Kaduna Justice Department Records 180 SGBV Cases In 2 Years

Kaduna State Ministry of Justice’s Citizens’ Rights Department has handled over 180 cases in two years. Over 90 per cent of them involved sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), a development underscoring the growing demand for survivor-centred justice in the state.

The cases, according to the department, were brought directly by complainants and survivors, reflecting the importance of creating accessible channels for victims to seek redress.

The principal state counsel, Salvation Zainab Kyari, disclosed this on the sidelines of the opening of a four-day multi-agency training of trainers on survivor-centred SGBV investigation, prosecution and justice outcomes in Kaduna.

Kyari, who represented the director of the Citizens’ Rights Department, said the outfit provides alternative dispute resolution and legal support for vulnerable residents, particularly those unable to afford legal practitioners or unwilling to pursue conventional court processes.

She described the European Union-funded intervention, implemented by International IDEA, as a “huge win”, noting that the dedicated department had helped restore confidence among survivors seeking justice.

Earlier, the Senior Programme Manager of the EU Support to End SGBV Programme, International IDEA, Dr Mufuliat Fijabi, said the four-year initiative was designed to strengthen legislation, institutional capacity and access to justice for survivors across Kaduna, Benue and Oyo states, the Federal Capital Territory and federal institutions.

Fijabi explained that the programme combines professional training for law enforcement agencies with social support, counselling, referrals and empowerment to ensure survivors do not get lost in the justice system.

Also speaking, the Officer-in-Charge of the Gender and Family Support Unit, Kaduna State Police Command, SP David Dominic Aku, said the Train-the-Trainer approach had improved police capacity to handle SGBV cases professionally.

He said trained officers were expected to transfer their knowledge to colleagues in their respective units, while community policing encouraged grassroots communities and religious leaders to report cases rather than conceal them.

“The era of police officers asking people to go and settle issues of SGBV at home is over.

“The awareness through consistent capacity building on this subject matter is very high now, and Police officers are expected to rise to the occasion,” he said

The Social Welfare Officer of the Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and project focal person, Umar Abubakar Mohammed, said the ministry was working with partners to provide survivors with comprehensive support, including safe accommodation at its shelter on Katuru Road, Kaduna.

He added that collaboration with police gender units had improved information sharing and coordinated responses to SGBV cases.

The four-day training, held from 3 November to 6 at Stonehedge Hotel, Kaduna, brought together prosecutors, investigators, gender desk officers and other justice sector stakeholders to strengthen evidence handling, survivor protection, prosecution and inter-agency referrals.