A human rights lawyer, Pius D. Pius, has decried the alarming number of inmates in Nigerian correctional centres without trial, revealing that between 60 to 70 percent of prisoners fall into this category.
Speaking in Jalingo, Taraba State at the weekend, at an event to mark the 2025 International Human Rights Day, Pius described the trend as a gross violation of justice, pointing out that many detainees have remained in custody for up to two or three years without being arraigned in court.
“This is not acceptable. There are increasing cases of human rights abuse in Nigeria. People are hungry, sick, and their fundamental rights are violated with impunity. We are witnessing troubling patterns such as police brutality, prison congestion, child abuse, forced labour, and growing social inequality” he said.
He called on Nigerians to be more vigilant in defending their rights and those of others.
“An injustice to one is an injustice to all,” Nigerians, as suggested by him “must collectively rise to protect our constitutional freedoms whenever and wherever they are threatened.”
As part of activities to commemorate the day, Pius announced that his law firm, PD Pius and Associates, is offering free legal representation to 20 indigent Nigerians.
The initiative, he noted, is in line with the Legal Aid Council Act and aims to support victims of prolonged detention and other rights violations.
