Ensure Adequate Funding Of Police Force To Avoid Compromising Investigations"- Human Rights Lawyer Tells FG
By Ekanem Asuquo (Calabar)
A human rights lawyer and lead counsel at Basic Right Counsel Initiative in Calabar, Barrister James Ibor has advocated for adequate funding for the Nigeria Police Force to guarantee effective performance and high professionalism.
According to Ibor, such proper funding will serve as a panacea to unethical conduct and lopsided investigations by IPOs"
The Barrister stated this while speaking at a one-day engagement forum in Calabar facilitated by the World Bank in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health to develop a comprehensive blueprint against sexual exploitation and abuse as well as an action plan to tackle sexual harassment in Cross River.
He averred that inadequate funding of the police worsened by poor remuneration and welfare package has perpetually subjected investigative police officers to ridicule and undue exploitation by rich suspects thereby compromising thorough investigation which always ends up truncating the course of justice during prosecution.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Iwara Iwara said that developing a detailed action plan to checkmate sexual harassment and exploitation of vulnerable citizens will not be tolerated in the state under any guise.
Dr Iwara who was represented by the State Gender Focal Person, Mrs Felicia Ayim posited that " The present government headed by Senator Bassey Otu is poised to eradicate every form of sexual or gender based in the state.
Our First Lady is wholly committed to checkmating sexual harassment and exploitations in all ramifications.
Therefore, we will explore all lawful options to curtail this menace in our state" Resource persons who were drawn from CSO, NGOs, International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Ministry of Justice, Women Affairs and Education outlined various modes of exploitation and advocated for political will, speedy dispensation of justice, effective synergy among stakeholders to guarantee effective implementation of the proposed road map
