AGF laments prison inmates’ rights violation

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has decried violation of the rights of prison inmates across the country. Malami called for action over the violation of the rights of many of the inmates. He noted that some are detained as awaiting trial in poor conditions, many for […]

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has decried violation of the rights of prison inmates across the country.

Malami called for action over the violation of the rights of many of the inmates. He noted that some are detained as awaiting trial in poor conditions, many for their inability to pay fines for minor offences.

The AGF spoke when he led members of the committee appointed to fast-track decongestion of prisons in the country during their visit to Rivers and Imo states on Monday and Tuesday.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Information in the ministry, Modupe Ogundoro, the AGF pledged to help secure the release of such inmates, who are unable to pay their fines.

“I am therefore pleased to announce that 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,” the AGF was quoted to have said.

"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," he added.

During the tour, the chairman of the committee and Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, facilitated the release of 26 and 13 inmates in Rivers and Imo states, respectively, with most of their fines paid by governors Nyesom Wike and Rochas Okorocha.