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By Joel Anekwe
The Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) has written a passionate letter to the governor of Kano State, Abdulahi Umar Ganduje, pleading for mercy on behalf of 13-year old boy, Omar Farouq, jailed 10 years for blasphemy.
Farouq was reportedly tried as an adult based on the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics on his body.
The Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) pleaded for mercy for Omar Farouq, drawing the attention of the Grand Qadi and other stakeholders to some biological and neurodevelopmental processes occurring in the child at this period, which it said could be relevant to Farouq’s case.
President of PAN, Prof Edward Alikor, and his secretary, Dr Petrolina Tabansi, who signed the letter explained: “The earliest changes at puberty are the physical secondary sexual changes which, these days, appear in many children by 10 to 12 years.
“These changes signal the beginning of the transition period from childhood to adulthood that spans over eight to 10 years. Within this period, many children would question adult norms and may become rebellious even as normal child development.
“Therefore, in our opinion, the appearance of physical secondary sexual characteristics is consistent with age of 13 years. Furthermore, a child in early to mid-teenage age has not acquired sufficient mental and psychological development to understand the consequences of many of his expressions. Omar is reportedly in early teenage age”.
The association conceded that it did not have all the facts of the case except as were available to the public through the media. “We do not intend to interfere with the ongoing judicial process. However, we believe that as the matter is in public discourse, our professional angle may assist in this process. PAN appreciates the fact that Omar was not sentenced to death, but calls for review of the case in view of the biological and scientific realities”, the association said.
In the letter, which was also copied to the Grand Qadi, Shariah Court of Appeal, Kano State, the chief judge, Kano State, the attorney general and commissioner of Justice, Kano State, the attorney general of the Federation and minister of Justice and country representative, UNICEF, Nigeria, the association said their work and experience with children within that age bracket put them in good stead to offer the advice.
“Our association is a non-political and non-religious professional group of all paediatricians and other health workers looking after the health of Nigerian children with the primary objective of advocacy for children health and welfare. Based on the training, expertise and experience of our membership, which cut across persons within the teenage age group of 10 to 20 years, we considered it our professional and national responsibility to draw the attention of the Grand Qadi and other stakeholders to some biological and neurodevelopmental processes occurring in the child at this period. This is as could be relevant to this case.”
