ANEEJ hails NASS public hearing on alleged attempted rape by lawmakers.
Press Release
12th July, 2016.
Benin City, Nigeria…The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, is pleased to be a part of the ongoing public hearing being organised by the National Assembly, into the allegation of attempted rape leveled against three honourable members of the NASS who were on a leadership training programme in the United States of America, April 7 – 13, 2016.
This statement was contained in a press release by ANEEJ RAPEWATCH Coordinator, Sandra Eguagie, who said that the public hearing at the NASS would help beam a searchlight on the remote and immediate causes of rape. He also said that the time has come to use the opportunity of the public hearing at the NASS to deepen discussion around the subject of rape at all levels and ramifications.
‘Through numerous press releases, ANEEJ was one of the first to ask the US Ambassador and the United Stated States government to produce hard evidence of the allegation of attempted rape leveled against the lawmakers. We have joined our voice with other well-meaning Nigerians to request for this evidence against the backdrop that attempted rape cases like this one are often difficult to prove if there are no evidences to substantiate an allegation as serious as rape.
In addition to this as well, our advocacy programme RAPEWATCH was introduced this year as a result of the unusual rise in rape cases across board in Nigeria. RAPEWATCH has produced a short video documentary titled BUSTED, together with several articles in mainstream, online and offline publications, to be found in the following links: http://thewillnigeria.com/news/opinion-why-is-there-so-much-rape-in-nigeria-today/, http://nigeriantimes.ng/opinion/why-is-there-so-much-rape-in-nigeria-today/. Through these multimedia endeavours, we strongly advocate that because the incessant cases of rape in Nigeria have assumed new dimensions, it would be expedient to deal with it now through documentary and multimedia evidences such as that that the US Ambassador claims to have and wants to use against the lawmakers” Sandra Eguagie, ANEEJ Environment Officer and Rape Watch Coordinator said in the release.
From a research survey RAPEWATCH carried out, it was found out that rape permeates the Nigerian environment at three levels of our educational institutions – the primary, secondary and tertiary. Like a virus, rape has been found to thrive in our religious institutions and in our homes. About 90% of students in the higher institutions of learning who participated in the study/survey agreed that there is need for rape report centres to be established along all tiers of Nigeria’s educational institutions to nip it in the bud. That programme should include civil society groups, law enforcement agencies and relevant educational and religious institutions which should collaborate with RAPEWATCH towards ending the spectre of rape in Nigeria.
‘Rape is a serious crime which dehumanizes the victim. Gone should be the days when rape victims are subject to victimization, especially if they have support and documentary evidence which the US Ambassador claims to have’, Rev. David Ugolor, ANEEJ Executive Director said.
ABOUT ANEEJ: To contribute to the emergence of a just and equitable African society through socio-economic and environmental rights protection, institutional strengthening and people’s empowerment.
For more information please contact:
Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku
Communications Manager
Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ
39 Oyaide Street,
Off Benoni, GRA, Benin City, Nigeria.
info@aneej.org, www.aneej.org