The Chairman of Kaduna State Justice for Children Coordination committee Justice Darius H. Kobo has announced the establishment of family court in Kaduna state.
He stated this during a media engagement with a view to highlighting some of the achievements of the committee to the members of the public held in Kaduna.
Justice Kobo said Justice for Children Coordination Committee was set up by Kaduna State government to implement a project run by United Nations, UNICEF and implemented by the State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development in order to ensure justice for children that are vulnerable, and below the ages of 18 years that have come in conflict with the law.
Justice Kobo also explained that, the essence of the project is to enable children to know their right and to ensure their right is duly protected to enable them access justice speedily where possible.
He stated that, the committee members after careful deliberation realized that, the only way out to handle children cases from 18 years below was to establish a family court in Kaduna State which will be inline with the provisions of Kaduna State Child Welfare and Protection Law domesticated since 2018.
According to him, during the Committee visit to the Chief judge of Kaduna State and other stakeholders they brainstormed and spoke on the need to establish family Court in the State, following rising cases of offenses committed by young persons after the committee visit to various police stations among others.
He further disclosed that, the Chief Judge of Kaduna agreed to designate court that would kick start family court issues in Kaduna State.
According Justice Darious Kobo, the Chief Judge of Kaduna State, Justice Mohammed Lawal Bello before his retirement on the 24th of April 2022 has signed the Family Court rules for the family court he designated in Kaduna.
“I can proudly said that, Kaduna State has family court with the family court rules”
“I can authoritatively said we have the family court and we have the family court rules that will guide the family court in administering justice to young persons that are below the ages of eighteen that have come in conflict with the law.
Justice Darious Kobo maintained that, all that is needed, is the training of personnel that would man the court and the training of Police prosecutors and other staff on how to protect the right of the offenders when brought before the court.
He said the committee also advocated for the establishment of remand homes where the young persons can be kept, which he emphasized as vital.
Justice Kobo added the courts are to be designed in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan.
In a remark, Kaduna State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Hafsat Baba commended members of the committee for the good work .
Hajiya Hafsat Baba also expressed worry on increasing offences done by young persons, and called on parents to rise up to their responsibility in upbringing of their children.
COV/AMINU DALHATU