By Ebere Agozie
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to child protection, aligning with global best practices.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, gave the assurance at the launch of the Prosecution Guidelines for Handling Cases Involving Children, 2024, and the Legal Aid Guidelines for Children in Conflict and Contact with the Law and Child Victims, 2024.
He said the guidelines represent a major stride in institutionalising a justice system that recognises the distinct circumstances, vulnerabilities, and needs of children.
“These guidelines are applicable whether in conflict with the law, in contact with the law, or as victims of abuse, exploitation, or other circumstances.
“This commitment includes strengthening legal frameworks, promoting non-custodial measures for children in conflict with the law, and enhancing systems for child protection.
“The government is also focusing on preventing, detecting, and responding to all forms of violence against children.
Fagbemi said while many states have adopted the Child’s Rights Law, significant implementation gaps remained, particularly in areas of prosecution and access to legal representation for children.
He said that the new guidelines will directly address those challenges and bridge the gaps in justice administration in the best interest of the child.
“They will provide ethical, practical, and child-sensitive standards for prosecutors.
“They promote discretion, dignity, and the use of non-custodial measures such as diversion, restorative justice, and community-based interventions’’.
He urged prosecutors to address the root causes of offending behaviours and prioritise rehabilitation over retribution, in line with both national and international standards.
Mrs Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, the Director of Administration of Criminal Justice Reform Department of the ministry in her welcome remarks said that the guidelines embodied a renewed collective commitment to protecting children’s rights.
“They will be actualised by ensuring procedural fairness, and promoting rehabilitative and restorative justice approaches for minors in contact with the law.
“They are practical tools that will enable justice actors to respond consistently, lawfully, and compassionately when working with children.
“They will also reflect core child justice principles such as the best interest of the child, proportionality, and a preference for diversion and non-custodial measures’’.
Ibrahim Sesay, UNICEF’s Chief Child Protection commended the federal government for the integration of a dedicated justice for children thematic area within the National Justice Policy.
“This reflects a strategic and forward-thinking approach to embedding child rights at the heart of Nigeria’s legal reform agenda.
“Equally significant is the successful domestication of the Child Rights Act across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, an achievement that signals a national commitment to uphold the rights and dignity of every Nigerian child.
“Let us build a justice system that is not only efficient, but compassionate; not only legal, but humane’’.
He urged all policymakers and high-level stakeholders to champion the full and immediate implementation of these pivotal Legal Aid and Prosecution Guidelines.
Mr Aliyu Abubakar, Director-General Legal Aid Council noted that Nigerian child belongs to the vulnerable groups of Nigerians that requires special protection and cover.
He added that the guidelines should receive maximum sensitizations so that Nigerians generally and the Nigerian child in particular would enjoy the full benefits associated with them.
