By Christiana Gokyo, Jos
A Jos-based civil society practitioner and founder of the Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse (YIAVHA), Jacob Choji Pwakim, has expressed concern over the withdrawal of a child defilement case involving a four-year-old girl in Plateau State.
The case, which was before High Court 15 in Jos, involved allegations that the child’s father molested her.
The matter was reportedly withdrawn following a directive from the Plateau State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, who authorized the discontinuance of the prosecution.
According to reports, the defendant had repeatedly failed to appear in court despite several adjournments.
A bench warrant had earlier been issued for his arrest, but neither the court bailiff nor the police reportedly executed the warrant.
The court was also said to have maintained that the warrant remains valid and subsisting.
Reacting to the development, Pwakim said he was deeply troubled by the decision of the Plateau State Ministry of Justice to discontinue the criminal charge in suit No. PLD/J12CR/2026, The People of Plateau State vs. X.
He noted that the charges were formally withdrawn in an open court application on May 21, 2026, by representatives of the Attorney-General, citing Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“While Section 211 grants the Attorney-General powers over criminal prosecutions, Section 211(3) clearly states that such powers must be exercised in the public interest, in the interest of justice, and in a manner that prevents abuse of legal process,” he said.
Pwakim argued that the withdrawal raises important constitutional and public-interest questions that deserve independent review, especially considering the defendant’s repeated absence from court proceedings.
He further stated that the allegations involve a highly vulnerable child who is unable to defend herself.
“The four-year-old victim has no one to fight for her under these circumstances except concerned citizens who must call on the Plateau State Government to revisit the use of such prosecutorial powers in this matter,” he said.
According to him, the discontinuance of the case comes at a time when incidents of violence and abuse against children are increasing, a trend that security agencies have also acknowledged.
He warned that withdrawing such a case could weaken public confidence in the justice system and child-protection mechanisms within the state.
Pwakim therefore called on relevant institutions, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Plateau State Government, the National Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International, UNICEF, civil society organizations, the media, and rights advocates such as Omoyele Sowore to seek a careful review of the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of the charges and determine whether constitutional standards of public interest and justice were properly upheld.
He also commended FIDA Nigeria and the National Association of Women Journalists for what he described as their leadership and commitment to the matter.
Pwakim emphasized that Plateau State is among the states that have domesticated the Child Rights Law, which places a strong obligation on the government to prioritize the protection, welfare, and best interests of children.
“In a matter of this nature, involving serious allegations reportedly supported by medical evidence and public concern, many citizens reasonably expected that the case would proceed to full judicial determination,” he said.
He added that silence in matters affecting vulnerable children could have lasting consequences and stressed that child protection must remain a priority for both government and society.
Meanwhile, our correspondent recalls that in a separate child molestation case previously heard by the court, a defendant convicted of molesting a nine-year-old child was sentenced to 21 years imprisonment.
