For allegations of bedwetting in her sleep, a 36-year-old man, Mr. Benjamin Endurance, has burnt his four-year-old daughter, Goodness with hot electric heater on October 13, 216. The matter was subsequently reported to the police by the officials of the International Federation of Women Lawyers.


The suspect, who lives at Prosco Road, Okaka area of Yenaagoa, Bayelsa State was arraigned at Magistrate’s Court 4 in Yenagoa by the Police Prosecution counsel, Inspector Joses Totekume, on three counts of alleged criminal intent, denial of the victim of proper medical attention and attempted breach of the peace.

In the charge sheet, the police said, "That he (Endurance) did willfully injure his daughter, Goodness Endurance by using a hot electric heater on her legs because she urinated on the floor where she was asleep.

"By the act, the suspect committed an offence punishable under Section 282 Cap.14 of the Criminal Code Laws of Bayelsa State of Nigeria, 2006.

"That you (Endurance) did willfully, recklessly and negligently deprived your daughter, Goodness, the right to health and health services by refusing to send her for medical treatment after injuring her and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 12 (1) and (2) of the Child Rights Bill, Laws of Bayelsa State of Nigeria, 2015.

"That you (Endurance) did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by forcing your daughter, Goodness, to sleep on the floor without mat and thereby committed an offence punishable under 186 of the Criminal Code laws of Bayelsa State of Nigeria, 2006."

The accused, however, pleaded guilty to the three counts preferred against him.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.B. Mirin-Johnson, adjourned the matter until November 1, 2016, for judgment.