Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015: a positive step to the eradication of domestic violence in Nigeria

Abstract

The statistical trend of domestic violence in Nigeria is daunting and sky-rocketing, marital homes have turned to boxing rings and family unions become Trojan battles, the situation does not appear to lessen anytime soon, rather it is on the increase. One begins to wonder, what is the role of the Nigerian legislature to rescue the situation? Are there no laws to curb domestic violence in Nigeria? Or is it that the long hand of the law is not catching up with the perpetrators? Or are the punishments prescribed in the laws not stiff enough to keep perpetrators with such intentions at bay? In resolving these agitations, this paper examined the concept, forms and causes of domestic violence in Nigeria. The paper further analysed some recent reported incidences of domestic violence in Nigeria including the 28-year-old Ibadan-based female lawyer’s case. The Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 was further appraised with special focus on identifying the types of violence covered by the Act, the issue of jurisdiction and human rights protection under the Act and some of the progressive features of the Act in curbing domestic violence in Nigeria.

Keywords: Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, Domestic Violence, Eradication, Nigeria