The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) and the Papal Knights and Medalists of Nigeria to address prison congestion and promote the rights and dignity of persons in correctional facilities across the country.
The collaboration was formalised during a courtesy visit by a delegation led by the National President of the Papal Knights and Supreme Knight of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Steve Adehi, to the NHRC headquarters in Abuja.
During the meeting, Adehi raised concerns over the continued detention of many Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs), particularly those held for minor offences or because they are unable to meet modest bail conditions. He noted that several inmates remain in custody despite facing bailable offences, with some detained solely due to financial constraints.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu (OFR, SAN), reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to protecting the rights of vulnerable and marginalised persons. He described the detention of individuals over trivial amounts, including cases involving as little as ₦5,000, as a serious concern for justice and human dignity.
According to Ojukwu, every effort that restores an individual’s freedom and dignity represents a meaningful contribution to society.
As part of the partnership, both organisations agreed to work together to facilitate the review and release of inmates detained for minor, bailable offences who cannot afford bail. They also resolved to establish sustainable post-release support systems, including halfway homes, vocational training programmes, and essential welfare packages to aid reintegration and reduce the risk of reoffending.
The collaboration will further include human rights training for correctional officers to strengthen compliance with national laws and international standards governing the treatment of inmates, including the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.
Speaking on the initiative, the Head of the NHRC National Preventive Mechanism, Kabiru Elayo, stressed the importance of structured reintegration programmes, warning that many former inmates return to correctional facilities within months due to inadequate support after release.
To formalise the partnership, the NHRC will prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Knights of St. Mulumba and the Papal Knights and Medalists of Nigeria. The initiative will subsequently be extended to the Commission’s 36 state offices to ensure nationwide implementation.
The Commission said the collaboration represents a significant step towards addressing systemic challenges within Nigeria’s correctional system by combining the NHRC’s statutory mandate with the humanitarian efforts of faith-based organisations to advance justice, human dignity and the rule of law.
