Lawmaker Proposes Special Courts to ensure speedy trials and conviction of Rapists
Juliet Uduji
Member, House of Representatives, Princess Miriam Onuoha, has recommended the setting up of Special Courts to ensure speedy trials and conviction of rapists in the country as the criminal act continues unabated across the states of the Federation.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker from who stated this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja the weekend declared that rapists should be identified and treated like common criminals according to the laws of the land.
The lawmaker who represents Isiala Mbano/Onuimo/Okigwe Federal Constituency of Imo State, says:
“I will also suggest that a Special Court should be set up, to try and convict rape offenders timely. Rape cases should be speedily tried and convicted.”
The lawmaker called on the Federal government to take the cases of mental illness, more seriously, as it might not be unconnected with the incessant cases of rape in the country.
“I think there is a relationship between mental state and rape. The rising spate of mental illnesses, also poses a threat, waiting to explode and that is also attached with a lot of stigmas,” she opined.
Hon. Onuoha who also endorsed the death penalty for rapists called on Churches, mosques, schools, civil society and women groups to close ranks to fight the social menace.
“I will like to call on women groups, civil society groups, churches, to rise up and fight this menace to the end,” she said.
She urged the parliament to lobby the state governments to pass the Child Rights Act to protect children from paedophiles and from other predatory agents while calling on women to resist joining the bandwagon of stigma against victims of rape in the society.
The lawmaker also called for stringent laws to protect children and women from gender-based violence.
