AGF inaugurates committee on review of borstal institutions

By Olalekan Awojodu, Abuja

The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated the Technical Committee On the Review of the Borstal Institutions and Remands Centre Act 2004 LFN.

 The members consist of a 13-man team including representatives from UNICEF and UNIDO with a child rights expert, Mrs Ugona Edekwemu as the team leader.

In his keynote address at the event, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN noted that millions of children in Africa and around the world had their rights violated.

Represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Ejodamen Jeddy-Agba, the Minister stated further that apart from being separated from their families and affected by exploitation, abuse and violence in their homes and communities, such children he said we’re also denied access to education, health care and social benefits.

“A large number of children in Nigeria come in contact with the law as survivors of violence, but very few of those cases make it to the courtrooms,”

He then reassured the government to partner stakeholders to enhance reformation, reintegration and reunification of minors who came in contact with the law as offenders into the society.

Making opening remarks at the inauguration, former Chief Judge, FCT High Court and Chairman Presidential Committee on Correctional Reforms and Decongestion, Hon. Justice I U Bello hailed the government’s past interventions.

In addressing shortfalls of the present law however, Bello advocated the need to amend the law of the juvenile justice system,  encourage public support for rehabilitation and improve the system of monitoring and evaluation in order to enhance socio-economic and political stability in the country.

Earlier in her welcome address, Acting Director, Administration of Criminal Justice and Reforms Department, Mrs Leticia Ayoola-Daniels thanked the AGF for being in the forefront of the reform of the justice system and Decongestion of Correctional facilities nationwide.