By Tina Amanda
Some stakeholders in the state have expressed concern over the alleged high rate of inmates at the correctional center service in Rivers State.
The coalition, with members drawn from the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Media and Civil Societies, met at a program in Port Harcourt, with the theme, “Civic Space Watch Cluster Pause and Reflect Forum with Stakeholders” organized by Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), with the purpose of addressing issues of effective implementation of ACJL and formation of Advocacy and Monitoring Group.
Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Port Harcourt Branch, Emmanuel Okpala, highlighted that the number of inmates awaiting trial in Rivers State was above three thousand (3,000) and which he purported to be the highest in Africa.
He also mainstreamed the issue of ‘arrest before investigation’ as a key factor to the astronomical number of inmates including a good number of young people who are kept in the correctional center without adequate care as well as the regrettable issue of inmates not having files.
Okpala further urged law enforcement agencies to embrace the innovative provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law ACJL 2015, to help in decongesting the prisons.
In a communique drafted to support the Advocacy efforts of the Civic Space Watch Cluster, participants were of the view that the Advocacy be taken to the rural and urban areas.
Also, the call for Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) should be focused on for the speedy dispensation of justice in Rivers State and as a tool in decongesting the State correctional center.
It was also noted that sensitization of the ACJL should start from government officials and law enforcement agencies, adding that ACJL will be very effective if the system can thrive
