About two weeks after Nigerians rallied against the “Counter-Submersive Bill,” which has now been withdrawn, the Nigerian senate has returned another controversial bill.

A law to repeal the 2015 Violence Against Persons Protection (VAPP) act originally introduced to end the widespread practice of gender-based violence in Nigeria has scaled its second reading in the Senate.

Senator Jibrin Isah, the bill’s sponsor, said the repeal of the 2015 law will allow the introduction of amendments to address the drafting challenges in the current law.

While the current law is gender-neutral in language, it criminalizes physical, emotional, and sexual violence, has an expansive definition of rape (beyond penetration), provides compensation for victims, and recognises that men can also be rape victims.

Senator Jibrin Isah, representing Kogi East, is advocating for the repeal of the VAPP Act, claiming that its provisions are “inimical to the realization of its objectives”.

He argued for a holistic reform of the act, and asserted that physical violence alone is insufficient to prove violence; intent must also be considered.

The senator also emphasized distinguishing between absence of consent and consent obtained by fraud, undue influence, or other unlawful means.

He further suggested that the act was deceitfully presented.

In his bill, he alleged that, “In the face of opposition to its obvious gender-based nature, the promoters renamed it, tinkered it with some of its provisions, introduced seemingly gender-neutral language, and successfully obtained its passage.”

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials

“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.

Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation

______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion. Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. ______________________________________________________________________