NGO Seeks Freedom For Un-sentenced Prisoners
BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Foundation for Peace Professionals, also known as PeacePro, has challenged the Federal Government to free all un-sentenced prisoners in the country.
The body argued that setting free suspects, held in detention without justice, is far more honourable than keeping innocent people perpetually in prison.
An Executive Director of PeacePro, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, made the demand in Abuja on Friday as the organisation announced its advocacy on ending what it described as “destructive incarceration” of individuals in the country.
Hamzat said the advocacy is part of PeacePro’s recommendations in the upcoming edition of Nigeria Peace Index (NPI), a national replica of the renown Global Peace Index research.
According to him, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had shown that over 72% of people in prison cells or correctional facilities across Nigeria are un-sentenced prisoners, some of whom have spent over 10 years in prison, for a crime that if convicted, they would probably spend less years in jail.
He said while the organisation recognises numerous efforts of government at addressing the concern, it regrets that addressing the culture of “destructive incarceration” has remained largely impossible and the time has come to forgive those in detention, if they have indeed committed any crime.
Mr Hamzat however dismissed arguments that freeing suspected criminals in a country currently battling different kinds of insecurity challenges may be dangerous, saying; “We are of the view that imprisoning innocent people is even far more dangerous because it is a worse form of injustice.”
“This is why the law prefers to release 99 suspects than jail 1 innocent person” he said, noting that some suspects are kept in detention without justice for no fault of theirs.
“In a country like Nigeria, where Niger Delta militants, who waged armed war against the nation are pardoned, where bandits who kidnapped and killed many are forgiven and where repentant Boko Haram members, whose comrades are still at war with the nation are accommodated, seeking forgiveness for suspects of petty crimes, who have been held in detention for a long period should not be out of place.
“We therefore call on the President of Nigeria and Attorney General of the Federation to look into this proposal and calling on all people of goodwill to support the initiative.
The maiden edition of NPI was released in 2018, with Osun, Kogi and Ekiti State emerging the three most peaceful state in Nigeria. The next edition is slated for release in a few months time.
