By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) and the Papal Knights and Medalists of Nigeria to tackle the persistent challenge of prison congestion and strengthen the protection of the rights of persons deprived of liberty across the country.
The collaboration was formalised during a courtesy visit by a delegation led by the National President of the Papal Knights and Supreme Knight of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Mr. Steve Adehi, to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to the statement signed by Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, made available to Precise Post, during the meeting, Adehi expressed concern over the growing number of Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs) who remain in correctional facilities for minor offences or because they are unable to meet bail conditions. He lamented that many Nigerians continue to suffer prolonged detention despite facing bailable offences, with some languishing in custody solely because they cannot afford to pay bail.
According to him, the situation has contributed significantly to prison congestion and undermines the principles of justice and fairness.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, reaffirmed the Commission’s constitutional and statutory responsibility to protect the rights of vulnerable and marginalised persons.
Ojukwu described the continued detention of indigent citizens over minor offences as a serious injustice, citing documented instances of individuals being held in custody over debts and offences involving as little as ₦5,000.
He stressed that every effort aimed at securing the freedom of unjustly detained persons not only restores their dignity but also strengthens public confidence in the justice system.
As part of the agreement, the NHRC and its faith-based partners resolved to work together to facilitate the review and release of detainees held for minor, bailable offences who are unable to satisfy bail conditions due to financial hardship.
Beyond securing their release, the partners also agreed to establish sustainable rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, including halfway homes, vocational skills acquisition, and the provision of care and support packages designed to help former inmates successfully reintegrate into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
The collaboration will also focus on building the capacity of correctional officers through specialised human rights training programmes aimed at promoting humane treatment of inmates and ensuring custodial practices comply with Nigeria’s Constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and international standards such as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, popularly known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.
Speaking during the engagement, the Head of the NHRC National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), Mr. Kabiru Elayo, underscored the importance of structured post-release support for former inmates.
He warned that without adequate reintegration mechanisms, many ex-inmates face social and economic challenges that often push them back into conflict with the law, resulting in high rates of recidivism.
To institutionalise the partnership, the NHRC announced plans to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Knights of St. Mulumba and the Papal Knights and Medalists of Nigeria.
The Commission also disclosed that the initiative would be extended to its offices in all 36 states of the federation to ensure nationwide implementation and impact.
The partnership is expected to strengthen efforts to reform Nigeria’s correctional system by combining the NHRC’s statutory mandate with the humanitarian outreach of the Catholic organisations in promoting justice, protecting human dignity, and advancing the rule of law for all Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable.
