The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) on Wednesday presented a “Save Our Souls” letter against rape before the State of Osun House of Assembly.
Members of Osun FOMWAN led by her president, Mrs. Oladunjoye Kudirat said the issue of rape in the country has gotten to a stage where old women are no longer save.
The incessant rape perpetrated daily has gotten to a peak that all well meaning Nigerians should speak out in clear terms to condemn the act and see to it that offenders are heavily purnished.
Oladunjoye stressed that FOMWAN came up with the idea of the “save our souls” letter for the House of Assembly to help in ensuring that the state is purged of the increasing cases of rape in Nigeria.
She said, “We are here today on the instructions of our National headquarters on the issue of the menance plaguing the country presently, from the look of things, no woman is save from rape any longer.
“It is no longer new for people of whatever age to be victim of rape. We now hear of cases of where older women are not spared by rapists.
“Every mother now live in perpectual fear, you can no longer go out in the evening alone or send your girl child on errands any longer due to the constant rape cases all around”.
In his response, Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Timothy Owoeye assured the women of their safety saying the state is on top of the situation.
He held that the House of Assembly with the cooperation of law enforcement agencies will follow up with with the enacted law that imposes stiffer sentence on perpetrators of rape.
Owoeye noted that Section 358 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. 2, Laws of Osun state, 2002 prescribes a life sentence on anyone found guilty of committing rape while an attempt to commit rape attracts an imprisonment of fourteen years.
“I want to tell you authoritatively that hard time await rapist in the state as Osun will not tolerate rape, we at the House of Assembly have resolved that our Director of Legal matters shall be present at all rape related cases in Osun courts. This resolve was to ensure that we see to the end of all rape cases in the state.
” I hereby charge our law enforcement agencies to diligently prosecute cases of rape. With too many instances, we must begin to hold people accountable no matter how highly placed”. The Speaker stressed.
