Thursday, December 30, 2021

Traumatised, violated, child brides helpless under Nigerian laws (2)



JULIANA FRANCIS

In this concluding part probes experts’ views and laws in Nigeria on child marriage

 

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Esther Child Rights Foundation, Esther Ogwu, recalled handling a case of child marriage in Lagos. The marriage took place in Enugu State, but the 12-year-old bride was brought to Lagos by her 45-year-old husband.

Bishop Enofe (husband of Confidence)

The girl, an orphan, was given out in marriage by her grandfather, who had also earlier given out her 15-year-old sister in marriage.

Ogwu’s organisation got involved after police called that the child needed shelter. She said: “What happened was that after arrival in Lagos, the ‘husband’ wanted to have intercourse with her, so she ran out of the house. She was roaming the streets when a Good Samaritan saw her and took her to the police station. The ‘husband’ complained that he spent N250,000 in marrying her.”

Joseph (dad of Confidence)

Eradicating child marriage

Ogwu said eradicating child marriage should begin from the home front, with parents playing vital roles.

“Teenage pregnancies lead to child marriages. Everyone should be interested in checking it because the community is connected to the child. Let’s do something before calling on the government. It is tragic that these days, children between ages 11, 12 and 16 have started dating. These sorts of marriages lead to sadness and death. We’re defying it and we shall continue to do so,” she said.

The Country Director, Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF), also known as Lawyers Without Borders, Mrs. Angela Uwandu, lamented that enough attention is not given to the issue of child marriages in Nigeria. She said that this is despite available information and statistics on the negative effects of this practice on the development and wellbeing of the child brides and the society.

Esther (mum of Confidence)

She said: “According to a report by UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 2018, Nigeria, as the most populous country in the West African region, has the highest number of child brides in the region, with an estimated number of 22 million child brides. This figure should urge us as a nation towards an emergency action to end the practice of child marriage.”

Uwandu said religious, economic and cultural practices contribute to child marriage.

“Some girls are married off early for economic gains to their families, a practice fuelled by poverty. Lack of education contributes to a perpetual cycle of poverty for the child brides and their families,” she said.

She further noted that girls who go to school are “less likely to marry early, and are better equipped to make informed choices about their bodies, space their children and have a career.”

Other negative effects of child marriage

Uwandu said child marriage leads to “children giving birth to children; a situation that has dire health consequences for both young mother and child.”

“Going through the process of childbearing exposes child brides to health risks of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) and Recto Vaginal Fistula (RVF). Child marriage has also been linked to malnutrition. It exposes a child bride to extreme forms of violence against children (VAC) including sexual violence, domestic violence and others,” she said.

Uwandu said child marriage has also led some child brides into conflict with the law as “we saw in the case of Maimuna Abdulmumini, who was sentenced to death in Nigeria, a violation of international human rights principles, for allegedly killing her husband at the age of 13. Maimuna’s case was handled by Avocats Sans Frontières France at the ECOWAS Court.”

Uwandu argued that domestication of the Child Rights Acts by all states in Nigeria is important to establish a uniform legal age for marriage. The implementation of the UBEC Act is also important, she said, to ensure access to quality education for all young children with a special focus on girls. This should be followed by deliberate girl empowerment initiatives encouraging literacy, skill acquisition and economic empowerment of the girl-child, she said.

“Finally, there is need for change in social and cultural practices and lots of sensitization campaigns are required targeting religious and community leaders, including women groups and children, especially young girls,” Mrs. Uwandu added.

Child’s Rights Act: Sharp teeth, no bite

A researcher at the University of Michigan, Tim Braimah, also called on all state governments to domesticate the Child Rights Act for it to be efficient across the country. Although the majority of states in Nigeria have domesticated the law, about a dozen states are yet to do so.

Mrs. Salem Ogunlowo, a therapist who treats individuals who have mental health concerns, said a person, who is under 18 years, is supposed to be protected. But when a girl-child is married off early, she said, her rights as a human being have been violated.

Ogunlowo said that the child may be physically mature but emotionally and cognitively, she is still immature.

“Her self-worth, dignity, innocence and protection have been lost or taken away. These sorts of children are emotionally damaged, marginalized and victimised. They become tools and property in the hands of their captors. They are not treated as human beings, but as property, therefore, exposed to harmful practices and constantly abused.

