By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – As Nigeria joons the rest of the world to commemorate Nelson Mandela Day on July 18, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s correctional system, urging stakeholders to reflect on the values Mandela championed namely, justice, dignity, equality, and compassion.
Dr. Ojukwu described the current state of Nigeria’s correctional facilities as a reflection of systemic injustice and institutional neglect.
According to the statement signed by the Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, made available to Precise Post, the NHRC Scribe said:
“Our correctional centers are overcrowded, under-resourced, and often lack even basic sanitation and healthcare.” “This is not only a failure of infrastructure but also a failure of justice and humanity.”
He decried the plight of thousands of Nigerians held in prolonged pre-trial detention, many of whom remain incarcerated simply due to poverty and lack of access to legal representation. He noted that wealthier defendants often enjoy the benefits of quality legal defense and bail, further entrenching inequality in the justice system.
“The unequal access to justice perpetuates systemic bias,” he stated. “No society can claim to value human rights while tolerating such disparities.”
Dr. Ojukwu urged the Nigerian government, judiciary, civil society, and private sector to come together to prioritize comprehensive reforms. These, he said, should include improving living conditions in detention facilities, developing alternatives to pre-trial detention, ensuring timely trials, and safeguarding the rights and dignity of all inmates.
He further emphasized that lasting change must go beyond prison walls. “To reduce incarceration rates and improve justice delivery, we must tackle root causes like poverty, unemployment, and lack of legal access,” he said.
Nelson Mandela Day, celebrated annually on July 18, honors the legacy of the late South African leader and human rights icon, encouraging individuals and institutions to dedicate time to making a difference in their communities.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Ojukwu said Nigeria must live up to Mandela’s ideals by building a justice system that protects the vulnerable and ensures equal treatment for all.
