CJN, female justices condemn gender-based violence in Nigeria

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad has condemned the rising cases of gender-based violence in Nigeria.

Justice Muhammad, spoke during the opening of a two-day capacity-building workshop organized by the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria (NAWJN) in Abuja with the theme “Inclusivity and Access to Justice: Sustaining Public Confidence in the Judiciary.”

• Why some Nigerians pour their frustration on me — Yul Edochie’s second wife
• Why some Nigerians pour their frustration on me — Yul Edochie’s second wife

He said to address the menace the Violence Against Persons Act (VAPP) was signed into law in 2015 to complete access to justice for victims.

He commended women for their contributions to nation-building and economic renaissance across the African continent and globally.

“As judges, you hold tremendous powers, and as women, you are a force, and indeed a voice to reckon with; you have the power and authority to make the system work for the good of all and cure the ills in our society; no doubt,” he said.

In his remarks, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), retired Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi bemoaned the “mind-boggling” and “unbelievable” number of victims of gender-based violence in the country, which necessitated the collaboration of the institute with NAWJN to organize the workshop.

Also, a member of the International Federation of Women Judges (IAWJ) and senior judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Binta Nyako, said the association has provided a grant to fight gender-based issues in Nigeria, particularly, in the North.