Enugu Assembly Condemns Brutal Torture of Minor by Guardian

Presenting the Motion, Anthony Nwankwo expressed concern and displeasure of Awgu people where the victim hails from over the brutal abuse, torture and severe bodily harm inflicted on Miss Happiness NWAFOR.

He noted that the perpetrator of the dastardly act who claimed to be a lawyer ought to know better the child rights Act and other conventions aimed at protecting the right of the child.

Recounting the gory incident, the lawmaker said the victim will not only live with near permanent scar, but her personality, intellectual and social skills which are still being developed will be altered because of the traumatic experience.

The House therefore urged the ANAMBRA state Commissioner of Police to thoroughly investigate the matter to ensure that the perpetrator is arrested and made to face the law.

The House also direct the Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development to follow up the case to a logical conclusion to avert possible subversion of justice.

The House also called on relevant authorities to ensure implementation of Child rights Act and to advocate for stronger measures to protect minors from such heinous act in the future.

The also called on the media to sensitise the public on the need stand against all forms of violence and abuse especially when it involves the minor and to prioritise and well-being of children.

READ FULL MOTION

MOTION ON MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

BRUTAL ABUSE AND TORTURE OF A MINOR, MISS HAPPINESS NWAFOR BY HER GUARDIAN, MRS. ADACHUKWU CHUKELU-OKAFOR

“That this Honourable House do urge the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command to thoroughly investigate the brutal abuse and torture of a minor, Miss Happiness Nwafor by her guardian, Mrs. Adachukwu Chukelu- Okafor with the aim to serve justice”.

“ Mr. Speaker Sir, my Honourable Colleagues, may I move a motion standing in my name “That this Honourable House do urge the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command to thoroughly investigate the brutal abuse and torture of a minor, Miss Happiness Nwafor by her guardian, Mrs. Adachukwu Chukelu-Okafor with the aim to serve justice”.

“That Whereas, child’s right law and other international conventions provides that children must be protected from all forms of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, physical, mental, sexual abuse, neglect and maltreatment, unfortunately and painfully as it could be, despite the various provisions of the law, conventions and policies available to protect the rights of children, some children still suffer various forms of cruelty and violence”.

“Whereas, I wish to express a deep concern and the gross displeasure of the Awgu people in particular and lovers of human rights in general over the recent case of brutal abuse, torture and severe bodily harm inflicted upon one of my constituents and a minor, Miss Happiness Nwafor by her guardian Mrs. Adachukwu Chukelu-Okafor”.
“Mr. Speaker Sir, Honourable Colleagues, Mrs. Adachukwu Chukelu-Okafor, an indigene of Anambra State and a self-acclaimed lawyer who ought to know better and strife through concerted effort to propagate and promote the rights of a child as enshrined in child rights law and other conventions is the perpetrator of this heinous crime against a vulnerable child whom she is meant to protect and an infraction on the law which she is meant to upheld. What an irony. “

“This woman, heated a knife on fire and use it to burn the face, buttocks, vaginal and thighs of an eleven year old girl, left in her care to protect. Furthermore, she went about brandishing herself as a lawyer and saying that nothing will happen to her because she knows that Happiness is a minor and from a poor background and cannot fight for her right. This is a crime against humanity and such severe act of violence against vulnerable members of the society are not only unacceptable but demand swift and decisive action as deterrent to forestall further occurrence”.

“The rising cases of child abuse and torture is a painful development, adding that it is extremely hard to contemplated that a mother who passed through the travail of child bearing could possibly inflict such severe bodily harm on a child. To say the least, her actions is cruel, grievous, unfathomably and it is at variance with the law”.

“The promise of a better future by Mrs. Adachukwu for Happiness has turned awry, not only has she been given a near permanent scar, she might live in regret for her entire life for going to live with the woman. This child’s personality, intellectual and social skill are still developing and traumatic experience like this can alter that development and cause an enduring and unexpected after effect”.

“This case is similar to the case of ten years old girl Nneoma Nnadi, a former house help to Mr. Jude and Mrs. Ifeoma Ozougwu. It was reported that this couple allegedly burnt little Nneoma’s belle with hot electric iron and drilled a six inches nail into her head and this pathetic story generated overwhelming public outery with many concerned individuals and non-governmental organizations insisting that the couple must be brought to book and eventually they were arrested. Aside from Nneoma’s case, there other cases and here we are now talking about this, which is an indication that cases of child abuse and brutality persist in the country despite the numerous laws to curb it. Torture is absolutely prohibited and no child should under any guise subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, hence the following prayers.

Prayers

1. That this Honourable House do condemned in strong terms and in its entirety the cruel and inhuman treatment meted on Happiness by Adachukwu.

2. That this Honourable House do urge the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Police Command to thoroughly investigate this matter to ensure that the perpetrator is arrested and brought to face the law.

3. That this Honourable House do urge the Executive Governor of Enugu State to direct the Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development to follow up this case to a logical conclusion to avert possible subversion of justice.

4. That this Honourable House do urge the relevant authorities to ensure implementation of Childs Right provisions and to advocate for stronger measures to protect minors from such heinous act in the future.

5. That this Honourable House do urge the media to sensitize the public on the need to stand together against all forms of violence and abuse especially when it involves the minor and to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of our children.

Be it moved and is hereby moved.

Sponsor

Hon. Anthony Nwankwo

Member Representing Awgu South Constituency,

Co-Sponsors Rt. Hon. Jane Ench

Hon. Obiajulu Ugwu

Hon. Okechukwu Aneke

Hon. Clifford Obe

Hon. Okey Mbah

Hon. Magnus Ede

Hon. Osita Eze

Hon. Nebechi Eze