By Innocent Anaba

The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria has conducted its second quarter visit to prisons in Keffi, Nasarawa State, aimed at identifying awaiting trial inmates without legal representation for possible assistance.

The visit, which covered both the old and new correctional centres, saw the Council interview and document a total of 63 inmates, comprising 54 males and nine females, whose cases are to be handled in Nasarawa.

The inmates, mostly between the ages of 21 and 40, are facing charges ranging from criminal breach of trust and assault to theft.

Officials described the age bracket as worrisome, noting that the affected individuals are youths who should be actively contributing to national development.

The delegation was led by the Head of Department, Prison Decongestion, Mrs. Ogechukwu Ibenegbu, an Assistant Director with the Council.

Also on the visit was the Abuja Unity Chapter of the Eagerly Memorial Girls Secondary School Alumni Association, made up of April-born members, who partnered the Council on the humanitarian outreach.
The leader of the group, Mrs. Diva Ivy Atimbang, paid a total sum of N277,000 to secure the release of two male convicts through the settlement of fines. The group also donated gift items to female inmates at the old Keffi prison.

Speaking during the visit, one of the alumni members, Dica Esther Iwu, encouraged the inmates to remain hopeful and maintain faith, assuring them that society and government had not forgotten them.
She urged the inmates to take advantage of available rehabilitation programmes within the facility to prepare for reintegration into society.

A general assessment of the facilities indicated that the environment was relatively clean, with water available and most inmates appearing healthy, although a few were observed to have minor health challenges, including skin rashes and a case of chickenpox, for which treatment was ongoing.

In his remarks, the officer in charge of the facility, Aya Luka, commended the Legal Aid Council for its consistent interventions, noting that its activities have contributed significantly to decongesting prisons and improving inmates’ welfare.

He expressed appreciation to the alumni association for their support and humanitarian gesture, praying for continued blessings upon them.

The Legal Aid Council, under the leadership of Aliu Abubakar, reiterated its commitment to its statutory mandate of providing legal assistance to indigent Nigerians, despite funding challenges.