‘Why NAPTIP is yet to arrest Fatoyinbo, Abbo over assaults’

• Plans Hall Of Shame For Rapists

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is yet to arrest Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) over allegation of rape and Senator Elisha Abbo over assault because the Police are currently prosecuting the two cases.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja over the rising cases of rape and assaults in the country, Director General of NAPTIP, Mrs. Julie Okah-Donli, said the agency could not interfere in cases already with the Police.She disclosed that a ‘Hall of Shame’ would soon be established, where the names of those convicted of rape and assault charges would be published and shared with international community to ensure their global isolation.

The NAPTIP boss explained that the organisation is empowered, under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP 2015) to curtail incidences of rape and other forms of violence against persons, stressing the need for Nigerians to report cases of rape and other assaults to NAPTIP.

She assured that such cases would be prosecuted under the an Act that prohibits all forms of violence against persons in private and public life and provides maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders.

Okah-Donli also dismissed the notion that reporting a case of rape is time-bound, saying: “A case of rape can be established any time the victim deems fit. It can be 20, 30 or more years. There is no time bound within a case of rape or assault must be reported.

“In as mush as VAPP is not retroactive, we salute the courage and determination of the victims who suffered sexual and physical violence in the past, but are now willing to speak out. In cases of offences committed before now, before the 2015 law, the agency, nevertheless, shall continue to ensure that reported cases of rape and other sexual violence are thoroughly and diligently investigated and prosecuted, so as to ensure that justice is duly served.”

She declared that NAPTIP views rape and other assaults as grievous offence that must be tackled frontally, urging state governments to adopt and domesticate the VAPP Act as a veritable way of stemming the tide of rising cases of rape in the country. She also hinted that NAPTIP would set up state task forces against human trafficking, whose roles shall include ensuring protection of the vulnerable, precisely children, in all states of the federation.