|By Adejumo Adekunle
…Prosecution and Legal Aid Guidelines to reform child justice system
…Fagbemi urges full adoption by state and federal actors
The Federal Government has launched two national instruments aimed at overhauling the justice system for children across Nigeria — the Prosecution Guidelines for Cases Involving Children and the Legal Aid Guidelines for Children in Conflict with the Law and Child Victims.
The guidelines were officially unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN), in a ceremony that highlighted Nigeria’s renewed commitment to child rights and justice reform.
Fagbemi described the unveiling as “timely and imperative,” stressing that the move aligns with global standards and the Child’s Rights Act of 2003. He said the instruments are designed to create a justice system that considers the unique vulnerabilities of children—whether as offenders, victims, or those in contact with the law.
“These guidelines mark a critical step toward institutionalizing a justice framework that is rehabilitative rather than punitive,” he stated. “They reflect our resolve to close the gaps in prosecutorial discretion and legal aid for children.”
Developed through collaboration between the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, UNICEF, and other partners, the instruments stemmed from extensive consultations, expert reviews, and shared determination to strengthen access to justice for minors.
According to the AGF, many Nigerian states have adopted the Child’s Rights Law but have failed to fully implement its provisions—particularly in prosecution and access to legal representation. The new guidelines, he said, are designed to close these gaps.
Highlighting the core features, Fagbemi said the Prosecution Guidelines promote ethical and child-sensitive standards for prosecutors, encouraging non-custodial approaches such as diversion, restorative justice, and community-based solutions.
“They urge prosecutors to address the root causes of child offending and focus on rehabilitation over retribution,” he said.
On the Legal Aid Guidelines, the AGF noted that they ensure timely, high-quality legal representation for children in contact with the law or who are victims of crimes. He added that the document sets clear standards for legal practitioners, supports legal literacy, and calls for tougher sanctions for perpetrators of crimes against children.
“These Guidelines promote an integrated approach—ensuring prosecutors, legal aid providers, social workers, law enforcement, and judicial officers act in concert, always prioritising the child’s best interest,” Fagbemi explained.
He called on all federal and state actors to adopt the guidelines without delay, warning against ceremonial launches with no practical follow-through. “We must operationalise these Guidelines through training, funding, and institutional backing,” he charged.
The AGF praised UNICEF, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Bar Association, and other partners for their contributions. He encouraged continued collaboration to build a justice system where every Nigerian child is treated with fairness, compassion, and dignity.
Earlier in her remarks, Mrs Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, Director of the Administration of Criminal Justice Reform Department at the Federal Ministry of Justice, described the launch as a major milestone.
“These are more than documents—they are practical tools that will allow justice actors to consistently apply principles such as proportionality, procedural fairness, and the preference for restorative and non-custodial measures,” she said.
She emphasized that the guidelines are rooted in core child justice principles, including the best interest of the child, and would empower actors in the justice sector to respond more lawfully and compassionately to cases involving minors.
