Urgent legal reforms, ethical journalism and enhanced accountability took centre stage as the Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation (ICCEF), in collaboration with the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) hosted a conversation on Thursday, 6 February 2025 to commemorate the 59th posthumous birthday of Innocent Chukwuma, justice advocate, founder of CLEEN Foundation and Director of Ford Foundation’s West Africa office, who passed on Saturday, 3 April 2021.
The conversation, themed “Access to justice for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Survivors: The role of the police and the media,” featured Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police Force; Titilola Adeniyi, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency; Juliana Francis, Publisher, Security News Alert; and Samuel Akpologun, Executive Director, Open Society Justice Reform Project, with Sarah Ayeku, broadcast journalists at TVC Communications, as moderator.
In her opening remarks, Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, widow of the late Innocent Chukwuma, reflected on the 23 beautiful years they shared in marriage. She described their time together as one of the greatest blessings of her life. With their three daughters by her side, she affirmed their commitment to preserving Innocent’s legacy, upholding the values he cherished and keeping his memory alive.
Motunrayo Alaka, the Executive Director/CEO, WSCIJ, described Innocent Chukwuma as a true champion of social justice, whose dedication to human rights, fairness and police reform left an indelible mark on society. She emphasised that his legacy is not just a memory but a living force that continues to ensure that the voices of the marginalised are not only heard but also acted upon.
Speaking on the theme, Titilola Adeniyi, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, called on Nigerians to take an active role in addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), stating that advocacy is a shared duty. To bridge the gap between investigation and prosecution, Adeniyi called for stronger collaboration between the Directorate of Public Prosecutions and the police. She stressed the need for sanctions against police officers who hinder justice. Meanwhile, she observed the need to equip police officers with the necessary training to handle SGBV cases effectively.
On his part, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police Force, mentioned that the legal framework addressing SGBV must evolve to reflect the dynamic nature of the crimes. Adejobi noted that static laws risk becoming obsolete, creating loopholes that allow perpetrators to evade justice. He cited a flaw in Nigeria’s criminal and penal codes, which historically failed to acknowledge that men can also be victims of gender-based violence. However, he commended the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015 for introducing more inclusive and nuanced provisions that address GBV against all genders.
Adejobi noted that misclassifying GBV cases—such as charging indecent assault instead of treating it as gender-based violence—is where injustice begins. He revealed that the Nigeria Police Force is intensifying training for Gender Desk officers and Family Support Units to ensure better handling of SGBV cases and improved survivor-centered responses.
Juliana Francis, Publisher, Security News Alert, called for ethical storytelling in reporting SGBV. According to her, journalistic integrity demands empathy, and reporters should amplify survivors’ voices without exposing them to further harm. She urged journalists to prioritise confidentiality, avoid sensationalism and use data-driven reporting to offer hope. Francis also stressed the importance of follow-ups, insisting that survivors should not be treated as mere subjects of a story but as individuals whose healing and justice matter.
Samuel Akpologun, Executive Director, Open Society Justice Reform Project, stated that delays in legal proceedings and poor case tracking often leave survivors without recourse. He recommended leveraging technology to improve case tracking, improve coordination among stakeholders and ensure real time responsiveness. Akpologun also called for the establishment of specialised courts for SGBV cases and stricter enforcement of laws to deter perpetrators, stressing that access to justice must not be limited by financial status.
In their goodwill messages, Nkechi Chukwuma, the youngest daughter of Innocent Chukwuma, along with Peter Maduoma, Acting Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation; Ngozi Iwere, Founder and Executive Director of Community of Life Project; Etemore Gloveer, CEO of Impact Investors Foundation; Orevaoghene Atanya, Head of Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre; and Otive Igbuzor, Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, reflected on their time with Innocent Chukwuma and his pioneering efforts in empowering marginalised communities and driving meaningful social change. They emphasised the importance of carrying forward his vision through strong leadership and community-focused reforms.
