Ekiti to conduct psychiatric test on rape offenders

As part of efforts to tackle the rising cases of rape and child abuse in Ekiti state, the government has announced that it would henceforth conduct compulsory psychiatric test and  publish the names and photographs of rape offenders on the website of the ministry of justice.

The government also stated that the names of the offenders would be announced on the state owned radio and television stations while the traditional rulers of the suspects’ community would be alerted for them to get information about his personality.

 Ekiti state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Barr Wale Fapohunda who addressed newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, expressed worries that the menace kept increasing despite high number of convictions recorded in the state.

He said the governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, was miffed by increasing cases of sexual violence and that there was need for proactive actions to nip the situation in the bud.

Fapohunda said the new measures would support aggressive prosecution and exclusion of offenders.

“The additional measures put in place include pasting the photographs of convicted offenders in prominent public spaces in their communities and their local government headquarters.

“Issuing an advisory to the traditional rulers of the offender’s communities on the status of the offender; uploading the sex offenders’ photograph on the website of the ministry of Justice.

“Showing photographs of sex offenders on Ekiti state Broadcasting Service, announcing their names on radio and television.

“Compulsory Psychiatric test for all persons of whom the Director of Public Prosecution has issued a case to answer legal advice for the offence of child defilement. This also includes persons standing trials “, he said.

The Commissioner clarified that the government would take actions that will deprive offenders of their rights to dignity.

Fapohunda stated that the government was aware that conviction alone will not solve the problem, promising that public education and awareness would be stepped up to sensitise the populace.

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