A non-governmental organization, Zarephath Aid, has issued a strong call for a nationwide audit of Nigeria’s correctional facilities. The group insists that a comprehensive review is essential to accurately identify every inmate and determine the precise status of their respective legal cases.
According to Zarephath Aid, such an exercise would be a critical step toward decongesting the country’s overcrowded prisons and injecting much-needed transparency into the justice system.
The Lingering Justice Question
The call was made by the group’s founder, Mr. Ben Abraham, during a press conference at the Ikeja High Court, Lagos, themed: “The New Legal Year and the Lingering Justice Question.” Abraham lamented that despite various interventions by civil society and measures backed by the judiciary, correctional facilities across Nigeria remain severely overcrowded, with countless inmates languishing for years while awaiting trial.
He emphasized the need for all levels of the judiciary to actively collaborate with federal and state oversight bodies, such as the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee. This partnership is vital for ensuring proper supervision and the timely resolution of court cases.
Abraham pointed out that key provisions within the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and related state laws mandate judicial officers to conduct monthly visits to detention facilities and law enforcement cells. These visits must be followed by detailed oversight reports submitted to the Chief Judge and the Attorney-General. Unfortunately, he noted, this crucial oversight responsibility has been “lacking in many states,” leading to the continued illegal detention and abuse of suspects’ rights.
Beyond Speeches: A Call for Action
Speaking on the theme of the new legal year, Abraham challenged justice sector stakeholders to move beyond ceremonial speeches and establish clear performance benchmarks for the coming year. He argued that for many Nigerians, the significance of the new legal year remains elusive because “justice is beyond long speeches.” As he put it, they are simply “eagerly await the day when they can touch justice or, put differently, when justice can touch them.”
Abraham also strongly condemned the escalating incidents of police brutality, torture, and extortion, claiming that the internal disciplinary mechanisms within the police force have proven ineffective in curbing this dangerous trend.
He issued a stern warning: “If the courts fail to leash this errancy, another uprising will be upon us sooner than later.” He further criticized the shrinking civic space, noting that police are increasingly targeting rights activists, critics, and journalists, sometimes “acting at the behest of the executive.”
Protecting Free Expression and Minors
The group also took aim at the Cybercrimes Act 2024, which it says is being “inordinately applied to muzzle dissent and silence critics of the government.” Abraham argued that many of the charges filed under the Act are politically motivated. “As long as our courts tolerate this interference and fail to defend citizens’ constitutional rights to free expression, the Act will remain a tool of harassment,” he asserted.
Ultimately, Zarephath Aid urged the judiciary to take concrete action in defending the rule of law and democracy, rather than relying solely on rhetoric. The group stressed that technology, particularly digital tools to track case progress, must be leveraged to improve accountability. The proposed audit of correctional centers is seen as the first step toward generating the accurate data needed to properly manage the system.
Reinforcing the call for systemic change, Mr. Joseph Ameh, Executive Director of Zarephath Aid, urged justice sector agencies to collaborate and called on the Minister of Interior to extend his reform efforts to the correctional system.
On the specialized issue of juvenile detention, Miss Kaylah Abraham, the Gender Rights and Child Officer, emphasized the urgent need to enforce the Child Rights Act and protect minors in detention. She called for the expedited handling of children’s cases, stronger independent police oversight, and expanded access to legal aid for all minors in conflict with the law.
