*Obaseki signs Violence Against Persons Bill into Law*

*_…2 years jail term for wife beaters_*
+*_… life imprisonment for perpetrators of Female Genital Mutilation_*

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has signed the Violence Against Persons (VAP) Bill into law, to address all forms of violence and protect vulnerable members of the society.

Obaseki, who signed the bill in Government House, Benin City, on Tuesday, said he was aware that the bill touches on fundamental practices among the people, assuring that he was not only signing the bill as a formality, but will ensure it is implemented to the letter.

"We will not stop here by just signing the bill into law, but will commence the much difficult work of implementing it to the letter. It must be noted that this bill has been in consideration for over six to eight years but the time has come for us to have a law like this VAP Law, to protect the most vulnerable and weak in our society.

"As a government, we have aligned with the Federation of Women Lawyer (FIDA)’s purpose and objective and therefore have no hesitation in signing the bill into law,” he said.

Addressing protesters on violence against women, the governor commended them and stressed that the time to change the way society responds to violence against the weak has come. He added that his administration was not afraid of change and will embrace it to the fullest.

"I want to appreciate FIDA for their doggedness, leadership and commitment to this cause. I am not sure many other states in the nation has such bills. This bill goes to the core of some of the most pressing issues in society particularly violence against women and other persons.”

Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, told the governor that the newly signed VAP law will eliminate violence in private and public life.

"This bill prohibits violence against all persons and provides maximum protection and effective remedy for victims and punishment for offenders and other related matters,” he said.

"This bill was sent to the EDHA in the fourth Assembly but suffered a setback. It also suffered a setback in the fifth Assembly but it was passed in the sixth Assembly.”

Adjoto commended the wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki for her doggedness, dedication, and commitment in ensuring that the bill is passed into law.

He said rape is properly defined in the bill and a rapist will now spend his or her life in prison, adding, "If a man beats his wife, he risks two years in prison if the case is proven. It is now an offense for men to abandon their duties of upbringing as the responsibility is not for women alone. Female genital mutilation now attracts life imprisonment without an option of fine.”

Wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, commended the Edo State Governor for assenting to the VAP bill, stressing that the government is gender-sensitive.

She thanked the speaker of the sixth Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto for ensuring the passage of the bill and that all important sections are intact.

"This bill takes care of everything related to violence against persons," she noted.

Earlier, FIDA, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, CSOs, and other stakeholders protested against violence against women.

They marched through major streets in Benin metropolis, Police headquarters and Edo State Government House, where the governor addressed them.

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*PHOTO CAPTION:*
*DSC_0424:*
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (2nd right); his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, (right); Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto (3rd right); First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki (3rd left), wife of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu (2nd left) and Chairperson, Edo State Chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs. Iryn Omorogiuwa, during the signing of the Violence Against Persons (VAP) bill into law by the governor at the Government House, in Benin City, on Tuesday, February 12, 2019

*DSC_0347:*
Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki (middle); wife of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu (right); and Edo state commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hajia Mariam Abubakar, during during a march against violence against women and children, themed “Justice Must Prevail”, in Benin City on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.

*DSC_0306:*
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odunmosu, (left); Edo state Commissioner for Budget, Hajia Mariam Abubakar (right); chairperson, Edo State Chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs. Iryn Omorogiuwa (middle) during a march against violence, themed “Justice Must Prevail,” in Benin City on Tuesday, February 12, 2019.

*DSC_0307, DSC_0317, DSC_0258, DSC_ 0341:*
Cross-section of women during a march against violence, themed “Justice Must Prevail”, led by Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, in Benin city on Tuesday, February 12, 2019