Stakeholders demand review of Abia Rape Survivors Rehabilitation Law
The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, along with lawyers and human rights organizations, is advocating for the inclusion of essential provisions in the newly enacted Abia State Centre for the Rehabilitation of Survivors of Rape, Defilement, Domestic Violence, and Any Form of Human Trafficking Law No. 3 of 2026.
This call to action was made during a sensitization workshop held on Friday in Umuahia, organized by the African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa).
Among the participants, Chidinma Alozie, Ogbuagu Chidinma Pamela, and David Anyaele expressed the need for harsher penalties for offenders of serious crimes such as rape, gender-based violence, and human trafficking. They emphasized that appropriate judicial consequences are crucial for delivering justice and support to victims.
Participants also raised concerns regarding out-of-court settlements, insisting that these processes must adhere to legal standards to ensure justice for survivors.
Obinna Odenigbo, the Abia State Coordinator of the Legal Aid Council, highlighted the necessity of adequate protection for survivors throughout the investigative and rehabilitation phases. He stressed that these individuals should receive complimentary legal representation and assistance with gathering and safeguarding medical documentation to fortify their cases against alleged assailants.
“It is inappropriate for a police officer to question a rape survivor with comments such as, ‘Are you not an adult?’” Odenigbo stated, noting that such inquiries can deepen trauma and potentially discourage victims from pursuing their cases.
Additionally, attendees recommended that the governing board of the rehabilitation center include representatives from the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, a practicing journalist, an official from the Abia State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and other relevant stakeholders.
The advocacy group critiqued the absence of educational funds for rape survivors within the Abia State law and rejected claims suggesting that inappropriate attire worn by young women contributes to the prevalence of rape in the region.
In her remarks, Amaka Biachi, Executive Director of CHARS-Africa, acknowledged the Abia State Government for implementing the law but noted that only about five percent of residents are aware of its provisions.
