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CSO Releases 1,000 From Detentions In Abuja, Keffi
A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Network of University Legal Aid Institutions, (NULAI), Nigeria has said that it has helped in resolving about 1, 400 pretrial detention cases in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Keffi, Nasarawa State in five years.
The President of NULAI, Prof Ernest Ojukwu (SAN), said this at an event organised in Abuja on Thursday.
The event was organised by NULAI with the support of United States Department of State International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and Partners Global.
The project was on “Reforming Pretrial Detention in Nigeria (RPDN): Project Retrospective Outlook Close -out Session.”
Ojukwu who was represented by the Executive Director, Abuja Law Clinic, Dr Nasiru Muhktar, said that the project started in 2018 and had been impactful.
“There is no iota of doubt this is the most impactful project NULAI has ever been involved in.
“This is certain because the reports are showing some amazing statistics of impacts that have been made on different fronts.”
He said “Over 1,400 cases have been resolved; over 500 students have been able to support pro bono lawyers to intervene in cases and these cases have been resolved.
“Over 15, 000 pretrial detention cases are being updated , the records are updated in the correctional centres, that is to show you that the use of technology has helped to solve a lot of systemic problems that are affecting the criminal justice system.”
Ojukwu, however, said that there has been a lot of problems of pretrial detention in the country which has resulted into overcrowding in the correctional centres.
“The figure in Nigeria is 75 percent and it has been consistent. What I mean by 75 per cent is that of every 100 people in the correctional center, 75 percent of them are pretrial detainees.
“This means that their cases have not been decided. They have not been convicted. Only 25 per cent have been convicted.
“We have been able to significantly reduce all the problems that make cases to be adjourned.”
He said that with the effort by the CSO, the period of adjournment has been reduced from 31 days to 14 days.
Also speaking, David Greene, Charge’ d’ Affaires, U.S. Embassy, Nigeria, said that Nigeria was not alone in facing the challenge of pretrial detention.
“It is universal. The fundamental principle of any democratic society like Nigeria is not just the rule of law, but there must be a functioning justice system,” he said.
He said that the project was implemented in the FCT and Keffi adding that the U.S. would replicate this role to include additional states in the north central region.
Similarly, NULAI’s Programme Manager, Mahmud Yusuf said that the organisation had been working with the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCS) to achieve its goal.
He said: “With a little over 70,000 detainees in detention in correctional centres across states, 63,000 are pretrial detainees which constitute a high percentage of pretrial detainees.
“The problem with pretrial detention is a system wide problem not just from the correctional centres but from the point of entry, you look at what are the courts doing, what are the prosecuting agencies doing.
“And then the resulting effect is the congestion and then the resultant pretrial situation we have across the country.”
He said that the way out was to look at the structures in place to address pretrial detention.
For Controller-General Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Haliru Nababa, appreciated NULAI’S effort at
reducing cases of pretrial detainees in the country.
Nababa was represented by Controller, Custodial, Adamu Yahaya.
He said that the major challenge in the custodial centres was overcrowding of the facilities.
“NULAI has supported the service in addressing the issue of overcrowding of inmates awaiting trial in custodial centres,” he said.
On her part, Deborah Mancini, Director, Africa PartnersGlobal said the het organisation had been discussing issues relating to pretrial detention in Nigeria.
“We realised that Nigeria has gone through a very progressive legal reform process where they have put in place the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
“The Act gave a lot of opportunity to ensure that pretrial detention cases were handled more effectively in the courts.”
Zamfara State elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have lauded the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, for his generosity in distributing over 100 cows to party members in celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
The distribution took place in Gusau, with APC State Chairman Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani represented by the party’s Secretary, Hon. Ibrahim Umar Dangaladima, overseeing the process.
In a statement, the convener of the Zamfara APC Elders Forum, Dr. Mua’zu Haruna Gummi, praised Matawalle’s act, describing it as a demonstration of his commitment to the party and the people of Zamfara State.
“This gesture is not just about charity; it is a testament to Dr. Matawalle’s leadership, his concern for the well-being of our people, and his deep understanding of the values that bind us together as a community,” Gummi stated.
“At a time when unity and solidarity are crucial, he has stepped forward to remind us that true leadership is about service, about giving back, and about ensuring that no one is left behind.”
Gummi further described Matawalle as not only a political leader but also a father figure who prioritizes the needs of his people.
