Obaseki decries use of children for labour, threatens sanctions

• NAPTIP secures conviction of trafficker
• Legal experts task lawyers on integrity

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has condemned the use of children as labourers by employers of labour and warned that his administration would not accept any form of exploitation of children in the state.

He gave the warning at the weekend on the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour, marked by the United Nations (UN) on June 12 every year.

The governor, while acknowledging the influx of companies into the state, with the state government’s reinvigorated efforts at creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive, maintained that his administration would not be home to obnoxious labour practices such as the recruitment of children to work.

He said government is committed to equipping “our children with quality education for a prosperous future.”

Meanwhile, a Benin High Court, presided over by Justice Alero Edodo-Erauga, has sentenced one 47-year-old Ehigie Richard of No. 71, Osakue Street, Off Nomayo Road, Benin City, to three years imprisonment with an option of fine of N2, 250,000 for human trafficking.

The accused was arraigned on a four-count charge of recruitment of a person by means of abuse, position of vulnerability, assistance to a person engaged in an act of trafficking in persons and facilitation and exportation of persons for prostitution, contrary to various provisions of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

In another development, stakeholders and experts in the legal profession have urged young lawyers to shun quick wealth and uphold tenets of hardwork, dedication and integrity to become successful in the noble career and in service to humanity.

The legal experts, Prof. Gbolahan Elias (SAN) and a justice of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, Ondo State, Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma, said this at the Oba Erediauwa College of Law yearly valedictory for the 2017/2018 academic session of Igbinedion University, Okada in Edo State.

Elias, who spoke on “Challenges and Prospects for Young Lawyers in a Law Firm in a Developing Society,” urged young lawyers to be professional in their conduct rather than cut corners.

He tasked the young lawyers to have a deep sense of fulfilment in the profession as well as pursue with enthusiasm and diligence the core values that are associated with the legal profession with a view to commanding respect and integrity among the Bar and Bench.

Besides, he also admonished lawyers to look for good mentorship, ask questions when in doubt and read books published by other legal experts to enhance their knowledge.

Danjuma, who urged young lawyers to be voracious readers and lawyers of integrity for them to be meaningful and useful to the society, said: “Legal profession without integrity amounts to nothing. Do not compromise on integrity. Integrity is more important because that is what makes the job worthwhile.”