The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN); has written to the Minister of Finance insisting that the detention of the 344 female students in Enugu is a grave violation of the rights.
In the letter dated January 23, 2021 President of the Rights Group Olu Omotayo Esq. noted that the holding the students of Providence High School Enugu by AMCON is a violation of the constitution under the Child Rights Act.
The letter reads; “We write to you by virtue of your position as the supervising Minister of the “Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON)”
“The action of the officials of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) alongside over 40, policemen, who invaded Providence High School, Independence Layout, Enugu, a girls boarding School, on the 22nd January 2021, constitutes a grave violation of the rights of these children, an affront on the Rule of Law and the constitutional guaranteed rights of the affected children.
“It is submitted that even if the said original owner of the property owed a bank before his death, the fact that the property is now a secondary school which provides education for 344 students is no longer a private affair between AMCON and the original owner but it is now a matter of public interest.
“The education and liberty of 344, Nigerian children are at stake Section 3(2) of the Childs’ Right Act 2003, provides thus: “
“In addition to the rights guaranteed under Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, or under any successive constitutional provisions, every child has the rights set out in this Part of the Act”.
“It is submitted that the invasion and detention of the 344 female students is a grave violation of their constitutional right to liberty, freedom of movement and right to dignity of human person guaranteed under the Nigeria Constitution 1999, and the Childs’ Rights Act 2003.
The group argued that In a situation like this that public interest is involved the Managing director of the corporation is expected to act reasonably and responsibly by informing the Minister of Finance on the best way to handle this matter in the best interest of the school children.
It demanded that all unlawful and illegal steps being taken by officials of AMCON be halted immediately.
The group also demands an apology from AMCON to the 344 students of the school who were subjected to psychological torture and unlawful detention in the course of the reckless acts of the officials of the corporation.
