By Deborah Onyofufeke
The acting chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has called on those in the child Justice services to pull together collaborative efforts that would help strengthen the child Justice administration in the country
He noted that this was important to serve the Paramount interest of the child if they were to meet up with best standards as obtainable in other climes
The CJN had explained that children tend to have a different perception from adults about life and this makes them vulnerable and prey to susceptible abuse, gender based violence and emotional trauma
Justice Ariwoola said this at NJI Abuja on Tuesday, at the opening ceremony of the 2022 National workshop on child protection and child Justice administration for family court Judges and magistrates, social welfare officers, assessors and family unit of the police with the theme “Achieving child friendly justice system”
He further added that protecting minors from the part of crime is more important than punishing them as children by reasons of their age, gender, disability and mental state deserve more protection.
Collect money from looters to pay striking lecturers, Falana urges Buhari
“I want to urge you all that a child’s perception of the world is different from that of an adult, therefore, concerns regarding how best to treat children in the justice system which protects them from the path of crime should be of Paramount concern to all stakeholders rather than punishment and retribution”
The CJN stated that children involved in court proceedings should not be subjected to undue public exposure
“The child’s Right Act 2003 prohibits the press from attending proceedings involving children and thereby exposing the child’s identity by any means”
“Child friendly justice is justice that is accessible, age appropriate, speedy, diligent and focused on the needs of the child” Justice Olukayode said
Giving his welcome address, the administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, stressed that the responsibility of child protection is a job for the whole society and to ensure the safety of children in conflict with the law, all involved must work cooperatively
He said “This workshop epitomizes the fact that the protection of children “Stricto Sensu” is not solely the responsibilities of their parents rather it is that of the society as a whole
“To ensure the safety and protection of children, there must be fluid cooperation between all players in the child Justice administration”
He disapproved of how child offenders are made to share same cell with adult offenders which he said causes greater harm on the child
“It is common knowledge that children in conflict with the law are more often than not exposed to different forms of abuse
“they are habitually arrested and placed in cells with adult offenders exposing them to direct physical harm as well as possible psychological abuse with far reaching consequences, some of which children in this category becoming recidivists as a result of being exposed to adult offenders who encourage them to escalate criminal behaviours”
