The Federal Government has partnered with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to provide pro bono legal services to vulnerable children across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said the protection of children’s rights is a responsibility of government and not a privilege, stressing that access to justice is a fundamental right.
Nigeria continues to face serious challenges relating to child abuse, violence, exploitation and other violations of children’s rights.
Many children are exposed to abuse, neglect, unlawful detention, exploitation and stigma, with some unable to seek justice due to financial and social barriers.
The Federal Government, in partnership with the NBA and UNICEF, is seeking to address the gap by strengthening access to free legal representation for children whose rights have been violated.
Representing the Minister of Justice at the event, Lillian Okenwa stressed the need for stronger institutional collaboration to ensure that children are adequately protected and have access to effective legal remedies whenever their rights are violated.
She said collaboration among government institutions, legal practitioners and development partners remains critical to building a justice system that responds effectively to the needs of children.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, SAN, said pro bono legal services for children who cannot afford legal representation must become a core responsibility of lawyers involved in public-interest litigation.
Osigwe stressed that lawyers have an important role to play in ensuring that vulnerable children are not denied justice because of their inability to pay for legal services.
The UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, said no child should be left without access to justice, particularly in cases involving unlawful detention, abuse, violence and other violations of their rights.
She emphasised the importance of ensuring that children whose rights have been violated receive the necessary legal support and protection to seek appropriate remedies.
The partners said the initiative would strengthen access to justice for vulnerable children, promote accountability and ensure that violations of children’s rights are properly addressed.
They also expressed commitment to strengthening collaboration among relevant institutions and expanding access to legal assistance for children across the country.
Ubong Usoro for Nigeria Magazine
