The Lagos government has restated the need for thorough and well-coordinated investigations to ensure the successful prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence.

Babajide Martins, a director in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions of Lagos State Ministry of Justice, said this on Tuesday in Ikeja at a case conference meeting organised by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.

Mr Martins highlighted the importance of thorough investigations, noting that gaps in police work can weaken cases and hinder convictions. He said it was critical to ensure proper recorded confessional statements, in line with section 3 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State 2021, as amended.

According to him, the reluctance of witnesses to testify is one of the major challenges in prosecuting SGBV cases, as witnesses are often subjected to pressure from family members, relatives of defendants, or the defendants themselves.

He urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and strictly adhere to legal procedures to enhance access to justice for survivors of SGBV.

The director said the meeting aimed to ensure that law enforcement officers understood the Office of the DPP’s review protocol for SGBV cases. He said the engagement was designed to explain why some cases were considered not feasible for prosecution and how such decisions were reached.

Mr Martins said the forum also provided an overview of the various sexual offences and the elements required to properly prove such cases in court.

Justice Abiola Soladoye of the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court said the lack of sufficient evidence and contradictory statements in case files were issues affecting the prosecution of perpetrators of SGBV.

Ms Soladoye said medical reports were no longer mandatory in sexual offence cases if there were other indicators of sexual assault. She suggested moving towards forensic evidence collection and away from relying solely on medical reports.

The DSVA executive secretary, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the conference provided an opportunity to assess efforts and interventions over the past year. 

According to her, the meeting provides a platform for engaging in honest discussions aimed at improving the justice delivery process for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

(NAN)