Ogun Plans Specialised Court For Gender-based Violence

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has hinted of his administration plan to create a specialised court for the trial of gender-based violence (GBV) in the state.

Abiodun stated this in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta yesterday when his wife led other women to his office after a road show as part of activities for the 16 days’ activism against GBV.

The governor, who acknowledged that gender-based violence had become too pronounced among men and women in the country, said his administration through the Office of the Chief Judge who herself is a woman would expedite action towards ensuring that the GBV Court comes into fruition.

“Fortunately, our head of court in Ogun State is a woman. In fact, the two courts we have, the state High Court and the Customary Court of Appeal, are both headed by women. I am sure that the chief judge will be more than happy to see what she can do to expedite the request.

“I want to bring to the fore that violence against persons is not only violence against women alone. Men also are being abused. But oftentimes, nobody talks about that and I want to be the advocate for men who are being abused.

“I will do everything within my power to ensure that we reduce this incidence of gender based violence to an absolute minimum in Ogun State.”