The senate today ruled that minors and underage suspects are not kept in the same environment as adult criminals.

 

 

Reacting to a motion moved by Senator Victor Umeh today in plenary, Senate President Bukola Saraki said it was unfortunate that underage children are treated the same way as adult criminals and also lamented their non-representation in court by any legal official.

 

 

According to Saraki, the Federal Government must ensure that minors do not get the same treatment as adults in Nigerian prisons and police custodies.

 

 

Additionally, the senate urged the Legal Aid Council LAC to ensure that underage children are not prosecuted without legal aid. It also urged the Federal Government to establish more reformation centres across the country to cater for such category of suspects.

 

 

Furthermore, the senate mandated its committee on Interior to invite the Comptroller General of Prisons to explain the incarceration of underage prisoners in Nigerian prisons.