The Coordinator, Kogi State Working Group
Ms. Eunice Abimbola Agbogun and the Executive Director, Challenged Parenthood Initiative, has harped on the relevance of the Office of the Public Defender and Citizens Rights Commission, in the fight against Gender Based Violence.
Agbogun made the disclosure when she led the Kogi State Working Group on Multi Sectoral Costed Action Plan and Designated Court in Kogi State in collaboration with WARDC, CPI, and Kogi Women Constituency Lead with funding from AWDF on an Advocacy visit to the office of the Public Defender’s and Citizens Right Commission on the need for a Designated Court and a Multi Sectoral Costed Action Plan for the Effective Implementation of the VAPP Law in Kogi State.
Agbogun said being the commission in whom the VAPP Law is domiciled, stressed the importance of the multi-sectoral costed action plan and designated courts for the full implementation of the law.
The Team lead advocated for the Establishment of Designated courts for the trial of Gender Based Violence Offences and speedy implementation of the VAPP LAW in the state.
In his response, the Director General, Public Defender, Barr. Abdullahi Wahab Zakari thanked the Team for the visit and noted that the enactment of the Kogi State VAPP Law is a testament to the active roles Civil Society Organisations like CPI, FIDA Kogi, and others have been playing in the state.
He noted that the Commission has worked with the Hon. Chief Judge of Kogi State through a committee set up for that purpose to develop a Practice Direction for the trial of GBV cases and also a Practice Direction for Protection Order Proceedings.
He stated further that the Chief Judge had already designated all Chief Magistrates Courts in the State as GBV Courts and it would soon be announced officially.
He mentioned that the commission is in the process of establishing Victims of Violence, Sexual and Assault Referral Centres (2VSARC) in all General Hospitals in Kogi State said he is in communication with the Commissioner for Health in that regard, called for collaboration from CSOs.
He stated that cases are already being prosecuted under the VAPP Law and the commission has already secured one conviction under the law.
He highlighted some achievements of the commission since the enactment of the Kogi State VAPP Law, 2022 some of which include: Inclusion of the sum of 20 million naira in the Commission’s budget for the implementation of the VAPP Law in 2023 and in 2024 budget proposals.
Similarly, the Production and distribution of 1000 copies of the Kogi State VAPP Law to key stakeholders.
He added that the Development of the Kogi State 2-Year Strategic Plan for the Implementation of the VAPP Law which he gave members of the team copies he noted is underway.
Other achievements he observed include the sensitization workshop for key stakeholders on the VAPP Law.
Awareness road walk on the provisions of the law, Production of pamphlets and fliers on the law, Appointment of Two Protection Officers, Establishment of PDCRC Human Rights Club in Tertiary Institutions in the State and many more.
In attendance at the advocacy visit were the leads of FIDA Kogi, Concerned Women Forum, WIPF, CYWEF, PDCRC Gender Focal Person, Directors, Protection Officers, and Senior Legal Officers in the Commission.
