Witness narrates how Ex-HoS, allies diverted public funds to private companies in court
Sanwo-Olu vows no pardon for rapists, gender violence offenders
By Modupe Shodeinde
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has vowed that no offender of rape and gender based violence will go scot-free under his watch.
The Lagos state governor said this in response to the call of the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, to the government to step up the response towards reducing the escalation in cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
The Governor gave the assurance on Thursday when he received a 54-page compendium on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence compiled by the Stakeholders’ Committee set up by the First Lady to give recommendations on how the fight against the crime can be won.
Sanwo-Olu, who is the Incident Commander for gender-based violence in Lagos, said the State Government would be prioritising budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Justice to accelerate prosecution of offenders, and also assist Government’s agencies charged with rehabilitation and integration of victims.
He said: “I am delighted by the work done by the Stakeholders’ Committee to bring attention to the problems facing voiceless adults and children in our society. Through your efforts, vulnerable people are building the courage to speak out on offences of sexual violence and heal their wounds.
“We will bring people who have been perpetrating this crimes, knowingly or unknowingly, to book. We will ensure they never walk freely without the full wrath of the law brought upon them. It is part of our responsibility to ensure that the vulnerable members of our society have a voice and have access to where they can get justice when their rights are violated.”
The Governor commended the first lady for her commitment in advocating for the rights of the vulnerable and women development.
He also charged the Stakeholders’ Committee to focus its activism and advocacy on mental health issue, which he stated as one of the major factor responsible for sexual and gender-based violence.
Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, stated that “The Office of the First Lady has been working with the vision to reduce sexual and gender-based violence to the barest minimum if it is impossible to eradicate the crime. We have activated our response, bringing all stakeholders and communities on board to forge a common front in addressing the issue.”
She further advocated for the establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centres where all stakeholders can attend to and dispose of cases without delay.
