I was appalled to read in the papers that a court in this country fined three men who raped school pupils N7000 each. That judgment is not only ridiculous but sad on many levels. These are school children whose lives have been destroyed by these men and all they get is N7000 fine? These children may never be the same. This incident may prevent them from attaining their full potentials. Lately, cases of rape have been on the increase and we will not be able to eradicate it if the perpetrators are treated with kids’ gloves. Rapists must face the maximum punishment. Anyone who can rape someone does not need mercy. For us to address the issue of rape, all hands must be on deck.
Tony Allison wrote this piece from Elele, Rivers State.