The Kano State Justice for Children Coordination Forum says it diverted 24 children in conflict with the law in July as part of efforts to promote child-friendly justice in the state.
The Chairman of the forum, Mr Salisu Tahir, also the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Justice, disclosed this in a news conference on Thursday after the forum’s monthly meeting in Kano.
Tahir, represented by the ministry’s Director of Public Prosecution, Abdullahi Ibrahim-Muhammad, said the figure was contained in the forum’s monthly progress report on diversion cases.
He described diversion as an alternative justice approach that steers children away from formal court proceedings and punitive measures through rehabilitation, education, counselling and community service.
He said the forum comprises the Ministry of Justice, Judiciary, Nigeria Police Force, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON), Ministry of Women Affairs and National Human Rights Commission.
Others are Kano State Hisbah Board, Ministry of Education, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media.
According to him, the Ministry of Justice handled 18 of the 24 diversion cases, while the Kano State Hisbah Board handled the remaining six.
Tahir said the 18 cases handled by the ministry were referred by four magistrates designated to hear juvenile-related matters.
He said that of the six cases handled by the Hisbah Board, three children were reunited with their families; two were transferred to the police, while one was released unconditionally.
According to him, the programme is designed to help children learn from their mistakes, reintegrate into society and avoid acquiring criminal records.
“The diversion programme focuses on rehabilitation and offers children in conflict with the law a second chance rather than punishment,” he said.
Tahir said the initiative was being implemented by the Kano State Ministry of Justice with support from the UNICEF Kano Field Office to strengthen access to child-friendly justice services.
He added that the intervention was based on international standards for children in conflict with the law and promotes evidence-based diversion and restorative justice mechanisms. (NAN)
