From Magnus Eze, Enugu
The Afikpo Local Government Legislative Council in Ebonyi State has enacted a byelaw prohibiting all forms of torture, forceful shaving of people’s hair, molestation of women and other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment in any part of the council area.
Aside one year jail term, the byelaw which took effect from November 3, 2023, also prescribes a fine of N100,000 or both for offenders.
Deputy Leader of the legislative council, Enyinnia Eni who presented the Bill said that the byelaw became necessary following the directive by the Executive Arm of the council, halting illegal arrest, torture and molestation of ladies.
Daily Sun gathered that some persons who constituted themselves as a taskforce recently went on rampage, forcefully shaving hairs of ladies in the name that they were not wearing bra. They did not spare men wearing dreadlocks as they also shaved their hairs.
Eni noted that the so-called taskforce had assumed the duties of law enforcement agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on one hand and the law court on the other hand.
After an exhaustive deliberation by members of the legislative council, the Chief Whip and Councillor for Poperi Ward, Ndubuisi Akwuba moved a motion for its passage into bylaw and was seconded by the Councillor for Ugwuegu Ward, Odinaka Enya.
When put to vote, it was generally endorsed leading to the passage of the byelaw. Leader of the Legislative Council, Egwu Abagha commended his colleagues for their dispassionate consideration of the proposed bylaw and its subsequent passage.
He noted that the undignified punishment and torture are strictly prohibited under Order 11 of Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009 and African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.
He stated the byelaw is in consonance with Section 34 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), warning that anybody or group found undressing any woman to check whether she wore bra or not would face the full weight of the law.