The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN), has raised concerns over the worsening security situation in the South-East, citing widespread illegal detentions, extrajudicial killings, and human rights violations.
Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH in Enugu, Osigwe criticized the escalating crisis, emphasizing that it had led to a collapse of law and order across the region.
“The issue of security in the South East should be taken seriously, giving the due attention it deserves.
“There has been a breakdown in law and order in many parts of the South-East, many communities no longer have a presence of local government, police stations have been destroyed, people are being kidnapped and ransomed, and people are beginning to take it as the order of the day,” he said.
Expressing disapproval over the actions of certain magistrates who, despite lacking jurisdiction, issue remand orders that prolong unjust detentions, Osigwe highlighted the alarming rate of inmates awaiting trial in Nigeria.
He pointed out that over 68 percent of prisoners in the country remain in pre-trial detention, with many spending more time in custody than the duration of their possible sentence.
“We condemn a situation where people are being held in remand, and we have also sent out an appeal to all Chief Judges to ensure that no magistrates’ court gives an order of remand without providing a return date for a review of the remand order.
“No person should be remanded without having his day in court, without being charged to court.
“And courts that have no jurisdiction should end the practice of granting indefinite remand.”
Calling for urgent judicial reforms, Osigwe urged Chief Judges to ensure magistrates refrain from issuing remand orders without corresponding charges being filed.
He also encouraged victims of unjust detention to seek legal redress, assuring that NBA lawyers are available to provide free legal representation.
“Naturally, they should be able to sue the state for detaining them without trial,” Osigwe advised.
“And it is for their lawyers to make a decision; we can’t go out because it is against our rules of the profession to instigate people to go to court, but where people feel aggrieved and want to approach lawyers, many NBA lawyers are willing to offer pro bono services,” he said.
Beyond legal interventions, Osigwe reaffirmed the NBA’s commitment to fostering peace and security in the South-East through advocacy and constructive engagement with relevant authorities.
