The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law
(NBA-SPIDEL) has called an independent investigation into the stripping and brutalisation of a female corps member, Jennifer Edema, by gun-wielding Anambra vigilante officials.
While assuring the victim of their readiness to support her with pro bono representation, NBA-SPIDEL, in a press statement signed by its Chairman, Professor Paul Ananaba, SAN and the Litigation Committee Chair, Olukunle Edun, SAN, observed that: “The attack on Edema Jennifer is not an isolated incident; it is part of a larger pattern
of violence that disproportionately affects women in Nigeria.”
The Press statement reads:
The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) joins the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, in condemning the recent gory incident of violent physical and demeaning assault on members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at their lodge in Anambra State by members of a vigilante group known as Agunechemba Vigilante Group. The inhuman, despicable and beastly attack on the female corps member, Edema Jennifer, serving in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the State, should not be condoned in any civilized society.
NBA-SPIDEL is deeply disturbed and outraged by this act of violence against the
young lady. This incident is a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of gender-based
violence and the urgent need for concerted action. NBA-SPIDEL stands firmly against all forms of violence against women and the girlchild and the violation of their rights to
dignity of their persons as guaranteed by Section 34(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended and the provisions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, 2015.
The attack on Edema Jennifer is not an isolated incident; it is part of a larger pattern
of violence that disproportionately affects women in Nigeria. The Vigilante group acted completely outside the bounds of law and decency. NBA-SPIDEL is poised to stand firm and demand the respect for the rule of law in all states of the federation as it is essential for a just and stable society, and for ensuring that everyone, including those in position of power, are subject to and accountable under the law, prevented from arbitrary exercise of power and for the protection of the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens.
NBA-SPIDEL therefore, makes the following demands:
- Calls on the Nigerian Police, National Human Rights Commission and the Anambra State Government to immediately set up an independent investigation team. This is crucial for ensuring a fair and impartial process, especially as the operatives were allegedly empowered by the Anambra State Government to carry out security functions. The independent investigation will help to build public trust in the system and provides victims with a sense of justice. NBA-SPIDEL is willing to participate in the investigation process,
as an observer.
2. All persons indicted by the investigation report must be immediately charged before the appropriate law court. NBA-SPIDEL is willing to offer pro bono legal representation at the trial for the victim of the violent crime.
- The Anambra State Government should implement comprehensive measures to prevent future acts of violence against women and the girl-child, including strengthening laws, training its informal law enforcement groups on upholding fundamental human rights of citizens while carrying out their functions, providing support services to victims and conducting public awareness campaigns on the need for Vigilante groups within the State to respect the fundamental human rights of citizens and act within the ambit of the law.
The NBA-SPIDEL Public Interest Litigation Committee has been mandated to intervene in this matter and ensure that Miss Edema Jennifer is given adequate legal representation in pursuing her legal remedies for the assault. NBA-SPIDEL continues to stand for justice, fairness and the rule of law.
Professor Paul Ananaba, SAN, (Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL)
Olukunle Edun, SAN (Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL
Litigation Committee)
This shows how unsafe things are for women in Nigeria. The government needs to act—protect women better, train security groups, and punish offenders.