NASSARAWA: Justice Commissioner Raises Alarm Over Rising Wave of Rape

By Rabiu Omaku

Nasarawa State Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Abdulkarim Kana, irked by the rising wave of rapes in the State has called Islamic clerics in the country to raise up to the increasing cases.

The Commissioner disclosed this in a telephone conversation, where he expressed shock over the recent rape of 14 years girl by three brothers in Keffi Local Government Area of the State.

He said the recalcitrant are children to a well-respected Islamic cleric in Keffi.
He also expressed shock over the rape of a 14 year girl by a class teacher in Agwatashi community of Obi Local Government.

He reiterated the need for religious leaders to focus their preaching against the increasing cases of rape and its danger to the nation.

On the anti-kidnapping law which was operational barely seven months ago and the delayed prosecution of kidnappers, the Justice Commissioner blamed the police over the non-implementation of the anti-kidnapping law.

He said no fewer than 170 persons arrested in connection with kidnapping in the state remain in police custody across the State, saying there was a directive not to admit new inmates into correctional centres due to coronavirus pandemic.

It could be recalled that Nasarawa State First Lady, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule, worried by the unabated cases of rape especially the rape of a three months old baby in Adogi community of Lafia Local Government presented a request letter addressed to the State lawmakers to outlaw rape in its totality in the State.

The First Lady presented this during a protest staged over the menace of rape in the State.
The Press Secretary to the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Jibrin Gwamna, in an interview when asked what was delaying the signing into law of a Bill prohibiting rape in Nasarawa State.

It would be recalled that Governor Abdullahi Sule piqued over the rising wave of street begging by under aged, child- labour, inhuman treatment has signed a law banning street begging as well as repatriated over 1000 non-indigent almajiris to their various states of origin, but still fragment of under aged street urchins are seen roaming the streets of Nasarawa State.

While commenting on the freezing of the account of the State Government by High Court 16 in the Federal Capital Territory following a suit filed by aggrieved pensioners challenging the former Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, for the paying them in percentage for a period of three years, Justice Commissioner, Barrister Abdulkarim Kana, said the matter was slated for Wednesday 19th August. The order by Justice Belgore freezing the account of the State Government has caused pains, agony, starvation amongst the working class and their dependents as everything was grounded to a halt.