A UK-based Nigerian doctor has reportedly lost custody of his 16-year-old son to the government after allegedly flogging him with a belt. According to child rights advocate Pep Iredia, the doctor was taken to court for beating his son over “watching an improper video.”
The incident occurred when two friends of the doctor’s son visited his residence to study together for their General Certificate of Secondary Education examination. At 3 am, the doctor reportedly entered the boy’s room and caught them watching an inappropriate video. In response, the father got angry and beat his son with a belt in front of his friends.
The friends, alarmed by the incident, immediately reported it to the police, who arrived and took the boy away. During the court proceedings, the friends testified that they heard the father expressing displeasure about his son’s career choice, saying, “Is this how you want to become a doctor?” while beating him.
The boy also revealed that his father frequently beat him to force him to study a subject he did not want to pursue. The father apparently wanted his son to study medicine at university.
As a result of the incident, the court ruled that the doctor’s 16-year-old son should be taken into custody care and is no longer allowed to return to his father’s house.
It is essential to note that under the UK’s Children Act 2004, it is unlawful for parents to smack their children except in cases where it amounts to “reasonable punishment.” Whether a “smack” qualifies as reasonable punishment is determined by the circumstances of each case, including the child’s age and the nature of the discipline involved.
