by Christiana Gokyo,Jos
Amnesty International, in conjunction with civil society organizations has called on Plateau State Government to reinstate a discontinued criminal trial involving the sexual abuse of a four-year-old survivor.
It could be recalled that the case was filed in the name of the “People of Plateau State,” accusing the defendant of defilement, contrary to Section 33(1) and punishable under Section 33(2) of the Plateau State Child’s Rights Law, 2005.
The Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, was briefing journalists on Wednesday at Crispan Hotel Jos during which he said the High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of one DAFWAT JELKYES, who is facing charges of alleged child molestation, and the warrant was issued on Thursday by Justice MARY IZAM of High Court 15 after the defendant and his counsel failed to appear in court when the matter came up for hearing.
The accused was facing a second charge of sexual abuse and exploitation, under Section 34(1) and punishable under Section 34(2) of the same law.
The case was originally handled by the Plateau State High Court in Jos, where the defendant repeatedly failed to appear in court.
According to him, despite standing bench warrants for the defendant’s arrest, the Plateau State Attorney-General invoked Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution to discontinue the trial in May 2026, while advocates argue that discontinuing a case of sexual abuse against a child violates international law and the public interest.
He further emphasized how protecting a fugitive defendant aligns with the Plateau State Child Rights Act 2005 and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law 2022.
According to him, “The sudden withdrawal of the case is described as an abuse of the legal process that sets a dangerous precedent for future sexual violence cases.”
He expressed concern that failing to prosecute will lead to increased trauma and societal instability caused by unaddressed childhood abuse.
The Amnesty International also called on the Plateau State Governor to exercise “executive oversight” to compel the Attorney-General to reinstate the case and demand for accountability and enforcement.
He also demanded that the Attorney-General should provide a transparent public explanation for abandoning the prosecution of a vulnerable child, and demanded for the Nigerian Police to execute existing bench warrants to apprehend the defendant immediately, so that trial can resume without delay. The Director further emphasized that the goal is to ensure that the legal system protects children, rather than shielding predators from justice.
While emphasizing that Amnesty International has already written to the Attorney-General to seek clarification on the discontinuation, and the Attorney-General’s response cited Section 211, but advocates argue that “this justification is insufficient, given the risk to the girl-child.”
He also explained that Petitions have been sent to the government, though no formal response has been received as of the meeting, and advocates emphasize that since the matter began last year, the lack of progress represents a major roadblock to serving justice for the traumatized survivor.
“We refuse to let this case be buried in bureaucratic silence and assure the public of our continuous engagement on the case to ensure justice is served for the four-year-old survivor,” he said.
According to him, “This sudden withdrawal is an extremely bad abuse of legal process, sets a negative precedence and creates distrust in state’s justice system. It signals to predators that they can evade the law, wait out the system, and receive a quiet exit from criminal accountability.”
Others, who spoke, include Jacob Kwakim, a Civil Society Organization, and Stella Samuel – a lawyer handling the case of the four years’ minor – who stated that the staged campaign was formed, following the withdrawal of a legal case involving a young girl’s repeated violations.
They said the state agency initially attempted to take over the case after FIDA had been involved, leading to a conflict regarding the state’s role in defending its interests-versus ensuring justice, but despite police investigations recommending prosecution, the state moved to withdraw the case, citing “State interest.”
“The campaign has engaged in various advocacy efforts, including a signature campaign that collected 500 letters from citizens addressed to the Governor, which remains unanswered.”