A few days ago, a Nigerian lawyer, Mr. Pius Iwoke, who was illegally arrested and incarcerated for three years without trial, regained his freedom due to the intervention of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu Mikyau SAN. It is hoped that the Nigerian Bar Association will equally intervene and secure the immediate release of thousands of indigent citizens who are languishing in illegal custody in many detention centres in all the states of the Federation.
where bail has been refused, grant bail to any suspect where appropriate if the offence for which the suspect is held is within the jurisdiction of the Magistrate or Judge. It is indisputable that if Judges had been visiting the detention facilities of the State Security Service located in Maitama District, Abuja or Minna, Niger State, on a monthly basis in the last three years, Pius Iwoke Esq. and other detainees would have long regained their freedom.
2. Direct the human rights committee of each branch of the NBA to accompany Chief Magistrates and Judges to conduct monthly inspection of all police stations and detention facilities in Nigeria.