Best interest of a
Child to be of paramount consideration in all actions
Child to be of paramount consideration in all actions
–
Section 1, Child’s Right Act (2003)
Section 1, Child’s Right Act (2003)
In Nigeria, children’s Rights are protected by law and held
sacred, not only does the law protect the child; it also stipulates punishment
for adults who take advantage of children or seek to negatively influence them.
The law seeks to prevent cruelty against children while stating the rights and
obligations of the Nigerian Child.
sacred, not only does the law protect the child; it also stipulates punishment
for adults who take advantage of children or seek to negatively influence them.
The law seeks to prevent cruelty against children while stating the rights and
obligations of the Nigerian Child.
Prior to the 2003 Child Rights Act, Nigerian child protection
was defined by the Children and Young People’s Act (CYPA), a law relating
primarily to juvenile justice. In 2003, Nigeria adopted the Child Rights Act to
domesticate the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an international human rights
treaty that grants all children and young people (aged 17 and under) a
comprehensive set of rights.
was defined by the Children and Young People’s Act (CYPA), a law relating
primarily to juvenile justice. In 2003, Nigeria adopted the Child Rights Act to
domesticate the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an international human rights
treaty that grants all children and young people (aged 17 and under) a
comprehensive set of rights.
In regard to legal contracts, the Act states that No child
shall enter into a contract, except as provided by the provisions of the Act
and any contract, except a contact for necessaries, entered into by a child for
repayment of money lent or for payment of goods supplied to the child, shall be
void. Other rights of the Nigerian child according to Part II of the Child’s
Right Act include:
shall enter into a contract, except as provided by the provisions of the Act
and any contract, except a contact for necessaries, entered into by a child for
repayment of money lent or for payment of goods supplied to the child, shall be
void. Other rights of the Nigerian child according to Part II of the Child’s
Right Act include:
– Right to survival and development.
– Right to name.
– Freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
– Freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
– Right to private and family life.
– Right to freedom of movement.
– Right to freedom from discrimination.
– Right to dignity of the child.
– Right to leisure, recreation and cultural activities.
– Right to health and health services.
– Right to parental care, protection and maintenance.
– Right of a child to free, compulsory and universal primary
education, etc.
education, etc.
– Right of a child in need of special protection measure.
– Right of the unborn child to protection against harm, etc.
The Act prohibits Child marriage as no person under the age
of 18 years is capable of contracting a valid marriage, and accordingly a marriage
so contracted is null and void and of no effect whatsoever. In addition,
parents and guardians are precluded from arranging or facilitating child
betrothals and any person who marries a child; or to whom a child is betrothed;
or who promotes the marriage of a child; or who betroths a child, commits an
offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000; or imprisonment for
a term of five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
of 18 years is capable of contracting a valid marriage, and accordingly a marriage
so contracted is null and void and of no effect whatsoever. In addition,
parents and guardians are precluded from arranging or facilitating child
betrothals and any person who marries a child; or to whom a child is betrothed;
or who promotes the marriage of a child; or who betroths a child, commits an
offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000; or imprisonment for
a term of five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
It is against the law to tattoo or mark the skin of a child,
any person who tattoos or makes a skin mark on a child commits an offence under
the Act and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand naira
or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to both such fine and imprisonment.
any person who tattoos or makes a skin mark on a child commits an offence under
the Act and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand naira
or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Exposing a child to the use or trafficking of narcotics is a
serious crime and any person found guilty is liable on conviction to
imprisonment for life. Employing a child for the facilitation of criminal acts
is also an offence under the Act and any person found guilty is liable on
conviction to imprisonment for a term of fourteen years.
serious crime and any person found guilty is liable on conviction to
imprisonment for life. Employing a child for the facilitation of criminal acts
is also an offence under the Act and any person found guilty is liable on
conviction to imprisonment for a term of fourteen years.
It is unlawful to have sexual intercourse with a child; any
person who contravenes this provision commits an offence of rape and is liable
on conviction to imprisonment for life. Where a person is charged with an
offence under this section, it is immaterial that- the offender believed the person
to be of or above the age of eighteen years; or the sexual intercourse was with
the consent of the child.
person who contravenes this provision commits an offence of rape and is liable
on conviction to imprisonment for life. Where a person is charged with an
offence under this section, it is immaterial that- the offender believed the person
to be of or above the age of eighteen years; or the sexual intercourse was with
the consent of the child.
It may be interesting to note that a child may bring an
action for damages against a person for harm or injury caused to the child will-fully,
recklessly, negligently or through neglect before, during or after the birth of
that child. Also, where the father of an unborn child dies intestate, the
unborn child is entitled, if he was conceived during the lifetime of his
father, to be considered in the distribution of the estate of the deceased
father. Where the mother of an unborn child dies intestate before the child is
delivered, the unborn child is entitled, if he survives his mother, to be
considered in the distribution of the estate of the deceased mother.
action for damages against a person for harm or injury caused to the child will-fully,
recklessly, negligently or through neglect before, during or after the birth of
that child. Also, where the father of an unborn child dies intestate, the
unborn child is entitled, if he was conceived during the lifetime of his
father, to be considered in the distribution of the estate of the deceased
father. Where the mother of an unborn child dies intestate before the child is
delivered, the unborn child is entitled, if he survives his mother, to be
considered in the distribution of the estate of the deceased mother.
Other sections of the Act also provide for the right of the
Nigerian Child, these sections of the Act that relate to legal issues affecting
the Nigerian child include; The duty of the State to protect children and
investigate the plight of children who need special care and protection; child
labour; harmful publications that negatively influence children; adoption, custody
and guardianship of children and the Child Justice Administration system.
Nigerian Child, these sections of the Act that relate to legal issues affecting
the Nigerian child include; The duty of the State to protect children and
investigate the plight of children who need special care and protection; child
labour; harmful publications that negatively influence children; adoption, custody
and guardianship of children and the Child Justice Administration system.
Adedunmade Onibokun