Domestic Violence National Emergency, Says Bar Obeke-Okoli

Newly inaugurated Deputy Coordinator of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), Enugu State Branch, Bar Chidi Obeke-Okoli, has described domestic violence as a national emergency, saying there is the need for urgent, coordinated action against the menace across Nigeria.

Speaking in Enugu shortly after her inauguration on Saturday, Obeke-Okoli characterised domestic abuse as a “dangerous cankerworm” eroding the foundation of the Nigerian family and undermining national peace and security.

The human rights lawyer also outlined an ambitious reform agenda that extends beyond courtroom advocacy to grassroots mobilisation, institutional accountability, and community-driven prevention.

Central to her intervention is the legal framework established by the Enugu State Government under the able leadership of Governor Peter  Mbah.

Obeke-Okoli also commended the state government for domesticating the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law (VAPP), describing the move as a decisive step toward strengthening protections for victims.

According to her, the domestication of the VAPP Law signals that Enugu State will no longer tolerate domestic violence in any form. She urged legal practitioners, law enforcement agencies, and residents to ensure that the legislation functions not merely as a statutory instrument, but as an active safeguard for vulnerable persons.

“The legal machinery is in place. What remains is collective responsibility to make the law work,” she said.

The AWLA deputy coordinator also expressed concern over what she described as the fading culture of communal responsibility in Nigerian society.

She lamented a growing trend where bystanders record incidents of domestic abuse for social media rather than intervene or report. An ideal society, she argued, must be built on empathy, courage, and the willingness to speak up against wrongdoing.

“No society can thrive where neighbours ignore suffering next door,” she stated, calling for a return to the values of collective protection and moral accountability.

Obeke-Okoli directed strong remarks at the Nigeria Police Force and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) operating in Enugu State, urging improved responsiveness to domestic violence complaints.

She condemned the reported practice of demanding unofficial “mobilisation fees” to process petitions or act on cases, describing it as an unacceptable barrier to justice.

Demanding monetary compensation from victims, she said, amounts to a second layer of trauma and institutional betrayal. She warned that any verified cases of extortion would be escalated to the appropriate national authorities.

Affirming that domestic violence is a nationwide problem affecting all the 36 states of the federation, Obeke-Okoli said Enugu would serve as a model for comprehensive reform.

She disclosed plans to simplify and translate the VAPP Law into local dialects to enhance public understanding, particularly in rural communities and markets. The aim, she explained, is to ensure that every citizen understands their rights and the legal remedies available.

Under the new AWLA leadership, she pledged sustained grassroots engagement, policy advocacy, and strategic partnerships to restore the “happy home” as the bedrock of national security.

Concluding her remarks, Obeke-Okoli described the fight against domestic violence as both a civic duty and a moral calling, saying that the legal reforms must be complemented by ethical renewal and collective resolve.

With coordinated institutional support, community vigilance, and sustained advocacy, Obeke-Okoli expressed confidence that Nigeria can reverse the tide of domestic abuse and rebuild safer homes across the country.