Lawyer blames parents for rising youth crime rate
By Boye Oyeyemi –
An Ondo-based legal practitioner, Bayo Olorunmeke, has decried the growing trend of parents aiding their children in criminal activities, warning that such behaviour threatens the moral fabric of society.
Olorunmeke raised the alarm during an interview after receiving the Oka Distinguished Silver Medal Award at the palace of the Olubaka of Oka, Oba Dr Adebori Adeleye, OON.
“Yes. It starts from the parents. Parents in the olden days fought crime, and they usually exposed their wards that were criminals so as not to tarnish the family’s name. Today, the reverse is the case.
“Today’s parents are delighted in crime so far as it will bring quick money. They are as bad as partnering with their children by shielding them and providing facilities that they need to bring in quick money.
“When parents procured loans to buy an iPhone for a secondary school student all in the name of quick money.
“The children will come home with luxury materials and cars without jobs. Imagine a school dropout went as far as completing his mother’s building and gave the mother a car.
“Today, it is no more news that the same boy killed the student-tenant in the same house. Who knows how many people the guy would have killed before God exposed him? And many more, my brother.”
On the award he received, Olorunmeke said the honour was unexpected, noting that it may have been influenced by his professional achievements and consistent service to the Oka-Akoko community.
