Emmanuel Onyebadi: Some Inmates Remain Behind Bars Over Fines Below N5,000

In Nigeria, certain inmates are imprisoned for years solely because they owe fines of less than N5,000, while others remain in custody awaiting trial without conviction. Sir Emmanuel Onyebadi, a Knight of Saint Mulumba, expressed deep concern over such injustices, prison overcrowding, and delayed trials, advocating for reforms to restore dignity and hope for the incarcerated.

As a member of the Knights at the Sub-Council level, Onyebadi spoke with Sunday Ehigiator about his involvement in prison advocacy and social welfare.

The Knights of Saint Mulumba, operating under the Lagos Metropolitan Council, are divided among different offices, each with defined functions. Onyebadi is responsible for prison advocacy as part of the Prison and Advocacy Committee of the VGC Sub-Council. This committee focuses on the welfare, dignity, rights, and rehabilitation of inmates, as well as advocating for justice and humane treatment within the criminal justice system.

One of the primary objectives of the Prison and Advocacy Committee is to visit inmates, offer counsel, provide emotional support, and help maintain their faith. Additionally, they offer welfare assistance by collecting donations of food, clothing, and other necessities, particularly for indigent inmates with no support system. The committee also advocates against prison overcrowding, prolonged pretrial detention, and barriers to accessing justice, while promoting humane treatment of inmates.

The committee identifies inmates who could be released after paying small fines and assists them in meeting these obligations, enabling their release. They also facilitate access to legal assistance through pro bono lawyers who help inmates navigate the justice system. Finally, the committee focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration, supporting inmates to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society effectively.

The VGC Sub-Council operates within the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province, serving the Ikoyi Medium Custodial Centre. The activities of the committee are coordinated with the Archdiocesan Prison Apostolate and its prison chaplaincy to ensure consistency in their efforts. Membership at the VGC Sub-Council's Prison and Advocacy Committee is both male and female (Knights and Ladies), with activities replicated on a larger scale by Advocacy Committees in other sub-councils under the leadership of the Metropolitan Advocate.