THE Acting Chief Judge of Kogi State, Hon. Justice Henry Olusiyi, has assured the state’s leadership of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) of effective partnership on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) matters to protect women and children in the state against violence.
The chief judge gave the assurance when the new executive members of FIDA paid a special advocacy visit to him in his office on Thursday in Lokoja.
The CJ commended FIDA for the gesture noting that the association is well known with their formidable track records.
”We will give you all the support we can muster: we will be partnering and we will be working together.
”We will make sure that gender based violence cases, and gender related matters are giving speedy attention. You can come to us at anytime without any unnecessary bureaucracy”, he said.
The chief judge further promised to support the association’s planned visit to Correctional Service centres in the state, adding that their intended radio program on sensitisation would also recieve full attention.
He commended FIDA for their remarkable achievements in area of advocacy and adjudication, while imploring them to continue in that track, meant to impact positively on humanity.
He further congratulated the new excos while appealing to them to do their best to improve on their past achievements, and promised his support for all their activities.
”By God grace we will take Kogi Judiciary to a greater height, we and FIDA are in that business together”, Olusiyi said.
Earlier, the Chairperson of FIDA, Kogi chapter, Barr. Ajuma Lilian Okolo, congratulated the Chief Judge on his appointment, and prayed for successful tenure.
She noted that the meeting was to introduce the new leadership of FIDA to the acting CJ, update him on their activities, and solicit for his support.
She thanked him and his predecessor for implementing the provisions of the child Rights Act and establishment of the family courts, saying ”we have severally reaped the benefits of these courts,”
She, however, requested for designation of a special fast track court to handle gender – based violence matters (GBV).
”It is no longer news that the spate of GBV cases has increased in recent times.
”The establishment of these special courts for domestic violence will go a long in protecting especially indigent women and children who are often preyed on,” the FIDA chairperson said.
