Nothing is more unjust than jailing someone beyond the statutory detention period.
In Nigeria and especially in the Southeast, hundreds of youths are languishing in correctional centers because of the poor justice delivery system.
Imagine being jailed for years for an offense that the law prescribes a few months in jail. That’s the challenge many inmates in Southeast correctional centers are facing.
But CSAAE is confronting this challenge and it is determined to end unlawful incarceration and detention in the Southeast and across Nigeria.
Late last year, CSAAE secured a grant from VOICE (OXFAM) to identify and pursue the release of youths incarcerated unjustly during the #endsars protest.
While combing the correctional centers in the Southeast, our 15 pro bono lawyers (CSAAE Advocates) led by Mr. Victor Onwere (Esq.) discovered that there are many more youths unlawfully incarcerated in Southeast correctional centers.
To expedite the trial of these inmates, our lawyers are reaching out to Chief Judges and requesting expedited trials. The Chief Judge of Abia State wasted no time in granting the request and set up special courts to expedite these trials.
The Abia trial ended last Friday and we are happy to announce that through the legal representation of CSAAE Advocates, 35 inmates were released. Ten (10) of these inmates were jailed for #endsars related offenses.
We thank VOICE for providing the initial funding for this effort. Though the VOICE project ended on September 19, CSAAE has continued to self-fund this noble initiative. The Centre will be focusing on jail delivery in 2023 and has set an ambitious goal of not only facilitating the release of unlawfully incarcerated youths in the Southeast but also putting in place a mechanism that will end unlawful incarceration and detention in the Southeast moving forward.
We invite all lovers of justice to support this sacred project financially and otherwise.
Remember, injustice to one is an injustice to all.
To report unlawful incarceration or detention in the Southeast,
please call our toll-free line: 0800- 900-1000. Our advocates are standing by to help.
