From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Katsina State Government has established three special courts dedicated to the prosecution of gender-based violence (GBV) cases, in a move officials say will fast-track justice for survivors and clear the backlog of pending cases.
The Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Garba Faskari, announced this during a sensitisation programme on GBV and the operations of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre, held at the Old Government House.
He was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr Bala Zango.
Faskari said the special courts, operating under the state High Court system, were created to ensure diligent prosecution of GBV perpetrators and to guarantee timely justice.
He said, “The courts will accelerate hearings, reduce case backlogs, and strengthen justice delivery for survivors. We encourage residents to report cases without fear. Failure to report only emboldens perpetrators and denies victims justice.”
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Girl-Child Education and Child Development, Jamila Mani, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the department, Aminu Badaru Jimkanshi, said the sensitisation was prompted by the rising number of GBV cases across the state.
She noted that the government had already established a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) to provide medical treatment, legal support, skills training, and other forms of assistance to GBV survivors. Mani pledged continued awareness campaigns to protect vulnerable groups.
She also commended donor agencies for supporting girl-child education and GBV response programmes in the state.
In his remarks, the Head of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Katsina, Musa Aliyu Hadejia, revealed that the agency recorded 30 GBV cases between January and December this year.
Hadejia explained that NAPTIP had arrested and prosecuted several offenders but lamented the reluctance of some parents to support court processes, noting that such attitudes hinder justice.
“From now on, the agency will ensure GBV cases are pursued in court even when parents withdraw,” he said.
Representatives from Save the Children, human rights organisations, security agencies, and traditional rulers also renewed their commitment to partner with the government to tackle GBV across the state.
