Amnesty International has criticised the Plateau State Government for discontinuing the prosecution of a man accused of sexually abusing a four-year-old girl, despite a court-issued warrant for his arrest after he repeatedly failed to appear for trial.

The case was discontinued in May 2026 by the state Ministry of Justice under the constitutional powers of the Attorney-General. However, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, questioned the decision and urged Governor Caleb Mutfwang to intervene and ensure the case is reinstated.

The organisation said the accused had failed to attend court proceedings despite being served with court documents, while the prosecution had witnesses and evidence ready for trial. Amnesty also called on the state Attorney-General to publicly explain why the case was dropped.

The organisation and a civil society campaign group have urged the government to restore the prosecution, stressing the need to protect children from sexual violence and ensure access to justice.