Domestic violence: Anambra sets up family court

The Anambra State Government has set up a special family court to tackle issues of increasing domestic violence in the state.

This is following the reported high rate of domestic violence, which one of them led to the suspension of the Transition Committee Chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area, Mr Mbazulike Iloka, as a result of the controversial circumstances trailing the death of his wife, Chidiebere.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Ify Obinabo, while speaking to the United Business Women And Farmers Association in her office on Monday, declared that the state government has zero tolerance for domestic violence.

Obinabo pointed out that the killing of one’s spouse is an abomination, which the ministry would continue to ensure that it was put under check.

She further explained that the Family Court that was set up by the government already had 10 cases pending with nine suspects remanded at the awaiting trial section and one granted bail.

She said, “We have 10 cases of domestic violence at our Family Court and out of that number, nine suspects were remanded at the awaiting trial section while one was granted bail.

“But this is not in Anambra State alone and our state has one of the lowest cases of death through domestic violence and this recent one makes it the fifth case.”

In her earlier address, the National President of the association, Mrs Nkiru Nwagbo, said, “We call on you to help us in building capacity of our members through our various training programmes.

“We have well over 8,000 members in Anambra State who believe in our capacity to resolve their problems through empowerment programmes.”

She commended the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for taking drastic action against the Transition Committee Chairman who is being accused of killing his wife.

“We also wish to extend our hands of friendship to you in mounting public enlightenment campaigns in the promotion of these ideals engrained in the vision if your Ministry,” she added.