From Rita Nworie,
Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Government has established a Child Justice Prosecutions Unit to ensure that children in conflict with the law and those who are victims of crime receive specialised and child-sensitive justice.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ben Uruchi Odoh, who disclosed this in Abakaliki on Wednesday,said the initiative marked a major step towards protecting the rights, dignity and future of children in the state.
Odoh explained that the unit had been staffed with prosecutors specially trained in child psychology and restorative justice, equipping them to handle cases involving minors with greater professionalism and sensitivity.
According to him, children should not be subjected to the same justice procedures as adults because of their age, emotional development and vulnerability. “Children require a different approach from adult criminal proceedings,” he said.
The Commissioner said the unit would ensure that cases involving children were handled in line with the Child Rights Law, while placing the wellbeing and best interests of the child at the centre of the justice process.
He added that the specialized unit would help bridge the expertise gap in the prosecution of child-related cases, particularly in addressing trauma, rehabilitation and other psychological challenges faced by children who come in contact with the law.
Odoh further said the unit would prioritize diversion, mediation and rehabilitation where appropriate, rather than relying solely on punitive measures. He noted that the approach would help reduce recidivism and the stigmatisation of children.
The Attorney-General said the initiative was also in keeping with Nigeria’s obligations under the Child Rights Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, stressing that Ebonyi was committed to a justice system that protects and reforms children.
“This is justice that heals,” Odoh declared, stressing that the establishment of the Child Justice Prosecutions Unit represented a new direction in Ebonyi’s effort to protect vulnerable children while promoting accountability, rehabilitation and their reintegration into society.
