THE DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS SAYS TROOPS ELIMINATED OVER 100 TERRORISTS, ARRESTED 345 TERRORISTS, AND RESCUED 393 KIDNAPPED VICTIMS IN THE MONTH OF JULY.(PHOTO).
A Federal Government visitation panel has reported that prison conditions across Nigeria remain dire, with inmates enduring harsh and unbearable living conditions.
The panel, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Olawale Fapohunda, revealed that many inmates are held without legal representation, as the Legal Aid Council struggles to handle the overwhelming number of cases.
Submitting its findings to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Fapohunda noted that prison audits exposed severe challenges, including inmates suffering from untreated illnesses due to inadequate medical care.
He urged the AGF and the federal government to intervene urgently to improve prison conditions. He also recommended convening an emergency meeting of Attorneys-General to address the crisis and develop solutions to alleviate the plight of inmates.
Fapohunda highlighted that numerous detainees remain in custody longer than the maximum sentence for their alleged offenses simply because they lack legal representation. While the Legal Aid Council is mandated to provide free legal services, he said it is severely underfunded and unable to meet the demand.
In response, AGF Fagbemi emphasized that the working group was established to enhance access to justice and prevent unlawful detentions. He reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to prison reform in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and international human rights obligations.
He stressed that the administration aims to create a criminal justice system that not only upholds law and order but also rehabilitates offenders for reintegration into society.
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