Connect with us

News

‘A Disgrace’ — Angry Reactions As Nigerian Police Decline To Prosecute Father For Sexualising Minor

Published

on

Child exploitation police Alleged child exploiter, Musa Suleman
  • The Police spokesperson angered many Nigerians after taking a soft stance on child exploitation.
  • The angry reactions followed CSP Adejobi’s comments that the force will not prosecute an alleged child exploitation crime.
  • Nevertheless, the police have arrested the father who was sexually exploiting his four-year-old daughter.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigeria Police Force, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, shocked Nigerians on Sunday after announcing that the police will not prosecute an alleged child exploitation crime.

Adejobi was responding to calls to arrest and prosecute Musa Suleman, the father of a minor, who was using an Instagram page to sexually exploit his daughter.

EDITOR’S PICKS

Suleman posted indecent photos and videos of his daughter on Instagram, depicting her as a model. (Instagram has taken down the page)

In some photos, the minor was bare-chested and wearing only an underwear. In others, she was seen wearing a G-string, a string-like piece consisting of a narrow piece of material that barely covers the genitals.

Despite the disturbing photos making it to the Internet, the police spokesman in Nigeria said the force would not prosecute the crime.

Nigeria’s Child Rights Act 2003 protects children from various forms of sexual abuse and exploitation prejudicial to the welfare of the child. Section 32 of the act says an offender is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 14 years.

The Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act 2024 also frowns against “realistic images representing a minor engaged in sexually exploit conduct.” The act prescribes jail terms ranging from five to 15 years for offenders.

POLICE SPOKESMAN’S REJECTION OF PROSECUTION

Despite the violation of multiple laws, Adejobi said the police would prefer to “counsel” the parents of the child rather than prosecute them.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi

The police spokesperson, who is known for controversial statements, said prosecuting the alleged child exploitation offender would expose the girl to “the rots in our system and moral dangers.”

However, there are organisations who shelter child exploitation victims after the punishment of their wards.

“This is an act of indecency and exposing the young child to moral dangers. The PPRO of Edo command will take it up and counsel the parents rather than prosecute them,” Adejobi wrote.

“Many of us don’t know the implications of what we do. We will educate them, and many alike. This kind of a thing will expose the girl to the rots in our system and moral dangers.

“Not in all cases we prosecute, there is a room for ADR and CSR in our duties, and we shall be adopting such.”

ANGRY REACTIONS TO DECISION NOT TO PROSECUTE

Unsurprisingly, the police spokesperson’s statement did not go down well with Nigerians on social media who angrily disagreed with the move.

Most reactions condemned Adejobi’s statement and asked the police to arrest and prosecute the alleged child exploiter.

A lawyer, Moe Odele, said the police PRO was wrong about his assertion of counseling the suspected criminal. She asked the police to do their job of prosecuting Suleman.

“You are wrong. The Criminal Code, the Child’s Right Act and the Cybercrime Act list what he has done here as offenses. Do your actual job – and it is not counseling,” Odele wrote on X.

Singer, Simi Kosoko, was also left speechless, writing that she did not know what to say.

Others echoed their stance, seeking the prosecution of the suspect.

https://twitter.com/ulxma/status/1789674549748928599?t=RUykoZkcxVwIco01DzFSIw&s=19

https://twitter.com/DejiNotDope/status/1789632411224948978?t=T10IdYp6cgXuqEBVa218kw&s=19

POLICE ARREST MINOR’S FATHER

Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command has arrested Suleman, the father of the exploited minor.

The command’s PRO, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said investigation has commenced into the father’s act.

Edo State Police commissioner, CP Funsho Adegboye

Edo State Police commissioner, CP Funsho Adegboye

The state’s police commissioner, CP Funsho Adegboye, also urged the public to be calm, promising that justice will be served.

“The Edo State Police Command is aware of the trending video of a child of about 4 years old conspicuously naked and used as an adult content in an undisclosed hotel in Auchi, Edo State,” the statement reads.

“The Commissioner of Police Edo State Command, CP Funsho Adegboye, mni immediately drafted tactical team to goall [sic] out and arrest the suspect and his cohort. Within 12 hours, the father of the girl was arrested, investigation has commenced further revelation will be made known to the public.

“The CP therefore appeal to the good citizens of Nigeria to remain calm that justice will be serve.”

FURTHER READING

It is currently unclear whether the Edo police command will follow Adejobi’s lead of counseling the alleged child exploiter and not prosecute him.

Click here to watch our video of the week: 




Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:

Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.

Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.

Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611




 

 


DISCLAIMER: Opinion articles are solely the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers Of  EKO HOT BLOG

For publication of your News Contents, articles, Videos or any other News Worthy Materials, please send to [email protected]

For Advert and other info, you can call 08035617233 or send a WhatsApp Message to 08035617233.

Please drop your comments

Copyright © Ekohotblog

MGID