Amnesty International has expressed strong reservations over the Plateau State government's decision to withdraw a four-year-old defilement case, describing it as a profound miscarriage of justice. The case involves a toddler who was a survivor of sexual violence. According to Amnesty International's Country Director, Isa Sanusi, the withdrawal of the case is a disturbing development that undermines the justice system in Plateau State. The case was being handled by a Plateau State High Court in Jos.
The case dates back to 2022, and the defendant had consistently shown disregard for the judiciary by refusing to appear in court. Despite this, the court had issued a standing bench warrant for the defendant's immediate arrest. However, in May 2026, prosecutors from the office of the Plateau State Attorney General invoked Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, discontinuing the criminal trial and allowing the defendant to walk free. Amnesty International has questioned the justification for this decision.
Amnesty International's Country Director, Isa Sanusi, has raised concerns about the implications of the withdrawal of the case. He stated that the Constitution requires the Attorney General's powers to discontinue criminal proceedings to be exercised with strict regard to public interest, the interest of justice, and the need to prevent abuse of legal process. Sanusi queried how dropping the case served the interest of justice and protected a fugitive defendant.
The withdrawal of the case has been criticized for setting a negative precedence and creating distrust in the state's justice system. Sanusi argued that it signals to predators that they can evade the law and receive a quiet exit from criminal accountability. Amnesty International is demanding that the Plateau State government takes immediate action to reverse the withdrawal and re-institute the charges.
Amnesty International has made three key demands from the Plateau State government. Firstly, the organization is calling on the Governor of Plateau State to exercise his executive oversight and compel the Attorney General to reverse the withdrawal and restore the case to the high court. Secondly, the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice are required to provide a transparent and immediate public explanation for abandoning the case.
The Nigerian Police Force, Plateau State Command, has also been tasked with the immediate and aggressive execution of the court-ordered bench warrant to apprehend the defendant. This will enable the trial to resume without delay. Amnesty International has vowed to continue engaging on the case to ensure that justice is served for the four-year-old survivor.
The case has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the justice system in Plateau State, particularly in handling cases of sexual violence against children. The Plateau State Child Rights Law 2005 and the Plateau State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law 2022 are expected to guide the handling of such cases. Amnesty International's intervention underscores the need for accountability and justice in cases of human rights violations.
Key points
- Amnesty International rejects Plateau govt's withdrawal of 4-yr-old defilement case
- Withdrawal of case sets negative precedence and creates distrust in state's justice system
- Amnesty International demands reversal of withdrawal and re-institution of charges