He called on party members to rally behind leaders like Matawalle, who are dedicated to the growth of the party and the development of Zamfara State.
Meanwhile, the Minister also urged Nigerians to continue praying for the country’s security forces as they intensify operations against armed groups, achieving notable successes.
He reaffirmed the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to restore peace and stability in the region.
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), on Saturday, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Edo State Government and the Federal Government following the brutal mob attack that led to the killing of innocent Northern hunters in Uromi, Edo State.
The victims were reportedly returning home to celebrate the end of Ramadan and Eid Kabir with their families when they were attacked.
NEF spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, in a statement, condemned the killings as “barbaric, extra-judicial, and cowardly,” calling for urgent action to address the situation.
He said: “The North has tolerated numerous such animalistic and cannibalistic acts of recklessness from some Southern part of Nigeria in the past. This must come to an end.
“The North will take stringent action in response to this inhumane attack on its peace-loving people. Consequently, the NEF hereby demands the following immediate actions from the authorities in Edo State and the Federal Government.
“The swift recovery of the bodies of the victims and their dignified transfer to their families for an honorable and befitting burial in accordance with their respective faiths. The arrest and trial of all individuals responsible for the attack and the brutal killings of the innocent travellers.”
The forum also demands a public prosecution of the perpetrators and those that aided the crime to ensure full transparency and accountability.
He add, “The due payment of compensation to the families of the victims, in line with the prescribed standards of their respective faiths. An unreserved apology from the people and authorities of Edo State, with a commitment to ensuring that such barbaric behavior never occurs again.
“An unreserved apology from the Edo State Government to the North for this heinous attack on its people. The punishment of the perpetrators must be witnessed by the public to serve as a deterrent to any such future acts of violence.
“The NEF demands that the Edo State Government and the Federal Government take concrete and visible steps to fulfill these demands within fourteen (14) days from the date of this release. Failure to do so will compel the North to take all necessary actions to seek justice for her people and the North.
“The Federal Government must ensure that justice is served to the victims and their families to preserve peace, stability, and the peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians.”
The NEF urged Northern communities to remain calm and patient while it pursues the matter through the appropriate government agencies.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday stated that troops of Operation Delta Safe have sustained their operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta, recording significant successes in their efforts to curb illicit activities in the region.
A statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, revealed that troops recovered a substantial quantity of stolen crude oil, illegally refined AGO, and PMS, totalling 392,174 litres, 138,757 litres, and 830 litres, respectively.
He stated that the troops also discovered and destroyed 29 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dugout pits, 48 boats, 21 storage tanks, 18 drums, and 16 illegal refining sites.
Additionally, they recovered various items, including pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and four vehicles.
The operation, according to General Kangye, resulted in the arrest of 11 oil thieves and other criminals, with assorted arms and ammunition, as well as dynamites, also being recovered.
In related developments, troops conducted successful offensive operations, arresting six criminals, including a suspected kidnapping kingpin, and recovering a locally made pistol and live cartridges.
The Director also stressed that troops rescued two kidnapped hostages and recovered a vehicle during counter-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations in Ndokwa West LGA of Delta State.
These successes, he said, demonstrate the effectiveness of Operation Delta Safe in combating crude oil theft and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Udo Ka foiled planned kidnapping and terrorism attacks in Anambra, Imo, and Abia states, arresting several suspects and rescuing kidnapped victims.
According to Kangye, “On 20 and 21 March 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Igbariam Local Government Area of Anambra State and Owerri Municipal Local Government Area of Imo State, resulting in the arrest of three suspected terrorists/kidnappers and the rescue of four attempted kidnapped victims.”
He stated that troops also recovered arms and ammunition, including several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and live cartridges, as well as a vehicle and tricycle.
He said that troops arrested many extremists in Imo and Enugu states, recovering one pump-action gun, live cartridges, and some quantities of illicit drugs.
Additionally, troops rescued a kidnapped victim in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State, arresting the suspects and recovering a locally made pistol and a tricycle.
Also, troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded significant successes against ISWAP/JAS terrorists in the North-east region.
Kangye said that between 21 and 26 March 2025, scores of terrorists, including adult males, females, and children, surrendered to troops following intense military operations.
He revealed that troops also conducted offensive operations in various locations, including Konduga, Gwoza, and Bama, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists, the apprehension of others, and the rescue of kidnapped hostages.