Sokoto has zero tolerance for perpetrators of GBV, other crimes – Usman SAN

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

Sokoto State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Sulaiman Usman (SAN) has stated that the state has zero tolerance for perpetrators of all forms of crimes including Gender Based Violence (GBV), harmful practices amongst others.

Sulaiman (SAN) stated this Wednesday in Dankeni Hotel, Sokoto shortly after declaring open, a 2 day Access to Justice Coordination Forum meeting with stakeholders in Sokoto.

“Perpetrators of all forms of crimes should know that in Sokoto state we have zero tolerance for crime. We will ensure that cases are prosecuted speedily and strictly to ensure that culprits are punished accordingly,” Sulaiman enthused.

The 2 Day Stakeholders meeting on Access To Justice Coordination was funded by the European Union (UN) through UNICEF in collaboration with Sokoto State Ministry of Justice.

Talking of the Justice Coordination Forum, Sulaiman (SAN) noted that it was a well-attended, rich meeting which shows that the Child Access to Justice in Sokoto is really having a boost.

The state’s Attorney General further assured that Sokoto has now established the Child Protection Law 2021, adding, “the commitment of stakeholders with support from UNICEF in establishing this Access to Justice Coordination Forum, will go a long way in addressing most of the challenges associated with child justice.

Speaking earlier, Hajiya Habiba Ahmed Usman, who is an Acting Director, Sokoto State Ministry of Justice and the State Access to Justice Coordination Focal Person said stakeholders were gathered to collectively look at validation of the implementation plans of the Child Protection Law of Sokoto state.

According to Hajiya Habiba, stakeholders will look at Access to Justice the first day and Justice for Children Coordination Forum Implementation the second day.

She also divulged that a subcommittee for Access to Justice will be created to help improve and sustain partnership towards harnessing solutions on proper implementation.

Stakeholders at the 2 Day Access to Justice Coordination meeting were drawn from both the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Services, Nigeria Correctional Services, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, and International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

Others were from the Nigeria Bar Association, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Ministry of Health, CSOs, NGOs as well as members of the Sokoto Gender Based Response Team.