Ozoro Sex Abuse Case: NBA Issues Stern Warning to Prevent Future Incidents

The Nigerian Bar Association has vehemently denounced the purported sexual assaults on women during a recent festival in Ozoro, labeling the incident a national embarrassment and a blatant infringement of fundamental human rights, according to a statement signed by NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, and Chairperson of the NBA Women Forum, Huwaila Muhammad.

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The association views reports of women being chased, stripped, groped, and publicly humiliated as utterly appalling and savage, emphasizing that such acts constitute serious crimes, including assault, sexual violence, and public indecency, which also contravene international human rights standards.

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These heinous acts, committed under the pretense of cultural celebration, flagrantly violate the constitutional rights to dignity, personal liberty, and security of the human person, the NBA stated, underscoring that no cultural practice can justify the degradation and violation of women.

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The NBA unequivocally asserted that any custom or tradition that permits such cruelty is not a legitimate cultural practice, but rather a criminal offense, stressing that no tradition or custom can excuse or legitimize the brutal treatment of women.

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The association has called upon the Delta State Government and all relevant law enforcement agencies to take immediate action, identifying, arresting, and prosecuting the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, as well as holding accountable anyone who aided, enabled, or failed to intervene during the attacks.

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Community leaders, traditional institutions, and festival organizers have been warned to ensure that cultural events promote dignity, order, and respect for human life, rather than chaos and cruelty, the NBA stated, emphasizing the importance of protecting women's rights and dignity.

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The NBA concluded by emphasizing that the protection of women is a legal duty, a moral obligation, and a test of the nation's character, stressing that Nigeria must not become a place where women live in fear of being stripped of both their clothing and their dignity in public spaces.

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The association firmly stated that such incidents must never happen again, underscoring the need for swift and decisive action to prevent similar atrocities from occurring in the future.