A federal government visitation panel on correctional centers has raised alarm over the deplorable conditions of prisons and inmates across Nigeria, citing lack of legal representation, inadequate healthcare, and poor living conditions.
The panel, led by senior lawyer Olawale Fapohunda (SAN), submitted its report to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), calling for urgent intervention.
“The conditions in our correctional centers remain unbearable. Many inmates are languishing without legal representation, while others are detained longer than the maximum sentence for their alleged offenses,” Fapohunda stated.
He highlighted that the Legal Aid Council, which is mandated to provide free legal services to inmates, is underfunded and unable to meet the overwhelming demand.
Fapohunda urged the Attorney-General to convene an emergency meeting of state Attorneys-General to develop concrete solutions to the crisis.
Responding, Fagbemi assured that the government remains committed to justice reform in line with Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights obligations. He reiterated that President Tinubu’s administration is determined to address overcrowding and unjust detentions in correctional centers.
