would better be served on the victim(s)” if the Attorney General takes over such matters.

The letter reads in full:

SI/LM/01/2020.

17th July, 2020.

The Honourable, the Attorney-General of the Federation
And Minister of Justice,
Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation,
Federal Ministry of Justice,
Federal Capital Territory- Abuja.

Your Excellency,

A CLARION CALL FOR TAKEOVER OF ALL RAPE CASES UNDER THE POWERS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA FOR A MORE EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN NIGERIA

We are human and socio-economic rights Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) registered under the Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004, as Incorporated Trustees.
We humbly appeal to Your Excellency to takeover all rape cases upon which the law has conferred the powers of institution and takeover upon the Honourable, the Attorney-General of the Federation pursuant to section 174 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)-herein after referred to as the Constitution. It is our firm view that the administration of justice on rape cases would be better effectively and efficiently carried out and that justice would better be served on the victim(s) of such rape if Your Excellency should utilize your powers in this case. This is our humble clarion call and appeal, most respectfully!
Furthermore, we have observed the negative impacts of rape on its victim(s) and the societies which cannot be over-emphasised. Many of these rape cases keep evolving almost to an astonishing number daily all across the federation. We believe that thorough investigation of such allegations of rape as well as securing substantial evidence (by the Federal law enforcement agency(ies) in charge) that would be able to lay a prema facie case against the perpetrator(s) would give a great strength, hopes and assurances to the complaints of the victim that justice would be served in the court of law so that the perpetrator(s) would not be able to escape justice in the end.
Finally, it is our firm view that the powers of criminal prosecution conferred on Your Excellency (being unfettered) if used in the due takeover, initiation and prosecution of all rape cases would aid the administration of criminal justice system than the system currently is and the victim would be able to smile at last when justice has been seen to have been manifestly served! While we trust in the due prosecution of criminal cases as well as the subject matter of this letter, please accept our utmost best regards.
Yours faithfully,

Hameed Ajibola Jimoh Esq.
Director General/Chief Executive Officer.