For thousands of prison inmates across Nigeria, justice is not only delayed, but it is defined by corruption and systemic failure.
Experts sounded the alarm over the “human warehouses” within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) centres, and called for effective reforms to change the systemic rot fuelling a humanitarian crisis.
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Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, on Tuesday in Abuja, presented the findings of the independent investigation into the NCoS during a regional symposium on rule of law, human security, and accountability, convened by the Economic Community of West African States with support from international partners.
The three-day symposium, which runs from 31 March to 2 April, brings together governments, development partners, and civil society actors to address justice gaps across West Africa, with a focus on gender and access to justice.
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The report Mrs Ajani presented is a culmination of the investigative panel constituted by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in September 2024, following allegations of corruption and gross misconduct involving NCoS officials and cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
The investigation was conducted in three phases: in September 2024, March 2025, and the last phase in August 2025, uncovering structural inefficiencies.
A justice system under pressure
Presenting findings from the the 18-month independent probe, Mrs Ajani said the panel was set up following serious allegations of corruption, abuse of authority, and violations within custodial facilities.
“Our mandate was not only to investigate individuals, but to identify and address the underlying structural and operational challenges affecting the correctional system,” she said.
Earlier in March, the panel officially unveiled the findings to the federal government.
The panel conducted unannounced inspections across 86 facilities in 22 states, alongside public hearings and stakeholder consultations, exposing what she described as deep-rooted institutional weaknesses.
“Custodial centres have become a form of human warehouse,” she said, citing cases where facilities exceeded their capacity by up to 500 per cent. “When a space designed for 30 people houses over 150, what you have goes beyond congestion.”
More than 70 per cent of inmates, she added, are awaiting trial, a reflection of systemic breakdown across policing, prosecution, and the judiciary.
She warned that such gaps are not isolated to Nigeria but reflect wider regional challenges.
“Across our region, the promise of justice remains elusive for many, particularly women, children, and other vulnerable groups. These are not peripheral concerns; they are direct constraints on human dignity, security, and sustainable development,” she added.
When rights are commodified
Beyond overcrowding, the investigation revealed a disturbing pattern: the monetisation of basic human rights within correctional facilities.
“We identified a pervasive culture where human rights have become commercialised,” Mrs Ajani said.
According to her, inmates often pay for bed spaces, family visits, and even transportation to court, creating a system that privileges the wealthy while deepening inequality.
“This creates a socio-economic layer of justice that punishes the poor and undermines the foundation of legal equality,” she added.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that in several facilities visited by the panel, inmates who could not afford these informal payments faced prolonged detention and significantly harsher living conditions, raising serious concerns about equal protection under the law.
The report also exposed gender-specific gaps, with many facilities lacking provisions for menstrual hygiene, prenatal care, and nursing mothers.
“Correctional systems were often designed by men for men,” Mrs Ajani said, recalling instances where officials had to personally provide sanitary materials for female inmates.
In some cases, pregnant women and nursing mothers were held in overcrowded cells alongside other detainees, with children growing up within custodial environments.
Reforms, accountability, and regional stakes
Despite the scale of the findings, Mrs Ajani said the investigation has already triggered disciplinary actions against erring officers and led to the resolution of multiple complaints, including cases of prolonged detention.
“Accountability must be embraced not only as a response to concerns, but as a catalyst for institutional reform,” she said.
In August, an officer was dismissed following over allegations of falsehood against the NCoS, including the claim that an inmate was taken out for a conjugal visit.
Speaking to participants on Tuesday, Mrs Ajani disclosed that reforms are underway, including the rollout of virtual court hearings and a national case tracking system aimed at reducing delays in the justice process.
The findings also highlighted broader implications for the West African region, where similar justice and accountability challenges persist.
Speaking earlier at the event, Germany’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, said security sector reform is critical to strengthening democratic institutions and protecting human rights.
“In a region facing complex security challenges, governance and accountability remain a cornerstone for building lasting peace,” she said, stressing that inclusive justice systems are essential for development and public trust.
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A representative of the European Union also warned that persistent gaps in access to justice disproportionately affect women and vulnerable populations, urging governments to adopt more inclusive and rights-based approaches.
Mrs Ajani emphasised that Nigeria’s experience offers important lessons for the Economic Community of West African States, particularly in strengthening oversight systems, improving coordination across justice institutions, and leveraging technology.
“Investigation without transformation is a hollow exercise. The success of this work will be measured not by reports, but by the dignity restored to those within our custody.”
She noted that the credibility of any justice system lies in how it treats its most vulnerable and whether accountability is pursued not just as policy, but as practice.
