From SA’ADATU MAINA, Damaturu
The Emir of Fika, HRH Alhaji Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, on Thursday described the judiciary as one of the obstacles for the prosecution of rape cases offenders.
The Emir, who is also the Chairman of Yobe State Council of Chiefs stated this while hosting civil society groups that visited him in commemoration of 16-days Gender-Based Violence in Potiskum. He said, “Another greatest obstacle is the judiciary”.
The judiciary should be called open especially judges to take this issue very seriously.
“If a child has been abused, it is very important for everyone to consider that child as his own child so that he will see the gravity of the situation” The emir represented by Alhaji Baba Abare, the Dallatu of Fika stressed that there is need for judges to take drastic and quick measures on issues related to rape to avoid unnecessary delay.
“Delaying justice or releasing the offenders to be roaming about the streets does not send a good signal to society. They should be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly” he said.
He also said his emirate had embarked on sensitizing all District and Village Heads to go back to their respective localities charge all immunity leaders to involve in the exercise.
The emir enjoined the general public and stakeholders to fight against the evil act. Abdullahi Haruna, one of the civil society group members from Community Life Initiatives lamented the increase of reported rape cases in the state saying that was what motivated them to embark on the enlightenment campaigns.
