Inmate Cries Out After 39 Years In Prison Without Trial

A 57-year-old inmate, Mr Joseph Monday, who claimed to have spent 39 years at Afokang Correctional Centre in Calabar, has appealed to the Cross River State governor, Bassey Otu and civil society organisations (CSOs) to wade into his ordeal.

Monday begged the governor to help him secure his release from prison custody.

He made the appeal yesterday in Calabar, the state capital, during the governor’s visit to the facility as part of the activities marking his 66th birthday.

The inmate said the governor could still use the prerogative of mercy provided for in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to free him from incarceration and remedy the injustice against him.

Narrating his ordeal to LEADERSHIP after a church service at the Calabar Correctional Centre’s auditorium, Monday said he was brought to the facility 39 years ago after an accusation of armed robbery was levelled against him by an individual who was more financially powerful than him.

He said his inability to secure the services of a lawyer because of his poor economic status hindered his appearance in court and denied him access to a fair hearing.

Monday said, “I have spent 39 years in this place without anyone coming around to press for my release. This is because I have no money to hire a lawyer to press for my release.

“I was framed up in a robbery incident in which no one even died, since I was brought in here 39 years ago.

“I have seen a lot of inmates taken to court and released at the end of the day because they had lawyers who pressed for their release.

“But in my case, because I lacked a lawyer to fight for me, I have continued to remain here. I am praying that Governor Bassey Otu and the civil society organisations (CSOs) come to my aid so that I can be freed,” he said.