EndBadGovernance: 72 Minors Arraigned In Court Unconstitutional and violation of child right,Says Opeyemi Eyuruntari (Saffron SDGF) - Global Report

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Monday, November 4, 2024

EndBadGovernance: 72 Minors Arraigned In Court Unconstitutional and violation of child right,Says Opeyemi Eyuruntari (Saffron SDGF)

 



 



Aftermath the recent outrage that attracted the court presentations of the Northern protesters in the federal high court Abuja, Ms Opeyemi Ebulu-Eyuruntari, Executive Director of Saffron SDGF has joined her voice to others who condemned the federal government arraignment of the children as unconstitutional and violation of child right globally.

The most recent coverage of the 72 minors arraigned in court on the 11th of October 2024, has placed the use of adult prisons to hold such young people into the public domain.

The above young people were arrested following the #EndBadGovernance protest, in August 2024. The federal government of Nigeria arraigned the 14 to 17 year olds in the Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory. Not in a juvenile court.

Saffron SDGF wholeheartedly condemns the use of such facilities for minors. Saffron SDGF would also add that this development has exposed and embarrassed our national judicial system, which is grossly unacceptable.

Ms Opeyemi Ebulu-Eyuruntari, Executive Director of Saffron SDGF, stresses that the rights of minors are undeniable and the rights of Nigerian children must be respected and upheld by everyone concerned.  She also highlighted that this has exposed the gap in our nation’s OVC programming and juvenile justice, and it therefore necessitates as a matter of urgency for Nigeria to re-evaluate the nation’s response to the needs of our children within the justice system.

The Child Rights Act 2003, states that the welfare of the child is paramount. We also have a juvenile justice system that does not meet international standards. However, the administration of the juvenile justice system has stated that it is ideal to treat and promote children’s sense of dignity and worth, considering their age and understanding. It also advises that we must aim to reintegrate them back into society for them to assume a constructive social development role, within their community.

The UN Convention of the Child 1989, of which Nigeria is a signatory, sets out what is expected of the country when it comes to minors in the care of the courts. Article 37, states that minors have a right to legal representation. This clearly did not happen for these young people. Article 12 states that they have a right to be heard and to be taken seriously. This clearly did not happen for these children. Article 19, states that they have a right to be protected. These young people have been in custody since August 2024, within an adult prison. Article 40 states that a minor accused of breaking the law, should be treated with respect and dignity. This clearly did not happen for these children. They presented in court malnourished, in torn clothes and lacked the understanding of what their crime was.

In conclusion,  Chief 'Aare' Oluwasegun Oyedijo Strategic Development & Partnership Director states that "For us in Saffron SDGF this is a clear violation of state, national, regional, and international legal frameworks concerning children’s rights and the judicial system".  

We call out to Nigerians as a nation, to add their voices to SaffronSDGF, in our advocacy for a 'National Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy', in addition to workable procedures; that will be signed into law.  This will provide a realistic National guideline to prevent Nigerian children from possible harm and abuse within the legal system.

 

minors arraigned in court on the 11th of October 2024, has placed the use of adult prisons to hold such young people into the public domain.


The above young people were arrested following the #EndBadGovernance protest, in August 2024. The federal government of Nigeria arraigned the 14 to 17 year olds in the Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory. Not in a juvenile court.

Saffron SDGF wholeheartedly condemns the use of such facilities for minors. Saffron SDGF would also add that this development has exposed and embarrassed our national judicial system, which is grossly unacceptable.

Ms Opeyemi Ebulu-Eyuruntari, Executive Director of Saffron SDGF, stresses that the rights of minors are undeniable and the rights of Nigerian children must be respected and upheld by everyone concerned.  She also highlighted that this has exposed the gap in our nation’s OVC programming and juvenile justice, and it therefore necessitates as a matter of urgency for Nigeria to re-evaluate the nation’s response to the needs of our children within the justice system.

The Child Rights Act 2003, states that the welfare of the child is paramount. We also have a juvenile justice system that does not meet international standards. However, the administration of the juvenile justice system has stated that it is ideal to treat and promote children’s sense of dignity and worth, considering their age and understanding. It also advises that we must aim to reintegrate them back into society for them to assume a constructive social development role, within their community.

The UN Convention of the Child 1989, of which Nigeria is a signatory, sets out what is expected of the country when it comes to minors in the care of the courts. Article 37, states that minors have a right to legal representation. This clearly did not happen for these young people. Article 12 states that they have a right to be heard and to be taken seriously. This clearly did not happen for these children. Article 19, states that they have a right to be protected. These young people have been in custody since August 2024, within an adult prison. Article 40 states that a minor accused of breaking the law, should be treated with respect and dignity. This clearly did not happen for these children. They presented in court malnourished, in torn clothes and lacked the understanding of what their crime was.

In conclusion,  Chief 'Aare' Oluwasegun Oyedijo Strategic Development & Partnership Director states that "For us in Saffron SDGF this is a clear violation of state, national, regional, and international legal frameworks concerning children’s rights and the judicial system".  

We call out to Nigerians as a nation, to add their voices to SaffronSDGF, in our advocacy for a 'National Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy', in addition to workable procedures; that will be signed into law.  This will provide a realistic National guideline to prevent Nigerian children from possible harm and abuse within the legal system.

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