- September 17, 2021
- Posted by: Stephen Azubuike
- Category: Crime Report
The Lagos State Government has announced that it is illegal for beggars to beg on the streets of Lagos and that it’s an offence to give alms to beggars. If you desire to give alms, do so through religious bodies or charity organisations; and that failure to comply is an offence.
Street begging has been taken to be a nuisance. Reports have it that street begging has also been deployed as a means to commit robberies and other criminal activities. Thus, to criminalize street begging, reliance has been placed on Section 157(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 which defined nuisance as any act which prevents the public from having access to any part of a highway by an excessive and unreasonable use of it or any unlawful act which causes inconveniences or damage to the public. More importantly, Section 168 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State contains express provisions.
It is arguable whether street begging alone without any evidence of obstructing the highways or involving in any criminal activity, or causing any inconvenience or damage to the public is sufficient to become a criminal offence.
More so, it is doubtful whether there’s any written law under which a person who wilfully gives alms to street beggars would be reasonably charged.
Admittedly, activities of street beggars in Lagos need to be curbed. To that extent, the Government is commended for the proposed initiative of rehabilitating the destitutes taken off the streets in government correctional centres. It is understood that treatment, psychosocial therapy and vocational training among others would be provided in order to better the lives of these beggars. This is laudable notwithstanding the cost implication. Otherwise, our regular prisons may not contain them.
While honest destitutes would benefit, those who have chosen street begging as a career, including corporate street beggars, may need to have a rethink. There’s dignity in labour. Those committing crimes using begging as a strategy have their days numbered.
We must all join hands to make Lagos State greater.
