The Federal Government of Nigeria has Inaugurated a 13- man committee to review the juvenile justice system in Nigeria.
Attorney General of the federation, Abubakar Malami inaugurated the committee on Thursday in Abuja.
He charged members to ensure the Borstal Institutions and Remand Centres Act 2004 was reviewed in conformity with international laws, human rights standards and best practices.
The AGF said:
“For the sustainable reformation of the Nigerian Juvenile Justice System, it has now become imperative to review the Nigerian Borstal Institute’s legal framework and bring it up to conformity with the Child Rights Act (2003), the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015) and the Correctional Services Act (2019).”
Represented by the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs. Beatrice Ejodamen Jedy-Agba, the minister said the ministry was partnering with the Federal Ministry of Interior, Law Reforms Commission and Ministry of Women Affairs to review and prepare a draft bill of the Borstal Institutions and Remand Centres Act 2004 for onward transmission to the president and subsequently, to the National Assembly.
The technical committee, which has UNICEF, UNODC, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), among others, was expected to produce a draft bill, which will repeal the existing Borstal Institutions and Remand Centres Act 2004.
The committee is also mandated to encourage a regime that promotes effective rehabilitation and reintegration of the students and bring the Act in conformity with international best practices and rules, treaties and conventions binding Nigeria.