“Such children will live under constant fear, confusion, anger, anxieties, and will be traumatised and depressed. It’s also a vicious circle; these abused children or brides give birth to children who end up being abusive.”

Ogunlowo explained that such a child bride, if she has the opportunity to kill, will not hesitate to do so, probably to regain freedom and dignity.

“They end up blaming parents and the system who were supposed to protect them,” she added.

‘Child marriage is a crime’

A Child Rights lawyer, Mr. Sunday Oniyide, said that child marriage is a crime. “The child is a victim. Just because you are a parent, it doesn’t give you the right to marry her off.”

Oniyide said that it is terrible that such marriages are still ongoing, with people witnessing it not saying anything. He said that the battle against child marriages should not be left to the government alone.

Good laws, poor enforcement

On his part, Mr. Omejalile said Nigeria has great laws, but nobody is enforcing the laws. “Take these child marriages for instance, how many people have been convicted? Nigeria is good at promulgating laws, but who enforces these laws? Also, parents and guardians need to be educated. The community members, who are gatekeepers, are supposed to speak out. Even the media is underreporting the matter. The campaign should be taken to schools,” he said.

 

Support for this story was provided by the Media and Gender Project of Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism #CREATESAFESPACES


Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Problems of the police will not be solved by one regime – Arase

 *‘The police should dismantle obstacles to partnership with the public’

Arase

A former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, in this interview, speaks on the challenges facing the Nigeria Police Force and the way forward. JULIANA FRANCIS brings the excerpts

What can you say about our police personnel of today?

The work of the police in any society is a very difficult, complex and a dangerous vocation. The expectations of members of the public in Nigeria are many and varied and exceed the resources and support given to the police. Failures on the part of the police are easily observed and widely reported and condemned, while achievements of the police are rarely recognized, applauded and rewarded. Police are in constant contact with dangerous persons and dangerous situations. Despite the inherent hostile environment and sundry challenges, the Nigeria Police has remained steadfast to its responsibility of guaranteeing the safety of lives and property of the citizens even at the risk of their own lives.

Monday, December 27, 2021

Woman remanded for trafficking Nigerian girls to Spain

Juliana Francis


The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has remanded a Spain based Nigerian, Patricia Ekhoe Igbinovia aka Mama Bobby and Audu Mariam Olayemi, for her alleged involvement in the trafficking of Nigerian girls from Nigeria to Spain.

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Video of RRS assaulting Nigerian bothers CP



Juliana Francis

The  Delta State Police Command has expressed worry over a viral video on social media, showing policemen attached to Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Command assaulting a young man along the Asaba-Onitsha expressway.

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

We’ll stop kidnappings, abductions for ransom in 2022, says CP Zamfara State

Juliana Francis


The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ayuba Elkanah on Wednesday vowed that he and his men would do everything possible to ensure that in the forthcoming 2022, crimes such as kidnappings and abductions for ransom are stopped.

Viral video: FCT Police arrest four personnel over alleged extortion

Juliana Francis

The alleged police personnel

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Commissioner of Police, Sunday Babaji today ordered the immediate arrest and investigation of four Police officers in a viral extortion video.

Traumatised, violated, child brides helpless under Nigerian laws

Police, judiciary, parents’ conspiracy fuels child marriage

 


Poor parents, with the connivance of the police and judges, have continued to frustrate the Child Rights Act to give minors out in marriage to adults who steal their innocence, dignity and liberty, writes JULIANA FRANCIS

Implementation, impact of Police Trust Fund on Police operations

Juliana Francis


The implementation of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) Act was the focus of a recent discussion at a Stakeholders’ Roundtable organised in Abuja by Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) in partnership with Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJi)

Over 500,000 lives lost to armed conflicts in Nigeria, says CISLAC

Juliana Francis


The  Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has continues it unrelenting fight for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, through a legal framework, which the group is now urging President Muhammadu Buhari to sign in order to ensure Protection of Civilians (PoC).

Why police, public need to dismantle obstacles to partnership by IGP

Juliana Francis

Arase

December 4th, 2021 was a day some widows of deceased policemen wouldn’t forget in a hurry. The day witnessed some crime reporters in Nigeria, teaming up to ensure that the widows and children of slain policemen will have a Christmas to remember as they were each given a stipend of N200, 000.

