As part of strategies created to combat the scourge of defilement and sexual offences in Lagos, a specialised prosecutor unit have been established in the state’s Ministry of Justice to handle sexual offences matters.
The Director of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution,DPP ,Mrs.Yinka Adeyemi announced this on Tuesday at a virtual conference organised by the Directorate of Citizens Rights, Lagos State Ministry of Justice.
Adeyemi said there is an ongoing training for prosectors in prosecuting sexual offences and protocols have been developed for prosecution of these cases.
She also informed that the DPP office is working closely with experts on how to conduct forensic interviews with vulnerable witnesses, working with the police in evidence gathering and there has been a collaboration with the DNA Centre.
While giving a breakdown of the DPP activities between January 2020 and July 2020, she said courts in Lagos have delivered 122 judgments on sexual offences cases within the time frame.
She said,“There are 981 awaiting trial inmates for sexual offences at the Correctional Centres in Lagos. Also, 586 of these inmates (60 per cent) are in custody for cases of defilement.
“Also, 207 of these inmates (21 per cent) are being held for cases of rape while 188 inmates (19 per cent) are in custody for other sexual offences.
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Adeyemi highlighted the challenges they face when prosecuting sexual offenders to include, the refusal of witnesses to come forward to testify due to fear, pressure from the community and victims settling out of court with the perpetrators.
The DPP however warned parents and guardians of rape victims and defilement to stop withdrawing complaints from court or law enforcement agencies.
She said that any attempt to withdraw such cases would lead to perversion of justice, which is also an offence against the state.
