By SUNDAY EJIKE, Abuja

The Federal Government has started moves for the establishment of specialised courts for speedy trials of rape and gender-based violence offences in the country.

Already, the Office of Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) is currently engaging respective Heads of Courts to establish the specialised courts.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), made this known while inaugurating the Justice for Children Coordination Forum at the launch of the EU-UNICEF access to justice programme for children on the move and other vulnerable children held in Abuja.

He expressed the hope that the specialised courts will fast track rape and gender-based violence cases and result in justice for child victims of sexual violence.

The Minister, who lamented the pathetic situation of some children said, the Federal Government will continue to do its best in the protection of the rights of children and vulnerable persons.

Malami, who was represented by the Special Assistant to the President on Research and Special Duties, in his office, Professor Muhammad Lawal Ahmadu, said, through age and gender-sensitive juvenile justice mechanisms, the Nigerian child would benefit from the child-friendly justice sector.

The Minister then, inaugurated the Justice for Children Forum, chaired by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, with representatives from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the Nigerian Police Force.

Other Members of the Forum were drawn from Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, the National Human Rights Commission, the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the University of Abuja.

Buni Yadi Foundation, United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, FIDA, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Judicial Institute, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Office of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (OHCR) were also represented in the Forum. (Nigerian Tribune)

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