PDCRC provides free legal representation to 18 inmates in Nigeria Correctional Service Kabba

18 inmates at the Nigeria Correctional Service, Kabba will receive free legal representation by Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC).

The Senior Legal Officer/Director General's Legal Assistant of PDCRC Ameh Friday, Esq. disclosed this on Saturday in a statement after the Director General of the Commission Musa Onogo Idris, Esq., and some Law Officers visited the Nigeria Correctional Service, Kabba.

Friday, who disclosed that the team was warmly received by the  Officer in Charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kabba, Mr. Shaibu Ishaku noted that the Director General in his opening remarks appreciated the Officer in Charge of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Kabba for his efforts at ensuring the administration of criminal justice system. 

He stated that the purpose for the visit was to meet with the inmates in the Correctional facility who have no legal representation in Court for inability to engage a private legal practitioner adding that the Commission is always willing and ready to provide free legal representation for such inmates.

The DG reiterated that the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission is saddled with the mandate to among others provide legal aid and other related services to the indigent, vulnerable and disadvantaged residents of Kogi State. 

He stressed that the Commission settles disputes through the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mediums in deserving circumstances and that such matters were resolved timeously, thereby saving time and cost that may have been expended on litigation. 

He also said the Commission receives complaints or petitions directly from individuals or by referral from government agencies, public and private institutions in the State and takes necessary steps to ensure that such complaints are treated accordingly. 

The DG further noted that PDCRC has the responsibility of protecting and preserving the fundamental human rights of all residents in the State.

Onogo Esq. stressed that the Commission is committed to ensuring that no inmate is kept perpetually in custody on the ground of inability to engage a legal practitioner. 

"We recently visited the Nigeria Correctional Service at Koton-Karfe and Okene respectively, particularly to take up matters of inmates who cannot afford to engage a lawyer” he stated.

According to him, by the visits to the two custodial facilities, the Commission is currently representing twenty five (25) inmates in different Courts probono and two (2) inmates gained freedom as they were discharged by the Court through the legal representation by the Commission.

He requested that the Officer in Charge should always refer cases that require legal aid to the Commission.

The DG while addressing the inmates, assured them that the Commission will ensure they all have lawyers to represent them in Court free of charge. “We are prepared to represent all of you in Court at no cost. The Kogi State Government ably led by our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo has made adequate provisions and logistics for the Commission to carry out its mandate”.

He assured the inmates not to give up as the Commission will diligently represent them. For the inmates, it was a great time of happiness and renewed hope, as they expressed gratitude to the Kogi State Government and the Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission for the timely intervention.  

The DG introduced to the Officer in Charge of the Correctional Centre and his men the Kogi State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP), Law, 2022, which aim is to prohibit all forms of violence against individuals in public and private life. 

He noted that the law is domiciled in the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission for implementation and enforcement. A copy of the VAPP law was presented to the Correctional facility. 

Responding, Shaibu Ishaku, the Officer in Charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kabba, expressed pleasure for the visit. 

He said, “The establishment of PDCRC will continue to greatly help the cause of justice and access to justice, particularly, the provision of free legal representation to the indigent and disadvantaged inmates and residents of Kogi State”. 

Our Kogi State Correspondent, reports that Ishaku commended the Kogi State Government for the establishment of the Commission and noted that the Custodial Centre has several inmates who have no legal representation for inability to pay the cost of engaging a legal practitioner.

Explaining further, the statement said "upon Ishaku’s instruction for inmates who needed legal aid to be brought, Eighteen (18) inmates came before the Law officers of PDCRC for interview. Among those were inmates who have been in custody for several months without meaningful progress in their cases because they were not represented by a legal practitioner. 

"During interview with the inmates, the Commission noted that their cases were before different Courts, which include, the Federal High Court Lokoja, High Court of Justice Egbe, High Court of Justice Ajaokuta. Some are before the Chief Magistrate Court, Upper Area Court and Grade I Area Court at Apata-Oworo, Egbe, Isanlu, Obajana, Kabba. 

They were arraigned before Court for offences such as attempting to commit culpable homicide, kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearms, grievous hurt, criminal conspiracy, theft, belonging to gang of thieves, assault, intimidation, criminal trespass, house breaking, mischief, etc.

Quite disturbing was the fact that some of the inmates couldn’t be taken to Court for the challenge of vehicle and other logistics.

While speaking on the challenge of vehicle, the Officer in Charge said they have only one (1) functional vehicle and with the volume of inmates they have in the facility and their cases spread in several courts at different locations, meeting up with some adjourned dates had been a huge challenge.

The officer in charge at the Correctional facility stressed further that they have two (2) other vehicles that are down which need repair and that if one of the vehicles or the two are repaired, it will indeed assist to facilitate the Correctional Centre to transport inmates to all Courts. 

He anticipate that the Government, organizations and spirited individuals will intervene in aid of the repair of the said vehicles and other logistics to enable the Correctional facility discharge her roles effectively and efficiently.

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