Addressing Overcrowding and Injustice in Nigeria’s Correctional Facilities
Zarephath Aid, a non-governmental organisation, has raised concerns about the state of Nigeria’s correctional facilities. The group has called for a nationwide audit to decongest prisons and improve the transparency of the justice system. According to the organisation, such an audit would help identify inmates and track the status of their cases, ensuring that the legal process is fair and efficient.
The founder of Zarephath Aid, Mr. Ben Abraham, a legal practitioner, made this call during a press conference titled “The New Legal Year and the Lingering Justice Question,” which was held at the Ikeja High Court in Lagos. Abraham highlighted the persistent issue of overcrowded prisons, where many inmates spend years waiting for their trials. Despite efforts by civil society groups and judicial interventions, the problem remains unresolved.
Abraham urged all levels of the judiciary to collaborate with the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee at the federal level and state-level Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committees. He stressed the importance of proper oversight and timely resolution of cases. According to him, key provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and state laws require judicial officers to conduct monthly visits to detention facilities and law enforcement cells, followed by reports to the Chief Judge and Attorney-General.
However, he noted that these oversight responsibilities have been lacking in many states and at the federal level, leading to continued illegal detentions and abuse of suspects’ rights. Abraham argued that it is time for stakeholders in the justice sector to set clear expectations and performance benchmarks for the new legal year.
He pointed out that while new legal year ceremonies are often marked by speeches, many Nigerians in remote areas fail to relate to their significance. To them, “justice is beyond long speeches.” They eagerly await the day when they can touch justice or, put differently, when justice can touch them. It is for these people that Zarephath Aid is making its call on the courts and judiciary heads.
Combating Police Brutality and Protecting Civil Liberties
Abraham also condemned the rising cases of police brutality, torture, and extortion. He said that the police’s internal disciplinary mechanisms have failed to curb the trend. “If the courts fail to leash this errancy, another uprising will be upon us sooner than later,” he warned. He added that the civil space is shrinking daily, and the police, sometimes acting at the behest of the executive, target rights activists, critics, and journalists.
The organisation also criticised the Cybercrimes Act 2024, arguing that it is being “inordinately applied to muzzle dissent and silence critics of the government.” Many of the charges under the Act, according to Abraham, are politically instigated. “As long as our courts tolerate this interference and fail to defend citizens’ constitutional rights to free expression, the Act will remain a tool of harassment,” he said.
Abraham urged the judiciary to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action in defending the rule of law and democracy. He invited the media to join in setting this agenda for the judiciary and monitoring its performance over the next year.
Enhancing Accountability and Protecting Minors
Zarephath Aid also emphasized the need for digital tools to track case progress and improve accountability. An audit of correctional centres would provide accurate data on the number of inmates, including those awaiting trial and those already convicted.
On his part, Zarephath Aid’s Executive Director, Mr. Joseph Ameh, called for collaboration among justice sector agencies. He urged the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to extend his reform efforts to the correctional system.
Also speaking, the Gender Rights and Child Officer, Miss Kaylah Abraham, stressed the need to enforce the Child Rights Act and protect minors in detention. She called for expedited handling of children’s cases, stronger independent police oversight, and expanded access to legal aid for minors in conflict with the law.
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