Nigerian Prisons Filled with Awaiting Trial Detainees – Danba
By Chuwang Dungs, Jalingo
A human rights lawyer, Pius Danba says, according to report by the Nigerian Correctional Centre, over 70 per cent of over 50,000 inmates across the country are awaiting trial.
Danba appealed to well-meaning Nigerians and other human right lawyers to join hands with him to free those detained without trial.
Mr Danba disclosed this while celebrating the International Human Rights Day in Jalingo on Tuesday.
He said that is not good at all “As some have been remanded for two to three years without trial.”
The human rights lawyer said that “There is rising cases of human rights abuses in Nigeria. People are hungry, sick and their fundamental rights are abused with impunity.
“There are cases of Police brutality, prison congestion, child abuse, forced labour and social inequality in Nigeria,” he said.
He therefore called on all Nigerians to stand up for their rights at all occasions and everywhere. “An injustice to one is injustice to all. We should be vigilant on protection of our fundamental rights,” he said.
As part of celebration to mark the day, the PD Pius and Associates, a law firm, is offering free legal service to 20 deserving individuals.
According to a statement by the PD Pius, Principal Partner of the firm, the act was in line with the Legal Aid Council Act.
“As part of the celebration, the law is offering pro bono services to deserving clients in line with Legal Aid Council Act. The law firm has posted in its website www.pdpiusandassociates.com that pro bono service will be offered to 20 individuals in deserving cases,” the statement read.
The law firm also carried out a walk for Human Rights to create awareness for protection of human rights and dignity in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital and the FCT.
This year has as its theme “Our rights, our future, right now”.
