The Executive Director of the CLEEN Foundation, Peter Maduoma, has raised concerns over weak investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases in Kaduna State, warning that poor institutional coordination and inadequate survivor support are undermining access to justice.
Maduoma spoke on Wednesday at the opening of a two-day policy dialogue on gaps in the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, organised by the CLEEN Foundation in Kaduna.
Represented by the organisation’s Senior Finance and Administration Manager, Justina Johnson, he said the existence of laws protecting survivors would mean little without effective enforcement, safe reporting channels and timely justice.
“The real test of the law is not simply whether it has been enacted, but whether a person experiencing domestic violence can safely seek help and receive a timely response,” he said.
Maduoma identified poor coordination among institutions, inadequate public awareness, weak investigation and prosecution, insufficient survivor-centred services and limited resources as major challenges affecting implementation of the law.
He stressed that survivors of sexual violence should be able to report abuse without intimidation, stigma or victim-blaming, while children exposed to violence must receive adequate protection.
Participants at the dialogue also expressed concern over allegations of sexual and gender-based violence involving some religious leaders, warning that the abuse of spiritual authority could expose women, girls and children to exploitation and psychological harm.
They discussed allegations that some women seeking spiritual guidance over marital and personal challenges had been manipulated by religious leaders who blamed their husbands for their problems and, in some cases, encouraged them to leave their marriages or enter other relationships.
Participants warned that such alleged practices could worsen family disputes and expose vulnerable women to further exploitation.
They also discussed an allegation involving a child who was reportedly raped after being sent to deliver food to a religious leader.
According to a stakeholder at the dialogue, the alleged perpetrator claimed that the child had a disease and that the assault was intended to remove it.
The participants described the allegation as disturbing and called for stronger safeguards to protect children and other vulnerable people from abuse by individuals in positions of trust.
The stakeholders urged the Kaduna State Government to strengthen enforcement of the VAPP Law and ensure that allegations of sexual offences are promptly investigated and prosecuted where supported by evidence.
They also called for closer collaboration among law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, government institutions, religious organisations and civil society groups to improve the prevention, reporting and prosecution of sexual offences.
Maduoma urged participants to develop practical recommendations that would translate the law’s provisions into meaningful protection for survivors and strengthen institutional accountability.
“Together, we can translate statutory commitments into meaningful protection for all,” he said.
The dialogue brought together representatives of government ministries, Kaduna State University, the National Human Rights Commission, the CLEEN Foundation and other institutions to examine implementation gaps and identify practical reforms.
The CLEEN Foundation acknowledged the support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, saying the partnership had created opportunities for policy engagement, institutional strengthening and efforts to promote more responsive and accountable justice and security institutions in Nigeria.
The two-day dialogue is expected to produce recommendations to improve institutional compliance, strengthen accountability and ensure survivors of violence receive adequate protection and access to justice.
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