The Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Rep. Akin Rotimi, along with 25 other lawmakers, has introduced the Victims’ Rights Bill 2024, a legislative initiative motivated by the tragic death of Zakari Muhammed, son of the late Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, who was killed on August 14, 1993.
Twenty-seven-year-old Zakari Muhammed, a finance graduate of the University of Canterbury in Kent, was fatally shot in Abuja on August 13, 1993. His life was cut short by unidentified gunmen, yet justice was not served. His case is one of many that has inspired the push for the Victims’ Rights Bill.
In a statement released by Sunkanmi Bamgboye, representing the Akin Rotimi Constituency Office, it was revealed that the bill, which has already undergone legislative scrutiny, is set to be presented for consideration when the House resumes in September.
Rep. Rotimi explained that the Victims’ Rights Bill 2024 aims to provide comprehensive protections for victims of violent crimes.
The bill seeks to ensure that victims are involved and safeguarded throughout the justice process, addressing gaps in current laws where the rights of suspected perpetrators often overshadow those of the victims.
“The bill intends to rectify these imbalances, which only deepen the suffering of victims and promote a culture of impunity,” said Rotimi. “For justice to be effective, it must be fair and offer victims the protection and redress they deserve. Without this fairness, society remains vulnerable, and the fundamental principles of justice are undermined.”
The bill draws inspiration from several cases where victims and their families have suffered due to systemic failures, including the case of Zakari Muhammed, whose tragic death highlights the urgent need for such legislation.
