The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, has called for the enactment and effective implementation of laws that protect the rights and welfare of children who come into conflict with the law.
Lawal made the call while speaking at the 305th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ilorin, delivered by Professor Mariam Abdulraheem-Mustapha of the Department of Public Law.
The lecture, held at the university auditorium, was titled: “Children in the Cage, Justice on Trial.”
The Acting Governor said children who committed offences, particularly out of ignorance, should not be treated in the same manner as adults, stressing the need for a justice system that prioritises their welfare, rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
He said, “We need laws and justice systems that do not merely punish children for their actions but protect their welfare, rehabilitate them and provide them with opportunities to become responsible members of society.”
Lawal commended Abdulraheem-Mustapha for the depth and relevance of her presentation, describing the lecture as timely, particularly in view of the need to protect and rehabilitate children who come into conflict with the law.
He also urged the professor to strengthen her foundation dedicated to caring for vulnerable children, saying such efforts would help children facing difficult circumstances overcome their challenges and live meaningful lives.
Earlier, Abdulraheem-Mustapha said children in conflict with the law should be held accountable in ways that recognise their vulnerability, developmental stage and need for protection.
She argued that children should not be subjected to the same justice system designed for adults, stressing the need for a child-centred approach to justice.
She called for a uniform justice system across the country, with the Child Rights Act harmonised and minimum safeguards guaranteed in every state.
The don recommended the adoption of a national standard for applying the best interests of the child, trained Child Police Units, functional and child-friendly Family Courts, and diversion of suitable minor cases from formal prosecution through counselling, education, restitution, community service and family conferencing.
She also advocated an end to the detention of children with adults, improved education and psychosocial support in custodial centres, reliable birth registration and age determination, as well as stronger collaboration among schools, religious and traditional institutions, NGOs and professional bodies.
Abdulraheem-Mustapha further called for a national child justice database to track arrest, detention, diversion, trial delays, release and reoffending, alongside gender-responsive rehabilitation programmes for female young offenders and ring-fenced, publicly monitored funding for child protection.
She said, “No Nigerian child should enjoy fewer protections because of state boundaries. Minimum safeguards must apply nationwide.”
According to her, the proposed reforms would ensure that accountability, rehabilitation and protection remain at the centre of Nigeria’s child justice system.
Among dignitaries who accompanied the Acting Governor were the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi; Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Prof Saliu Adelabu; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Fausat Joke Sanni; and the Alepata of Igboho land, Oba Joel Olalere Olawuwo.
