Energizing the Prohibition of Violence against Persons Law, Kogi takes a stand
By
Abdullahi O.Haruna Haruspice
Kogi State, Nigeria – The Public Defender Citizens Rights Commission (PDCRC) of Kogi State, in collaboration with the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy, and Development (SCDDD) and Mercy Corps, joined forces with the Pastoral Reserve (PARE) to organize a two-day capacity building program on the implementation of the Kogi State Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2022. The event took place on the 23rd and 24th of May, 2023.
The primary objective of the program was to foster engaging and thought-provoking discussions among professional stakeholders, aimed at enhancing their understanding of the provisions outlined in the Kogi State Vapp Law, 2022. The training sessions covered a wide range of topics, including an introduction to the law’s provisions, the institutions responsible for its implementation, an appraisal of offenses under the law, the role of enforcement agencies, the responsibilities of protection officers, and the prosecution of Vapp offenses.
Esteemed speakers and experts delivered enlightening presentations during the training. Barrister Abdullahi W. Zakari, the Director-General of PDCRC, preted on the introduction to the provisions of the Kogi State Vapp Law 2022. Barrister EVBU O. Igbinedion, representing the Office of the Director Magistrate FCT High Court, discussed the appraisal of offenses and the role of enforcement agencies. Barrister Chidiebere Pascal Ugochukwu, a Senior Intelligence Officer at Naptip, presented on the role of protection officers in implementation and the prosecution of Vapp offenses, as well as the remedies available to victims of violence against persons.
Distinguished guests included the Chief Judge of Kogi State, who was represented by Justice R.O Ayoola, and the Honorable Attorney General of Kogi State, represented by Barrister Tunji Ojuekaye, the Deputy Director of Civil Litigation at the Ministry of Justice. Barrister I.O Alhassan, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lokoja, Ambassador Sani Bala, Executive Director of SCDDD, and Eunice Abimbola Agbogun, Executive Director of CPI, also attended the event. The program attracted law officers from PDCRC and the Ministry of Justice, who will serve as protection officers, as well as members of the NBA, magistrates, police officers, NSCDC officers, and other professional stakeholders.
This comprehensive capacity building program served as a significant step towards achieving a better understanding and effective implementation of the Kogi State Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2022. Through the collaborative efforts of PDCRC, SCDDD, Mercy Corps, and PARE, these organizations demonstrated their commitment to addressing and combatting violence against persons in Kogi State, working towards creating safer and more secure communities for all residents.
