Traditional harmful practice against womanhood which involves the mutilation of the female genital organ will soon be a criminal offence in Rivers State.
This is sequel to the entrance of Rivers State Female Circumcision Abolition Amendment Bill 2019 into the State Legislature.
The act which is still going on especially in the rural parts of the state despite several strong condemnations and criticisms by different women Organizations will by the passage of this bill become a criminal offence and perpetrators facing the full wrath of the law.
Presenting the bill on the floor of the House, Hon Martin Amaewhule who represents Obio Akpor constituency 1 said that the bill which has already scaled through first reading is intended to amend the female Circumcision Abolition law number 2 of 2001
More so, The Rivers State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill 2019 co -sponsored by Hon Martin Amaehule and Hon Sam Ogeh, and The Rivers State Dehumanizing and Harmful Practice Abolition Bill 2019 by Hon. Sam Ogeh also scaled through the first reading.
The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill is seeking to eliminate violence in persons and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons, provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders like rapists.
While the Rivers State Dehumanizing and Harmful Practice Abolition Amendment Bill is among other things seeking to punish anyone who intentionally inflicts injury on persons.
The bill which when passed into law will repeal the Principal law of 2003, provides that a person who willfully causes or inflicts physical injuries on a person by means of any weapon, substance or object commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 5 years or a fine of N500,000
Coercion or engaging in an act to the detriment of another person, physical or psychological wellbeing commits an offence liable to 3 years imprisonment, and willfully placing a person in fear leading to physical injury, commits an offence of 2 years imprisonment or fine of N200,000.
A person who aids and counsels another person to commit the offence is also liable to conviction of 1 year imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.
On his part, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani promised that due procedures will be followed to ensure that the three private member bills are passed into law.
