Learning Reflections from Agbegende Oyebola ABSU LAW CLINIC

At the course of our Advocacy visit to the Director of Public Prosecution Office at Federal Prisons Okigwe IMO State Nigeria. During our interaction with him, he told us about so many things concerning the prison and detainees. Most especially about access to Justice to the inmates/detainees. Access to Justice simply means ways to obtain justice either through court  or other legal institutions. He went ahead to emphasize that the government should endeavour to let the inmates have access to Justice no matter their class. According to the DPP the prison is so congested and the police whose duty is to transfer the case files of inmates to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution for further  actions do delay. Also, went further to educate us on the fact that most inmates in the prison are innocent of the offence charged but because they are unable to have access to Justice they are still in the prison.

This experience is significant to me because , I have often wondered why one will be denied of justice just because he or she is poor. Justice they say is for everyone and our constitution frowns against any form of discrimination. So one who have justice should not be denied such.

I observed that the officials who are responsible for forwarding case files to the appropriate office for further actions delay so much in order words also delaying the inmates access to justice. Another issue is the congestion of the prison, detainees should have access to justice in order to decongest the prison.

My participation in this visit has influenced my perspective. Previously I use to see all inmates as guilty as charged but at the course of this visit and interaction with the Director of Public Prosecution I have come to realize that most inmates are innocent and are unjustly kept in the prison.

I learnt that justice should be given to those that deserve it and also proper investigation should be done by the police before taking one to the magistrate court which do not have jurisdiction to trial capital offences and as such results to remanding the suspect.

Naturally am an emotional kind of person, I felt bad that some innocent souls are lavishing in the prison custody without no just cause..

The ABSU LAW CLINIC in line with its aims and objectives keeps on visiting the prisons and rendering their legal Aid to indigent members of the society.