The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command has dragged a 35-year-old man, Ola Emmanuel, before a Family Court sitting in Osogbo, the state capital, over allegations of child abuse.
The State Commandant, Emmanuel Ocheja made this known on the 30th March, 2022 through the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Corps II Olabisi Olabisi, a copy of which was obtained by InsightMedia in Osogbo.
According to the statement, Ola Emmanuel, a divorcée, was arraigned for abusing his 6-years-old son at his residence located at No. 2 Temitope Street, Oke-Oniti, Osogbo, under the jurisdiction of Osogbo Central “A” Area Command of NSCDC, Osun State Command, on the 17th March, 2022.
“The six year old victim could not attend school owing to the inability of his father to pay his school fees.
According to Ola Emmanuel, he prepared beans, served the little boy his own portion and kept the remaining for himself in order to fall back on it when he returned from work, but getting home, he discovered that his son had finished the all the food.
This act infuriated the man which made him to beat the boy mercilessly with a cable. The inhuman treatment led to various injuries on the boy’s body.
“A concerned neighbour raised alarm and contacted the Area Commander, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Oyetunji Olusegun to report the incident.
The case was, subsequently transferred to the State Headquarters for further investigations and prosecution.
According to some members of the community in Osogbo, the victim had been subjected to regular torture and abuse by his father. They pointed to the scars and wounds sustained by the boy as evidence of torture by the father.
During interview by the Public Relations Officer, ASC II Atanda Olabisi, the Defendant said his son is greedy, picking up things that does not belong to him, hence his anger towards him to discourage his bad behavior.
After investigation by the Anti Human Trafficking, Irregular Migration and Gender Based Unit of the NSCDC, Osun state Command, Ola Emmanuel was arraigned at a Family Court. The Court found Ola Emmanuel guilty as charged. The Defendant was therefore sentenced to 24 hours community service while the boy was ordered to remain in the custody of Osun State government at the Children’s Home.
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The Head, Anti-Human Trafficking, Irregular Migration and Gender Based Unit, of the NSCDC, Osun State Command, Chief Superintendent of Corps (CSC) Onifade Clement decried the prevalence of child abuse in the country. He advised parents and guardians to desist from abusing any child under their care.
While commenting on the judgment, Commandant Ocheja stressed that any parent, guardian or whosoever that is found abusing a child would be made to face the consequences. He urged the public not to relent in giving adequate and proactive information to the Corps for prompt response.
