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.
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