By Uchenna Ugwu
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ebonyi Branch has recommended the introduction of Non-Custodial Sentencing for children in conflict with the law.
Mrs Oluchukwu Ik-Odeh, the state’s Chairperson of FIDA, made the call on Friday, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki.
Ik-Odeh noted that it was good to reform children in custody through community services, rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.
The Chairperson pointed that the recommendation, if approved, would help the juvenile becoming a productive member of the society.
She said that it was better to address the root causes of their behaviour through programmes ranging from counselling, education, to skill acquisition.
Ik-Odeh stated that this could often involve community service.
“The children can be engaged with sweeping court premises, roads, washing cars, farm work, fetching water at least for one month to make them realise their actions or mistakes.
“We discovered increase in children into theft and child criminal exploitation by some adults. The stealing happens because they were abandoned by their parents to fend for themselves.
“My concern again is that you do not keep a child for so long in custody at the prime of their age. This is why we are advocating for the introduction of non-custodial sentencing and not custodial sentencing for minor crimes.
“A child who is alleged or found to have committed offence by stealing clothes or yam and sentenced to three months or more in custody. What is the equivalent,” Ik-Odeh said.
The Chairperson solicited for a collaborative effort with relevant agencies to introduce and develop better life skills for the juvenile in custody.
Ik-Odeh tasked parents and other family members of juvenile in custody to show full cooperation and responsibility towards proper parenting.
“Parents should be made to be part of the change process and play their part by reducing the causes of criminal behaviour and recidivism,” Ik-Odeh said.
She commended the current Ebonyi State administration led by Gov. Francis Nwifuru and called for a prioritising of safety by ensuring the children feel physically and emotionally secured. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