Bleak Xmas for plank dealers as fire destroys market in Lagos

Juliana Francis

It’s likely going to be a less cherry Xmas for plank dealers at the Jakande Plank Market, Isolo area of Lagos State, following an early morning inferno, which swept across the market, destroying property worth millions of naira.

Police Inspector killed as men in camouflage attack

Juliana Francis

IGP, BABA

A Police Inspector, Friday Adams, attached to 17PMF has been killed following an attack on a police team by suspected IPOB/ESN members dressed in camouflage at the Abia State area of the state.

Monday, December 20, 2021

High cost of cooking gas impoverishing Nigerians (2)




In this concluding part of this special report, JULIANA FRANCIS looks at the health consequences of the use of firewood and charcoal on Nigerians and the environment

Cooking gas: A nation caught between survival, health hazards (1)

 




The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), otherwise known as cooking gas, has continued to soar, plunging Nigerians into agonising worries, with many forced to seek alternatives. JULIANA FRANCIS looks at the consequences of the alternatives on people’s health and climate change

Online Loans: When Fraudsters, Hackers Pose As Money Lenders

 • Whenever my phone rings, I flinch in dread and despair –Anurika

• I don’t care whether you’re sick or not! If you want to die, die! But pay that money first –Lender

• It’s causing mental health issues, suicide, depression –Experts

• Most’re not known to us –CBN



Many Nigerians, who took loans from online money lenders, are now shadows of their former selves following invasion of their privacies, harassments and threats to their lives by the lenders’ agents. In this report, JULIANA FRANCIS looks at the impact of the money lenders’ actions on the mental health of the borrowers.

Friday, December 17, 2021

Motorists, commuters anxious as traffic robbers return in Lagos

 Taiwo Jimoh 

 

Odumosu

As the year draws to an end, crime rates in some parts of Lagos State have begun to spiral. The most worrisome crime trend is the return of traffic robbers.

PoC: Worrisome trend of acceptable collateral damage

Juliana Francis

Rafsanjani

The  Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has continues it unrelenting fight for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, through a legal framework, which it’s now presently urging President Muhammadu Buhari to sign for the Protection of Civilians (PoC).

Friday, December 10, 2021

We were sent by IGP, brags Policeman accused of rights violations

Taiwo Jimoh 

 

IGP

A Lagos based Risk Analysts and Advisor, Mr. Clifford Chukwunoyerem, has accused some policemen attached to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command of intimidation and threat to his life.

180 Nigerians stranded in Libya return home

Juliana Francis


The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Tuesday said that it has received 180 Nigerians who were stranded in Libya.

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Kaduna: Kidnappers lay sieges, attack three streets

Several people are believed to have been killed, many injured and more abducted on Thursday when suspected kidnappers invaded Ungwan Gimbiya community in the Sabo-Tasha area of Kaduna State.

Dowen College: My son not in school day of incident, says mother of alleged student

Juliana Francis

IGP. Alkali Baba

The Lagos State Police Command is planning to quiz the senior students of Dowen College, who were accused of bullying and torturing 12 -year-old Sylvester Oromoni to death.

14 Lagos schoolchildren feared crushed by truck

Juliana Francis

Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu

At least 14 schoolchildren were believed to have been killed yesterday after an articulated truck lost control at the Grammar School Bus stop along Ogunnusi road, Ojodu Berger, Lagos State.

Friday, December 3, 2021

Prof comes to my bed every night, says 13 yrs old girl

Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

 

IGP, Baba

The earnest desire of 13-year-old Joy is to be educated, at least to the university level. However, that dream was doomed because her father, who is a security guard to a professor (name withheld), lecturing at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, had repeatedly told her that he did not have the financial resources to enroll in her school.

Policeman accused of checking suspect’s account balance, demands N200, 000

Juliana Francis


A 60-year-old woman, Mrs. Esther Ebere, has narrated her harrowing experience in the hands of policemen at the Idimu Police Station located at the Egbeda area of Lagos State.

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Father of 36 children, seven wives, impregnates 13 yrs old

Juliana Francis


The Lagos State Police Command has launched a man-hunt for one Mr. Kazeem for allegedly impregnating a 13-year-old girl at the Boundary Ajegunle area of Lagos State and disappearing into thin air.

Against all odds: How visually impaired woman bagged Ph.D.

Sola Adeyemo


Dr. Ifeoma Bibiana Okoli was not born blind and the impairment is not congenital but adventitious. She developed the sight problem when she was just eight years old.