UNICEF Calls On NBA To Champion Child Justice Reform In Nigeria

Patience Ogbodo-Iwuagwu

UNICEF has urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to play a key role in advancing child justice reform in Nigeria.

Ibrahim Sesay, UNICEF Chief Child Protection stated this on Tuesday at the ongoing Annual General Confrence of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Enugu

According to him, over 190,000 Nigerian children are deprived of liberty, and 78% lack access to legal representation.

He said “ every child has the right to claim their rights, access education, and have free access to legal aid and representation. Detention of children should be used as a measure of last resort, and every child survivor of violence should have access to specialized justice services”.

Speaking further, he said UNICEF has proposed a 6-point blueprint to address these challenges, including advocacy for every child to claim their rights, access to free education, and free access to legal aid and representation.

UNICEF thereby called on NBA to partner with them to implement new guidelines for prosecution and advocacy for the establishment of child-friendly structures.

He also urged NBA to publish an annual State of Child Justice Report Card for every state, highlighting gaps and challenges in the justice system.

Sesay stressed the need to empower youth and children to participate in the justice system “we are working with the NBA to promote alternatives to detention and ending detention”

“We also call on NBA to establish a standing committee on child rights and justice for children within its leadership.

“By working together, UNICEF and the NBA can make a significant impact in promoting justice for children in Nigeria.

“The future of Nigeria’s children depends on the collective action of stakeholders like the NBA. By working together, we can ensure that children have access to justice and that their rights are protected.

“The NBA has a definitive role to play in advancing child justice, and UNICEF is ready to partner with them to make a difference,” he said

He emphasized the need for collective action to address the challenges faced by children in Nigeria’s justice system.

He called on NBA to serve as champions for justice for children and to work towards creating a fairer tomorrow for the next generation.

Also, a former Dean of Law at the University of Nigeria Professor Joy Ezeilo who lamented that Nigeria’s child justice system is still problematic despite efforts by the government to address the issue.

Prof Ezeilo who is also the Executive Director of Women Aid Collective, (WACOL ) said the implementation of child-friendly justice systems is fraught with difficulties, and the country’s laws and policies often fail to protect the rights and welfare of children.

She said “The Child Rights Act, which has been in effect for over 22 years, is not fully operational in most states, highlighting the need for reform.

“Children in conflict with the law face unique challenges and problems that require specialized attention. The child justice system recognizes the rights, needs, and welfare of children within the justice ecosystem.

“However, the system is often slow to respond, and children are not always treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. For instance, children who are victims of abuse and neglect often struggle to access justice, and their testimonies are sometimes discredited due to their age so there is a need for child centered approach.

“The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has a critical role to play in championing child justice and promoting the rights of children within the justice system.

“By embracing a child-centered perspective and advocating for the protection of children’s rights, the NBA can help drive reform and ensure that children receive the justice they deserve.

Ultimately, justice for children is imperative, and it requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders to create a system that prioritizes their needs and welfare,” she said