Kano, Nigeria – 27 November 2024 — Lift Africa Foundation, through its flagship legal
protection programme Justice Shield, secures four landmark convictions for sexual exploitation in Kano State, advancing justice for survivors and reinforcing the urgent need for stronger institutional responses to gender-based violence.
The judgments — delivered on 12 November 2024 (three cases) and 27 November 2024 (one
case) — mark a significant step forward in ensuring accountability for perpetrators and
improving confidence in the justice system for vulnerable women and girls across the state.
Delivering Justice Through Survivor-Centred Legal Action
Justice Shield provides legal aid, case follow-up, procedural guidance, and courtroom
representation for survivors of sexual exploitation and related abuses.
The programme focuses on ensuring that survivors — many of whom face structural barriers, stigma, and economic vulnerability — obtain fair hearings and timely justice.
In these four cases, the Justice Shield legal team:
- documented survivor testimonies
- collaborated with law enforcement and relevant agencies
- ensured proper filing of charges
- monitored court proceedings
- provided continuous legal representation
- supported survivors through trauma-informed processes
All four defendants were convicted under the relevant provisions of Nigerian law, receiving
varying penalties consistent with the gravity of the offences.
Strengthening Trust in Formal Justice Systems
These convictions represent more than legal outcomes — they help restore community trust in formal justice pathways. Many survivors in Northern Nigeria face immense pressure to remain silent or settle cases informally, often under conditions that perpetuate cycles of abuse. By pursuing these cases to conclusion, Justice Shield demonstrates that:
- perpetrators can and will be held accountable
- survivors’ voices are valid and legally protected
- justice institutions can work effectively when properly supported
- civil society plays a pivotal role in bridging protection gaps
Addressing Structural Barriers to Justice
The cases highlight recurring challenges in access to justice for survivors, including:
- delays in reporting due to fear or social pressure
- lack of financial means to pursue cases
- limited awareness of legal rights
- weak coordination among justice actors
- stigma attached to sexual exploitation cases
Justice Shield actively works to address these barriers by providing free legal assistance,
engaging community actors, and advocating for survivor-sensitive reforms within the justice
system.
A Call for Sustained Institutional Support
While the convictions represent progress, Lift Africa Foundation emphasises that the broader
ecosystem for GBV response in Kano remains fragile. The state continues to operate without a domesticated Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, and specialised services —
including shelters and sexual assault referral facilities — remain severely overstretched.
Strengthening legal protection requires:
- formal adoption and implementation of the VAPP Act
- expanded funding for legal aid and protection services
- improved survivor referral systems
- capacity-building for frontline responders
- community-wide sensitisation on reporting and rights
Lift Africa Foundation’s Commitment
Through Justice Shield, Lift Africa Foundation continues to:
- provide survivor-centred legal representation
- pursue accountability for perpetrators
- advocate for systemic justice reforms
- strengthen community trust in formal justice mechanisms
- support survivors through legal, psychosocial, and protection pathways
These landmark convictions reaffirm the Foundation’s commitment to expanding justice access for survivors of sexual exploitation and advancing a society where dignity, equity, and safety are protected.