Child Protection Network Nigeria Condemns Unlawful Detention and Arraignment of Malnourished Minors

… Says the unlawful detention of these minors in police cells, DSS custody and Kuje Prisons for a period of 93 days under an unsanitary, unfriendly
and inhuman conditions is totality the unlawful

Oru Leonard 

A disturbing incident unfolded in Abuja recently, where a significant number of severely malnourished children were arraigned at the Federal High Court on allegations of Treasonable Felony and other charges. These children, arrested in August 2024 for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest, have been detained for 93 days in unsanitary and inhuman conditions.

The Child Protection Network Nigeria (CPNN), swiftly responded to the situation by initiating response actions and contacting relevant actors

CPNN also convened an emergency case response team and held an emergency stakeholders meeting to discuss the issue and plan a comprehensive response strategy

Issues of violations of Child Rights were raised as the arraignment of these minors in an open courtroom alongside adults violates multiple local and international legal frameworks, including:

– The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999
– The Child Rights Act
– The Convention on the Rights of the Child
– The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

These frameworks stipulate that child offenders must be tried in specialized family courts to ensure their safety, wellbeing, and dignity.

Call to Action

The CPNN has said that in collaboration with civil society organizations and coalitions, will carry out a strategic and comprehensive response to Protect the rights of the affected children, prevent future occurrences, ensure the children’s safety and wellbeing

The network reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the rights of all children.

Cover Photo Caption: Cross section of malnourished minors arraigned in court