Janet Samuel, Abuja
A bill to repeal and re-enact the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill 2024 has passed Second Reading on the floor of the Senate, on Tuesday at the National Assembly.
The bill among others seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against persons and to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims, and punishment of offenders.
The bill was sponsored by the senator representing Kogi East, Senator Jibrin Isah-Echocho
Leading the debate, Senator Isah-Echocho said it has become obvious that it contains provisions that are inimical to the realizations of its objectives.
‘This Act was enacted in 2015 against the backdrop of the rising cases of violence, especially domestic violence against women. The initial Bill sought protection for women from (male domination) violence. In the face of opposition to its obvious gender bias nature, the promoters renamed it, tinkered with some of its provisions, introduced seemingly gender-neutral language, and successfully obtained its passage.’
The Kogi East lawmaker who doubles as chairman, senate committee on Custom and Excise Duties added that the Act contains inadequate provisions for compensation of the victims of violence.
Highlighting some major concern in the Act, the lawmaker said, “there are several strict liability offences in the Act. These are instances where mental element (mens rea) is not needed, but only the physical element, which is all required to complete the offence. This therefore calls for a review to introduce elements of intention.
According to him. The punishments of fine and imprisonment in the Act have become infinitesimal to have meaningful deterrent effect. This is particularly so in view of the current economic realities in Nigeria.
After several deliberations on the bill, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back within Six weeks.
Similarly, a Bill for an Act to establish Chartered out of home Media practitioners of Nigeria also passed for second reading during plenary.
In his lead debate, sponsor of the bill, Enyinnaya Abaribe stressed that the Bill seeks to establish the regulatory body to oversee digital display in the country and the need to professionalize engagement in the field.
This was thereafter referred to the Senate Committees on Establishment and Public Service Matters, Information and Media and Publicity to report back in Six weeks.
Meanwhile the Senate has confirmed the nomination of Dr. Matthew Olumide for an appointment as the Director General National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).
