Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Bar Association has issued a strongly worded condemnation of the reported assault and harassment of women during a recent cultural festival in Ozoro, Delta State, describing the incident as a “national disgrace” and a reflection of a disturbing erosion of societal values. In a statement signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, the association said the alleged acts—ranging from public harassment to sexual violence—represent not culture but “barbarity” and a collapse of moral conscience.
Okay News reports that the NBA expressed deep concern over accounts indicating that women were attacked in broad daylight, stripped, and subjected to degrading treatment by groups of individuals during the festival. The association noted that such actions, reportedly carried out in the presence of onlookers who recorded or encouraged the incidents, highlight a dangerous normalization of gender-based violence. It stressed that no woman should be exposed to such humiliation and trauma under any circumstance, particularly in public spaces that are meant to celebrate culture and community.
The legal body further emphasized that the reported acts constitute serious violations of fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including the rights to dignity, personal liberty, and security. It added that the actions described also amount to grave criminal offences under Nigerian law, including assault and sexual violence, and must be treated with the seriousness they deserve.
Calling for urgent action, the NBA urged the Delta State Government and relevant law enforcement agencies to swiftly investigate the incidents, identify those responsible, and ensure they are brought to justice. It also insisted that individuals who enabled or failed to prevent the acts must be held accountable, warning that any delay or selective enforcement of justice would only embolden further abuse.
The association also directed its appeal to community leaders, traditional institutions, and organisers of cultural events, stressing the need to ensure that festivals remain safe and respectful for all participants. It maintained that cultural celebrations must not be allowed to degenerate into platforms for violence or exploitation, but should instead reflect order, dignity, and respect for human life.
Reiterating its stance, the NBA declared that the protection of women is both a legal obligation and a moral responsibility, urging Nigerians to reject any attempt to justify such acts under the guise of tradition. It warned that silence or indifference in the face of such incidents only fuels further violations, insisting that decisive action must be taken to ensure that such an occurrence is never repeated.
