The directive, which is dated Feb. 20, was written to Forthright Chambers, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, which petitioned the agency on behalf of Emiola, its client.
The directive reads in part : “I am directed to refer to your letter on the above subject matter, dated February 14, 2019, and to inform you that the agency has considered all the issues raised.“It is our view that the agency lacks the mandate to treat the case, owing to the fact that the relationship between Mr Sani Kaita and your client, Esther Emiola is not that of a spouse or married couple as envisaged under Section 16 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, 2015.
NAN recall that Emiola had on February 14 filed the petition against Kaita by her lawyer, Mr Frank Tietie, alleging that the respondent got her pregnant in 2015, and thereafter, promised to marry her. Meanwhile, Forthright chambers has also threatened to sue NAPTIP over misleading interpretation of Section 16 of VAPP Act 2015 in another letter sent back to the agency and available to NAN.