My name is Egbedokun Omolara, a 500 level clinician from the University
of Abuja Law Clinic. I had a mind blowing experience on my visit to the famous
Kuje Prison at Kuje Area Council Abuja. Prior to my visit, the picture I’ve
always had of a prison was that of the wall of Jericho, but my view changed on
getting there. I thought prisons were meant for only criminals but I soon
realized it has been turned into a home of both criminals and innocent citizens
who have been wrongly arrested and have as well been forced to admit to crimes
they never committed. Likewise, I thought prison officials would willingly
entertain any legal aid assistance in decongesting prisons but I was totally
wrong as well.
After a long journey to Kuje prison, with the mind set of helping
pre-trial detainees get access to their long awaited justice, a senior prison
official who happens to be the head of operations refused our entry with the
excuse that he wasn’t prepared for our visit despite the fact that we’ve met
all the necessary requirements. At that point, I started developing cold feet
and the atmosphere was filled with disappointment knowing that there are lots
of detainees in there who have been denied access to justice. I was discouraged
as I felt our visit was already in vain. It took a while after series of
pleadings by our Coordinator before we were granted access. Eventually, we were
given the opportunity to interview just a few pre-trial detainees even when it
was obvious that there were more of them in detention.
Prison officials are not helping matters at all; I often feel they
think their services wouldn’t be needed anymore if the prisons are being
decongested since it is a known fact that about 75% of inmates are pre-trial
detainees which they are absolutely aware of. They need to be reminded that it
is only the detainees who are not found guilty of the alleged crimes that would
be released and for those found guilty
by the courts would serve their original time as convicted prisoners rather
than being a pre-trial detainee with no hope of leaving at all. I realized that
some of the detainees have even served more than the time they could have
served if they were actually convicted.
I feel pity for our country Nigeria on this issue, reason being it is
a lacuna that needs serious attention and needs to be addressed with immediate
effect because it affects the future and development of Nigeria.
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