By A federal government visitation panel has revealed that correctional centres across Nigeria remain in dire conditions, with inmates suffering from overcrowding, poor healthcare, and lack of legal representation. The panel, led by senior lawyer Olawale Fapohunda (SAN), submitted its findings to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), urging urgent intervention.
Fapohunda disclosed that many inmates are detained far beyond their sentences simply because they cannot afford legal representation. The Legal Aid Council, tasked with providing free legal services, is overwhelmed and underfunded, making little impact in addressing the backlog of cases.
The panel’s findings also highlighted severe medical neglect, with many inmates battling illnesses that correctional authorities are unable to treat due to a lack of resources. Fapohunda called on the federal government to step in and improve conditions to alleviate unnecessary suffering.
He urged the AGF to convene an emergency meeting with all state attorneys-general to find urgent solutions. “It would have been odd in the extreme if the working group had simply focused on the status of Section 35 inmates and ignored the plight of other inmates deserving urgent attention,” Fapohunda stated.
The AGF, in response, emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring justice and preventing unlawful detentions. He reaffirmed that the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda aims to improve Nigeria’s correctional system in line with human rights obligations under both national and international laws.
Nigeria’s correctional facilities have long faced criticism for overcrowding, poor hygiene, and systemic delays in justice. The report adds to growing calls for prison reforms, ensuring fair treatment and access to justice for all inmates.
