A human rights group, Legal Assistance and Citizens’ Rights Initiative (LACRI), in partnership with the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) Tera Kona Deck, Canada, has facilitated the release of five inmates from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre in commemoration of International Human Rights Day.
The inmates, convicted of minor offences but unable to afford their fines, were freed after LACRI paid their penalties.
The initiative also included a donation of essential items, including commercial umbrellas, chairs, tables, baby food and other supplies, to assist the facility, particularly infants born in custody.
Speaking during a visit to the Suleja Correctional Centre, chapter president of LACRI, Viktor Oscar Ikiriko, emphasised the importance of their intervention saying, “These inmates committed minor offences and were incarcerated simply because they couldn’t afford their fines or compensations. Our motivation is rooted in humanity and justice.”
He cited specific cases including Jamila Idris who was sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of ₦150,000 fine and ₦150,000 compensation for selling a door she didn’t own. Philip David, a security worker, was sentenced to 10 months after failing to pay a ₦50,000 fine and ₦172,000 compensation when a truckload of sand and blocks under his watch went missing. Isiaku Monday, a tiler, was sentenced to 16 months or a fine of ₦40,000 and ₦61,300 compensation after a wheelbarrow he borrowed was stolen.
Abubakar Adamu was sentenced to two months or a fine of ₦100,000, and Shamsudeen Abdullahi, who sold his mother’s pot to raise money, was sentenced to jail for one year or a fine of ₦15,000 with ₦100,000 compensation.”
Ikiriko, who also serves as the Cap’n of Zuma Deck, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to justice for the indigent and addressing the challenges within correctional facilities.
“We aim to provide basic needs for children born in prison and ensure justice for those who should not be incarcerated,” he said.
The deputy controller of Suleja Custodial Centre, Ya’u Ibrahim, expressed his gratitude to the NGO while highlighting the challenges of managing the facility.
He revealed that the prison, originally built in 1914 to accommodate 250 inmates, now houses 369.
“The overcrowding is due to minor offenders being sent here instead of being placed under non-custodial measures,” Ibrahim said.
Ibrahim also pointed out the issue of inadequate funding, noting that the daily allocation per inmate had recently increased from ₦750 to ₦1,125, but remains insufficient.
“The daily feeding allowance per inmate, though recently increased to ₦1,125, is still insufficient. Incarceration alone is punishment enough; depriving inmates of a balanced diet is not fair,” he said.
He called for increased funding for transportation to court hearings, citing the rising cost of fuel as a significant barrier.
“We buy fuel at over ₦1,100 per litre. This makes it nearly impossible to transport inmates to court daily,” he added.
Ibrahim also urged the judiciary and government to prioritise the implementation of non-custodial sentencing for minor offences.
“We have the non-custodial option, but it is underutilised. The judiciary must implement it to decongest facilities,” he said.
On digitalisation, Ibrahim stressed the need for modern tools to enhance administrative efficiency. “We lack basic equipment like computers. In this digital age, the government should provide these to improve efficiency and supervision,” he stated.
He called on NGOs, individuals and religious organisations to complement government efforts in addressing the challenges facing custodial centres.
“The government cannot do it alone. We depend on good-hearted individuals and organisations to assist us with resources to meet the needs of inmates, especially pregnant women and infants born in custody,” Ibrahim concluded.
