A Benin-based lawyer and Gender advocate with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, RoLAC, Henry Amaechi Nwazor, has declared that the refusal by parent(s) to feed or abandon his spouse or children and other dependants, without means of sustenance attracts a jail term or an option of fine or both upon conviction in Edo State.
He stirred the hornet nest after referencing relevant sections of the domesticated Edo State Violence Against Persons Prohibition, VAPP (Prohibition law) 2021 under Child abandonment at Community Legal Clinic in Uhunmwode Local Government Area.
The event which was organized by the Women’s Rights and Health Project, WRAHP in partnership with RoLAC II in partnership with International IDEA.
Nwazor quoted Section 16(a) of the VAPP (Prohibition Law 2021, which states that: “Any person who abandons a wife or husband or children or other dependants, without any means of sustenance will be sent to prison for 3 years or pay a fine for three years or pay a fine up to N500,000 or both”.
The probono lawyer also said Section 16(b) says, “Any person who attempt to abandon his wife or her husband, children or her dependants, without any means of sustenance will be sent to prison for 1 year and 6 months or pay a fine up to N200,000 or both”.
He lamented that “most people are not aware of the VAPP Law. Ignorance is not an excuse in law. They do not know that failure to provide food family, which is part of parental responsibility under the State government law is an offence”.
“Some educated people are now aware of the law. It falls under Abandonment. That is why we are creating this awareness”, he said.
The Gender Advocate lamented that “most Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV cases fail in court due largely to the manner some police investigators handle some of the cases”.
He further tasked Nigerian especially women and children to speak up whenever their rights are violated and channel cases of human rights abuse to the appropriate authority for necessary intervention.
Addressing participants at the event, Juliet Akpojevba, Edo State Programme officer, Women’s Rights and Health Project, WRAHP, tasked participants to explore the SGBV psycho-socio support to overcome emotional challenge
through Counselling session.
In her goodwill message, Bose Ironsi, the Executive Director of
Women’s Rights and Health Project, said the Community Legal Clinic in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, offered a platform for participants to access professional, confidential, and compassionate legal advice.
She stated that “Beyond providing legal advice, the clinic will serve as an educational platform, empowering participants with knowledge about their rights under key legal frameworks, including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, etc”.
“The clinic offers comprehensive services to ensure survivors receive holistic support. Participants will access counselling services on human rights, SGBV laws, and practical safety planning.
“Through knowledge-sharing sessions, survivors and Community members will gain invaluable insights into their legal rights and the resources available to them, fostering greater awareness and resilience within the Community.
The Project Facilitator emphasize that “SGBV remains a pervasive challenge in some States, leaving survivors struggling to understand and navigate complex legal systems while often facing stigma”.
The initiative seeks to bridge knowledge gap beyond individual survivors by engaging the broader community. By working closely with key Stakeholders, including artisans, market traders, and religious leaders, the clinic promotes a collaborative approach to addressing SGBV.
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