Due to the rapant cases of rape in the country, the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Iyalode Alaba Lawson has canvass for capital punishment for convicted rapists in the country, adding that she is ready to lead the women to the National Assembly for legal backings
Iyalode Lawson made this known while featuring as a guest on a live radio programme of Splash F.M titled ‘Man and the Law”, anchored by a versatile broadcaster, Desmond Nwachukwu, who is the National President of Freelance Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN).
According to her, ” I am ready to lead women to the National Assembly to lobby our lawmakers to promulgate law that, will give room for stiff and drastic penalty for rapists. The law against rapists in this country is obsolete, and it is high time the law is reviewed”
She further expressed worry over the high rape cases in recent times, stressing that the obsolete law against rape has been responsible for the increase of rape cases.
She therefore maintained that there is need for the urgent review of the law with stiffer penalty for the offenders, not excluding death penalty.
The grand patron of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council maintained that the families of rape victims should always speak out immediately to attract urgent attention from appropriate quarters
She further commended journalist for their roles towards fighting the menace, but noted that, for the work to be fruitful, the authorities should implement a stiffer penalty against the criminals.
Iyalode who was the Chairman, Communiqué Drafting Committee of Penpushing Media on fight against rape, child and women abuse declared that, the best way to get rid of the menace is passing death sentence on the culprits.
“For me, the best solution to this menace is sentencing criminals to death. I can assure you if this is put in place, the criminals will desist, and let me also say this, the law on rape is obsolete, and it is high time it is review” she said
Reacting to police challenge of short of funds to investigate and prosecute rape cases, chief Lawson called on Nigerians, corporate bodies and individuals to support the funding of the unit responsible for the case in the Nigerian Police.
The Iyalode who gave latest rape cases as at the time of the interview, said 80 women/girl child had been raped in Nigeria, within a period of six months, lamenting that, the new ugly development introduced by the rapists is the killing of the victims after forceful sex with them.
