By OGEMDI OZOEMENAM, Awka
The Anambra State House of Assembly has called on the Executive Arm of Government to ensure speedy prosecution of Mrs Chisom Chukwunyere who physically abused her 10-year-old house boy, Chiziterem at Odume Layout Obosi in Idemili North council area of the state.
The House also requested immediate arrest of her husband, arguing that he is an accomplice in the inhuman matter in which he failed to protect the little boy.
It asked Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to urgently direct the Ministry of Women and Social Development to collaborate with other relevant Agencies in undertaking comprehensive assessment of reported cases of child abuse for immediate prosecution of offenders in line with the provisions of the Child Rights Law of the State.
This resolution was contained in a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency, Hon Mimi Azikiwe and 27 others during plenary in Awka yesterday.
Moving the motion, Hon Azikiwe said the Child Rights Law of Anambra State 2006 prohibits child abuse, neglect, ill-treatment, and exploitation under Sections 16 and 20, and makes such acts criminal offences.
According to her, Sections 21 to 33 of the Child Rights Law of Anambra State 2006 prescribe offences and penalties for unlawful sexual intercourse with a child, child trafficking, child labour, abduction, and exposure of children to pornographic materials, thereby providing a legal basis for immediate prosecution of offenders;
“Part IV of the Child Rights Law of Anambra State 2006 assigns the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare the responsibility of coordinating child protection, receiving complaints, and liaising with law enforcement for investigation and prosecution.
“AWARE that incidents of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, child trafficking, child labour, and other forms of violence against children continue to be reported across communities in Anambra State.”
The female lawmaker who is also a lawyer, observed that delay in assessing reported cases and prosecuting offenders, compounds trauma for victims and encourages impunity, hence the need for urgent executive action to ensure evidence to protect victims and bring offenders to justice without unnecessary delay.
Supporting the motion, Majority Leader, Hon Ikenna Ofodeme (Ekwusigo), Hon Kingsley Udemezue (Idemili North), Hon Fred Ezenwa (Onitsha South 1), Hon Tony Mobike (Aguata 1), Hon Jude Akpua (Njikoka 2), Hon Obi Nweke (Anambra East), Emma Nwafor (Orumba South), Jude Ngobili (Ihiala 1) and Hon Golden Iloh (Ihiala 2), advocated for open trial in such a Chiziterem’s case, stressing that the prime suspect would be charged for attempted murder, torture and manslaughter
The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Somtochukwu Udeze who had visited the victim in company of Senator Stella Oduah, stressed the need to amend the Child Rights law to reflect the current reality in the state.
Recall, that the 10-year-old Chiziterem whose video went viral last week is currently receiving treatment in hospital after suffering severe abuse, including burns from melted plastic, starvation, torture and other inhuman treatment meted against him by his guardian Chioma Chukwunyere in Odume Layout, Obosi.
Currently, three persons, including the guardian are in the custody of the Anambra State Police Command awaiting prosecution for this incident.
