On July 6, 2024, Mandy Demechi-Asagba, the Third Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), visited the Medium Correctional Centre in Lagos. This visit was in response to a trending video highlighting the bursting population in Nigerian correctional centres. The NBA’s initiative aims to decongest these centres and protect inmates’ human rights.
During the visit, key figures accompanied Demechi-Asagba, including Michael Benson Anugwa, the Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of Medium Corrections; Freedman Ben-Rabbi, the Controller of Corrections for Lagos State; and K. E. Anetekha of the Nigeria Corrections Service (NCoS), Lagos State.
This intervention is part of the NBA’s broader project on correctional centre decongestion, which focuses on providing pro bono legal services to indigent individuals in society to help them attain justice.
Nigeria’s correctional facilities face significant challenges, primarily due to overcrowding. Overpopulation in these centres often leads to inadequate living conditions, poor sanitation, and limited access to healthcare.
Many inmates remain in pre-trial detention for extended periods due to delays in the judicial process, exacerbating the overcrowding problem. Additionally, the lack of sufficient legal representation for indigent inmates further complicates their plight.
Limited resources and funding also hinder efforts to decongest prisons, making it difficult to implement necessary reforms and provide adequate facilities. Despite these challenges, initiatives like the NBA’s intervention play a crucial role in addressing these issues and advocating for the rights of inmates.
This visit is part of the NBA’s ongoing efforts under the administration of Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, the association’s current president. The NBA remains committed to ensuring that justice is accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable members of society.
Through initiatives like the Correctional Centres Decongestion Project, the NBA continues to uphold its mission of promoting the rule of law and safeguarding human rights in Nigeria.
Join the NBA News Channel:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/LB2APNShBgjF71SayGrkXY
Related topics:
NBA | ICLE | SARC| SBL | BRANCHES | SPIDEL | YLF| NBAWF | ECNBA | NBA-AGC | IBA | NBA-NHIS | NBA-HRI
Upcoming Events: Save These Dates
