Jos – The Publicity Subcommittee of the Plateau State Child Rights Law Implementation Committee (PLASCRIC) has urged the judiciary to ensure the prompt dispensation of justice and impose stiffer penalties on offenders involved in crimes against children in the State.

The appeal was made during a recent visit by the subcommittee members to the Chief Judge of Plateau State, Justice David Mann, at the High Court Complex in Jos, where they expressed concern over the rising cases of rape, child trafficking and other forms of abuse involving minors.

PLASCRIC is supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) programme, implemented by International IDEA and funded by the European Union (EU).

Chairperson of the subcommittee, Ladi Emmanuel, described the situation in the State as disturbing, citing recent figures released by the Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah, on rape cases involving minors.

According to her, the Police Commissioner revealed that “more than 64 minors had been raped in recent weeks,” a development she described as deeply alarming.

She also expressed concern over incidents of child trafficking and the growing number of vulnerable children exposed to abuse and exploitation across the state.

Emmanuel further decried situations in which minors were remanded in correctional facilities, stressing the need for “greater protection and rehabilitation measures for children in conflict with the law.”

Also speaking, a member, Sandra Chikan of the Child Protection Network (CPN) commended the Chief Judge for recent interventions, particularly “the discharge of 13 youths from the Young Persons’ Home.”

She disclosed that 10 of the youths had already been reunited with their families, while the remaining three were undergoing skills training at a transition home ahead of reintegration with their families.

Dorcas Bawa of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission urged the judiciary to “ensure a seamless justice process and expedite actions against perpetrators of violence against girls and children.”

She recounted a recent rape case in Langtang South Local Government Area involving a nine-year-old girl allegedly assaulted by a 43-year-old man.

According to her, “The child suffered severe injuries, lost a significant amount of blood and required two pints of blood transfusion as well as surgeries to correct the damage caused by the assault.”

Responding, Justice Mann assured the delegation of the judiciary’s commitment to child protection and the speedy delivery of justice.

He disclosed that three judges had been assigned to handle family court matters at the High Court level, while another judge oversees gender-related cases.

The Chief Judge also highlighted ongoing judicial reforms, including the signing of practice directions on restorative justice and non-custodial sentencing aimed at strengthening the administration of criminal justice.

He noted that while judges must operate within the provisions of the law, the judiciary remained committed to “ensuring justice is dispensed promptly and fairly.”

Meanwhile, Justice Elizabeth Angai, who presides over one of the family courts, called for prompt investigations backed by credible evidence to assist judges in delivering effective judgments.