By Rabiu Doma, Nasarawa
Fresh revelation from the detention centre in Lafia indicate that Lafia prison with a capacity of 300 inmates has not less than 545 prisoners, Out of the 545 inmates, out of the 545 inmates, 482 prisoners are awaiting trial, Apart from the overcrowding in the prison, The internees are wrestling with ugly state of affairs ranging from wonted environment, lacking of good accommodation, archaic clinic, absence potable drinking water.
The Executive Secretary of National Human Right Commission, Professor Ben Angwei raised eyebrow over the onslaught of over population, adding that the maximum number of inmates marked for prison is three Hundred (300) inmates.
Our reporter who was among the entourage of the E.S while inspecting facilities at Lafia Prison lament the way and manner inmates are sleeping on a bare floor,This pathetic condition of prison is not differ from the scenario in Guantanamo.
Other constriction are unavailability of lavatory and poor feeding, Professor Ben frown at the food prepared and ready to be served to the prisoners while scrutinizing the kitchen of the prison, The food ready to be served is a white Hausa made spaghetti (Talliya) to be served with ground-nut soup instead of stew.
From indication the food of the inmates is below the N200 meal bill daily, The Soup was prepared of groundnut and spinach without oil.
The most horrible that is about happening in the prison is the impending epidemic that may strike the detention centre if there is no improve sanitation, A prison warden confessed to our reporter that there is presence of chicken pox patients as vast of them were seen with enlarge rashes.
Cross section of the inmates during a question session indicted the Judiciary for her hand in-glove in the dispensation of Justice as well blame the police for cooking wrong charges against inmates, David Odama while affirming his tribulation before the NHRC averred that he was charged for conspiracy and armed robbery maintained that he was remanded in prison for over four years but still awaiting trial.
John James another inmate who was charged for conspiracy and armed robbery also verified that he has been awaiting trial for over years, “The last time i went to court was about a month now, from then my case was shelved to four months, twenty days.
Another inmate awaiting trial since 2008 ,Mohammed Bello appealed to the NHRC to persuade the Judiciary and the police temper justice in his case, The representative of the state ministry of Justice when asked about the file case of Bello who was granted bail barely three years asserted that the case file of Bello is not at the ministry of Justice, But the prison authority unfolded that the said Mohammed Bello has been bail but no surety has appeared for his release,Bello who answered at the affirmative said is not aware of his bail.
The inmates in there conglomeration accused a female jury, Justice Aisha for the complacency of their trial, They faulted both the Judiciary and the police for their predicament,” We lost sureness on the Judiciary and the people for delaying our Judgment.
Professor Ben who visited the Nasarawa Police command, NSCDC office, Criminal Investigation Department attributed the hiccups of inmates awaiting trial in prisons, calling on the Judiciary to ensure speedy dispensation of Justice, He identified absence of logistic as a major preponderance that stalled speedy passage of Judgement.
He said the commission has set up a machinery in place to clamp down on ungazzeted detention centers in the country, stating that the proliferation of those uncertified centers cause more harm than good to human nature, He further affirmed that the commissions mission was to protect ,promote the lives of it citizenry especially the downtrodden in the society.
He stated that the commission is out to keep track of persons taking to real detention centres,Saying NHRC will give room to the auditing of inmates incarcerated at detention centers cut across prisons nationwide, The Executive Secretary opined that the commission will not left any stone unturned by bringing the operators of ungazzeted detention centres.
He maintained that if stringent measure was adopted to combat the uprising of detention centres which instead of been a reformation centre are places for inhuman treatment,Professor Ben gave lifeline to all the inmates awaiting trial at the prison, adding that next week was slated for the interview of all inmates in detention at Lafia prison.
