By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja
Three ministers, the Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Nura Sagir and others have advocated for measures to enhance access to justice for young offenders and victims of domestic violence and related crimes.
The ministers – Abubakar Malami (Justice), Adamu Adamu (Education) and Pauline Tallen (Women Affairs) – called for collaborative efforts of all stakeholders to address the current growing challenge of access to justice for young Nigerians.
They spoke in Abuja at the launch of “the European Union (EU)/United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Access to Justice Programme for Children on the Move and Other Vulnerable Children/Inauguration of the Justice For Children Coordination Forum.”
Malami, represented by the Special Assistant to the President on Research and Special Duties, Office of the Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Professor Muhammad Lawal Ahmadu, identified efforts by the Federal Government to improve access to justice for young Nigerians.
“My office is currently engaging with respective Heads of Courts to establish Specialised Courts for the speedy and seamless trial of Rape/Gender-Based Violence Offences in the country.
“It is hoped that these specialised courts will fast track such cases and result in justice for child victims of sexual violence.
“Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Justice has continued to partner with UNICEF and other donor agencies, and the respective Heads of Courts to train Judges and Magistrates on the implementation and enforcement of the Child Rights Act especially in the arrear of the effective use of Family Court Rules and Procedures.
“These trainings which commenced in June 2021 is aimed at strengthening the justice system towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 16.3 which aims at promoting the Rule of Law at national and sub-nation levels and to ensure equal access to Justice for all Children
Malami added that his ministry was working partnered with respective Heads of Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to review and upgrade the FCT Custodial and Non-Custodial Sentencing Practice Directions to include non-custodial and alternative measures to detention in cases of minor offences by adult offenders.
Represented by Mrs. Grace Ekanem, Adamu called for a review of the current practice of criminalisation and incarceration of children.
Tallen, who was represented by Mrs Mariam Shuaibu said her ministry was working with other stakeholders to ensure the domestication of the Child Rights Act by all states.
Justice Sagir, who was represented by Justice Maryam Sabo, regretted the growing cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the country.
“In Kano alone, as per statistics, about two years back, we have 3.2 million out of school children wondering about, some hawking, begging, truants, drug addiction etc.
“In 2018, 1,142 cases were reported at Waraka SARC, while in 2019, 741 cases were received and only 194 were disposed of because of the high demand nature of proving the offence and stigma associated with offence.
“Poverty and lack of awareness on parents are other factors. This year, the centre received 57 and 68 cases of GBV in April and May respectively,” he said.
Justice Sagir, who suggested ways to address the challenges, said there was the need for the government to strategise more on women empowerment and to make it a policy all over the country.
In his contribution, UNICEF Country Representative, Peter Hawkins assured of his organisation’s support for the project and commended the enthusiasm exhibited by agencies in the country to address the challenge of access to justice.
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