By Ladi Jossy, Maiduguri 
 
The United Nations Children’s Fund claimed that there are over 190,000 children that have been held in per-trail status in the last five years across facilities in the country.
 
The agency also advocated for justice, which ensures all children, irrespective of their background or status, are served by the justice system in their best interest in accordance with international and national norms and standards.
 
Tushar Rane, the UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, attended a one-day workshop with the theme  “Reimagine Justice for Children Agenda,” organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund in collaboration with the Borno State Government, held in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
 
He said the meeting was aimed at promoting an inclusive justice system where cases involving children matter. In addition to safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of children, it is also critical for the security and development framework of the state.
 
He said over 70% of children in detention who are held at pre-trial status often lack access to diversion and non-custodial services for their reintegration.
 
UNICEF noted that an efficient juvenile justice system for children in conflict with the law will guarantee age-appropriate services for children recognised or alleged to have committed crimes, especially for diversion and community-based reintegration programs. Borno State can save the future generation and cut off the risk of associated children being misused in crimes and conflict situations,” he said.
 
He reiterated that the meeting signals renewed efforts by stakeholders coming together to enhance synergy and coordination to improve capacities, share information to ensure access to justice for child survivors of violence, especially sexual violence, and, as a result, end the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of violence against children.
 
He added that the “Borno State Child Protection Law (CPL) provides a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of vulnerable children. The challenge for this august gathering is to develop initiatives and reforms that will indeed enforce the letters of the law by establishing institutions created by the CPL, including family courts, specialised police units, diversion centres, and special correctional centres for children. Implementation of these structures remains challenging.
 
The UNICFF is committed to contributing to support the state government in the implementation of the’reimagine Justice for Children agenda, which seeks principally to protect children from detention and ensure every child’s survivor has access to justice in a timely manner,” he said.
 
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barr. Abdullahi Hauwa, reiterated government positions to ensure that everybody in the state, including children, has access to justice.
 
“We want to have a proper juvenile justice system in which our children in the state will have access to justice in a less difficult manner.
 
“Justice and good governance go hand in hand, and when there is good governance, you can’t take away justice from the equation. This is all about restructuring and rebuilding our justice system with an emphasis on justice for our children and society at large.” Barr Hauwa