NGO Seeks Nigeria’s Criminal Justice Reforms

A non-governmental organization in Nigeria, Legend Golden Care Foundation (LGCF), has intensified collaborative efforts to accelerate proposed reforms in the nation’s Criminal Justice System, to tackle issues of Awaiting Trial Syndrome, Recidivism, Prison Congestion and challenges of the Nigeria Correctional System.

LGCF executive director, Mrs. Kanayo Olisa-Metuh, disclosed this at the kickoff of the second edition of its sponsored sports tournament, tagged “Hope for freedom Tournament” at Kuje Medium Correctional Center in Abuja.

She said that given to its passion for the wellbeing of inmates in the correctional centers, the foundation was upscaling its public advocacy and pressure on government institutions in addition to sustained provision of pro-bono legal services, counselling, welfare, healthcare, education and skill acquisition packages and programmes for inmates and those on society re-entry corridor.

The executive director stressed that the foundation is not only passionate about reforms in the Criminal Justice System but also about the wellbeing and development of inmates through social activities such as sports.

“As a foundation, it is not news that we are very passionate about reform in the Criminal Justice system, we are also very passionate about the welfare of people that are incarcerated, and to that end we want to reiterate that this is not a one-off activity.

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“Research has shown that physical activity and exercise is very good not just for your physical well-being but for your mental well-being as well. It has also shown that in Correctional Facilities where inmates embrace physical activities, it does a lot for their psychological wellbeing and goes a long way to reduce depression.

“So it is an honour to be able to do this. You know, we are firm believers that when God blesses an individual or an institution, He doesn’t do it just for their sake, He does it to use them as a conduit to bless other people,” she said.

Explaining why the game was tagged “Hope for Freedom”, Mrs. Kanayo Olisa-Metuh said that it was targeted at promoting positive mindset among inmates, adding that “freedom is not just a physical thing, it is also a state of the mind. This is the 2.0 of the Hope For Freedom tournament. Let me reiterate that this is not a one-off activity, this has come to stay.”

She further assured that the Foundation will not relent in providing pro-bono legal service and welfare programmes for inmates

Speaking at the event, Deputy Controller of Prisons, DCP Christopher Jen, applauded and and appreciated the Foundation for its support to the Nigeria Correctional Service adding that LGCF has become a source of hope and inspiration for the inmates

The foundation provided sports wear, footballs, volleyballs and other items to make the tournament a success. The tournament is expected to last for 5 weeks.

Legend Golden Care Foundation is a charity and human rights Non-Governmental Organization which focuses on the material needs of the vulnerable, poverty alleviation, education support, community development, rights advocacy and pro-bono legal services to the underprivileged, including inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centers.