Nigeria: Access to Justice Is a Fundamental Right of Every Child, Says Justice Ministry Director

Ayoola-Daniels spoke on Monday in Abuja while representing the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, at a high-level stakeholders' meeting. She said children who come into contact with the justice system, whether as victims, witnesses or alleged offenders, deserve protection and fair treatment. "Access to justice is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right of every child, she said.

"A child who comes into contact with the law, whether as a victim, witness, or an actual offender, deserves a system that protects, not harms; that restores, not stigmatises; and that hears, not silences. She noted that Nigeria had made significant progress in establishing a legal and policy framework for child justice, citing the Child Rights Act 2003, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, state child rights laws and diversion initiatives.