Bauchi Authorities Accused of Defying Court Order on Teen

The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Billiri Local Government Area Chapter, has accused the Bauchi State Government and the Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children Agency (BASOVCA) of failing to comply with a Federal High Court order regarding 17-year-old Faith Barnabas. The court ordered her release to her mother, Mrs. Kumabe Zakari, following a fundamental rights enforcement suit she filed after Faith's disappearance in April 2026.

Comrade Sarki Napthali, Chairman of YOWICAN Billiri, stated that the continued custody of Faith constitutes contempt of court and a violation of the rule of law. The court's judgment was delivered on July 6, 2026, but as of August 2, 2026, the Bauchi State Government and BASOVCA had not complied.

YOWICAN alleged that Faith was separated from her family after being groomed by an adult male and claimed she was declared to have converted to Islam while in state custody. The organization called for immediate compliance with the court order and urged various authorities to intervene.