By Hassanat Adebowale
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has unveiled a new initiative aimed at reducing prison congestion and improving access to justice for indigent inmates in Nigeria.
Named the “Reforming Pre-trial Detention in Nigeria Project,” the initiative was introduced by PPDC’s CEO, Lucy Abagi, during visits to law clinics at the University of Abuja and Philomath University.
Abagi explained that the project focuses on addressing the issue of Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs) in custody. Supported by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the initiative will deploy law clinicians to prisons to offer free legal services, including legal counseling, court representation, and advocacy for inmates.
Highlighting the pressing issue of prison overcrowding, Abagi noted that over 60,000 inmates are currently awaiting trial in Nigeria. She emphasized that the initiative aims to reduce this backlog by providing much-needed legal support to indigent inmates.
“The program also seeks to train law students and young lawyers to provide pro bono services, thereby increasing access to justice,” Abagi stated. “Training is critical to expanding the pool of legal support for inmates.”
Set to run until 2026 with a possibility of extension, the initiative will be implemented in 10 locations across five states, including Kaduna, Nasarawa, Lagos, Abuja, and Adamawa. Abagi called for support from the government and other stakeholders, urging them to contribute to the initiative’s success.
“We urge the government and other stakeholders to support this cause, as it has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of inmates across the country,” Abagi said.
During the event, Prof. Gylych Jelilov, Vice Chancellor of Philomath University, commended the initiative and assured that donated items would be used effectively at the Kuje Custodial Centre and other locations. Similarly, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Abuja, praised the PPDC and the American Embassy for their contributions, noting that the equipment would aid in providing justice to inmates who previously lacked access to legal assistance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that various items, including computers, furniture, printers, cameras, files, and solar facilities, were deployed to support the initiative’s legal services.
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