Lagos Makes History, Becomes 1st State To Set Up 'Special Courts For Sexual Offences'

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode inaugurated four special courts for solicitation of sexual offenses and corruption cases.  

The two courts decide on special offenses (economic and financial crimes), while the other two will try sexual offenses.

The Sexual Offenses Court is the first of its kind in Nigeria.  Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) is among the dignitaries who attended the inauguration.  Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, while the courts were inaugurated, praised the Chief Justice of Nigeria at its commencement at the federal level.

He said that the establishment of courts facilitates quick hearing and trial of sexual and financial crimes related.  Ambode, represented by Deputy Governor, Dr Oluranti Adebule, said Lagos was working with the British Council under the Anti-Corruption Law Program of the Law to provide technical support for anti-corruption.
“The state collaborates with such agencies charged with the investigation and prosecution of corruption offences by providing an enabling environment in terms of responding to inquiries and providing information to anti-graft agencies.

“I am particularly glad about the designation of two courts to handle sexual related offences as it complements our fight against sexual abuse. “These sexual offences courts will have trained and experienced prosecutors to interact with survivors, provide support and ensure timely prosecution of the cases,” he said. Ambode, who reeled out statistics of the sexual crimes handled by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) and Mirabel Centre in Lagos, announced that the state government had awarded a contract for the expansion of the DNA and Forensic Centre. “Between 2015 and now, the DSVRT and Mirabel Centre have handled over 400 cases of sexual offences while 376 cases are being prosecuted in the various courts. “With a dedicated court now in place to handle these cases, l am sure that these cases will get the attention they deserve. We have awarded the contract for the expansion of the operations of the DNA and Forensic Centre and Chemistry Section. “This will automatically place Lagos as one of the leading centres for forensics in Africa,” Ambode said. The wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Oludolapo Osinbajo, in her speech, commended the Lagos State Government for establishing the Sexual Offences Court. She said: "The statistics quoted by the Chief Justice of Lagos is very frightening, it only speaks of half of the true picture. Behind the figures are the faces of the affected women and girls as well as the men and boys.” Giving examples of real life scenarios of sexual violence, Osinbajo said the victims of such offences should never be ignored. “We should not ignore the trauma and nightmare that sexual offences bring, let us not forget the girls not only in Nigeria but all over the world.”


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