The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in partnership with Hope Behind Bars Africa Initiative, secured the release of eight inmates from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre near Abuja as part of activities marking Nelson Mandela Day.
Speaking during a visit to the facility, NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr Tony Ojukwu, said Mandela Day serves as a reminder that justice, dignity and compassion must extend to all people, including those in custody.
Represented by Dr Benedict Agu, Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary and Head of the Commission’s Monitoring Department, Ojukwu noted that the United Nations General Assembly expanded the observance of Mandela Day in 2015 to emphasise humane conditions of imprisonment and the continued place of prisoners within society.
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“Most crimes that bring people into custody are often rooted in poverty, and when you look at the fines that continue to keep low-risk inmates behind bars, you can see how poverty and inequity sustain overcrowding in our correctional facilities,” Ojukwu stated.
According to him, the theme for Nelson Mandela Day 2026 is It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.
“By these actions we are simply saying that those in custody remain part of our society and deserve opportunities to rebuild their lives. Custody must be a turning point, leading to correction and ultimately reintegration,” Ojukwu said.
He added that the NHRC had moved beyond monitoring detention conditions and making recommendations by paying fines for indigent inmates, providing welfare support and promoting rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
Ojukwu urged individuals and organisations with the means to support similar interventions, noting that many inmates still have valuable contributions to make to society if given another opportunity.
The officer in charge of the Suleja custodial centre, Sunday Ejeh, thanked the visiting organisations and encouraged inmates to draw inspiration from Mandela’s experience.
“Use this opportunity to think and reflect on why you are here, learn from it and become a better person. If you understand and know the story of Mandela, you should know that one day you will regain your freedom,” he said.
Pauline Olorunyomi of Hope Behind Bars Africa Initiative highlighted the United Nations Bangkok Rules, which focus on the treatment of women prisoners and non-custodial measures for female offenders.
She called for their full implementation and stressed that justice should promote fairness rather than simply punishment.
The Deputy Director in the NHRC’s Civil and Political Rights Department, Damian Ugwu, explained the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, widely known as the Mandela Rules.
Ugwu said the standards provide safeguards for both correctional officers and inmates and are already reflected in Nigerian law.
Representatives of Shamies Unusual Hearts Foundation and Eyesavers Healthcare Initiative also participated in the programme and emphasised the importance of equipping inmates with skills and opportunities to return to society as productive citizens.
Shedrach Okah of Shamies Unusual Hearts Foundation, represented by the organisation’s Executive Director, Sarah Abdul, said government alone could not meet the challenges of rehabilitation and reintegration.
Okah called for initiatives that unlock inmates’ potential and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
Eyesavers Healthcare Initiative provided medical treatment to the freed inmates following their release.
The release formed part of the NHRC’s intervention for low-risk inmates unable to regain freedom due to unpaid fines.
The commission said the initiative reflects the values championed by former South African President Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison before leading the struggle against apartheid.
