Maiduguri, Borno State – Borno State Attorney General, Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Hauwa Abubakar, today expressed a strong preference for child-centered approaches over traditional court proceedings when addressing juvenile justice matters.
She made this remark during opening of the 5th World Congress on Justice with Children – a Satellite Event held in Maiduguri.
Representing Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, at the event, which centered on the theme “Advancing Child-Centred Justice: Preventing and Responding to Violence Affecting Children in the Child Justice Systems,” Barrister Abubakar highlighted ongoing efforts to reform the state’s juvenile justice system.
“We in the justice sector are not too keen about courts when it comes to our children,” Barrister Abubakar stated, underscoring a commitment to alternative dispute resolution and rehabilitative measures. She confirmed that several of her discussions with the Chief Judge of Borno State have focused on “rehabilitation of our children” and the implementation of “family courts where we will try our children without being exposed to the traditional court sentence.”
The Commissioner gave this brief remark shortly before reading the prepared speech of the governor, assured the public that the welfare of children remains a top priority in policy and decision-making within the justice sector of Borno. She also acknowledged the profound impact of the insurgency on Borno’s youth, stating, “no child should have to go through what children of Borno state have gone through during the period of the insurgency.”
The Attorney General concluded by pledging that the state would “do all that it takes to make our children feel the real impact of juvenile justice.” She later went on to deliver the speech of the governor and declared the satellite event open.
Read her full message in our next report on the event .
The Humanitarian Times 