By Kayode Adeoti
An Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Abdul Tunde Gegele has called on government at all levels to impose stiffer punishment against rapist as a way of curbing the menace in the society.
Gegele who suggested life imprisonment as tackling tool to curb the act, made the call recently while speaking with journalists on the alarming increase of the illicit act in Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria has an extremely low conviction rate for rape and sexual abuse despite the increase of rape cases in the country.
Gegele, said the series of allegations involving father indulging in the dastard act with daughter in Kwara State is worrisome.
He added that clergymen who should be custodian of morals and religious tenets are now being caught in the web.
He therefore called on the Federal Government and legislators to ensure that laws against rape were amended to enhance conviction and punishment for perpetrators.
“Stiffer punishment must be imposed on rape perpetrators, because the rate of rape cases is becoming alarming in Nigeria.
“It is a serious crime that must be totally erased in our society. Rapist should not be celebrated but severely dealt with to ensure a safe society, “he added.
The legal practitioner however urged rape victims to speak up and not encourage stigmatisation.
He also warned the victims to stop accepting suicide as alternative.
