Activist Petitions ECOWAS, Others Over Delta State’s Amended Child Rights Law

 

Activist Petitions ECOWAS, Others Over Delta State’s Amended Child Rights Law

A prominent child rights advocate and convener of #OperationSaveNigerianChildren, Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, has petitioned the ECOWAS Commission, the National Assembly, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, seeking urgent intervention regarding the controversial Delta State Child Rights (Amendment) Law, 2024.

In addition, Aghogho is calling for the issuance of a nolle prosequi in respect of a criminal case instituted against him by the Delta State Government.

The petition, addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation, was also copied to Comrade Omoyele Sowore and the National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, thereby garnering broader civil society support for the initiative.

Furthermore, the petition seeks the discontinuance of criminal proceedings in the matter of FGN v. Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho (FHC/WR/92C/2022), arising from Aghogho’s advocacy against systemic child trafficking and unlawful adoption practices allegedly prevalent in Delta State.

Speaking on the development, Aghogho stated:

"The Delta State Child Rights (Amendment) Law, 2024, confirms the systemic trafficking of children between 1991 and 2022, thus corroborating my claims and vindicating my public interest disclosures."

He further contended that the amendment, recently signed into law by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, violates Section 12(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, insofar as it seeks to alter federally enacted and treaty-based legislation such as the Child Rights Act, 2003 — raising profound constitutional concerns.

HCRC NEWS 

Photocredit: Unsplash