President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, to review the cases of minors detained during the #EndBadGovernance protests in Kano and Kaduna States.
This decision followed massive national and international criticism over the treatment of these underage detainees, who were charged with treasonable felony.
The Women Affairs Minister, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, made a personal midnight visit to the facility where the minors are held, engaging directly with them to offer comfort and listen to their concerns. She expressed deep concern over the plight of the 52 children arraigned in court, some of whom fainted due to malnutrition.
The Minister assured that her ministry is actively addressing these issues, emphasizing the importance of protecting the rights of every child as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, the Child Rights Act, and international treaties.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim has been in communication with relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Justice and correctional institutions, to ensure the children's cases are expedited and heard in juvenile courts.
Her ministry is also collaborating with child rights advocates to monitor the welfare of the minors and provide post-release support, such as psychological counseling and educational opportunities, to aid their reintegration into society.
In response to public outcry, President Tinubu's directive aims to ensure justice aligns with Nigeria's commitment to the rule of law and child protection principles.
The Ministry of Women Affairs is adopting a Whole-of-Society Approach to address juvenile delinquency, focusing on reforming the juvenile justice system and empowering communities to prevent such issues across Nigeria.
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