• OPD Represents 250 Kids In Courts
375 children in Lagos that should end up in prisons or custody after coming in conflict with the law or committing a crime have been prevented from ending up in prison or a custody through the state diversion programme.
The Child Protection Specialist UNICEF, Mr. Denis Onoise, revealed this during a two-day workshop for local council chairmen and council stakeholders on the diversion programme organised by Lagos State Office of Public Defender.
Onoise stated that diversion programme was established to prevent children offending and or re-offending as an alternative to traditional measures and punishment such as the trial process, corporal punishment and imprisonment.
He therefore implored the council chairmen to adopt diversion programme in their various councils to prevent children from being locked up in prison or custody.
He further said that the programme focuses on addressing root causes of offending and preventing reoffending by working closely with the child and the child’s family.
Onoise stated that the adoption of the diversion programme is important because the child becomes more stubborn and violent when they return from prison.
Onoise disclosed that before the diversion programme was started in Lagos, a research that was conducted in 2016 showed that 902 children were locked up in different prisons across the state.
The Director, Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Mrs. Adesomoju Olubunmi Adenike, said that in dealing with children in conflict with the law, there is need to explore innovative strategies and best practices in diverting them away from the harsh realities of punishment within the criminal justice system and towards paths of healing, growth, and reintegration into society.
She disclosed that OPD has represented over 250 children on conflict / contact with the Law.
According to her, “This seminar was put together by the OPD in collaboration with UNICEF because we have identified an issue relating to children who commit offences and are being processed within the legal system. The OPD and UNICEF are very committed to the well-being and rehabilitation of all children entangled in the justice system.
“OPD has worked with children in various capacities over the years, indeed we deal with children who are in contact as well as in conflict with the law. This seminar will provide us with a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, experiences, and insights that can shape the future of child justice.
“The Child Right Law of Lagos state is founded on principles of compassion, equity, and justice and provides a unique set of rules that promote Child Justice Administration as opposed to the traditional criminal justice administrative systems that always terminates in incarceration in correctional facilities.
“We recognize that children are vulnerable and every child deserves a chance to thrive, regardless of their circumstances or mistakes they may have made.”
She stated that by investing in diversionary programme, stakeholders would be investing in the potential of every child to overcome adversity, to learn from their mistakes, and to become productive members of their communities.
“The local council is very close to the grassroots and exist everywhere in the State, we believe partnering with the local governments to promote the establishment of diversion programme in their locality will make it accessible to children within the local government and thereby give them an opportunity to redeem themselves and also give back to their local communities where the wrong or offence was committed in the first place.
“It will also prevent the problem of children being moved from one local government to another to join a diversion programme.
I encourage each and every one of us to actively engage, ask questions, and share your expertise openly.
“Together, we can build a brighter future for children in conflict with the law, where their rights are upheld, their voices are heard, and their potential is nurtured.”
