By Uzair Adam
The Borno State Government has announced plans to establish modern rehabilitation centres for juvenile and minor offenders as part of efforts to promote restorative justice and reduce crime among young people.
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hauwa Abubakar, disclosed this on Friday during a briefing to commemorate the June 12 Democracy Day celebration in Maiduguri.
According to her, the initiative is aimed at moving away from an exclusively punitive justice system toward one that focuses on rehabilitation, counselling, and reintegration.
She noted that punishment alone cannot bring about lasting behavioural change, stressing the need for psychological assessment, vocational training, and proper reorientation of offenders.
“Punishment in isolation does not yield the sustainable behavioural reform we desire. We must adopt a compassionate and comprehensive rehabilitation framework that counsels, heals and empowers young offenders, giving them a genuine second chance to become productive and law-abiding citizens,” Abubakar said.
The commissioner explained that the rehabilitation centres form part of a broader agenda of reforms outlined by the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum to strengthen the justice sector, improve offender rehabilitation, and promote public morality.
She also revealed that the state government plans to construct a Judges’ Estate to improve the welfare of judicial officers and reinforce the independence of the judiciary.
According to her, the project has already been included in the current budget and will provide secure and befitting accommodation for judges across the state.
“This modern and high-security Judges’ Estate has already been captured in the current fiscal budget. It is designed to provide premium, secure and conducive accommodation befitting the status and dignity of judicial officers,” she stated.
Abubakar commended Governor Zulum for supporting judicial reforms and infrastructure development in the state.
She said several Magistrate, High and Sharia Courts have been renovated and equipped with modern facilities, while new judicial complexes have been constructed, particularly in communities affected by insurgency.
“As chairperson of the Borno State Anti-Social Vices Committee, we have adopted proactive, intelligence-driven and preventive measures that have contributed to a significant decline in crime and social vices across the state,” she added.
The attorney-general urged community leaders, parents and religious institutions to support efforts aimed at addressing moral decadence and guiding young people towards responsible conduct.
“Eradicating social vices and moral decay is a shared civic responsibility. We must work together to reshape the mindset of our youth and reduce all forms of immorality to the barest minimum,” she said.
