Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Perpetrators of human rights abuse and other obnoxious cultural practices in Anambra State have been warned to desist forthwith as they may face stiffer legal punishment in the state.
Anambra State Coordinator of the Nigeria Human Rights Commission, Awka, Barrister Obinna Maduforo, gave the warning when he led some Management Staff of the Commission in a courtesy call on the State Director National Orientation Agency (NOA) Sir Joseph Uchendu, at the Corporate Headquarters of the Agency in Awka.
According to him, Human Rights Commission would not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators of all human rights abuses including obnoxious practices against widows and defilement of teenage girls in the State end up in police net for prosecution and with stiffer punishment.
The coordinator regretted the increased occurrence of cases of human rights abuse against widows and the girl child especially minors in the State on daily basis.
He disclosed that the current two cases on his table borders on defilement of a 13-year-old girl by his neighbour who according to him is aged 35, and that of five year old girl defiled by a 19-year-old man. According to him, the two cases are in court and awaiting judgment.
Maduforo further decried the unabated increase in the unlawful maltreatment of widows in the State, saying that the Commission would come after the perpetrators of the acts.
Reiterating the core mandate of the Commission which he said remains the protection, promotion and preservation of human rights in the Country, Maduforo expressed readiness of the commission to synergise with NOA in the fight against human rights abuse, widowhood maltreatment and defilement of promising teenage girls in the State.
Reacting, NOA Director, Sir Joseph Uchendu condemned in entirety the noticeable increase in human rights violation in the Country.
He described the visit as very apt, assuring that the Agency would leverage on the on- going Women August Meeting in the State to educate people, especially the women and the girl child on their fundamental rights and ways to avoid being victimised in the society.
