Akwa Ibom Assembly Passes Bill Prohibiting Domestic Violence

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed a bill seeking to prohibit all forms of violence against citizens and to provide maximum protection for victims of domestic violence and other related crimes in the state.

The bill tilled ‘Akwa Ibom State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill, 2018 was sponsored by the member representing Etinan State Constituency, Aniefiok Dennis.

It was passed into law on Thursday last week after the lawmakers adopted the report of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Social Welfare and Special Matters.

Presenting the report, the Committee Chairperson, Felicia Bassey, informed the House that they had an interactive session with relevant stakeholders on the matter.

She added that they observed that the bill would provide a stronger and more proactive response and support for all violence-related issues in the state.

Bassey was hopeful that, “It will also strengthen advocacy against rape, female genital mutilation, partner battery, stalking, harmful widowhood practices by state actors, and prohibit all forms of violence against persons while providing maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders”.

The bill was later read for the third time and passed into law by the lawmakers following a motion moved by the Deputy Leader of the House, Ime Okon, who represents Ibiono Ibom Constituency.

The motion was seconded by the member representing Abak Constituency, Friday Iwok.

The Speaker, Onofiok Luke, thanked the sponsor of the bill and members of the House for their painstaking effort in ensuring the smooth passage of the bill.

The House consequently proceeded to a recess in line with the calendar of the legislature as practiced globally.

The lawmakers would resume plenary for another legislative year on September 4, 2018.