Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday signed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill 2019 into law.
The signing of the bill coincide with a rally organised by members of Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) NGOs and market women, to protest the dehumanization of Favour Ada.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioners for Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe and her counterpart in the Women Affairs and Social Development also joined the protesters.
The Governor who said that Edo State has respect for women, wondered why people should carry out violence against women, video them and upload them on the internet. He added that it was not in Edo people’s character.
He said: “I urge women to support our government, as government cannot do it alone. We will not support violence against women from anybody and we will ensure that justice is served in these cases.”
Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, while receiving the protesters at the government house, disclosed that she visited the state house of assembly twice last year, to appeal for the passage of the law.
According to her, “Women all over the world and the entire human race collectively condemn and denounce the assault, trial by ordeal, inhuman and degrading treatment meted on one of our daughters.
“This act has been widely described by Nigerians and non Nigerians as barbaric, cruel, evil, wicked, satanic and most degrading. This is a crime against women the world over. It is indeed a crime that shocks the human conscience and cannot be tolerated.”
Earlier, the state Chairman of FIDA, Miss Irene Omorogiuwa, urged the state government to give his assent to the violence against persons prohibition bill, to facilitate prosecution of offenders.
Omorogiuwa pointed out that all form of violence against women are addressed in the bill.
