PLATEAU: PLASGEOC SECURES FIRST CONVICTION. MRS. OLIVIA DAZYAM (CHAIRPERSON), DISCLOSES

By: Amb. Valentine Adese (JP),

The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunity Commission (PLASGEOC) has secured its first conviction, while so many other cases of sexual and gender-based violence are being prosecuted in Courts.

This feat of the Commission was disclosed today by Mrs. Olivia Dazyam, the Chairperson of the Commission, during a press briefing to mark, “The International Day for Universal Access to Information” at the Commission’s office.

MRS. OLIVIA, CHAIRPERSON

You would recall that the International Day for Universal Access to Information is a day set aside by the United Nations to assess progress made in promoting access to information since the adoption of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Agenda.  

Olivia said, “The Commission is proud to state that we were able to secure our first conviction where the perpetrator was sentenced to Thirty (30) days in prison”.

She however explained that though the sentence may look like a light sentence, “It goes to show that we have the legal muscle to tackle cases of sexual, and gender-based violence to serve as deterrent”.

Giving a vivid account of the activities and achievements of the Commission since it was established by Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Esq) in the past Eight (8) months, the Chairperson said the Commission almost on a daily basis, receives cases.

Mrs. Olivia said, “Since the establishment of the Commission by His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang in November 2023, the Commission has been inundated with cases of sexual and gender based violence, abandonment of spouse, children, and other dependants without sustenance, and trafficking.

MRS. OLIVIA AND OTHER OFFICERS

 “Almost on a daily basis we receive cases of fathers refusing to cater for their children, mothers abandoning their marriages, parents giving out their children in the guise of seeking better life, and women selling their babies in the name of not having capacity to cater for them.

“As a result of this myriad of issues, the Commission engaged with different stakeholders from the community and religious levels to create awareness of the dangers posed by these issues. The Commission has leveraged of programs organized y women groups and other organizations to create awareness of the existing legal framework in the state and the danger posed by the neglect attitude of parents in the state.

“The Commission in conjunction with the Ministry of Women Affairs has been able to bring back about Thirty-Nine (39) Plateau children who were trafficked to other states of Nigeria. Similarly, some of our girls trafficked to Ghana have been brought back, while the master minds are already standing trial in the state”.

SEE SOME PICTURES OF THE EVENT BELOW:

 

TO BE CONTINUED…