The Kogi government has signed into law the Family Court Rules and Practice Direction for the domesticated child rights law.

The Kogi chief judge, Justice Josiah Majebi, signed the documents in his office in Lokoja on Wednesday.

Mr Majebi said the family court came into existence about 10 years ago and needed to have the rules of the court and practice direction.

He explained that this would regulate proceedings relating to child welfare.

“Because of the importance of facilitating trial, we set up a committee headed by Justice Angelina Salihu, which worked assiduously to ensure these rules come into force within a reasonable time,” stated the chief judge.

Mr Majebi added, “As of today, by the special grace of God, the Kogi family court rules 2023 and practice direction have been signed. This is a welcome development.”

The chief judge thanked Kogi’s child rights advocate cluster “for their roles in ensuring that these rules came into force today.”

Justice Angelina Salihu, the review committee chairwoman, said, “Inasmuch as some of these children commit heinous crimes such as murder, there’s no home or prison where they can be kept. Also, victims of rape are not having it easy making in the road to living a normal life, which are parts of our challenges.”

(NAN)