By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
In a bid to support ongoing efforts aimed at implementing the Child Rights Act in Akwa Ibom State and ensure that perpetrators of attack on alleged witches and wizards are brought to book and ensure that individuals guilty of child abuse are made to face full weight of law, a two-day training has been organised for judges and magistrates.
The training took place on 17 and 18 July, 2023, in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital.
The theme of the training, which was held in collaboration with UK charity, Safe Child Africa, was ‘Enhancing Skills for Better Child Protection.’
The Nigerian Child Rights Act, 2003, was adapted in Akwa Ibom State in 2008. It was particularly unique in that it criminalised the act of branding children as witches or wizards.
However, in 2014, the state government set up the family courts as a key plank of the implementation of the Child Rights Act and to tackle cases of witchcraft accusations in the state.
In his remarks, the Chair of Chair Trustees of Safe Child Africa, Garg Foxcraft, said, “We are humbled and grateful to support this important initiative.
“I would love to commend the Chief Judge, Ekaette Obot, for enabling this groundbreaking training to take place and Justice Theresa Obot for the leadership she has shown in helping make it happen.
“We hope that this event will go some way to helping ensure that vulnerable and stigmatized children have access to justice and protection.”
It is however pertinent to note that Foxcroft was one of the lead coordinators of the coalition of groups who worked hard to ensure that the United Nations passed a solution on Elimination of Harmful Practices related to Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks in 2021.
He added, “Harmful practices related to witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks globally have resulted in various forms of violence, including killings, mutilation, burning, coercion, the trafficking of persons, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and stigmatization.”
Also speaking, key speaker at the training in Uyo, Barrister James Ibor, who was also part of the coalition said, “Regular training such as this is essential if judges and magistrates are to be properly supported with developing skills and understanding of key issues that are needed to help secure prosecutions of those who are guilty of abusing the rights of children.
“I hope that the key stakeholders will continue with this collaboration so that children who have been raped, trafficked, abandoned or accused of witchcraft can have access to the justice that they so richly deserve.”
