Olawunmi Ajibike
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the reported incidents of mass sexual assault and public humiliation of women during the recent Ozoro cultural festival, describing the situation as a national embarrassment and a grave moral failure.
According to reports from the community, the festival was marred by disturbing scenes in which women were allegedly chased, forcibly stripped, and subjected to various forms of sexual violence in public.
The NBA expressed outrage that the acts were reportedly carried out by groups of young men while bystanders filmed the incidents on mobile phones, with some individuals allegedly encouraging the abuse.
In a joint statement, NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, and Chairperson of the NBA Women Forum, Huwaila Muhammad, stressed that such actions cannot be justified under the guise of cultural practice.
They described the events as acts of gender-based violence that undermine human dignity and societal values.
The association maintained that no tradition or cultural celebration should excuse the violation of fundamental human rights.
The condemnation follows widespread outrage on social media, particularly on X, where videos from the festival sparked public anger and calls for accountability.
The NBA further stated that the incidents constitute serious violations of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly the rights to personal liberty and the dignity of the human person.
It added that those involved could face criminal charges, including sexual violence, assault, public indecency, conspiracy, and harassment.
Calling on authorities in Delta State, the NBA urged law enforcement agencies to immediately identify, arrest, and prosecute all perpetrators, including individuals who recorded or failed to prevent the acts.
The association also appealed to traditional rulers and community leaders in Ozoro to take responsibility for ensuring that cultural events do not become platforms for violence.
The NBA concluded by emphasizing that safeguarding the rights and dignity of women is a legal and moral obligation, warning that Nigeria must not become a society where women are subjected to fear and humiliation in public spaces.