Article sent
in by AbsuLawclinic – a non-profit unit in the Faculty of Law Abia State
University, Uturu, that render Probono legal services to people who can’t afford
lawyers.
Read Below:
The story you
are about to read discloses one of the pathetic yet interesting cases that ABSU
Law Clinic, through its services to the community is handling.
It is pitiable
to see that in a world where it is loudly proclaimed that children are the
leaders of tomorrow, a 14 years old boy, lavishes behind bars for roughly 2
years for a crime he has not been convicted of.
Even as an
orphan, his potentials has made him a cynosure at Umuahia prisons, Afara, where
he has been remanded all this while. His name is Chima Chimaroke and this is
his story;
Chima
Chimaroke was born in January 2001 into the family of the Chimas, from
Umuekwuele in Afugiri, Umuahia, Abia State. Unfortunately for him he lost his
parents and only twin brother at a very tender age.
Despite these
challenges Chimaroke exhibited swift learning abilities that led him to acquire
skills in phones and other electronics devices repair. He further harnessed his
swift learning abilities at Umuahia prisons where he is a barber and the sole
shoe maker.
Just as a man
on a swing sways in whatever direction the wind blows, Chimaroke was soon
swallowed up in social vices as he lacked the attention, love and direction he
would have gotten from his late parents. As a boisterous young man, he began to
fend for himself by hawking Lacasera and Gala on the streets as the family he
found himself in had no eye for him.
He was
introduced into the world of crime by his co-hawkers who compelled him to stand
as a lookout while they carried out their devious plans. As a fresh man in the
world of crime, he was the only one arrested and charged with conspiracy to
commit armed robbery whilst the ringleaders are graciously at large.
Through the
joint efforts of the ABSU LAW CLINIC and the office of the Chief Judge of Abia
state, Chimaroke was granted bail during the jail delivery that took place on
the 4th of May, 2016. But we are faced with a problem, thus;
Chimaroke is
an orphan with no immediate relatives except for his stepmother and step brothers.
The stepmother has refused to have anything to do with him and has gone on to
prevent her children from helping out. Saying that China is an “abandoned
government property”. It was a herculean task for ABSU LAW CLINIC to locate,
communicate with and convince one of his step brothers to sign Chimarokes bail
bond.
Although by
Gods intervention he agreed to sign but on the condition that Chimaroke is not
welcomed in their home as their mother would not allow it. He said he could
only sign it if we could provide accommodation or a place to rehabilitate
Chimaraoke.
The problem
now is DO WE RELEASE CHIMARAOKE TO A FAMILY THAT SEES HIM AS AN ABANDONED
GOVERNMENT PROPERTY OR DO WE RELEASE HIM BACK TO A WORLD OF CRIME?
Chimaroke
needs to be taught love where he has seen hate, peace where he has seen chaos,
a home where he has been left on the streets.
Chimaroke need
YOU to harness his talent where his talent has been left dormant.
His stay in
the prison has done more harm than good to him and the society at large, as he
would be molded from the things he learns now. Chimaroke is susceptible to
change and only needs the right hands to lead him aright.
The ABSU LAW
CLINIC calls on non-governmental organizations, individuals to help provide a
home and a means of livelihood for Chimaroke. We see a lot of potentials and
possibilities in Chima and we want you to join in his progress. As it stands,
we are the only ones the little boy has. His only hope It is one of our duties to
the community.
The ABSU LAW
CLINIC.
AbsuLawclinic
is a non for profit unit in the Faculty of Law Abia State University, Uturu. We
are collaborating with Network of University Legal Aid Institution (NULAI) to
render probono legal services to indigent members of the society.
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