Prison Congestion: NHRC Partners KSM to Promote Human Dignity in Correctional Facilities
By Core Reporters
Abuja (Core Reporters) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Knights of St. Mulumba, KSM, and the Papal Knights and Medalists of Nigeria to address the systemic challenge of prison congestion and uphold the human rights of persons deprived of liberty in Nigeria.
The partnership was formalized during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja by a delegation led by Mr. Steve Adehi, National President of the Papal Knights and Supreme Knight of the Knights of St. Mulumba.
During the engagement, the delegation drew attention to the continued detention of Awaiting Trial Persons, ATPs, for minor offences or due to their inability to meet nominal bail conditions. Mr. Adehi observed that many individuals remain in custody as awaiting trial inmates, or are subject to unlawful detention, notwithstanding that their alleged offences are minor.
He further noted that several persons are languishing in correctional facilities simply because they are unable to afford bail.
Welcoming the initiative, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN) reaffirmed the Commission’s constitutional and statutory mandate to protect the rights of vulnerable and marginalized persons. Citing documented cases of persons detained for trivial sums, including as low as ₦5,000.
Ojukwu described the situation as a grave concern for the administration of justice and human dignity. He stated that every intervention which secures liberty and restores dignity constitutes a meaningful contribution to society.
In furtherance of the partnership, the parties agreed to pursue joint interventions to facilitate the review and release of persons detained for minor, bailable offences who are unable to meet bail conditions.
They also resolved to develop sustainable post-release mechanisms, including the establishment of halfway homes, vocational training, and the provision of essential care and support packages to promote successful reintegration and reduce recidivism.
In addition, the collaboration will include the organization of human rights capacity-building programmes for correctional officers to ensure the mainstreaming of human rights principles in custodial management and treatment of inmates, in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and international human rights standards, including the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, the “Nelson Mandela Rules”.
Speaking on the subject, the Head of the NHRC National Preventive Mechanism, NPM, Mr. Kabiru Elayo, emphasized the need for structured reintegration frameworks.
He warned that without deliberate structures to prepare inmates for life after release, many return to custody within months of discharge.
To institutionalize the collaboration, the NHRC will draft a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with KSM and the Papal Knights and Medalists of Nigeria.
The initiative will subsequently be cascaded through the Commission’s 36 State Offices to ensure nationwide impact.
This collaboration represents a significant step toward addressing structural deficits within Nigeria’s correctional system. By combining the NHRC’s institutional mandate with the humanitarian outreach of faith-based organizations, the partnership seeks to advance justice, human dignity, and the rule of law for all persons, irrespective of circumstance.
