Anambra Establishes Children, Sexual Offences Court

Anambra State judiciary has established a special court to try offences against children, sexual offences and gender based violence.
The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, approved the establishment of specialized court in response to a request by the commissioner for women and social welfare Anambra state, Mrs Ify Obinabo.
This court designated “Children, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Court Holden” Awka is the first of its kind in the state.
This court which is a magistrate court will strictly try special offences that affect children or gender-based violence such as rape, child defilement, gender based violence crimes and other related offenses.
The aim is to give accelerated hearing and to ensure speedy justice delivery to such cases.
Anambra State is second after Lagos State among states in Nigeria to have established the court.
Its first Chief Magistrate is Magistrate Genevieve Osakwe. The court heard three cases which bordered on rape and child defilement on the first day of its sitting.
The cases were adjourned to August 3, 2022 and the defendants reprimanded at Amawbia Correctional Center, Awka.
Obinabo said with this achievement, it is now clear that it will no longer be business as usual for gender and sexual offenders in the State and urged citizens of the state to support the state government’s effort to rid the state of violent crimes.