By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives has taken a significant step towards addressing the rising cases of homicide and femicide in Nigeria. In a recent resolution, the House urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to establish special divisions within existing courts to swiftly handle cases of homicide, femicide, and related crimes.
This resolution was sponsored by Awaji-Inombek D. Abiante (PDP, Rivers), Faleke James Abiodun (APC, Lagos), Ogah Amobi Godwin (LP, Abia), and Manu Soro Mansur (PDP, Bauchi), who highlighted the urgent need to curb the increasing incidents of homicides and femicides in Nigeria.
According to Abiante, the right to life is a fundamental human right enshrined in the Constitution. However, the rising number of homicide cases, including murder and manslaughter, has sparked public outcry for justice. He noted that femicide—the intentional killing of women and girls due to their gender—has become a growing concern, with several unresolved cases in recent years.
Abiante cited numerous incidents of such killings since February 2020, many of which remain unresolved. He expressed alarm over delays in prosecuting homicide cases, leading to prolonged pre-trial detentions, overcrowded correctional facilities, and the loss of crucial evidence, further eroding public confidence in the judicial system.
The House also called on law enforcement agencies to prioritize homicide investigations and ensure the thorough prosecution of offenders to serve as a deterrent. Additionally, the lawmakers resolved to investigate the causes of recent killings of women and girls across the country.
To address the root causes of these crimes, the House further called on religious organizations, the National Orientation Agency, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and advocacy groups to launch public awareness campaigns promoting ethical values, respect for human life, and educating young people on the dangers of ritual killings, murder, and manslaughter.
Contributing to the motion, Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo) emphasized the need for urgent action, stating that failure to address this issue might lead to a state of anarchy. Other lawmakers, including Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau) and Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun), also contributed to the discussion, highlighting the importance of moral education and security awareness.
The establishment of special divisions within existing courts is expected to expedite justice, reduce backlogs, and restore public confidence in the legal system. This move is seen as a significant step towards addressing the rising cases of homicide and femicide in Nigeria.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of homicide and femicide, the House of Representatives’ resolution offers a glimmer of hope. By establishing special divisions within existing courts and prioritizing homicide investigations, Nigeria can take a significant step towards ensuring justice for victims and their families.
