…Seeks life imprisonment for offenders

Former Governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and an ace Nollywood actress, Comrade Chioma Ifemeludike, has clashed with security agents as she led a peaceful protest to the three arms of government in Awka, the state capital, while seeking an amendment of the existing law that puts 10 years’ imprisonment for child abuse offences to reflect a life-jail term. The protest, which started from Ekwueme Square, took the demonstrators from the Solution Park/Apple Studio Keke Park, Aroma neighbourhoods, through Light House to the State House of Assembly, all within the Central Business District, Awka.

The protest conducted under the Comrade Chioma Grace Ifemeludike Ministry (CGIM) saw protesters carry placards, some of which read: We Say No To Sexual Molestation,” “Say No To Child Abuse,” “Child Pornography: Enough Is Enough,” ” Child Abusers Will Face Life Imprisonment.” Also, the protesters were prevented from gaining access to the Jerome Udoji State Secretariat, Awka, by operatives of Nigeria Decides and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), leaving the founder of CGIM to stay at the gate to crusade against all forms of child abuse while calling for a stronger attitude towards child rights protection and promotion.

At the Government House (Light House), policemen equally had a tough time trying to box the protesters into a corner amid resistance by the leader of the protest, heading to the deployment of more police women to threaten to use force to push the protesters into a safe corner while waiting for the governor or his wife’s representative. The timely arrival of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Egbuna, who spoke to the protesters, calmed frayed nerves.
Addressing Governor Soludo’s representative, Comrade Ifemeludike regretted that the issue of child abuse has become notorious in the State, calling out Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Dr. Nonye Soludo, and other well-meaning citizens to intervene.

The Nollywood actress-turned activist decried: “Where are Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Dr. Nonye Soludo? You can’t be living in the cozy comfort of the Government House/Lodge while our children are being abused or bullied every day, while our children are hawking during school hours. Ifemeludike condemned parents and guardians who watch pornographic films with their children and wards, use a hot iron to inflict bodily pain on a child as a form of punishment, or deny a child food or lock a child up in a toilet as punishment is inhuman and an offence punishable by law.

According to her, “See something, say something. Children must be protected. See something, say something. Protect our children. We know the economy is bad, but it isn’t the reason for child labour, child abuse, and other molestation. If the likes of Davido, Wizkid, Burnaboy are abused, they wouldn’t be stars today. These children being abused today have talents and skills to excel, and they could become stars in the future. So protect our children. They don’t need to be molested.

At the House of Assembly where she took the protest to, the echo from the loudspeaker she was holding distracted the plenary session. The Speaker stood down the plenary session, forcing the Speaker, RT. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze to stand down proceedings for 30 minutes to enable delegates of the House comprising Honourable Mimi Ikpeazu-Azikiwe, Chairman, Gender and Women Affairs Committee, Ikenna Ofodeme, Chairman of Security Committee and Noble Igwe representing Ogbaru I to interact with the protesters.
As the law makers were approaching, Ifemeludike was already having altercations with the police operatives in the legislature, who demanded that she be reminded that plenary was in session and required no distraction. Addressing the lawmakers, Ifemeludike called on the State Assembly to strengthen existing laws against child abuse and other molestations to reflect 10 years’ imprisonment instead of the present 10 years’ imprisonment.

The former Governorship Candidate appreciated the lawmakers for making laws that protect and promote children’s rights, but requested effective implementation measures and more stringent laws in which child abusers of different ramifications face ten years imprisonment term.
She called for partnership with the legislature and sought stronger punitive measures against offenders, including life imprisonment, while ensuring due process and adequate protection for child victims and witnesses throughout legal proceedings

Ifemeludike said: “We demand introduction of life imprisonment as punishment for serious cases of child abuse, to serve as a deterrent to others.”

The protesters appealed to Chairman of the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs and member representing Onitsha North Constituency, Hon. Mimi Ikpeazu, to sponsor legislation that would strengthen the enforcement of the Child’s Rights Act, 2003.

Responding, the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Mimi Azikiwe, acknowledged the concerns raised but said that the major challenge wasn’t necessarily the absence of laws, but implementation.

She noted that the legislature has been proactive, stressing that all existing provisions under the Child Rights Law and Violence Against Persons (VAP) Law address many child-abuse cases.

Corroborating her, the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Sir Ikenna Ofodeme, assured of fruitful partnership with the House in the fight against child rights violations, revealing the Assembly was already reviewing existing laws and considering issues relating to penalties and enforcement, expressing concerns about implementation and enforcement.