Representatives set to amend Child Rights Act to criminalize child abandonment
The House of Representatives passed a bill on second reading to make it a criminal offense for parents to abandon a child after birth.
The bill, sponsored by Sergius Ogun (PDP, Edo), seeks to amend Article 14 of the Child Rights Act.
During the debate on the general principle of the bill, Mr. Ogun informed his colleagues that the bill aims to create a new article 14, paragraph 3, to punish the abandonment of children after birth .
According to Ogun, the bill seeks to impose penalties on any parent who abandons a newborn and flees after birth.
The bill proposes a fine of N200,000 or six months imprisonment for anyone found guilty by the court of the offense of child abandonment.
Article 14(3) of the proposal reads: "Subject to the provisions of this Act, no child shall be abandoned at the time of his birth, notwithstanding the conditions of his birth
“Where a parent abandons a child at the place of his birth, he is guilty of an offense and, if convicted, he is liable to a fine of 200,000 naira or a penalty of imprisonment for 6 months or both,” he said.< /p>
Speaking in support of the bill, Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta), urged his colleagues to support the bill to end the practice.
READ ALSO: EXCLUSIVE: Violations of children's rights, sexual and other violence are among the 1.2 million petitions before the Human Rights CommitteeHe added that the government also has a role to play in supporting families in the face of the tightening economic situation in the country.
"It is the duty of the parents to bring a child into the world to care for that ward/child. The government also has the responsibility to complete the duty of the parents. Every person has an obligation," Ms. .Ossai.
He emphasized that government support for families will encourage more states to domesticate the law in their states.
Several states have not yet incorporated child rights legislation. Some of the states include; Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Zamfara, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Borno and Adamawa.
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The House of Representatives passed a bill on second reading to make it a criminal offense for parents to abandon a child after birth.
The bill, sponsored by Sergius Ogun (PDP, Edo), seeks to amend Article 14 of the Child Rights Act.
During the debate on the general principle of the bill, Mr. Ogun informed his colleagues that the bill aims to create a new article 14, paragraph 3, to punish the abandonment of children after birth .
According to Ogun, the bill seeks to impose penalties on any parent who abandons a newborn and flees after birth.
The bill proposes a fine of N200,000 or six months imprisonment for anyone found guilty by the court of the offense of child abandonment.
Article 14(3) of the proposal reads: "Subject to the provisions of this Act, no child shall be abandoned at the time of his birth, notwithstanding the conditions of his birth
“Where a parent abandons a child at the place of his birth, he is guilty of an offense and, if convicted, he is liable to a fine of 200,000 naira or a penalty of imprisonment for 6 months or both,” he said.< /p>
Speaking in support of the bill, Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta), urged his colleagues to support the bill to end the practice.
READ ALSO: EXCLUSIVE: Violations of children's rights, sexual and other violence are among the 1.2 million petitions before the Human Rights CommitteeHe added that the government also has a role to play in supporting families in the face of the tightening economic situation in the country.
"It is the duty of the parents to bring a child into the world to care for that ward/child. The government also has the responsibility to complete the duty of the parents. Every person has an obligation," Ms. .Ossai.
He emphasized that government support for families will encourage more states to domesticate the law in their states.
Several states have not yet incorporated child rights legislation. Some of the states include; Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Zamfara, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Borno and Adamawa.
Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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