Cybercrime: HURIWA chides EFCC over alleged parade of teenager

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has slammed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for the media parade of a seven-year-old boy, identified as Victor Odeh who was later convicted by the Kaduna State High Court, following prosecution by the agency on June 26, 2023.

According to the Guardian, National Coordinator, HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, disclosed this on Sunday 

It was learnt that, Victor, alongside four other undergraduates, Chidebere Stanley Opara, Manasseh Sefa Ephraim, Chukwukere Obinna Paul, and Enyogu Etim Ekpo, were reportedly found guilty on separate one-count charges related to internet fraud.

Speaking further on the incident, HURIWA described the move as disconcerting, indecorous, and ill-conceived, while also condemning a recent report suggesting the head of the agency said seven out of 10 Nigerian undergraduates may be involved in cybercrimes.

The group then called on the National Assembly to enact a law that would exempt children who are in conflict with the laws from unduly parade and demonisation.

He added that the media parade of the little boy could cause a psychological damage of his reputation while demanding the rationale behind charging a seven-year-old child in the same regular court with adults noting that the EFCC could have conducted more investigation to verify whether the child was not actually bullied by the adults to participate in the fraud.

 Onwubiko said,  “The National Assembly needs to work out a law to make it obligatory that children who are in conflict with the law are not unduly exposed and demonised. It is absolutely inappropriate to parade a child for a crime known to have been initiated by adults.

“To rub salt into injury, the media parade of this little boy is tantamount to psychologically damaging the reputation of this boy for life, which is unfair, illegal and wicked.

“We don’t condone crimes but we believe that such a child ought not to have been so recklessly exposed, even when the EFCC was pursuing justice for the victims of the reprehensible crimes.”

The National Coordinator criticized a statement credited to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukayode, that 70 per cent of Nigerian university students could be involved in internet fraud.

The group explained that this sort of stereotyping by the EFCC for the consumption of global followers of development in Africa, is unacceptable and has graphically portrayed Nigerian students as criminals.