Human rights organisations in Ebonyi State have expressed deep concern over the growing prison congestion at the Abakaliki Correctional Centre, calling for urgent judicial reforms to address the crisis.
According to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Centre (HRCRC), and other civil society organisations (CSOs), the correctional facility recorded 1,051 inmates as of November 29, with 892 awaiting trial and only 159 convicted. The groups described the situation as alarming and a violation of basic human rights.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abakaliki to mark the 2025 International Human Rights Day, the organisations urged the Ebonyi State Judiciary to enforce routine Chief Magistrates’ inspections of police cells and detention centres. They stressed that such visits allow magistrates to grant immediate bail to eligible detainees, helping to reduce overcrowding.
The NHRC State Coordinator, Christopher Okorie, emphasised the need for the judiciary to adopt modern technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI)—including Text-to-Speech (TTS) tools and virtual court hearings—to improve documentation, speed up case management, and enhance the overall justice delivery process.
He highlighted that promoting human rights begins with ensuring that “no voice is ignored and no individual is left behind.”
Okorie also called for the establishment of shelters for victims of human rights abuses in Ebonyi State, noting that the absence of such facilities leaves victims unprotected during investigations.
The Executive Director of HRCRC, George Etamesor, decried the high number of awaiting-trial inmates across correctional centres in Nigeria. He noted that many detainees face prolonged detention for minor offences while enduring harsh conditions such as inadequate feeding and poor healthcare.
He described the situation as a direct violation of the right to dignity and fair hearing, warning that prolonged detention contributes to poverty, trauma, and recurring crime.
Etamesor advocated for faster judicial processes, non-custodial sentencing options like community service, and improved investments in rehabilitation programmes. He reiterated that integrating AI and digital tools into the legal system would significantly reduce delays and promote transparent justice.
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