A Federal Government visitation panel, tasked with inspecting the nation’s custodial centres, has raised alarm over the dire conditions of Nigeria’s prisons and their inmates. The panel, headed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, brought to the attention of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the grim realities facing prisoners, including overcrowding and lack of legal representation.
Fapohunda’s panel revealed that many inmates are languishing in custody without trial due to insufficient legal aid. The Legal Aid Council (LAC) is struggling to meet the demands of an overwhelming number of cases. In response, the panel has urged the AGF to convene a meeting with Attorneys-General from all 36 states to coordinate efforts for resolving the legal status of inmates, especially those who have been detained without trial for extended periods.
Submitting the panel’s report, Fapohunda highlighted that aside from the lack of legal assistance, many inmates suffer from untreated medical conditions due to the prison authorities’ inability to afford necessary care. He appealed to the AGF and the federal government for immediate intervention to alleviate the poor conditions within the custodial centres.
Fapohunda emphasized the need for a nationwide discussion involving all relevant legal bodies, ensuring both federal and state governments collaborate on creating a more humane and efficient system for inmates. He pointed out that an alarming number of detainees remain in prison beyond the legal limit due to the absence of legal representation, further exacerbating the crisis.
In response, AGF Prince Lateef Fagbemi acknowledged the urgent need for reform, stating that the panel’s work aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Fagbemi assured that efforts to improve the criminal justice system, including reforming the conditions of prisons, are in line with both national and international human rights standards. The government aims to balance law enforcement with rehabilitation, ensuring that offenders are reintegrated into society after serving their time.
