Parading Child suspects in the media
It is quite disheartening and worrisome to see a Nation destroying its future, the future it has a primary responsibility to protect. To magine that a child can be exposed to such magnitude of public ridicule and shame is a big shame on Nigeria.
Could this be termed ignorance of the law or ignorance to morals? Whichever term, there is no excuse for either. The Child’s Rights Act 2003 mandates every authority and person in taking or making any decision with respect to a child to gjve paramount consideration to the child’s best interest:
1. Best interest of a Child to be of paramount consideration in all actions
1. In every action concerning a child, whether undertaken by an individual, public or private body, institutions or service, court of law, or administrative or legislative authority, the best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration.
2. A child to be given protection and care necessary for his well‐being
(1) A child shall be given such protection and care as is necessary for the well‐being of the child, taking into account the rights and duties of the child’s parents, legal guardians, or other individuals, institutions, services, agencies, organisations or bodies legally responsible for the child.
Accordingly, any action and or step taken with regards to the case of Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme by JAMB and the State Government and or any authority involved in this saga is contrary to the Child’s Rights Act. The act of parading her before the National and International media without having been prosecuted and found guilty is in gross and grave violation of her fundamental human right to fair hearing and presumption of innocence until proved guilty and human dignity see section 36 (1) (5)of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), this act is also prohibited by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act..
Morally, a child is a child to every adult in the community and must be protected and repriminded for any wrong doing and not publicly shamed. In this case investigation has not been carried out conclusively nor fair hearing granted before this flagrant abuse of the child’s right. And even if found guilty should not be subjected to this magnitude of public shame and disgrace as a minor. We at AWLA hereby condemn this act in its entirety and call on the relevant authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. We also demand that the child be fully compensated for this all time damage done to her reputation and public apology in three widely read national newspapers and international TV stations- namely This Day Newspaper, The Punch, Guardian Newspapers and Channels TV, Arise TV and CNN respectively in line with the legal principle of Ubi jus ibi remedium ( where there is a wrong, there is a remedy).
AWLA is ready and willing to pursue this case for Miss Ejikeme pro bono ( free of charge). AWLA is a professional organisation of women lawyers poised to end indignity to women and children and attain gender parity.
#EndIndignityToWomenAndChildren
#EnthroneGenderParity
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Thank you
Mandy Demechi-Asagba
President
