The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), specifically the Olympus Marino Deck in Port Harcourt, has called upon the federal government to undertake significant reforms of Nigeria's criminal justice administration, characterizing the current system as unjust and harmful to the nation’s moral standing.
During a humanitarian visit to the Maximum Correctional Facility in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Ken Henshaw, a former Capoon of the Deck, expressed deep concern about the fact that over 70 percent of inmates in that facility are awaiting trial, having spent an excessively long time in detention.
He pointed out that numerous detainees have languished in custody even beyond the maximum sentence for the alleged crimes they face, which he described as a significant flaw within the justice system.
“It is alarming that we are here while life outside continues; people are getting married, starting families, yet 70 percent of the 3,000 inmates here are innocent of any crime. This system is woefully inadequate and unacceptable,” Henshaw remarked.
Furthermore, he highlighted that some inmates have been trapped in detention for years while awaiting trial for offences that carry a maximum sentence far shorter than their time served.
“When individuals are charged with crimes punishable by a maximum of three years, but they’ve spent eight years waiting for their trial, it illustrates an unjust system,” he stated, emphasizing that no modern society can claim to be civilized while permitting such injustices.
Henshaw also raised alarm over the deplorable state of the correctional facility, noting a lack of electricity, insufficient healthcare, and outdated infrastructure.
“How can inmates survive without basic electricity? The state of our prisons requires urgent attention from the government. The individuals housed here are human beings deserving of healthcare. We've checked the pharmacy and the lab; there’s absolutely nothing available,” he lamented.
He urged for increased financial support for correctional facilities, stressing the necessity of effective allocation of resources to enhance inmate welfare and upgrade infrastructure.
“I urge the government to reform the management of our criminal justice system. Any administration that permits individuals who have committed no offense to be held for years in detention is fundamentally flawed,” Henshaw insisted.
The current Capoon of Olympus Marino Deck, Ilochi Nnamdi, added that the visit was part of events commemorating NAS F18 Day, which marks the unlawful detention of its members on February 18, 1997, by the military regime.
“This memorial serves as a grave reminder of the sacrifices made in the struggle for civil rights and democratic values, reinforcing our commitment to justice, accountability, and human respect,” Nnamdi elaborated.
He indicated that during their visit, the association provided medical supplies, clothing, essentials, and consumables to the inmates to enhance their living conditions and promote dignity.
Nnamdi also stated that the F18 Day activities would proceed with a legal roundtable discussion involving lawyers and relevant stakeholders to analyze issues related to incarceration, inmate rights, access to legal counsel, and ongoing reforms in Nigeria's correctional system.
The chairman of the Deck’s Social Advocacy Committee, Emery Okwapam, noted that over the years, the group has facilitated the release of more than 100 inmates unable to pay fines or meet bail requirements.
“Our aim is to collaborate with correctional authorities and look for ways to enhance the wellbeing of inmates,” Okwapam stated.
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