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By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has unveiled the “Reforming Pre-trial Detention in Nigeria Project” in a bid to tackle the critical issue of prison congestion and enhance access to justice for underserved inmates,
The initiative is aimed at providing legal support to indigent Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs) and improving their chances for a fair trial.
The PPDC Chief Executive Officer, Lucy Abagi, disclosed this during a visit to law clinics at the University of Abuja and Philomath University in Abuja.
Abagi emphasized that the project directly addresses the alarming number of inmates awaiting trial in Nigerian prisons, with over 60,000 currently held in custody without proper legal representation.
She said that backed by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the project would deploy law clinicians to various prisons across Nigeria to offer pro bono legal services.
These, she added include legal counseling, court representation, and advocacy for inmates who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.
These efforts aim to alleviate prison overcrowding, which has become a significant concern for the justice system,Abagi explained.
“The goal of this initiative is not only to reduce the backlog of cases but also to ensure that indigent inmates have access to the legal support they need,” Abagi stated.
“We also seek to engage law students and young lawyers in providing these services, thereby expanding the legal support network available to these individuals,”she said.
According to her,the project is designed to run until 2026, with an extension likely, adding that will be implemented in 10 locations across five states, including Kaduna, Nasarawa, Lagos, Abuja, and Adamawa.
Abagi called for the involvement of government bodies and other stakeholders, stressing that collective action was necessary to make meaningful change.
“The success of this initiative depends on the contributions of all sectors of society. Together, we can help reduce prison congestion and make a real difference in the lives of those affected by the justice system,” she urged.
The Vice Chancellor of Philomath University, Prof. Gylych Jelilov, praised the initiative, affirming that donated materials would be effectively utilized at the Kuje Custodial Centre and other locations.
Contributing,Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Abuja, expressed gratitude to PPDC and the American Embassy for their generous donations.
He noted that the donated equipment—ranging from computers to solar-powered facilities—would play a crucial role in providing much-needed legal services to inmates who have long been deprived of access to justice.
“Given the constraints we’ve faced, these donations are coming at a crucial time. With these tools, we are now better equipped to deliver justice to those who need it the most,” Prof. Abugu said.
Our correspondent reports that the event, which highlighted the collaboration between law clinics, universities, and the PPDC, marked a significant step toward reforming Nigeria’s pre-trial detention system and ensuring that more inmates receive the legal representation they are entitled to.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
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