The Kwara State Chapter of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called for an urgent overhaul of the justice delivery system to reduce overcrowding in custodial centres.
This appeal was made during an advocacy visit to the Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara, by the CDHR Kwara State Chairman, Comrade Afolabi Lukman.
In his address, Comrade Lukman expressed gratitude to the Chief Judge for the opportunity to engage on the pressing issues surrounding the state’s justice system, particularly the plight of inmates awaiting trial in the Okekura and Mandala Custodial Centres in Ilorin.
Lukman revealed that recent visits to both centres had shown alarming statistics, with 73% and 78% of inmates in Okekura and Mandala, respectively, still awaiting trial.
He further highlighted the dire conditions within the centres, noting that inadequate medical facilities and overcrowding had led to multiple deaths in recent months.
“Our investigation revealed three deaths in the Okekura Custodial Centre and seven in Mandala within the last three months due to overcrowding and poor medical care. The conditions of these facilities are unacceptable and call for immediate action to improve inmate welfare,” Lukman stated.
As part of its efforts, CDHR has been distributing essential supplies to inmates and raising funds to secure the release of those eligible for fines. In addition, the organization has been providing pro bono legal aid to certain inmates.
“We also urge that justice delivery be fast-tracked, as prolonged pre-trial detention violates fundamental human rights,” Lukman emphasized.
During the visit, the CDHR Chairman commended the Chief Judge for his leadership in the state’s judiciary, which oversees 20 High Courts and over 100 Area and Magistrate Courts.
He expressed optimism that the appointment of six new judges would ease the burden on the overworked judiciary and expedite the handling of cases, thereby reducing the number of inmates awaiting trial.
Lukman called on the Chief Judge to pay regular visits to custodial centres, urging the adoption of summary trials within these facilities to speed up the determination of criminal cases.
He also advocated for non-custodial sentencing for minor offences as a means of decongesting the correctional facilities, noting that society’s stigmatization of former inmates often leads to recidivism.
Responding to the CDHR’s advocacy, Justice Adebara praised the organization for its commitment to protecting human rights and improving the justice system.
He agreed to begin periodic visits to custodial centres, announcing that he and his team would visit the congested Okekura and Mandala facilities on September 16th and 17th, 2024, with CDHR representatives in attendance.
The Chief Judge also confirmed that the newly appointed High Court Judges would be sworn in on September 12th, 2024, to help address the heavy workload faced by the judiciary.
Furthermore, Justice Adebara disclosed plans to upgrade the Juvenile Home in Oko Erin to accommodate more underage inmates and prevent repeated escape incidents.
“As part of our upcoming visit, we will give special consideration to inmates who have been remanded for longer than their offence would warrant, those suffering from infectious diseases, and we will also investigate cases of alleged underage inmates,” Justice Adebara concluded.
The visit coincides the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the swift and transparent delivery of justice, particularly for those who remain in custody awaiting trial.
CDHR’s continued efforts to highlight and address these pressing issues demonstrate its unwavering dedication to the protection of human rights in Kwara State.
