Welcome to our February Newsletter where we tell you all about our January 2025 activities. It was quite the busy month: CRJJC secured the dismissal of charges against two children; TOKAN Foundation provided educational support to its beneficiaries through scholarships, school supplies, lessons, etc.; and CRJJC took its Know Your Rights Initiative to the children of Oworonshoki in partnership with Drug Aid Africa.
From the Courtrooms: An Unfair Allegation and a Happy Resolution
In January, CRJJC volunteer lawyers represented five children in court for various offences.
Two of the children had spent their 2024 long vacation learning skills from a neighbourhood artisan. During this time, the artisan occasionally instructed them to collect and deliver metal parts to buyers. Unknown to the children, some of these items were stolen. As a result, they were arrested and placed at the Special Correctional Centre for Boys in Oregun. CRJJC was contacted in July 2024 to represent them in court.
Upon taking up their case, we secured their release on bail and ensured they remained with their families throughout the proceedings. Despite our efforts to reach an out-of-court settlement, the complainant was initially unwilling to settle. In court, our legal team argued that the children had acted under the instruction of an adult and our legal team highlighted the unfairness of scapegoating two innocent children while the complainant and prosecution neglected to prosecute the adult who had given them stolen items.
On 17 February 2025, after eight months of dedicated legal representation, the complainant eventually agreed to drop the charges after a generous donor facilitated a ₦200,000 payment to the complainant. It was also agreed that the prosecution would present the adult involved in court.
The case against the two children was therefore successfully struck out.
To the Classrooms: Educational Support
In January 2025, our student beneficiaries returned to school for the 2nd Term of the 2024/2025 Academic Year. As part of our back-to-school drive, we purchased and delivered school bags, school shoes and sandals, stationary, and other supplies to students in Children’s Centers across Lagos.
Payment of academic tuition for all students are ongoing, and we appreciate your continued support in ensuring that no child is left behind.
To the Communities: Know Your Rights Initiative
On Saturday, 18 January 2025, CRJJC hosted its Know Your Rights Initiative at the Mosafejo community of Oworonshoki, Lagos in partnership with Drug Aid Africa.
The Initiative educated participants on Child Rights, Child Justice Administration, and what these rights mean to them. A core goal was empowering children to advocate for themselves and their peers against rights violations. The event also increased awareness of CRJJC’s mission and services, encouraging children to seek legal support when necessary.
The event included interactive discussions and giveaways, fun icebreakers, and game sessions such as the “Be My Lawyer” game - an interactive activity where the audience is provided with a set of facts and invited to provide their analysis based on their newly gained knowledge of Child Rights and Child Justice Administration - and “Picasso Me” - where each child was asked to draw an item and the best drawings received prizes. These games fostered learning through creative and engaging formats and also ensured that children had access to play and recreation.
Drug Aid Africa also provided sanitary pads to the women and girls, accompanied by an educational session on proper use and menstrual hygiene.
This impactful event was a success thanks to Drug Aid Africa representatives and the efforts of a dedicated team of CRJJC lawyers and volunteers, including Tope Tokan-Lawal, Akorede Adelupe, Lolade Ayeni, Oyeyosola Diya, Raphael Irenen, Niyi Olawale, Sharon Ogunjiofor, and Olanrewaju Ali.
Support Our Mission
The Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (“CRJJC”) is the legal aid arm of TOKAN Foundation for Children and Young People. We provide legal support to children and juveniles in Nigeria, many of whom would otherwise be unrepresented.
Since 2018, we have ensured that hundreds of marginalised children have access to quality education by providing tuition scholarships, daily lunch stipends, school supplies, after- school and national exams preparatory lessons, social support, and legal representation in court through our Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (@CR_JJC).
But the milestone we’re proudest of is the establishment of the Special Approved School in January 2023 for secondary school-aged girls within the Special Correctional Center for Girls (SCCG) in Idi-Araba, Lagos. This means that girls in the custody of the justice system can receive quality education from our team of qualified tutors/teachers, because we believe children should have access to education, regardless of their custody status.
For legal assistance, contact us at crjjc@tokanfoundation.com or on social media: Twitter/IG/FB: @cr_jjc and LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/crjjc
Fundraiser
Help us continue our crucial work in ensuring no child is left behind by donating to TOKAN Foundation and CRJJC via:
TOKAN Foundation
Account No. 1015972986
Zenith Bank Plc