President Jonathan signs two important bills into law

May 28, 2015 Reuben Abati, Special Adviser on Media and publicity to the outgoing President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan, has confirmed that two bills that were earlier passed by the National Assembly, have been signed by the president into law. This comes about four days before the president leaves office.

The new Acts are the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 and the Immigration Act 2015.  The Violence Against Persons Act prohibits female circumcision or genital mutilation, and also prohibits forceful ejection from home as well as other harmful widowhood practices.

The Act also forbids abandonment of spouse, children and other dependents without sustenance, battery and harmful traditional practices, while aiming to eliminate violence in private and public life, and providing maximum protection and effective remedies for those who have suffered violence.

Senate leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, sponsored the bill, and the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, while presiding at the session where the bill was passed, said the passage of the bill would provide adequate protection for the vulnerable in the society and punish those who take advantage of them.