By Brave Dickson
One Mr Nse Williams of about 46 years old is now standing trial for allegedly impregnating a 13-yr old girl after having several carnal knowledge with the minor sometime in 2018.
The defendant was said to be arrested by his wife after it was confirmed that the 13-yr old minor was pregnant for him.
A one-count charge slammed on the defendant reads in part: “That you Nse Williams ‘m’ sometime in 2018 behind MacDonald College, Igwuruta, in Port Harcourt Magisterial District did have unlawful carnal knowledge of a 13yr old ‘f’ minor and was repeatedly having intercourse with her and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 32 (1) (2) of the Child Rights Act Cap 50 Laws of the Federation, 2003.”
Chief Magistrate F.N Amanze, however, remanded the defendant in prison custody and adjourned the case till October 2, 2019.
In another development, a teenage female of about 15yr old has been remanded in prison for selling her baby at the cost of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000) along with Mr Ihiechi Ezendu of 32yr old.
According to Charge Number: 1426c/2019, the two defendants were charged as follows, “that you Ihiechi Ezendu and (name withheld) With others now at large on July 2, 2019, at Mininwayi Street, Oyigbo LGA did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Child Trafficking and therefore committed an offence punishable under section 516 (A) of the Criminal Code Cap. 37 Vol. 11, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999.
“That you the aforementioned defendants and others now at large on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did sell your newborn baby girl to unknown person(s) at the cost of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 30 (1) (3) of the Child’s Rights Act, Cap 50 LFN, 2003.”
In 2003, Nigeria adopted the Child Rights Act to domesticate the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Although this law was passed at the Federal level, it is only effective if State Assemblies also start it.
In 1989, world leaders made a historic commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)– an international agreement on childhood.
The Convention says childhood is separate from adulthood and lasts until 18. It is a special, protected time, in which children must be allowed to grow, learn, play, develop and flourish with dignity.
The principles enshrined were adopted in Nigeria as the (CRA) in 2003. Despite
the passage of the Act, not every child gets such rights in Nigeria.
Article 3 of the CRC states that “in all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.”
