It was gathered that the proprietress of the orphanage, Bishop Victoria Ezemoka and her brother-in-law, Goddiful Ezegwo have been in court over the ownership of the property. However, the Lawyer of the FCT Administration, Murtala Dahiru has said there was no court order regarding the demolition of the buildings.
Expressing his disappointment and dissatisfaction over the demolition, Emumena said that there is no justifiable reason why a building housing over 150 orphanage children will be demolished without an alternative provision by the State. Noting that the act violates the provisions of the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which provides for the "physical protection, food, universal, state-paid education, health care and equal protection of the child's civil rights among others".
His statement: "it is totally condemnable for an institution of the State that ought to be responsible over the welfare of the less privileges, particularly Orphans to indulge in highly discriminatory action, which has left over 150 orphanage children homeless, hopeless and helpless.
"The FCTA by demolishing those five buildings that symbolizes hope of about 150 Orphans, has acted as an abuser of the rights of children to adequate housing and physical protection, thereby working against the fundamental human rights of children as enshrined in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
"It is now very obvious that some of the institutions of the State lack a proper understanding of what their responsibility entails. One would have expected that the Orphans, who are mainly kids less than 5 years would have been considered before demolishing a building that house them for whatever reason. That singular action will not just demoralize the children, it may have terrible impact on their health and well-being", Emumena said.
He called on the government to as a matter of urgency make alternative home available for the children to give them physical protection.
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