The Bonafide Advocator Initiative (BOFAI), a non-government organisation providing legal representation to marginalised victims, has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing injustices by supporting over 1,000 juveniles in correctional facilities across Nigeria.

The founder of BOFAI, Oluwatobi Adetona, made this known in a statement commemorating the organisation’s fifth anniversary. She revealed that the milestone reflects BOFAI’s sustained efforts to transform the lives of young people since its establishment five years ago.

Adetona highlighted that the group has provided mentorship and equipped incarcerated juveniles with essential life skills, legal education, and moral guidance to aid their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

“Through our empowerment and reentry support programme, we have prevented several cases of recidivism. BOFAI achieved this by following up on affected juveniles after their release and helping them rebuild their lives. We also provided psychological, financial, economic, educational, and housing support,” she said.

She added that BOFAI’s legal aid programme has facilitated the release of juveniles awaiting trial for years, thereby addressing injustices within the criminal justice system.

Over the past five years, the organisation has drawn attention to the challenges facing Nigeria’s juvenile and criminal justice systems, including the lack of rehabilitation in correctional institutions and inadequate reintegration support for ex-offenders. BOFAI raised concerns about how these gaps expose young people to stigmatisation, homelessness, and limited access to education and employment opportunities.

The initiative has also championed awareness about the plight of incarcerated youths and the need to foster a society that embraces their reintegration rather than marginalising them further.

Adetona emphasised the organisation’s broader vision of contributing to a justice system that prioritises behavioural change, education, empowerment, and restorative justice.

Leading a team of experts referred to as “advocators,” Adetona reiterated BOFAI’s commitment to establishing effective reentry structures and advocating for legal reforms to break the cycle of crime.

“This milestone serves as a reminder of the power of collective action and the need for sustained efforts to address the challenges in the juvenile justice system. BOFAI is paving the way for a society where every young person, regardless of their past, can have a second chance at life,” she said.