Amnesty International Nigeria has criticized the Plateau State Government for stopping the case against a man accused of defiling a four-year-old girl.
Isa Sanusi, the country director for Amnesty International Nigeria, shared these concerns at a press conference in Jos on Wednesday.
Mr Sanusi pointed out that the state government dropped the case even though a court had issued a warrant for the accused’s arrest after he missed several court dates.
The organization said this decision raises serious worries about justice for the child and the government's commitment to protecting kids from sexual violence.
The case was being heard at the Plateau State High Court in Jos until May 2026 when the state Ministry of Justice ended the proceedings using the constitutional powers of the Attorney-General.
Mr Sanusi questioned this decision, especially since the accused had not shown up in court, and a bench warrant had been issued for him.
"How is dropping a mid-trial sexual abuse case involving a four-year-old in the public interest? How does protecting a fugitive defendant serve the interest of justice?" he asked.
The Amnesty director stated that this decision should be reviewed. He emphasized that sexual abuse of a child is a serious crime that needs the justice system to protect the survivor and ensure accountability.
He also expressed worries about how this decision affects the implementation of the Plateau State Child Rights Law, 2005, and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law, 2022.
Mr Sanusi urged Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who is a lawyer, to step in and make sure the case is reopened.
He also called on the state attorney-general to explain publicly why the prosecution was dropped.
"We are calling on the Plateau State Government to retrace its steps. This is not a political matter. It has nothing to do with sentiment. This is a human rights issue," he said.
Barbara Magaji, programme manager for Amnesty International Nigeria, mentioned that the organization had talked with the Plateau State Government about this issue before making their concerns public.
She said Amnesty wrote to the state attorney-general for clarification on why the case was discontinued and also petitioned Governor Mutfwang. However, she has not received any response from the governor yet.
Ms Magaji recognized the attorney-general’s power to stop criminal cases. Still, she said this power should be used in line with the broader interests of justice and protecting the survivor.
"Our concern is the survivor. The girl child is at risk if this continues," she said.
She added that the child was in a serious condition when Amnesty got involved in the case. The organization’s lawyers were later authorized to take up the case after meeting the girl and her family.
According to her, the case first went to court on 12 February, but the accused did not appear.
She said the court issued a bench warrant for his arrest, but it had not been executed when the prosecution ended.
Stella Samuel, a lawyer involved in the case, said the accused had been served with court documents but repeatedly missed court appearances.
She stated that the prosecution had prepared witnesses and evidence for the trial before the case was dropped.
"This case is still prosecutable. The law allows the Attorney-General to reinstate it," Ms Samuel said.
She urged the state government to restore the case so that the allegations could be resolved through a proper judicial process.
Jacob Pwakim, secretary of the Let The Case Proceed Campaign, said the decision to drop the prosecution has disappointed many residents who have followed the case.
He stated that concerned citizens formed the campaign to push for the case to continue.
Mr Pwakim said this issue goes beyond the individual survivor. It is about protecting children and public trust in the justice system.
"If a four-year-old cannot get justice, which child can?" he asked.
Amnesty and the campaign are urging the Plateau State Government to rethink their decision and let the court address the allegations against the accused.
Efforts to get a response from Philemon Daffi, Plateau State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, did not succeed.
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