A disturbing spotlight has been cast on the Nigerian correctional system as legal experts raise alarm over the staggering number of inmates languishing in overcrowded prisons—most without trial and thousands of them children.
At the forefront of a new push to tackle this crisis is businessman and philanthropist Ejike Egbuagu, who launched the Egbuagu Foundation—an initiative aimed at freeing 1,000 wrongly detained Nigerians through legal support and prison reforms.
The event, held at Moneda House in Lekki, Lagos, drew legal professionals and rights advocates who committed to the mission of restoring justice and dignity to Nigeria’s forgotten prisoners.
Currently, Nigerian prisons house 80,672 inmates—operating at an alarming 136.7% capacity. Of this figure, about 70% are awaiting trial, with many trapped in legal limbo for years. Even more shocking is the figure of 26,000 children in detention—some born behind bars, others arrested or detained under questionable circumstances, often without legal identification or birth records.
Egbuagu, who also leads the finance firm Moneda, said the new foundation would prioritise the most vulnerable inmates—particularly youths and those with creative potential.
“We’re not just freeing bodies; we’re rebuilding lives,” Egbuagu said. “Many inmates have no legal files, no case history. Our work starts with documenting these cases and providing them with proper legal defence. We are focusing on age, circumstance, and talent.”
He added that the Foundation would rely on a network of pro bono lawyers and law firms, with some being compensated where necessary. The full rollout of operations is expected by June 2025, following groundwork to profile inmates and finalise legal partnerships.
Legal practitioner Zikora Okwor-Wewan, who attended the launch, welcomed the initiative. “I’ve worked closely with pre-trial detainees and wrongly accused inmates. These statistics are not just numbers—they’re real people, some of them children, many forgotten by the system. This foundation gives us a fighting chance to right some of these wrongs.”
The foundation’s efforts come amid growing concern over Nigeria’s justice system, where thousands are condemned to indefinite incarceration without trial, legal support, or even documentation. Rights activists have called for urgent reforms, starting with addressing the overwhelming backlog of cases clogging the country’s courts and prisons.
As the Egbuagu Foundation steps into action, hope flickers anew for thousands who have waited too long for justice—some for years, others for a lifetime.
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