Professor Joy Ezeilo, a member of the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, has raised alarm over the increasing criminal activities triggered by severe hunger and extreme poverty among impoverished Nigerians. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Law Professor at the University of Nigeria conveyed her concern in response to the reported looting of a warehouse in Abuja allegedly belonging to the National Emergency Management Agency.
Expressing her dismay, Ezeilo emphasized that the looting reflects a dire situation and urged Nigerians to recognize the underlying challenges faced by many vulnerable citizens. Despite acknowledging the economic challenges and desperate circumstances, she sternly reminded the public that stealing remains a crime, and those caught would be held accountable under the Penal Laws.
She recounted a 1994 case where she defended a 17-year-old orphan girl sentenced to three years for stealing cassava from a farm due to hunger. Despite pleading for her acquittal based on her age and circumstances, Ezeilo emphasized the need for Nigerians to recognize that stealing is unacceptable, even in challenging times.
Ezeilo, the founder and Director of Women Aid Collective, a non-governmental organization advocating for human rights, called on governments at all levels to collaborate with non-profits and the private sector. She urged the implementation of food banks, food stamps, and other social security options to provide sustenance for the poor and vulnerable across the country.
As a lesson in these challenging times, Ezeilo emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for criminal actions while urging proactive measures to address the root causes of poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
