The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ebonyi State Branch, has called for the adoption of non-custodial sentencing and skill development programmes for children in conflict with the law, as part of broader efforts to reform and reintegrate juvenile offenders into society.
The call was made by Mrs. Oluchukwu Ik-Odeh, Chairperson of FIDA Ebonyi, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Friday.
Mrs. Ik-Odeh emphasized that imprisoning children for minor offences often does more harm than good, as it exposes them to hardened criminals and limits their chances of rehabilitation. She therefore advocated for community-based alternatives such as community service, counselling, education, and skill acquisition programmes.
“It is better to reform children through rehabilitation and reintegration into society rather than locking them up in custody,” she stated.
“The children can be engaged in sweeping court premises, cleaning roads, washing cars, farm work, or fetching water for a period of time, say one month, to make them realise the consequences of their actions and learn responsibility.”
The FIDA Chairperson expressed concern over the growing rate of child involvement in theft and criminal exploitation by adults, attributing the trend to neglect and parental irresponsibility.

“We discovered an increase in the number of children involved in theft and criminal acts, mostly because they are abandoned by their parents and left to fend for themselves,” she lamented.
Mrs. Ik-Odeh stressed that children should not be kept in detention for prolonged periods, especially for minor offences such as petty theft.
“My concern is that you do not keep a child for so long in custody at the prime of their age. That is why we are advocating for the introduction of non-custodial sentencing rather than custodial punishment for minor crimes.
A child who steals clothes or food and is sentenced to three months or more in custody—what lesson is really being taught?”
She further called for collaboration between FIDA, government agencies, and the judiciary to implement non-custodial sentencing measures and to design reformatory programmes that equip children with productive life skills.
The FIDA Chairperson also urged parents and guardians of juvenile offenders to take responsibility and participate in their children’s reformation process.
“Parents should be part of the change process by providing emotional support and guidance to their children. This will help reduce the causes of criminal behaviour and prevent reoffending,” she added.
Mrs. Ik-Odeh commended Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration for its ongoing efforts in promoting child welfare and urged the state government to prioritise the safety and emotional security of children in correctional facilities.
She concluded by reiterating FIDA’s commitment to child rights advocacy and reform, affirming that non-custodial sentencing, when properly implemented, will not only protect children’s rights but also create opportunities for them to become responsible, productive citizens.

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