My name is Maidoki Kubuswat Veronica, a
400 level clinician from the University of Abuja Law Clinic and my
participation in the NULAI/OSIWA Pre Trial Detention project, especially the
visit to Kuje Prison was indeed a special and rewarding experience for me.
Before our prison vist, we were divided
into various teams and my team interviewed two pretrial detainees. I was really
happy doing so, because for the first time in my life I was acting as a lawyer
even though I was not yet one. I was happy to give a listening ear to those
that needed it. I came across this inmate who was 23 years old and was so happy
talking to us because he believed we were his mates who will understand him,
counsel him and be of great help to him.
At first it was difficult, “YES” it was but as the interview progressed,
we got his attention and confidence in us. Before he started his story I
noticed a calm sense of humor in him and that was really nice.
During the interviews I noticed and
discovered a few things about the pretrial detainees.
Firstly they do not have access to
justice and some who have been granted bail could not afford to pay the cost of
bail.
They looked unkempt and malnourished,
some with infested wounds with flies hovering around them, torn clothes and
mixed slippers/ footwear and not to even talk more of having their bath, their
clothes not washed and turned upside down. When I asked why his wound was not
treated he said nothing would be done expect panadol or ampiclos after which no
one will attend to them. I felt pain but could not cry because I was taught to
show more empathy than sympathy.
I also asked another if they were a bit
comfortable and one in his mid 30ths replied to me
“ah! Aunty na
God ooo I no remember last I hit leg but
since I reach
here na so so beat I day collect now
everyday I no
worry again because for SARS place
when I been day
for 4 months dem day learn work
na big stick in
the morning and night before food”.
Before I left I was opportune to asked a
prison warder why they been beaten and he replied saying
“Most of them
are harden criminals if they are not been beaten or
treated as such
they wont cooperate neither will they understand
the gravity of
crime they have committed, if they are been given
little
opportunity they will retaliate doing same to us”.
It was a very significant visit because
I was granted an avenue to witness a participatory and practical aspect of law
as opposed to the theoretical aspect I was been taught in class. I also learnt
that not everything that I was been told was true but was made to encourage
them without false hopes.
It
also changed my perspective totally because before then I believed only hardened
criminals go to prison while little offences end up in police custody but now I
know that even those who commit little offences are in prison custody too with
a majority of them awaiting trial.
In
conclusion, I must confess that the project experience has helped me as a law
student to be a better lawyer in the future. Am more inclined to tender pro
bono services to the underserved and poor members of the society.
Comments
Post a Comment