The Lagos State Government on the 14th of August, 2025, introduced the Child Sexual Abuse Investigative and Interview Protocol, designed to strengthen justice for minors who have faced sexual abuse.
At the unveiling in Lagos, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, said the protocol represents a major move to uphold children’s rights and dignity in the justice process.
He praised the Cece Yara Foundation and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme for their role in bringing the idea to life.
According to him, the protocol will ensure that testimonies from abused children are approached with seriousness and care, ensuring that legal judgments are based on facts.
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“This protocol is vital for our children because when a child speaks about abuse, their words must be taken seriously. Their experiences should be handled with the utmost sensitivity to ensure that justice is served without further harm,” Pedro said.
Bisi Ajayi-Kayode, CEO of the Cece Yara Foundation, said the launch fulfilled a vision the organisation had from inception. She explained that poor forensic interviewing in the past had led to secondary trauma for victims and wrongful outcomes in court.
The foundation’s founder, Mrs Bola Tinubu, called the protocol “a voice for children,” stressing that the organisation exists to ensure children are listened to, protected, and given the justice they deserve.