Picture:L-R: 3rd,the mother of Solomon, Solomon and Hajia Falitat Yusuf, AG. DG, PDCRC with face cap at the back while officials of the commission and the uncle to Solomon snapped a group photograph, at the end of the presentation of the boy to his mother.
By Dawud Ahmed in Lokoja.
Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission, PDCRC, has resolved the controversy over the custody of an 8-year+old boy, Master Solomon Audu and returned him to his mother,Mrs Joy Audu, for keep.
Our Correspondent reports that Mrs. Audu,who is a widow and a primary school teacher in Dekina Local Government Area of kogi state.
The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, in the state,Hajia Falitat Yusuf, who handed over the boy to his mother at the office of the commission,State Secretariat,Lokoja on Thursday.expressed delight that the two parties involved in the case, Mrs.Joy Audu and her late husband’s brother, Peter Audu, were able to resolve
the issue amicably, facilitated by the commission.
Hajia Yusuf urged the two parties to maintain peace and see themselves as one family with aim of helping the family to grow in peace and harmony.
Hajia Falitat,who urged Mrs.Audu to respect members of her late husband’s family, also urged pleaded with members of her late husband’s family to see her and her children as part of them and assist them morally and financially.
Recalling the incident in an interview with our correspondent,the Acting Director General,PDCRC,Barr.Musa Idris Onogo, said the commission resolved the controversy surrounding the custody of Master Solomon through alternative dispute resolution,ARD.
According to him,it was Mrs.Audu who reported the case to commission,that her son was missing
He said upon investigation, the commission discovered that the boy was not missing but taken away by his uncle to assist the family.
Barr. Onogo said the uncle said to have taken Solomon away without the consent of his mother told the commission that before Solomon’s father died,he had urged him to take care of his wife and children, if he dies.
Peter told PDCRC that based on the plea by his brother,when he eventually died,he took custody of Solomon so that the financial burden, sequel to his brother’s death would not be too much on Mrs.Audu.
The PDCRC boss said:”At the end of the day,we discovered that the boy is just 8 years and as such, would like to stay with his mother.
“We, therefore,instructed his uncle to bring him to the commission and be handed over to his mother.”
Barr.Onogo,who noted with delight that the successful resolution of the custody of master Solomon in favour of his mother was a remarkable improvement in the course of actualizing the aims and objectives of the commission.
He said that even if it is a culture in certain society that children must stay with their father and father’s relations, irrespective of age,the commission would not allow such culture to see the light of the day.
According to him, such way of life is against natural justice and negates the dynamic nature of the society.
The commission’s boss called on the indigents, vulnerable and their likes in the society, seeking justice to contact the commission at room 012-016,Ground Floor,New State Secretariat Complex or call telephone number 09164890877.
Commenting on the development,Mrs. Audu, described the resolution of the issue as reflecting her happiest moment in life.
Mr.Peter also expressed joy over the settlement while the boy at the centre of the controversy agreed with his uncle and mother.
They commended the commission for bringing the controversy to an amicable end through effective alternative dispute resolution,ADR mechanism.
Our correspondent reports that all the parties in the matter left the office of PDCRC with the sense of fulfillment that the issue has been resolved for good.
The online publication recalls that PDCRC was created on June 3,2019,by the Kogi State government with a mandate to render free legal aid and other related services, including legal representation in criminal and civil cases to the indigent and vulnerable residents of the state.
It is also saddled, at the state level, with the responsibility of ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights and implementation of the Kogi State Violence Against Persons(VAPP) Law of 2022 among other aims and objectives.
