Delta House of Assembly on Wednesday considered a bill for a law to eliminate violence in private and public places and prohibit all forms of violence against persons.
Presenting the bill for second reading during the plenary session in Asaba, the Majority Leader, Mr. Tim Owhefere, said that the bill would help to protect the citizens as well as effectively curb the menace and upsurge in cases of rape and spouse battery, among others.
Owhefere decried the upsurge in the cases of rape, spouse battery, and other forms of violent crimes, especially against women, children, and the vulnerable in the society, adding that the bill came at the right time.
‘ This bill is coming at the right time, especially when cases of rape and other forms of violence are on the increase on a daily basis.
” This bill, when passed, will help to prohibit all forms of violence against persons as well as provide punishment for the offenders.
” The bill will also help to address the issue of genital mutilation which has been a major challenge facing our women folks.
” The bill will further help to address the issue of political violence and provide punishment for all those who engage in violence in the course of political activities,” he said.
Supporting the bill, the Chief Whip of the assembly, Mrs. Pat Ajudua, said, ” the global pandemic is not only COVID-19, but rape is another global pandemic ravaging the society today.”
Ajudua said the bill, when passed, would help to send signals to rapists in the state.
She also said that the bill, when passed, would make provision for a register of convicted sex offenders in the state which would be maintained by the attorney general of the state and made accessible to the public.
The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Christopher Ochor, said the bill, when passed, would offer a stiffer penalty for every offense committed.
Mr. Solomon Ighrakpata, a member representing Uwvie Constituency, said that the bill would help to prohibit indecent dressing, especially among women.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr. Oboro Preyor, said that the bill would help to cover all loopholes that offenders used to escape the law.
The bill, which was unanimously supported by the assembly members, was referred to the House Committee on Rules, Business, and Judiciary for scrutiny by the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.
