THE INDIRECT PROTECTION OF RAPISTS UNDER THE NIGERIAN LAW.

Abstract

Nigerian Society lays claim to the most severe intolerance of sexual immorality in all its forms, but some disputations have been made against these claims by critics who allege that its laws gives the lie to its vaunted claims especially regarding rape. This study seeks to engage in an assessment of the Nigerian Legal system as it pertains to rape in order to ascertain whether its provisions offer sufficient protection for victims of rape. This study does this by identifying the existing frameworks protecting rape in Nigeria, identifying the challenges surrounding the interpretation of rape laws and demonstrating how these laws offer protection for rapists in Nigeria. The study adopts the doctrinal research methodology which will be library-oriented. This study finds that although, Nigerian Laws have provisions intended to protect rape victims, these provisions are really ineffective at doing so because they have onerous conditions that victims find impossible to meet. As a result, the laws inadvertently give rapists protection. This study recommends modifications of legal requirements for the crime of rape, retraining police officers to properly handle its complaints, tougher penalties for rapists, and suggesting the establishment of special courts to properly deal with the crime.