Death penalty, life sentence for rapist not bad, Group says

An Abuja-based non-profit organisation, the Clans Club International, has said the death penalty or life in prison will not be too harsh a punishment for rapists.

During a media briefing, in Abuja, on Friday, spokesperson for the group, Effiong, expressed the group's disappointment.

He said that in spite of the increasing rate of sexual violence especially against women, many states of the federation have refused to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.

He said, “Many victims are not able to speak out because they are stigmatised and blamed when they do.

“We have the VAPP that has not been domesticated by the governors, we are very much aware that it is only one state that has domesticated this law.

“We are calling on the National Assembly, we are calling on the Federal Government, we are calling on the judiciary – they should take this issue of rape so seriously. Imagine your sister being raped, imagine your mother being raped. We even see people raping little children but what are the authorities doing about it?

“As a matter of fact, there is nothing wrong in giving people life sentences, there is no wrong in executing rapists. This is a pressing matter.”