By Jude Opara
As the universe marks World Mandela Day this year, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has called on stakeholders to reflect on the need for reforms in the nation’s Correctional Centres to reflect the values that the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela embodied, including justice, dignity, equality and compassion.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu SAN, who made the call in a statement on the eve of the commemoration, noted that Mandela’s legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the need to promote and protect human rights, particularly in Nigeria.
Director Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed in the statement noted Ojukwu regretted that the current state of Nigeria’s correctional centers are nothing to write home about.
It added that the NHRC boss, noted that they are overcrowded, under-resourced, and lack basic sanitation and healthcare, there by reflecting a failure of infrastructure, justice, and humanity.
He lamented that thousands of citizens are held in pre-trial detention for years due to poverty and lack of access to justice, while the rich have greater access to quality legal defense and bail, perpetuating a biased system.
The NHRC boss further urged the Nigerian government, including judicial authorities, private sector, and Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) to prioritize comprehensive reforms in detention facilities and correctional centers, including improving conditions, investing in alternatives to pre-trial detention, ensuring speedy trials, and upholding the rights of inmates.
Ojukwu equally emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of incarceration, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to justice, in order to build a society that values the dignity and human rights of all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status.
It was gathered that the Nelson Mandela Day is celebrated annually on the 18th of July.
