ABUJA, Nigeria – In what is seen as a significant step towards achieving justice for victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Men Against Rape Foundation (MARF) has praised Justice Asmau Akanbi-Yusuf of the Abuja High Court for her ruling against Dr. Abubakar Mustapha Danraka, a former Chief Pharmacist of the National Hospital, Abuja.
Justice Akanbi-Yusuf found Dr. Danraka guilty of the rape (sodomy) of a 12-year-old boy after luring him into his residence and drugging his beverage.
The pharmacist, who was also the Senior Special Adviser (Technical) to the Director of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, was tried under Section 1 of the VAPP Act of 2015.
MARF’s Executive Director, Lemmy Ughegbe, hailed the judgement as a monumental stride in the quest to eradicate sexual predators from society. In an electronic statement from MARF, Ughegbe extolled the judge, emphasizing her courage and clarity in understanding the severity of the crime perpetrated against the young victim.
Ughegbe noted, “This ruling showcases Justice Akanbi-Yusuf’s zero-tolerance stance on rape, sodomy, and other forms of sexual misconduct. We applaud her for bolstering our campaign to forge secure environments for our children and women. We urge other members of the judiciary to adopt her proactive approach in the fight against sexual crimes.”
In recognition of her laudable judgement, MARF intends to confer a special award upon Justice Akanbi-Yusuf. “This distinction is not only an acknowledgment of her forward-thinking approach towards safeguarding minors but also aims to remind other judges that their efforts are under scrutiny and will be duly recognized when merited,” Ughegbe added.
Furthermore, appreciation was also directed at Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, the Director General of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). Prof. Waziri-Azi’s unwavering leadership was instrumental in successfully prosecuting this case.
This verdict is a vivid reminder of the progress being made in the judicial system in handling cases of SGBV. It not only instills confidence in victims and advocacy groups but also sends a strong message to potential offenders about the severe consequences of their actions.
