PDCRC PAYS ADVOCACY/SENSITIZATION VISIT TO THE OMALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT TRADITIONAL COUNCIL

The Director General of the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC) led a team of Officers of the Commission on an advocacy/sensitization visit to HRH. E.O. Musa, Onu Ife and Chairman of Omala Local Government Traditional Council at his palace, Abejukolo, Omala LGA, Kogi State.

The Director General in his remarks appreciated HRH, the Onu Ife and all the Royal Fathers present for their kind reception. 
He stated that the aim of the visit was to sensitize them on the mandate of the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC) and the Kogi State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, 2022.

While speaking on the mandate of the Commission, the DG noted that PDCRC was established by the Kogi State Government to provide legal aid and other related services to the residents of Kogi State, particularly the disadvantaged, indigent and vulnerable. 

He stressed that residents of the State who cannot afford legal fees are free to approach the Commission for legal representation and other legal services free of charge. 

He added that the Commission takes complaints directly from individuals or by referral from government agencies, public and private institutions in the State.

 Barr Onogo also stated that the responsibility of the Commission includes the settlement of disputes through the Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) mediums; noting that the Commission’s ADR mechanism has been very effective as cases brought before it were attended to expeditiously, thereby saving the time, energy and resources which would have been expended possibly on litigations for such matters.

 He also brought to the notice of the Royal Fathers, the Kogi State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, 2022, which is domiciled in the Commission for implementation and enforcement.
 He further stated that the VAPP Law prohibits all forms of violence against individuals in public and private life. In conclusion, the Director General reiterated the fact that many residents of the State were yet to be aware of the existence of the Commission and her activities hence, the need to create awareness at the grassroots through critical stakeholders such as the traditional institution. 

He requested for the support and partnership of the traditional Council in the publicity of the Commission’s activities for the benefit of the people within their domain and the State. 

Emmanuel Ibenu, Esq., the Head of Criminal Litigation and State Coordinator of the Kogi State VAPP Law, 2022, made presentation on the Kogi State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, 2022.

 He spoke on the offences which VAPP Law prohibits; they are, Rape; inflicting physical injury on another; Coercion; Wilfully Placing a Person in Fear of Physical Injury; Offensive Conduct; Prohibition of Female Circumcision or Genital Mutilation; Frustrating Investigation; Wilfully Making False Statement; Forceful Ejection from Home; Depriving a Person of His or Her Liberty; Damage to Property with Intent to cause Distress; Economic Abuse; Forced Isolation or Separation from Family and Friends.Other offences criminalized by the VAPP Law are Emotional, Verbal or Psychological Abuse; Harmful Widowhood Practices; Abandonment of Children, Spouse and other Dependents without Sustenance; Stalking; Sexual Intimidation; Spousal Battery; Harmful Traditional Practices; Attack with Harmful Substance; Administering a Substance with Intent to Overpower; Political Violence; Violence by State Actors; Incest.   


Ibenu Esq. took time to explain the various punishments to the above offences which upon conviction attract imprisonment, fines or both. Thereafter was questions and answer session.HRH. Onu Ife in his response said he was delighted for the visit. 

HRH applauded the Kogi State Government for the establishment of the Commission and assured the Director General and his team of the traditional council’s partnership and support. Barr Onogo expressed gratitude to HRH and the traditional council and presented to HRH copies of the Kogi State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, 2022.Ameh Friday, Esq.Senior Legal Officer/Director General’s Legal Assistant. 

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