‘Child rights violators should be prosecuted’

Speaking to pressmen at an interface meeting of stakeholders on the implementation of the child rights law in central Nigeria held in Abuja recently, she said although the child act has been implemented in the state, “the laws are not fully followed because of religion, traditional and lifestyle of the people.”She explained that most times, […]

Speaking to pressmen at an interface meeting of stakeholders on the implementation of the child rights law in central Nigeria held in Abuja recently, she said although the child act has been implemented in the state, “the laws are not fully followed because of religion, traditional and lifestyle of the people.”
She explained that most times, when an offender is brought before the law for prosecution, “family members begin to come around to lobby and beg for the release of the offender before you know it, you are bent in one way out of your wish.”
Kigbu pressed that all authorities should ensure that everyone found guilty of the law should be punished without fear or favor.
On his part, Director, Child Welfare, Plateau State, Mr. Gwamfa Kannap said the state was the second state to domesticate the law and has gone far in implementing the act.
He confirmed that “the issue of child trafficking, early marriage amongst other offences against the child has been addressed in the state but the only challenge in Plateau is for the family court to take off.”
Deputy Director, Head, Focal Area Unit of the National Human Rights Commission, Abuja, Ms. Aver Gavar said the commission always meets with the stakeholders to access the level of implementation of the act in their states.