AGF warns against violation of inmates’ rights

… as FG committee frees 39 from Rivers, Imo prisons

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has cautioned that since awaiting trial inmates constitute 70 percent of the nation’s prison population, there is urgent need to address the issue of rights violation in the name of awaiting trial.

A statement by the Deputy Director (Information) in the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Ogundoro Modupe said the AGF gave the warning on Monday when he led the Federal Government Stakeholders’ Committee on Prison Decongestion to Rivers and Imo States respectively.

She said the minister decried the unchecked violation of fundamental rights of prison inmates across the country, explaining that the purpose of the visit was to oversee the implementation of the Federal Executive Council’s directive to fast-track the decongestion of prisons.

The statement also said the Committee would review cases of inmates, convicted for minor offences with an option of fines and are unable to pay and added that “The Committee wishes to secure the release of, as many of such inmates as possible through the payment of their fines”.

Malami said the committee will, in addition to ensuring the payment of fines, also conduct a review of cases of inmates awaiting trial for more than five years, in the select priority prisons.

“These able-bodied men represent our potential workforce, they represent tomorrow’s fathers to raise the next generations of Nigerians.

“We must, therefore, begin to find improved ways of addressing the issue of crime and the treatment of minor offenders in our criminal justice system”, the Minister said.

Chairman of the Committee and the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, during the tour of Imo State prison, facilitated the release of 13 inmates, most of whom their options of fine were settled by the state governor, Rochas Okorocha.

Earlier, the Committee was in Rivers State, where 26 inmates also regained their freedom.

While the State Governor, Nyesom Wike, procured the release of inmates who were remanded in prison for their inability to settle their fine options, Justice Bello released those whose offences were minor but were either remanded for years without trial or sentenced beyond the provisions of the law.

Among those freed was a young woman, Joy Goodluck, an indigene of Imo State, sentenced to three years jail term in Port Harcourt prison for stealing a half bag of cassava.

The lady who was a month pregnant at the time of the offence was set free with her baby after she narrated the circumstance that took her to the prison.

Speaking further on the dehumanizing condition of inmates, Justice Bello said the problem with Nigerian Prisons was not only about the crowded space inmates were subjected to, but also the attendant psychological and emotional impacts.

Justice Bello also urged the Chief Judge of both states to carry out a review of inmates.

In his remarks, Governor Wike flayed the Police for the delay in charging arrested persons to court, alleging that the Force was partly responsible for the swelling figure of inmates.

Speaking during the meeting with the Committee in Owerri, Governor Rochas Okorocha admitted that prison atmosphere in Nigeria cannot guarantee transformation of inmates upon their release and identified the country’s justice system as part of the factors responsible for prison congestion.

He, therefore, suggested prison concession or a private, public partnership, which he said, would enable the private sector participation in the construction of prisons and the welfare of inmates.

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